SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Brown are two mechanical keyboard switches that both offer a unique and enjoyable typing experience. The Polaris Purple is known for its exhilarating tactile bump, providing a satisfying sensation with every keystroke. Its snappy sound profile adds to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown showcases elegance and innovation, striking a balance between responsiveness and comfort with its medium-light actuation force. Typing on these switches offers a familiar and delightful auditory experience, cherished by keyboard enthusiasts. Both switches have their own distinct qualities, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ significantly. The Polaris Purple utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, while the WS Brown incorporates nylon for both components. The use of polycarbonate in the Polaris Purple produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the plastic's stiffness, which creates a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the WS Brown's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate housings are translucent, enhancing the effect of RGB lighting, making it a suitable choice for those who plan to incorporate lighting effects in their setup. Conversely, the WS Brown's nylon housing lacks translucency, potentially limiting the options for aesthetics and customization.
When it comes to typing experience, the difference in housing materials translates to varying tactile and auditory feedback. The Polaris Purple's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, enhancing the typing experience as the stiffness of the plastic provides a more pronounced impact. On the other hand, the WS Brown's nylon bottom housing offers a softer and more cushioned bottom-out experience, resulting in a gentler impact.
Although the top and bottom housings exhibit contrasting characteristics, the qualities of each housing material in either switch's configuration will impact their corresponding aspects. For instance, the top housing will predominantly affect the sound when a key is released, while the bottom housing will primarily influence the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, even though the Polaris Purple and WS Brown have different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, they still emphasize the corresponding characteristics of each material, providing distinct typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there are notable differences. The actuation force of the Polaris Purple is unspecified, making it difficult to directly compare. However, its bottom out force is 67 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the WS Brown tactile switch has an actuation force that is also unspecified, but its bottom out force is 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In terms of weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch for extended typing periods and gaming sessions, as it provides a more effortless and comfortable experience. In this case, the WS Brown would be the lighter option. However, others may prefer a stronger actuation force for a more substantial typing feel. In this scenario, the Polaris Purple would be the heavier choice. Ultimately, the force comparison between the two switches suggests that the Polaris Purple offers a potentially more robust and tactile typing experience, while the WS Brown provides a lighter and more effortless keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Polaris Purple has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Brown has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Despite this small difference, both switches fall within the same range of traditional travel distances. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances as they offer faster response times, making the WS Brown an attractive option for this group. On the other hand, individuals who value a deeper and more substantial pressing experience may prefer the Polaris Purple with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
The Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 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
In terms of sound, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is described as having a snappy sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a satisfying and responsive auditory experience. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is described as providing an exhilarating tactile typing experience. The big tactile bump that these switches offer ensures a noticeable feedback when typing, adding to the overall feel. Additionally, the Polaris Purple switches are categorized as having a mild feel, which means they offer a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The polished finish of these switches also contributes to a sleek and smooth key travel. On the contrary, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch stands out for its snappy sound profile, exhilarating tactile typing experience, and polished finish. These switches offer a great middle-ground option in terms of sound and feel, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. As for the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there is not enough information provided to compare it with the Polaris Purple switch. However, if you are looking for a similar experience in terms of sound and feel, the Polaris Purple switch would be a reliable option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a big tactile bump, the SP-Star Polaris Purple would be your top choice. These switches provide an exhilarating typing experience with a snappy sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a harmonious blend of familiarity and innovation, the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches would be the ideal option. These switches strike a balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. With their familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination, they offer a delightful auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, tactile experience, and sound profile. Whether you prioritize a heavier and more pronounced tactile bump or a lighter and more harmonious typing experience, both switches have their unique qualities that enthusiasts cherish.