Durock Sea Glass vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Brown are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for users. The Sea Glass switch series by Durock is best known for its captivating pastel colors, which make it stand out as a favorite among many. The proprietary material blend of these switches creates a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness during typing, while maintaining a smooth feel. Despite its 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches have a weightlessness that defies expectations, showcasing their frictionless nature. Additionally, these switches produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Brown switches from Wuque Studio are praised for their elegance and innovative design. With a medium-light actuation force, they strike a harmonious balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during extended sessions. The WS Brown switches offer a familiar and delightful auditory experience due to their nylon housing and POM stem combination. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
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 Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in their housing materials, particularly in their top and bottom housings. The Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both its top and bottom housing. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. On the other hand, the WS Brown utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. It absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of the top housing material, both the Sea Glass and the WS Brown have their distinct characteristics. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend contribute to a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but still bright. On the other hand, the WS Brown's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing material, the Sea Glass and the WS Brown also have their unique qualities. The Sea Glass's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. While it is not specified in the description, it can be assumed that this blend influences the sound profile in a similar manner as the top housing. Meanwhile, the WS Brown's nylon bottom housing, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound profile when typing on switches that use nylon for their bottom housing.
While there are differences between the housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Brown, they both hold unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend, found in both the top and bottom housing, offers a sound profile that is bright and pleasant. On the other hand, the WS Brown's nylon housing, also used in both the top and bottom, elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Despite the differences, both switch combinations aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Sea Glass is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter keystroke for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the WS Brown has an unknown actuation force, but a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it slightly lighter than the Sea Glass. For individuals who enjoy a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience, both switches would provide a similar outcome due to their medium actuation forces. However, if one desires a lighter bottom out force, the WS Brown may be the preferred choice with its medium-light rating. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on individual preferences and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.8 mm. Therefore, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of the distance traveled when pressing down on a key. This means that whether you choose the Sea Glass or the WS Brown switch, you can expect to have a consistent and comfortable typing experience with a travel distance of 3.8 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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 Sea Glass switches emit a uniquely hollow sound that adds to the typing experience. This distinct sound signature sets them apart from other switches. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the WS Brown switches are unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Sea Glass switches are known for their frictionless nature. This means that typing on these switches feels extremely smooth and effortless, with minimal resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches are described as mild, meaning they offer a gentle typing experience that can be approached by most users. Their feathery feel, characterized by being exceptionally light to press, reduces finger fatigue, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions.
In contrast, the feel of the WS Brown switches is unknown. Unfortunately, there is no available information on their specific characteristics or tactile feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass switches offer a unique typing experience with their distinct sound signature and frictionless, feathery feel. Their dryness, wispiness, and airiness add to the overall typing sensation. On the other hand, the specific sound signature and tactile feel of the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches remain unknown. However, based on the available information, it is safe to say that if you are looking for a smooth and effortless typing experience with a gentle and feathery touch, the Sea Glass switches would be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a unique and visually appealing keyboard switch, the Durock Sea Glass would be an excellent choice. With its captivating pastel colors and distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, typing on these switches offers a truly immersive experience. Despite the 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches feel weightless and smooth, surpassing expectations with their frictionless nature. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches produce a uniquely hollow sound signature that adds to the overall typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more familiar and comfortable typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches would be a great fit. These switches strike a perfect balance between responsiveness and comfort with their medium-light actuation force. The nylon housing and POM stem combination provide a satisfying auditory experience that many enthusiasts appreciate. The WS Brown switches are designed to ensure fatigue-free typing during extended sessions, making them suitable for both work and gaming.
Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize visual appeal and a distinct typing experience, the Sea Glass switches are the way to go. However, if familiarity, comfort, and versatility are more important to you, the WS Brown switches would be an excellent choice.
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