KTT Pine vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the KTT Pine and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself comparing the KTT Pine and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. The Pine is a linear switch that is best known for its medium-heavy weight, buttery smooth feel, and effortless typing experience. With its polished, factory-lubed finish, this switch minimizes friction and offers smooth key travel. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is also a linear switch, but it provides a slightly different experience. It is known for its smooth, high-pitched typing experience and maximum RGB lighting customization, thanks to the transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing. The POM stem of the Aurora Clear is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Overall, both switches offer a smooth typing experience, but with different weight and sound characteristics. 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
58g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The KTT Pine and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both feature polycarbonate top housings, which provide similar benefits and characteristics. Polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its clear and resonant sound quality, making it ideal for those seeking a more precise and defined typing experience. Additionally, both switches offer a translucent top housing, which allows for stunning RGB lighting effects. So, whether you choose the Pine or the WS Aurora Clear, you can expect a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal due to their shared polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Pine and WS Aurora Clear differ in their materials. The Pine utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the WS Aurora Clear features a UHWMPE bottom housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, contributes to the overall sound and feel of the switch when bottoming out a key. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing introduces a newer material to switch housings. This material offers a bright sound signature, which produces resonant clacks when typing. Therefore, the choice between the Pine and the WS Aurora Clear will result in differing sound profiles when it comes to bottoming out a key.
It's important to note that the impact of each housing material is split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on a switch, you will primarily feel the qualities of the bottom housing, which includes the material used in its construction. As a result, the bottom housing will have a significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. So, while both the Pine and WS Aurora Clear may share a polycarbonate top housing, the choice of switch will still influence the overall typing experience based on the unique characteristics of their respective bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are notable differences. The KTT Pine has a lighter actuation force, requiring 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the WS Aurora Clear requires 53 grams. However, both switches have a similar medium bottom out force, with the Pine at 58 grams and the Aurora Clear at 63.5 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Pine would be a more suitable choice as its actuation force is lower. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions, especially in work environments or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear provides a stronger push feel due to its heavier actuation force, appealing to individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience.
Considering weight is an important factor in switch selection, as it directly affects typing comfort and endurance. The lighter actuation force of the Pine allows for less strain during prolonged use, while the heavier actuation force of the Aurora Clear caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the KTT Pine offers a lighter actuation force and a medium bottom out force, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear has a heavier actuation force and a medium-heavy bottom out force. Both switches provide distinct typing experiences, allowing users to choose based on their preferences and desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the KTT Pine linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch differ slightly. The Pine has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional depth. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This may not seem like a significant difference, but for gamers seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the WS Aurora Clear may be more appealing. However, for those who prefer a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming, the longer travel distance of the Pine switch may be preferred. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
The Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 per 10 switches.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a bassy and low-pitched typing experience. These characteristics result in a deeper and richer sound profile with a lower frequency range, akin to the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch produces a high-pitched sound when pressed. This switch type delivers a sharp and crisp sound, providing a distinct contrast to the more bass-heavy and mellow tones of the Pine. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps being used.
As for the feel, both the KTT Pine and WS Aurora Clear switches share a buttery typing experience. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. In addition to being buttery, the KTT Pine switch is also described as creamy, providing a silky sensation akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. The WS Aurora Clear, on the other hand, is characterized as mild, indicating a more gentle typing experience that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone. Furthermore, the WS Aurora Clear switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the KTT Pine and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Pine switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound, while delivering a buttery and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch produces a high-pitched sound and offers a buttery and polished typing experience with a mild feel. While the subjective qualities differ, individuals seeking a smooth and effortless typing experience can expect similar results from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences regarding sound profiles and additional features such as RGB lighting customization.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a medium-bottom out force and a keyboard switch that offers a smooth and effortless typing experience, then the KTT Pine linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its factory-lubed finish, it minimizes friction for a smooth key travel. The Pine switch also provides a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, which can offer a deeper and mellow tone during key presses. In terms of feel, the Pine switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless and uniform typing sensation.
On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and maximum RGB lighting customization, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch might be the better option for you. With its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, it allows for a visually appealing RGB lighting experience. The WS Aurora Clear switch also has a medium-heavy bottom out force and a mild typing experience, making it approachable to most users. It is described as buttery, mild, and polished, ensuring reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. In terms of sound, the Aurora Clear switch produces a high-pitched and crisp sound, providing a sharp and distinctive typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Pine and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider whether you prioritize smoothness, customization, or a particular sound profile when making your decision. Both switches offer their unique qualities, so it is important to choose the one that aligns with your typing preferences.
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