Gateron Smoothie vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Smoothie and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Smoothie and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Gateron Smoothie stands out for its all-POM construction, providing a thocky sound signature, exceptional smoothness, and a lightweight touch. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear from Wuque Studio boasts a high-pitched typing experience with a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing for maximum RGB lighting customization. While both switches are categorized as 'Buttery', the Smoothie leans towards a low-pitched, creamy feel, while the WS Aurora Clear offers a polished, high-pitched experience. 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
40g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 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's POM top housing and bottom housing both contribute to creating a deep and muted sound profile, making for a pleasing typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing and UHWMPE bottom housing offer a sharper, higher-pitched sound with resonant clacks when typing. The choice between the two would ultimately depend on personal preference for sound profile - whether one prefers a deeper, more muted sound or a crisper, brighter sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the WS Aurora Clear's polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a colorful and vibrant element to the keyboard. The Gateron Smoothie may not offer the same translucency, but its POM housing still provides a unique sound profile that some users may prefer over the sharper sound of polycarbonate. Both materials have their own distinct advantages, catering to different preferences for both sound and visual appeal.
Overall, while the Gateron Smoothie and the WS Aurora Clear may have different housing materials for their top and bottom components, both switches offer unique and pleasing typing experiences. The POM and polycarbonate housings each have their own sound profiles, with the UHWMPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear bringing a newer material into the mix. Whether you prioritize sound, aesthetic appeal, or a combination of both, both switches offer quality options for those looking to customize their keyboard experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are noticeable differences between the two. The Gateron Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with less effort compared to the WS Aurora Clear, which has a heavier actuation force of 53 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the WS Aurora Clear requires a heavier force of 63.5 grams, whereas the bottom out force of the Gateron Smoothie is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie may be the better option, while those seeking a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the WS Aurora Clear. In terms of weight, the Gateron Smoothie is lighter overall, while the WS Aurora Clear is on the heavier side. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Smoothie is the shorter option, providing a quicker response time which may be favored by gamers. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear offers a slightly longer travel distance, making it suitable for those who prefer a deeper key press feel. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular in the keyboard market. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie 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 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offers a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound profile that provides a deep, rich, and satisfying sound with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch produces a high-pitched, sharp, and crisp sound when pressed, catering to those who prefer a brighter and more crisp sound profile. The choice of sound between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Smoothie is described as offering a buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke with minimal resistance. Conversely, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switch also offers a buttery feel, along with a mild and polished typing experience, creating a gentle and refined typing sensation with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a seamless and uniform typing feel, tailored to different preferences in terms of typing experience.
Overall, when considering the sound and feel of the Gateron Smoothie and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switches, it is important to prioritize your preferences in terms of sound profile and typing experience. If you prefer a thocky, low-pitched sound with a buttery, creamy feel, the Gateron Smoothie is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you lean towards a high-pitched sound profile with a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switch would be more suitable for your preferences. Both switches offer smoothness and quality, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Smoothie linear switch or the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you are looking for a switch with a lightweight touch, a thocky sound signature, and remarkable smoothness, the Smoothie may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, a high-pitched typing experience, and maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear might better suit your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to which features resonate with you the most and will enhance your overall typing experience.
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