TKC Tangerine vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the TKC Tangerine and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TKC Tangerine and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct advantages for different preferences. The Tangerine is a linear switch that provides an incredibly smooth typing experience, thanks to its UHWMPE housings, which are considered a rarity in the world of bespoke mechanical switches. Typing on the Tangerine switch is a pleasure, with each keystroke feeling frictionless and buttery. However, it should be noted that there is a fairly high-pitched clack when typing on them. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch by Wuque is designed to be the perfect companion for office and work environments. It strikes a delicate balance between offering medium tactility and reducing noise. The WS Silent Tactile switches feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, resulting in a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike most silent switches, these tactile switches do not use silicone dampeners, ensuring a typing experience devoid of the usual padded feel. This unique design creates a blend of tranquility and tactility. The WS Silent Tactile switch is categorized as accented, invigorating, neutral, mild, and muted, providing a versatile option for those seeking a quieter typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The TKC Tangerine and Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile differ in terms of their housing materials, with the Tangerine featuring UHWMPE top and bottom housings, while the WS Silent Tactile utilizes nylon for both. The UHWMPE top housing of the Tangerine creates a bright sound signature, resulting in resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Silent Tactile produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This disparity in sound can be attributed to the differences in plastic hardness, with UHWMPE being a harder plastic compared to nylon. Therefore, users can expect a crisper and more lively sound from the Tangerine's top housing, whereas the WS Silent Tactile's top housing offers a mellower and rounder sound.
Similarly, the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing contributes to its bright sound signature and produces resonant clacks when typing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the WS Silent Tactile enhances the depth and fullness of the sound profile. Due to the softness of nylon, it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, when pressing down on the switch, users will feel the impact of the bottom housing, which affects the bottom-out sound and feel. The Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing provides a more vibrant and crisp tactile experience, while the WS Silent Tactile's nylon bottom housing offers a smoother and gentler tactile feedback.
In summary, the TKC Tangerine and Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile present distinct characteristics in their housing materials. The Tangerine's UHWMPE housing creates a bright and lively sound, both in the top and bottom housing. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile's nylon housing yields a deeper and fuller sound profile. Whether it is the top or bottom housing, each material brings its unique qualities, with the Tangerine emphasizing brightness and resonance, while the WS Silent Tactile prioritizes depth and mellowness. Thus, while the two switches may provide similar tactile experiences, their housing materials contribute to different sound signatures, allowing users to choose based on their preference for sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch, it is important to consider their actuation force and bottom out force. Unfortunately, the specific actuation force for both switches is unavailable. However, we do know that the Tangerine has a bottom out force of 62 grams, which can be considered medium, while the WS Silent Tactile has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is slightly heavier at medium-heavy.
Weight is a crucial factor to consider in switches, as it can greatly affect the typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter switch, the TKC Tangerine may be a suitable choice. A lighter actuation force allows for longer typing periods, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial feel and a stronger push may find the WS Silent Tactile more appealing. With its slightly heavier bottom out force, it provides a more tactile and satisfying typing experience.
While the exact actuation force remains unknown for both switches, it can be assumed that they provide similar results in terms of actuation force, as they both fall under the medium range for bottom out force. This means that, although they differ in their tactile properties, the force required to trigger a keystroke should yield comparable results.
In summary, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers a lighter typing experience with an undisclosed actuation force and a medium 62-gram bottom out force. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch provides a slightly heavier feel with an undisclosed actuation force and a medium-heavy 63.5-gram bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for either a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The TKC Tangerine linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. The Tangerine switch offers a more traditional travel distance, which may provide a more familiar and comfortable typing experience for some users. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can be beneficial for gamers who prioritize faster response times. Choosing between the two depends on personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the shorter travel distance of the WS Silent Tactile switch may be more suitable. However, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial key press, the Tangerine switch with its longer travel distance may be the better option. Ultimately, both switches offer their own unique benefits, and it is important to consider your individual typing preferences when making a decision.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30, 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
In terms of sound, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is best described as having a high-pitched clack when typing on them. This means that they produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which may be preferable for those who do not enjoy richer and bassier sound profiles. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is described as having a more neutral sound profile, with a muted quality. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making it suitable for various environments such as an office or workspace. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Ultimately, if you're looking for a similar level of noise reduction, the WS Silent Tactile switch would be a suitable choice.
In terms of feel, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers an incredibly smooth and frictionless typing experience. It has been described as buttery, implying a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. This is due to its frictionless nature and polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch is described as having an accented feel, which means it provides a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It also offers an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force. Additionally, it is categorized as a mild switch, meaning it offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches provide different tactile experiences, with the Tangerine emphasizing smoothness and the WS Silent Tactile offering a more prominent level of tactility.
Considering the available information, the TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Tangerine switch provides a high-pitched clack sound and a frictionless, buttery feel, while the WS Silent Tactile switch offers a more neutral, muted sound and an accented, invigorating feel. Depending on personal preferences and the desired typing experience, one can choose between a smoother and quieter experience with the Tangerine switch or a more tactile and pronounced feedback with the WS Silent Tactile switch. However, it's important to consider other factors such as board and keycap choices, as they can also affect the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch that offers an incredibly smooth typing experience, the TKC Tangerine is the switch for you. With its UHWMPE housing, each keystroke feels seamless and frictionless, providing a pleasurable typing experience. The Tangerine also produces a high-pitched clack sound, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a sharper and crisper sound profile.
On the other hand, if you are seeking a tactile switch that strikes a balance between tactility and noise reduction, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile is the switch to consider. These switches feature stem railings with small cutouts, minimizing switch sound while still delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. Unlike traditional silent switches, the WS Silent Tactile switches do not use silicone dampeners, ensuring a typing experience that feels more natural and devoid of padded feel.
In terms of sound, the Tangerine offers a high-pitched clack, which may be desirable for those who prefer sharp and crisp sound profiles. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile produces a neutral and muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
In terms of feel, the Tangerine provides a frictionless, buttery, and polished typing experience, with smooth and effortless keystrokes. The WS Silent Tactile, on the other hand, offers an accented, invigorating, and mild typing experience, providing a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle.
Ultimately, the choice between the TKC Tangerine and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile depends on your personal preferences. If you value a smooth linear typing experience with a high-pitched clack sound, go for the Tangerine. If you prefer a tactile switch that offers a balance between tactility and noise reduction, the WS Silent Tactile is the way to go. Consider your typing style, work environment, and desired sound and feel to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
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