Jwick Taro vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Red. The Taro switch is best known for its cozy typing experience, offering a snappy, medium-level of tactility accompanied by acute and crisp clacks. With its comfy subdued color scheme, the Taro switch provides a visually pleasing choice. On the other hand, the WS Red switch stands out with its bouncy and responsive typing experience, thanks to its 22mm double-stage spring. While retaining a familiar sound signature, this switch offers a heavier actuation force, adding a touch of weight to each keystroke and delivering a satisfying and substantial typing feel. 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
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Taro and Wuque Studio WS Red differ in terms of their housing materials. The Taro features a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Red utilizes a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual experience. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the WS Red produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. As a relatively softer plastic, nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Taro and WS Red incorporate nylon. This classic switch housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softness allows it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Therefore, both switches achieve a similar sound quality when it comes to their bottom-out sound and feel.
It's worth noting that the qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on either the Taro or WS Red, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, despite their differing materials, both switches still offer a comprehensive auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jwick Taro tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some similarities and differences. Unfortunately, the exact actuation force for both switches is unavailable. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 67 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy.
Considering weight, it is worth noting that some users prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming. A lighter actuation force allows for quicker keystrokes and reduced fatigue. For those prioritizing a lighter typing experience, both the Taro and WS Red switches would yield similar results, assuming their actuation forces are comparable.
On the other hand, some individuals prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. They would benefit from heavier switches that require more force to actuate. Unfortunately, without the exact actuation force of the Taro and WS Red switches, it is difficult to determine which one is heavier or if they are equal in weight.
In summary, while both the Jwick Taro tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch share a bottom out force of 67 grams, the actuation force remains unknown. The Taro may offer a heavier typing experience due to its medium-heavy bottom out force. However, without concrete data on actuation force, it is challenging to compare these switches accurately in terms of weight and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Jwick Taro tactile switch is 3.7 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as they offer faster response times. For those seeking a more responsive typing experience, the Jwick Taro with its 3.7 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if a deeper key press is preferred, the Wuque Studio WS Red with its slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm would be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference, with the Taro offering a slightly shorter travel distance and the WS Red providing a slightly longer one.
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 Wuque Studio WS Red comes in at $3.50 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
In terms of sound, the Jwick Taro tactile switch offers a comfortable typing experience with a snappy, medium-level of tactility. The sound produced by these switches is acute and crisp, providing a cozy and satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is not specified, so we cannot make a direct comparison. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. With proper customization and selection of components, both switches can likely deliver similar results.
When it comes to feel, the Jwick Taro switch is described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. These switches provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation, offering a uniform feel with each keystroke. Additionally, the Taro switch also falls under the category of stepped switches, meaning that it has two stages of tactile feedback. While not explicitly mentioned for the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, we can assume that it does not have a stepped feel, as it is a linear switch without tactile feedback.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Jwick Taro tactile switch offers a comfortable and pleasant typing experience with a medium-level of tactility, producing acute and crisp clacks. It provides a buttery and stepped feel, ensuring a smooth and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch offers a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a heavier actuation force that adds weight to each keystroke. However, specific information regarding its sound and feel is unavailable. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities, and the choice between them depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a cozy and tactile typing experience with medium-level tactility and acute clacks, then the Jwick Taro tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. These switches offer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a satisfying amount of resistance. In terms of sound, the Taro switch is described as neutral, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you intend to use them at home or work. Furthermore, the Taro switch is characterized as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, along with a stepped switch feel that offers some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.
On the other hand, if you value a bouncy and responsive typing experience with a classic sound signature, then the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch would be an ideal choice. These switches also have a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a medium-heavy resistance similar to the Taro switch. The WS Red switches are designed with a 22mm double-stage spring, offering a weighty actuation force that adds a touch of heft to each keystroke. Unfortunately, we don't have specific information on the sound and feel of the WS Red switch.
Ultimately, it all comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. Both switches have their unique qualities, and it's crucial to consider factors like tactility, sound, and typing experience when making your decision. Whether you opt for the cozy and tactile feel of the Jwick Taro switches or the bouncy and responsive typing of the Wuque Studio WS Red switches, both options are sure to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.
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