Outemu Silver vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Outemu Silver is a linear switch that is best known for its undefined characteristic. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is also a linear switch, but it stands out for its smooth, high-pitched typing feel and maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem of the WS Aurora Clear is lightly lubed, providing minimal friction for a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. While the Silver switch remains a bit mysterious in its features, the WS Aurora Clear is described as 'buttery', 'mild', 'high-pitched', and 'polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This makes them ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting, given polycarbonate's translucency. However, the Silver uses a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the WS Aurora Clear utilizes UHWMPE for its bottom housing, offering a bright sound signature with resonant clacks. This difference in bottom housing material affects the overall sound and feel of the switches.
The use of different bottom housing materials in the Outemu Silver and WS Aurora Clear results in distinct typing experiences. The nylon bottom housing of the Silver absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile when compared to the UHWMPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear, which produces a brighter sound signature with resonant clacks. This difference in sound profiles highlights how the material of the bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall typing experience of a switch, impacting the sound when pressing down on the switch.
While the Outemu Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear share similar polycarbonate top housings, their respective bottom housing materials make them unique in terms of sound profile and typing experience. The Silver's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound, while the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing offers a bright sound signature. These differences show how the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch can create varying sound profiles and tactile feedback, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in designing mechanical switches.
Weight
The Outemu Silver linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 53 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silver requires 65 grams while the WS Aurora Clear needs 63.5 grams, making them fairly similar in this aspect. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Silver, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance might prefer the WS Aurora Clear. Both switches offer a medium-heavy feel, suitable for users who prefer a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches offer a traditional travel distance, with the Silver being slightly longer than the WS Aurora Clear. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the WS Aurora Clear, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Outemu Silver. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of keypress feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silver comes in at $3.10, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Outemu Silver linear switch is known for its undefined sound profile, while the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is best known for producing a high-pitched, sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This difference in sound characteristics can cater to different preferences, with the Silver providing a more neutral auditory experience compared to the more distinct high-pitched sound of the WS Aurora Clear switch.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silver switch lacks a defined description, whereas the WS Aurora Clear switch is described as having a buttery, mild, and polished feel. This means that the WS Aurora Clear switch offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with a gentle and approachable typing sensation that is enhanced by reduced friction and smooth key travel. The feel of a switch is crucial to the overall typing experience, so this difference between the two switches can significantly impact user preference.
Overall, if you prefer a neutral sound profile and are open to exploring different tactile preferences, the Outemu Silver switch may be a suitable option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a high-pitched sound and prioritize a smooth, buttery feel with polished characteristics, the WS Aurora Clear switch would likely be more to your liking. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right switch, and trying out both types on a variety of boards and keycaps can help determine which one suits you best.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silver linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier actuation force, the Outemu Silver with its 65g bottom out force may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear with its 63.5g bottom out force and transparent polycarbonate top housing may be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to your personal typing preferences and aesthetic preferences.
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