Jwick Taro vs. Gazzew U4Tx
An in-depth look at the Jwick Taro and the Gazzew U4Tx switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can greatly impact your typing experience. Two popular options to consider are the Jwick Taro and the Gazzew U4Tx, both of which are tactile switches. The Taro switches are best known for their comfy subdued color scheme and offer a similarly cozy typing experience. With a snappy, medium-level of tactility and acute and crisp clacks, these switches provide a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx switches marry the best of both worlds with their ingeniously designed cleaner sound profile. The U4Tx switches offer a deep, resonant "thock" when bottoming out, combined with the whisper-quiet stealth when topping out. Each press on the U4Tx switches delivers a sharp, satisfying tactile bump, ensuring a luxurious typing experience that is both acoustically pleasing and tactile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Taro and the Gazzew U4Tx have different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Taro features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which produces a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the U4Tx utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, known as "boba plastic." This material delivers a rich and deep sound profile attributed to its softness. While both materials contribute to the overall sound, the Taro's polycarbonate offers a more precise and vibrant tone, while the U4Tx's blend produces a more lush and mellow sound.
In terms of their bottom housing, the Taro utilizes a nylon material, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Being a softer plastic, nylon has the ability to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. Conversely, the U4Tx employs its proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, which also offers a rich and deep sound due to its softness. Both housing materials contribute to the overall sound experience, with the Taro's nylon providing a deeper and more resonant sound, while the U4Tx's blend delivers a similarly rich and full-bodied tone.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound and feel of these switches, it is important to note that the characteristics of each housing material are distributed accordingly. Pressing down on a switch will primarily reveal the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. For the Taro, this means experiencing a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon bottom housing, while the U4Tx will offer a rich and deep sound courtesy of its proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing. On the other hand, the sound profile when releasing a key is more influenced by the top housing. The Taro's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, enhancing the key release experience, while the U4Tx's blend offers a softer and more mellow sound upon releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the Jwick Taro tactile switch and the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. Unfortunately, the specific actuation force for both switches is currently unknown. However, both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force, with the Taro being slightly heavier at 67 grams and the U4Tx measuring 65 grams.
Considering weight is important for individuals who prioritize typing comfort and endurance. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Taro may be more suitable as it allows for extended typing sessions without causing fatigue. This lighter weight may be particularly appealing for individuals who use their keyboards for work purposes or engage in prolonged gaming sessions.
On the other hand, some users may prefer a stronger push feel and a more robust typing experience. For these individuals, the U4Tx could be the preferred choice as it has a slightly heavier bottom out force. This increased force can provide a more substantial and satisfying typing sensation.
Overall, while the actuation force remains unknown for both switches, they exhibit similar medium-heavy bottom out forces. Ultimately, the decision between the two would depend on individual preferences for either a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Taro tactile switch is 3.7 mm, while the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, so in this case, the Gazzew U4Tx would be the preferred choice with its slightly shorter distance. However, for those who prefer a deeper key press, the Jwick Taro would be a better option with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired responsiveness of the keyboard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
The Gazzew U4Tx comes in at $6.50 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 Jwick Taro tactile switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you are using it at home or in the office. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch has a bassy sound profile. This means that it offers a deeper and richer sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the U4Tx also has a muted sound, which means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. It's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the type of keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Jwick Taro tactile switch provides a buttery typing experience. This implies a smooth and fluid keystroke, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation. It also has a stepped feel, meaning it has two stages in its tactile feedback. This results in a more mild sensation compared to hypertactile switches, as you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch offers a sharp tactile feedback. This means that it has a high feedback intensity, with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with every keypress.
Taking all of the available information into consideration, the Jwick Taro and Gazzew U4Tx tactile switches offer different subjective qualities. The Taro provides a cozy typing experience with a snappy, medium-level of tactility and acute and crisp clacks. It offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. The Taro also has a buttery feel and a stepped tactile feedback, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing sensation. On the other hand, the U4Tx switches marry the best of both worlds with a cleaner and refined sound profile, characterized by a deep resonant "thock" when bottoming out and a whisper-quiet topping out sound. It offers a bassy sound and a muted sound. The U4Tx also provides a sharp tactile feedback, with a strong and crisp bump with each keypress. While the Taro and U4Tx switches have their own unique qualities, if you prefer a cozy typing experience with medium tactility and acute clacks, you can expect similar results from the U4Tx switches. However, keep in mind that the overall experience may also depend on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To summarize, if you are someone who values a cozy typing experience with a medium-level of tactility and enjoys acute and crisp clacks, then the Jwick Taro tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a cleaner and refined sound profile with a deep, resonant "thock" when bottoming out and a whisper-quiet sound when topping out, the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch would be a better fit for your preferences.
In terms of sound, the Taro switch has a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and regardless of whether you plan to use them at home or at work. The U4Tx switch, on the other hand, offers a bassy sound profile that provides a deeper and richer sound during key presses. Additionally, the U4Tx switch has a muted sound profile, meaning it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, which is ideal for minimizing noise.
When it comes to feel, the Taro switch offers a buttery and seamless typing experience, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. It is also considered a stepped switch, which means you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving it a mild tactile feel. On the other hand, the U4Tx switch is described as sharp, offering a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress.
Ultimately, the choice between the Jwick Taro and Gazzew U4Tx switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel. Whether you prioritize a cozy typing experience with acute clacks or a cleaner and refined sound profile with a deep thock and quieter operation, both switches offer unique benefits that cater to different tastes. Consider your typing style and acoustic preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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