TTC Silent Brown vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to finding the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the TTC Silent Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The Silent Brown is well-known for its comfortable typing experience, with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. Additionally, it offers a muted sound profile, ensuring a peaceful and undisturbed work environment. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch by Wuque strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. With ingenious stem railings and small cutouts, these switches effectively minimize switch sound while delivering a crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike most silent switches that rely on silicone dampeners, the WS Silent Tactile switches provide a typing experience devoid of the usual padded feel, creating a unique blend of tranquility and tactility. Both switches offer their distinct advantages, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Silent Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiff nature, which creates a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. So, while both switches offer silent tactile feedback, the Silent Brown's polycarbonate top housing will provide a sharper sound, while the WS Silent Tactile's nylon top housing will offer a deeper sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Silent Brown and the WS Silent Tactile switches utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material enhances the sound profile by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. Being a softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both switches will deliver a similar sound profile when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel, as the nylon bottom housing in both cases contributes to the overall sound experience.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housing materials have different impacts on the sound of these switches. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing will primarily affect the bottom-out sound and feel. Since both switches utilize nylon bottom housing, they will provide a similar experience in this regard. However, the sound profile when releasing a key will be influenced by the top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Brown will create a distinct sound upon releasing the key, while the nylon top housing of the WS Silent Tactile will contribute to a deeper sound upon key release. Hence, these switches offer varying sound profiles upon release, with the Silent Brown offering a sharper sound and the WS Silent Tactile providing a deeper resonance.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the TTC Silent Brown is 45 grams, providing a medium-heavy feel for typing. However, the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unknown. Both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy press when fully depressed.
Considering weight for typing switches is important as it impacts the typing experience. Some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. This is ideal for those who use their keyboard extensively for work or gaming. Conversely, some users prefer a stronger push feel to enhance the typing experience, as it provides a more substantial feedback when pressing the keys. For these individuals, switches with heavier actuation forces are a better choice.
In terms of actuation force, the TTC Silent Brown switch has a known weight of 45 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unavailable, making it difficult to compare directly. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 63.5 grams, giving them a similar feel when fully depressed.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the TTC Silent Brown and the WS Silent Tactile may differ or be unknown, their bottom out forces remain the same. Therefore, if one seeks a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, either of these switches would be a suitable choice, with the TTC Silent Brown being lighter and the WS Silent Tactile potentially having a comparable actuation force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is 3.8 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which has become increasingly popular in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. Therefore, if you are looking for a more responsive typing or gaming experience, opting for the switch with the shorter travel distance may be the better choice for you. However, it is important to note that some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt, and prefer a more substantial depth to their keystrokes. In such cases, the switch with the longer travel distance would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Silent Brown and WS Silent Tactile switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing or gaming experience one seeks to achieve.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
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
The TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is best known for offering a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump. These switches have a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. They provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation, with a smooth and refined finish that reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. These switches offer a medium level of tactility without compromising on sound reduction. They feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, effectively minimizing switch sound while delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike most silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile switches do not use silicone dampeners, ensuring a typing experience that is free from the usual padded feel. They provide an unrivaled blend of tranquility and tactility.
In terms of sound, the Silent Brown is known for its muted sound profile, while the WS Silent Tactile is described as having a neutral sound profile. Both switches minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them suitable for office and work environments. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Brown offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke, with a gentle and approachable typing sensation that stands in a safe middle-ground zone. The WS Silent Tactile, on the other hand, is described as accented, invigorating, and mild. They offer a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, creating an immersive typing sensation with a moderate to firm actuation force.
Overall, both the TTC Silent Brown and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile offer impressive tactile typing experiences with a medium level of resistance and satisfying feedback. While the Silent Brown has a muted sound profile and a smooth, polished feel, the WS Silent Tactile strikes a balance between noise reduction and tactility, providing a crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Depending on personal preference, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of comfort and typing performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, along with a muted sound profile, then the TTC Silent Brown switch is the one for you. On the other hand, if you value a delicate balance of medium tactility without compromising on noise reduction, along with a crisp bottom-out and responsive return, all while maintaining an impressively silent profile, then the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch is the better choice. The WS Silent Tactile switch offers an unrivaled blend of tranquility and tactility, thanks to its ingenious stem railings and absence of silicone dampeners. Ultimately, your choice should depend on whether you prefer a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience (Silent Brown) or an accented, invigorating, and mild tactile sensation (WS Silent Tactile). Both switches have a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making them suitable for most intents and purposes.
Mentioned in this article
