Gateron Smoothie Silver vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Smoothie Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear, also a linear switch. The Smoothie Silver is renowned for its lightning-fast actuation and thocky sound, providing users with unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear stands out for its smooth, high-pitched typing experience, thanks to its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing. Additionally, the lightly lubed POM stem of the WS Aurora Clear ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. The decision between these switches may depend on whether you prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance and unique sound profile like the Smoothie Silver or a switch with maximum RGB lighting customization and a polished typing experience like the WS Aurora Clear; 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
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Smoothie Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both offer unique characteristics in terms of housing materials for mechanical switches. The Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, providing a deep and relatively muted sound profile, while the WS Aurora Clear boasts a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This contrast in sound quality highlights the impact that different housing materials can have on the overall typing experience.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Smoothie Silver utilizes a POM housing for a deep and pleasing sound signature, while the WS Aurora Clear incorporates UHWMPE for a brighter and more resonant sound. This difference in bottom housing materials further emphasizes the distinct sound profiles that each switch offers. It is interesting to note how the bottom housing material can affect the overall typing experience, particularly in terms of the sound produced when pressing down on the switch.
While the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Smoothie Silver and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear differ in material, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in determining sound quality. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials demonstrates how each component can contribute to the overall typing experience. Whether it be the deep and muted sound of POM or the sharp and clear sound of polycarbonate, the housing material plays a significant role in shaping the unique sound profile of each switch.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it's clear that the Smoothie Silver is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear is the heavier option with an actuation force of 53 grams. The bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is unknown, while the WS Aurora Clear has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered to be medium-heavy. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming may lean towards the Smoothie Silver, while those looking for a more substantial typing experience might prefer the heavier actuation force of the WS Aurora Clear. Both switches offer their own unique typing experience, with the Smoothie Silver providing a lighter touch and the WS Aurora Clear offering a heavier push feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Smoothie Silver has a shorter travel distance compared to the WS Aurora Clear. The shorter travel distance of the Smoothie Silver may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the WS Aurora Clear may provide a more substantial keypress feel for those who prefer it. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their travel distance, so it ultimately depends on personal preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
The Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 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 Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, providing a deep and rich auditory experience when typing. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is described as high-pitched, offering a sharp and crisp sound with each keystroke. Depending on personal preference, the choice between these two switches would come down to whether you prefer a deeper, thocky sound or a higher-pitched, crisper sound.
Moving on to feel, the Smoothie Silver switches are known for their unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience. Unfortunately, detailed information regarding the specific feel qualities of the WS Aurora Clear switches is not available. However, the description of the WS Aurora Clear switches being buttery, mild, and polished suggests that they offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with reduced friction and polished key travel. Ultimately, both switches are likely to provide a comfortable typing experience, with the choice between them depending on individual preferences for key feel.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Smoothie Silver provides a thocky sound and a feather-light touch, the WS Aurora Clear offers a high-pitched sound and a potentially buttery, mild, and polished key feel. Depending on whether you prefer a deeper or higher-pitched sound and a smoother or potential buttery typing experience, either switch could be the right choice for you. Ultimately, both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience with their own distinct qualities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prioritize a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch and thocky sound, then the Smoothie Silver may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization and a slightly heavier bottom out force, the WS Aurora Clear could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences for sound, feel, actuation, and customization options. Make sure to test out both switches to determine which one suits your typing style best.
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