Durock Sea Glass vs. Wuque Studio WS Onion
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Onion. The Sea Glass switch series by Durock offers a captivating selection of pastel colors and is highly regarded for its distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness while maintaining a smooth typing experience. With a bottom-out force of 62g, these switches defy expectations with their weightlessness and frictionless nature. Additionally, they produce a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches from Wuque Studio feature a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, providing a satisfying buttery smooth keystroke feel. These switches offer a crisp and responsive typing experience and have a neutral sound profile. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision based on your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
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
WS CL635 Gold Plated Stainless Spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Onion differ in their housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Sea Glass features a top housing made of a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend. This unique blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not overly sharp. In contrast, the WS Onion utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it perfect for incorporating RGB lighting. While both switches offer pleasing sound profiles, the Sea Glass provides a softer and more mellow tone compared to the WS Onion.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Sea Glass once again incorporates the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend. The resulting sound profile is bright and not particularly sharp, complementing the characteristics of the top housing. On the other hand, the WS Onion utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. Therefore, the Sea Glass offers a brighter and more vibrant sound while the WS Onion provides a deeper and richer audio experience.
In terms of functionality, the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of each switch. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the sound and feel, shaping the bottom-out experience. The Sea Glass's blend and the WS Onion's nylon material will influence this aspect differently. Conversely, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound when releasing a key. Hence, the Polycarbonate top housing of the WS Onion is expected to deliver a crisper and clearer sound upon key release, while the Sea Glass's blend will result in a more subtle and pleasing sound.
Overall, the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Onion offer distinct housing materials that contribute to their unique sound profiles and aesthetics. While both switches provide pleasant typing experiences, the Sea Glass focuses on a brighter and mellow tone, whereas the WS Onion delivers a sharper and fuller sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the WS Onion's top housing allows for RGB lighting customization. Whether seeking a brighter or deeper sound, both switches offer desirable qualities for different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, there are noticeable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Sea Glass requires 45 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the exact force for the WS Onion is unavailable. Despite this, both switches can be classified as having a medium level of actuation force.
Moving on to bottom out force, the Sea Glass has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is slightly lighter than the 63.5 grams required for the WS Onion. This small difference may not be noticeable to all typists, but it does indicate that the Sea Glass provides a slightly lighter typing experience compared to the WS Onion.
Considering weight as an important factor, individuals seeking a lighter keyboard for extended typing or gaming sessions may prefer the Sea Glass. With its medium actuation force and relatively lighter bottom out force, it allows for comfortable and effortless keystrokes. On the other hand, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the medium-heavy bottom out force of the WS Onion may be more appealing.
In summary, while the actuation forces of the Sea Glass and WS Onion are similar and both switches can be considered medium, the Sea Glass offers a slightly lighter bottom out force compared to the WS Onion. The choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference regarding typing experience and desired force requirements.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Sea Glass has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the WS Onion has a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when typing or gaming, the Sea Glass may be the better option with its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth and a less abrupt feel, the WS Onion with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Onion has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the WS Onion for $5.53.
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 have a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches have a neutral sound profile, offering a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. Therefore, with the right configuration, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound with both switches.
Moving on to feel, the Sea Glass switches offer a frictionless and mild typing experience. They provide smooth and effortless key presses, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. These switches are also described as feathery and easy-to-press, as they require little exertion and offer a low-impact typing feel. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches are described as buttery and polished. They provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with reduced friction and a refined finish for sleek typing. Both switches offer a satisfying typing feel, but the Sea Glass switches lean towards a frictionless and lightweight experience, while the WS Onion switches emphasize smoothness and uniformity.
Considering all the available information, the Durock Sea Glass switches and the Wuque Studio WS Onion switches each have their own unique qualities. The Sea Glass switches are known for their distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, providing a weightless and frictionless typing experience. They also have a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Onion switches offer a buttery smooth keystroke feel, with a crisp and responsive typing experience. Their sound profile is described as neutral. While there are differences in sound and feel, it is possible to achieve similar results by carefully selecting the keyboard and keycaps used with each switch. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience desired.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Onion linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities.
If you are looking for a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Sea Glass would be a great choice. Its weightlessness and frictionless nature defy expectations, offering a unique typing experience. Additionally, the Sea Glass switches have a uniquely hollow sound signature, which may appeal to those who appreciate a different sound profile.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a buttery smooth keystroke feel, the WS Onion may be the better option for you. With its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, these switches provide a deeply satisfying and crisp typing experience. The WS Onion switches also have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and environments.
Ultimately, you should consider your preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetics when choosing between the Sea Glass and WS Onion switches. Both switches offer their own unique characteristics and typing experiences, so it's important to select the one that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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