KTT Strawberry vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the KTT Strawberry and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that often come up are the KTT Strawberry and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. The KTT Strawberry is a linear switch, known for its smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile, crafted by Wuque Studio, is a tactile switch that strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. It offers a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return, all while maintaining an impressively silent profile. While these switches have their own unique qualities, making it tempting to choose one over the other, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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 KTT Strawberry and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in their housing materials, with the Strawberry featuring a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the WS Silent Tactile has a nylon top and bottom housing. The polycarbonate housing in the Strawberry creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for those who prefer a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing in the Strawberry is translucent, making it an excellent choice if you plan to use RGB lighting. The clear housing allows the light to pass through, enhancing the visual experience. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon top housing does not offer the same translucency and may not have the same visual appeal for those interested in incorporating RGB lighting into their keyboard setup.
When considering the bottom housing, the qualities of each material significantly impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the keys. The polycarbonate bottom housing in the Strawberry contributes to its sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, reflecting its overall design. Meanwhile, the nylon bottom housing in the WS Silent Tactile leads to a deeper and fuller sound, highlighting the switch's emphasis on a rounded sound experience.
Despite their differences, both the KTT Strawberry and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile prioritize sound quality in their respective housing materials. While the Strawberry's polycarbonate offers a sharper sound, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon provides a fuller and deeper sound. Regardless of the specific material used, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel upon pressing the keys. As a result, both switches ensure a high-quality auditory experience, albeit with different characteristics based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Strawberry linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Strawberry is 43 grams, while the WS Silent Tactile's actuation force is unavailable. However, both switches have a medium actuation force, indicating that a moderate amount of force is needed to trigger a keystroke.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Strawberry requires 62 grams of force to fully press a key down, while the WS Silent Tactile has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This makes the WS Silent Tactile slightly heavier in terms of bottoming out.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or long gaming sessions, as it allows them to type more comfortably. In this case, the KTT Strawberry would be a suitable choice with its medium actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, there are those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For them, the WS Silent Tactile's slightly heavier bottom out force would provide the desired tactile feedback during typing.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the Strawberry is known, the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile is unavailable. Both switches have medium actuation forces, but the WS Silent Tactile has a slightly heavier bottom out force. The choice between the two would depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience, with the Strawberry offering a lighter option and the WS Silent Tactile providing a slightly heavier and more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Strawberry linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have different travel distances. The Strawberry has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Silent Tactile has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Strawberry, with a travel distance of 4 mm, falls into the more traditional range, providing a comfortable depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This shorter travel distance is often preferred by gamers who value faster response times. Choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference. Those who prioritize a more responsive typing experience may opt for the shorter travel distance of the WS Silent Tactile, while others who prefer a deeper key press may find the 4 mm travel distance of the Strawberry more appealing. Ultimately, it's important to consider your individual preferences when selecting a switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20.
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 KTT Strawberry linear switch offers a low-pitched tone. This means that it produces a deeper and mellower sound compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch is described as having a muted sound profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The WS Silent Tactile switch prioritizes noise reduction without compromising on a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. It achieves this through ingenious stem railings and small cutouts instead of silicone dampeners commonly found in other silent switches. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, ensuring a typing experience that is either low-pitched or muted, depending on your preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, the KTT Strawberry linear switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience. It offers an extremely smooth and effortless feel when pressing the keys, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction. The switch has a fluid travel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience. It can also be considered buttery, meaning it provides a seamless and uniform typing sensation. The Strawberry switch's smooth and refined finish, whether due to materials used or factory lubing, ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch is described as an accented switch. This means that it provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It strikes a delicate balance between providing pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel. The WS Silent Tactile switch offers a typing experience that is invigorating, providing a satisfying amount of tactile feedback without being overly prominent. Additionally, it is also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The WS Silent Tactile switch's qualities make it approachable and suitable for a wide range of users.
In conclusion, the KTT Strawberry linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Strawberry switch provides a low-pitched sound profile, offering a deeper and mellower tone. It also delivers a frictionless, silky, and buttery typing experience, ensuring smooth and effortless key travel. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a muted sound profile, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. It provides an accented tactile experience, striking a balance between pronounced feedback and a moderate actuation force. Additionally, it also offers an invigorating feel, snappy and reactive, while still being approachable and mild. Both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring that whether you prioritize a low-pitched sound with smoothness or a muted sound with a balanced level of tactility, you can find a suitable switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a smooth and comfortable typing experience with a touch of elegance, the KTT Strawberry linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished feel, this switch ensures a seamless and effortless keystroke. Additionally, its low-pitched sound profile provides a mellower and bass-heavy tone, creating a soothing typing environment.
On the other hand, if you value a balanced combination of tactility and noise reduction, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch is the perfect fit for your office or work environment. These switches offer a medium level of tactility without compromising on noise reduction. The absence of silicone dampeners ensures that you won't experience the usual padded feel associated with most silent switches. Instead, the WS Silent Tactile switch delivers a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Its sound is described as neutral and muted, making it suitable for various purposes and creating a quieter keyboard experience.
Ultimately, your decision should come down to your personal preferences regarding typing feel, sound, and intended usage. Whether you prioritize smoothness, elegance, tactility, or noise reduction, both the KTT Strawberry and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. Make your choice based on what factors are most important to you and enjoy the blissful typing experience that mechanical keyboards can provide.
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