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Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear

An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, two options that stand out are the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. The Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying and immersive typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, each keystroke feels bouncy and enjoyable. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Tourmaline Blues strike a balance that makes them accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is known for its smooth and high-pitched typing experience. The transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing allow for maximum RGB lighting customization, while the lightly lubed POM stem ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Mild', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', the WS Aurora Clear offers a polished and refined choice for keyboard enthusiasts. 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

59g

Actuation force

53g

Bottom-out force

67g

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Total travel

4.00 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

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

UHWMPE

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

Double-staged stainless steel

Housing materials

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for the switches. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches with RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through effectively. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics when it comes to the top housing.

However, there is a difference in the bottom housings of the two switches. The Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the WS Aurora Clear employs a UHWMPE bottom housing, which is a newer material for switch housings. The UHWMPE material in the WS Aurora Clear brings a unique sound signature with bright and resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. This means that the two switches will provide a different tactile experience when pressed down, with the WS Aurora Clear offering more distinctive clacks.

Overall, both switches share similarities in the qualities brought by the polycarbonate top housing. They deliver a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for those seeking a responsive and clear typing experience. However, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The WS Aurora Clear stands out with its UHWMPE bottom housing, which adds a unique and bright sound signature to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, while both switches offer similar results in terms of the top housing, their distinctive bottom housing materials provide a different tactile experience when using the switches.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of actuation force, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly higher force requirement at 59 grams compared to the WS Aurora Clear's 53 grams. Both switches can be considered medium-heavy in this regard.

On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier at 67 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Again, both switches fall into the medium-heavy category for bottom out force.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear would be the lighter option as it requires less force for both actuation and bottoming out. This could be advantageous for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions, as it reduces fatigue.

However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue with its slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces could be the preferred choice. This might provide a more satisfying tactile feedback and a greater sense of keystroke impact.

Overall, while there are slight differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the Tourmaline Blue and the WS Aurora Clear, both switches fall within the medium-heavy range. Therefore, regardless of choice, users can expect similar results in terms of force required for keystrokes, providing either a lighter or heavier typing experience based on their preferences.

Travel distance

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered the most traditional distance. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly deeper travel experience compared to the WS Aurora Clear. However, it's important to note that both options still fall within the range of what is considered a comfortable travel distance. If you are a gamer looking for faster response times, you may prefer the WS Aurora Clear with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more substantial key press and prefer a deeper travel experience, the Tourmaline Blue may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the choice will depend on your personal preference and typing style.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.

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

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile. This means that when pressed, it produces a satisfyingly rich and bassy sound. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is described as high-pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound. If you prefer a cleaner and sharper sound without the richness of bass, the WS Aurora Clear would be a good choice. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps.

In terms of feel, both the Tourmaline Blue and WS Aurora Clear switches offer a buttery typing experience. This means that the keystrokes feel smooth, fluid, and seamless. They both provide a uniform typing sensation that enhances the overall typing experience. Additionally, both switches are described as mild, offering a gentle and approachable typing experience. This means that they do not have any pronounced characteristics that might make them feel extreme or overwhelming. These qualities make them suitable for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced typists.

Taking into account all the available information, if you're looking for a deeper and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy and accessible feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a high-pitched sound and want the option for maximum RGB lighting customization, along with a smooth and satisfyingly smooth keystroke, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be a suitable option. Both switches offer a buttery and mild typing experience, making them comfortable and enjoyable to use. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on your personal preferences for sound and lighting customization.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be a great choice. These switches offer a bouncy feel with each keystroke and strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be a better fit. These switches have a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, allowing for vibrant lighting effects. The lightly lubed POM stem ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the Tourmaline Blue and WS Aurora Clear switches comes down to your preference for sound and feel, as well as any specific customization needs you may have.

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