Durock Sea Glass vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The Sea Glass switch series by Durock is known for its captivating pastel colors and unique dry, wispy, and airy typing experience. Despite its light weight and 62g bottom-out force, the Sea Glass switches remain smooth and frictionless, providing an easy-to-press sensation. Additionally, these switches produce a distinct hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches by Wuque are designed for office and work environments, offering a medium level of tactility without compromising on noise reduction. These switches utilize ingenious stem railings with small cutouts to minimize switch sound while delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike traditional silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile switches forego silicone dampeners, resulting in a typing experience that is devoid of the usual padded feel found in most silent switches. This creates a unique blend of tranquility and tactility. 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
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
3.50 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
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile have different housing materials for both the top and bottom housings of the switch. The Sea Glass utilizes a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for both its top and bottom housings. This blend offers a sound profile that is slightly brighter and not particularly sharp. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile uses classic nylon for its top and bottom housings, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound.
While the top housing of the Sea Glass and WS Silent Tactile switches differ in material, they both contribute to the sound produced when releasing a key. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing creates a sound profile that is bright but not sharp, providing a pleasant experience. Similarly, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon top housing is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound, adding to the overall typing experience. Despite their differences, both top housings offer an enjoyable sound profile.
When it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend and the WS Silent Tactile's nylon bring distinct qualities to the switch. The Sea Glass's bottom housing, with its unique blend, contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. This suggests that pressing down on the Sea Glass switch would result in a specific tactile experience. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon bottom housing, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This would impact the overall feel of the switch when pressed.
In summary, the Durock Sea Glass and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in their housing materials, both for the top and bottom housings. The Sea Glass's polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend create a brighter sound profile, while the WS Silent Tactile's nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches offer an enjoyable typing experience, with the top housing contributing to the sound on key release and the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Despite their differences, users can achieve similar results in terms of sound and experience with these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, there are a few notable differences. The Sea Glass has an actuation force of 45 grams, which is considered medium, while the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unavailable. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sea Glass may be the preferable choice as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the WS Silent Tactile may be more suitable due to its heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is medium-heavy. It is important to note that the bottom out force of the Sea Glass is slightly lighter at 62 grams. Overall, while the actuation forces of the two switches may differ, their bottom out forces provide a similar level of resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, it is evident that the Sea Glass has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the WS Silent Tactile has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both of these distances fall within the range of what is considered typical for switch travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the most traditional and 3.0 mm being the most shallow.
It is worth mentioning that shorter travel distances have gained popularity in recent times, particularly among gamers who prefer quicker response times. For such individuals, the WS Silent Tactile with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. The shorter distance allows for faster actuation and a more responsive feel.
On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and may prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more substantial and satisfying keystroke. In this case, the Sea Glass would be a better option as its longer travel distance provides a deeper and more pronounced feel when pressing down on the keys.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have contrasting travel distances, with the Sea Glass being the longer of the two. The choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference and whether one values a quicker response time or a more hearty keystroke.
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 Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature. This creates an airy and distinct typing experience, characterized by a dry and wispiness in the sound. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is described as having a muted sound profile. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, thanks to its ingenious stem railings with small cutouts that effectively minimize switch sound. Both switches offer different sound qualities, with the Sea Glass providing a distinct hollow sound and the WS Silent Tactile offering a quieter and more subdued typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is known for being frictionless, providing an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. It minimizes any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, offering a fluid travel. Additionally, the Sea Glass is described as mild and feathery, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch is characterized as accented and invigorating. It offers pronounced feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive typing sensation. Both switches provide different tactile experiences, with the Sea Glass being smooth and gentle, while the WS Silent Tactile offers a more prominent and invigorating tactility.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch provides a distinct and airy typing experience with a hollow sound signature. It is known for its frictionless feel, mild tactility, and feathery actuation force. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offers a muted sound profile, along with a balanced level of tactility and a snappy typing sensation. While they differ in terms of sound and feel, both switches provide satisfying typing experiences. Depending on personal preferences, one can choose between the captivating pastel colors and dryness of the Sea Glass or the silent and invigorating nature of the WS Silent Tactile.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a weightless and smooth typing experience, as well as a distinct hollow sound signature, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch is a great choice for you. It offers a frictionless feel and is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. On the other hand, if you prioritize noise reduction and want a switch that strikes a balance between tactility and silence, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is the way to go. It is known for its ingenious stem railings that minimize switch sound while delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. The WS Silent Tactile is described as neutral, muted, accented, invigorating, and mild. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences for sound and feel.
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