SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile are two prime contenders. The Polaris Purple is best known for its exhilarating tactile typing experience, thanks to its big tactile bump. It offers a snappy sound profile and is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile by Wuque Studio is a remarkable addition to their esteemed WS series. With a profound and pronounced tactile bump and a tactile force of 70g, each keystroke on these switches is imbued with a satisfying resistance, making typing an engaging journey. They also offer a captivating sound profile, including an accented, bouncy, clacky, high-pitched, invigorating, resonant, sharp, and snappy auditory feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

SP-Star Polaris Purple Tactile

Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile Tactile

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

$3.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials used in the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Polaris Purple features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when pressed. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, providing a clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the top housing's translucency makes it suitable for RGB lighting. In contrast, the WS Heavy Tactile incorporates a nylon top and bottom housing. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's softer composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound.

While both switches have different housing materials, the impact of these materials varies depending on the user's interaction with the switches. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become more evident, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In the case of the Polaris Purple, the stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing in the WS Heavy Tactile results in a deeper and fuller sound upon pressing. However, when releasing a key, the properties of the top housing become more noticeable in the switch's sound. The polycarbonate top housing in the Polaris Purple enhances the sharp and crisp sound when a key is released, while the nylon top housing in the WS Heavy Tactile provides a rounder sound profile.

In summary, the housing materials used in the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches offer distinct characteristics. The polycarbonate housing in the Polaris Purple promotes a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, especially when releasing a key, while the nylon housing in the WS Heavy Tactile creates a deeper and fuller sound. However, if both switches are equipped with the same housing material, such as polycarbonate top and bottom housing, the resulting sound profiles would be similar in terms of clarity and resonance. Nonetheless, the bottom housing would primarily influence the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing would have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The exact actuation force for both switches is unavailable. However, it is worth noting that the Polaris Purple is described as having a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams.

For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the WS Heavy Tactile could be a suitable option as it requires less force to bottom out. This lighter force may be desirable for extended typing sessions or gaming sessions where fatigue is a concern. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile feel while typing may find the Polaris Purple appealing. With its medium-heavy bottom out force, it provides a stronger push feel, creating a more substantial typing experience.

While the exact actuation force for both switches is unknown, it is important to consider that the actuation force is the force required to trigger a keystroke. Therefore, if the actuation forces of the Polaris Purple and the WS Heavy Tactile happen to be the same, users can expect similar results in terms of the force needed to initiate a keystroke, regardless of the differences in their bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to individual preferences, with some favoring a lighter typing experience and others preferring a heavier and more tactile feel.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that they have different distances. The Polaris Purple has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Heavy Tactile has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Polaris Purple falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, offering a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile offers a slightly shallower travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers seeking faster response times. Both options cater to different preferences, with the shorter travel distance of the WS Heavy Tactile providing a more responsive feel, while the longer travel distance of the Polaris Purple offers a heartier depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that the sound produced by these switches is moderate and suitable for most purposes, whether you're a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or at work. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch provides a clacky sound profile. This means that the sound produced by these switches is sharp, snappy, crisp, and percussive. Additionally, the WS Heavy Tactile switch also has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which adds to the overall auditory experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the SP-Star Polaris Purple switch offers a mild typing experience. This means that the tactile feedback and sound produced by these switches are more gentle and approachable, falling within a safe and middle-ground zone. The switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch provides an accented feel. This means that it offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. The switch also has a bouncy and invigorating sensation, providing a spring-like feedback and rebound when pressed. Additionally, the WS Heavy Tactile switch is known for its sharp and snappy tactile bump, offering high feedback intensity with each keypress.

In conclusion, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Polaris Purple has a neutral sound profile and provides a mild and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Heavy Tactile switch has a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, and offers an accented, bouncy, invigorating, and sharp tactile feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience. If you prefer a moderate sound profile and a more gentle typing experience, the Polaris Purple will suit you well. If you enjoy a sharp and snappy sound with a pronounced tactile feel, the WS Heavy Tactile switch will be an excellent choice.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy switch with a big tactile bump and a snappy sound profile, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch is the way to go. It offers a moderate actuation force requirement and a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various environments. On the other hand, if you want a lighter switch with a profound and pronounced tactile bump, as well as a captivating sound profile, then the Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile switch is the perfect choice. With a tactile force of 70g, it provides a satisfying resistance and an engaging typing experience. The WS Heavy Tactile switch has a clacky, high-pitched, and resonant sound profile, creating a sharp, crisp, and immersive auditory experience. Additionally, it offers multiple feel options such as accented, bouncy, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, allowing you to find the perfect switch with the desired feedback intensity. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics, so it depends on your personal preference and typing style when making a decision.

Mentioned in this article

SP-Star Polaris Purple Tactile

$5.60

$5.00 per 10

Learn more

Wuque Studio WS Heavy Tactile Tactile

$3.50 per 10

Learn more