Jerrzi Salt Ice vs. Wuque Studio WS Dash
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Salt Ice and the Wuque Studio WS Dash switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switches, the Jerrzi Salt Ice and the Wuque Studio WS Dash present two intriguing options that cater to different preferences and styles. The Salt Ice switches are celebrated for their exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, ensuring a vibrant feedback and effortless actuation that appeals to users craving an energetic and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Dash Hall Effect switches offer a refined touch, taking inspiration from the popular Magnetic Jade, and provide a silky smooth keystroke alongside the signature bright and clacky sound. While the Salt Ice might be perfect for gamers and typists who enjoy a lively tactile experience, the WS Dash appeals to those seeking sophistication and smoothness in their keystrokes. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that aligns with your unique needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Salt Ice and Wuque Studio WS Dash exhibits distinct characteristics in their housing materials, primarily influenced by their use of polycarbonate for the top housing and differing materials for the bottom housing. Both switches feature polycarbonate as their top housing material, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This shared characteristic ensures that users experience a clear and resonant sound when pressing any key. The translucency of polycarbonate also enhances RGB lighting effects, making the backlighting more vivid and appealing, a quality both switches capitalize on for aesthetic enhancement. As such, when it comes to sound clarity and visual appeal under RGB lighting, both switches stand on common ground.
While the top housings of both switches are made of polycarbonate, their bottom housing materials diverge significantly, impacting the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The Jerrzi Salt Ice utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which aligns with the top's attributes to promote a consistent higher-pitched sound throughout the key press. This design choice retains the crispness and clarity across the entire stroke, resulting in a cohesive auditory experience. In contrast, the Wuque Studio WS Dash incorporates a nylon bottom housing. Nylon's inherently softer nature absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile that contrasts with the sharper tones of polycarbonate. This difference means that the WS Dash creates a more subdued bottom-out experience, enriching the overall tactile feedback while diminishing the brightness that the Salt Ice maintains throughout.
Ultimately, the materials of the top and bottom housings in each switch serve different functions that combine to create unique auditory experiences. For users looking for harmonized clarity and resonance, the Salt Ice offers a uniform sound profile thanks to its use of polycarbonate throughout. In contrast, the WS Dash's combination of polycarbonate and nylon brings together a sharper sound upon key release with a rounder, softer bottoming out. Thus, although the top hosing materials are the same, the distinct characteristics introduced by the different base materials allow each switch to cater to varying user preferences in sound and tactile feedback, creating an array of options for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch with the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Salt Ice switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the WS Dash is lighter, requiring only 30 grams to actuate. This lighter actuation force in the WS Dash may appeal to users who prefer effortless typing for extended periods, making it suitable for both work and lengthy gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force of the Salt Ice switch remains unknown, preventing a complete comparison. On the other hand, the WS Dash has a bottom out force of 55 grams, classified as medium-light. This implies that while the WS Dash requires less force to start registering a key press, it provides a more substantial feel upon bottoming out, which may cater to those who enjoy a heavier typing experience. Therefore, if you prefer a softer touch with a lighter actuation, the WS Dash is the better option, while the Salt Ice, with its higher actuation force, might offer a heftier feel—if more information about its bottom out force became available.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch has a slightly longer travel distance at 3.5 mm. This makes the Salt Ice the shorter option, providing a more responsive and quicker activation, which is often favored by gamers looking for rapid response times. Conversely, the WS Dash, with its 3.5 mm travel, may offer a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more pronounced keypress experience. Although the difference is subtle, these characteristics could influence user preference based on individual typing styles and needs. Ultimately, the choice between the two will hinge on whether one favors a snappier feedback or a deeper, more deliberate actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
The Wuque Studio WS Dash has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Dash for $7.49.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is recognized for its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, creating an energetic auditory experience that complements its design. This vibrant sound signature is particularly engaging, adding an element of excitement to every keystroke. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch also boasts a bright and clacky sound, which mirrors the Salt Ice's lively auditory qualities. This similarity suggests that both switches can deliver a dynamic acoustic environment, though the exact experience may vary depending on the keyboard's construction and keycap materials.
When it comes to feel, the Salt Ice switches are celebrated for their light touch and vibrant feedback, which facilitate effortless actuation. This responsive feel encourages quick typing and gaming, making it a favorable choice for those seeking a lively typing experience. The WS Dash switches, known for their silky smooth keystroke, offer a distinct tactile satisfaction that differs slightly from the more pronounced feedback of the Salt Ice. However, both switches prioritize a smooth actuation, providing an enjoyable experience with their respective characteristics.
In conclusion, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch and Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch exhibit notable differences in feel, they share similar vibrant and clacky sound profiles. Users can expect an effervescent audio experience with either option, while personal preference will likely dictate the choice between the lively feedback of the Salt Ice and the smoothness of the WS Dash. Ultimately, both switches cater to distinct typing preferences and can enhance any mechanical keyboard enthusiast’s setup.
Conclusion
In summary, while both the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Dash hall effect switch offer distinct experiences, your choice ultimately hinges on your typing preferences and intended use. If you crave an energetic and responsive typing experience with a vibrant, clacky sound profile, the Salt Ice switch could be your ideal match. This switch's effortless actuation and bright feedback make it fantastic for fast-paced typing or gaming, where quick reactions and a lively auditory experience enhance your engagement. On the other hand, if you prefer a keystroke that feels silky smooth while still producing a clacky sound, you might lean towards the WS Dash switch. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a more refined tactile feedback and would be particularly appealing if you're aiming for a balanced typing experience, combining both comfort and control. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you seek the liveliness of the Salt Ice or the refined aspect of the WS Dash, allowing you to tailor your keyboard setup to fit your unique style and functional needs.
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