KTT Vanilla Ice Cream vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Vanilla Ice Cream stands out for its use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing, providing a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the WS Yellow impresses with its 22mm double-stage spring and lightweight design, offering a delightful bounce and effortless keystrokes with a familiar sound that enthusiasts love. While the Vanilla Ice Cream is known for its buttery and marbly feel, the WS Yellow is praised for its mild and polished sensation. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow, it is evident that both switches use different materials for their top housing. The Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend, while the WS Yellow features a nylon top housing. The KTT blend offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, whereas typing on switches with a nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. While both materials have their unique characteristics, the KTT blend leans towards a sharper sound, while the nylon material provides a more rounded and duller sound.
Additionally, when looking at the bottom housing materials of the two switches, the differences continue to emerge. The Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing boasts a coefficient of friction slightly higher than LY, making it one of the smoothest materials available. Its durability and shock resistance surpass that of nylon and POM materials. On the other hand, the WS Yellow's nylon bottom housing, much like its top housing, absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic nature, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. These contrasting qualities show how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch.
While the housing materials of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow differ in their composition and characteristics, they both focus on providing a unique typing experience. The KTT blend top housing offers a high-pitched and clacky sound, while the nylon top housing of the WS Yellow creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. In terms of bottom housing, the POK material of the Vanilla Ice Cream promotes smoothness and durability, while the nylon bottom housing of the WS Yellow contributes to a rounded and duller sound. Despite these differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and typing feel, albeit in distinct ways.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, we see that the Vanilla Ice Cream has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the WS Yellow, which has an unknown actuation force. Both switches have a bottom out force, with the Vanilla Ice Cream requiring 48 grams and the WS Yellow needing 53 grams. The Vanilla Ice Cream is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Yellow offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, giving a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force and feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the WS Yellow is the longer option. The difference between the two distances may not seem significant, but for some users, it can make a difference in how the key feels when pressed. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it ideal for those who prefer quicker response times, especially in gaming scenarios. On the other hand, the WS Yellow switch offers a bit more depth, which may be more suitable for those who prefer a more traditional typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
The Wuque Studio WS Yellow 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 KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp auditory experience for typists who prefer that type of sound. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch offers a familiar sound signature with a clean and sharp profile due to its material blend. While the specific sound characteristics of the WS Yellow are unknown, both switches aim to provide a satisfying auditory experience to users, albeit with slight variations in tone and pitch.
Moving on to the feel, both the Vanilla Ice Cream and WS Yellow switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience. The Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as providing a creamy feel reminiscent of its namesake dessert, while the WS Yellow switch is also described as offering a creamy sensation with a silky touch. Additionally, the WS Yellow switch is noted to have a mild typing experience, making it approachable to most typists. Both switches are crafted to provide effortless keystrokes and ensure a seamless and uniform typing sensation for users.
In conclusion, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch both offer typists a smooth and buttery typing experience with slight variations in sound profile. While the Vanilla Ice Cream switch leans towards a higher-pitched and clacky sound, the WS Yellow switch provides a familiar and clean auditory experience. Ultimately, users can expect similar results in terms of typing feel, as both switches aim to deliver a seamless and effortless keystroke experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a light bottom out force and enjoy a high-pitched and clacky sound profile with a smooth and creamy typing experience, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and desire a satisfying bounce with a familiar sound signature, along with a creamy and polished typing feel, then the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch might be more suited to your preference. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your individual typing preferences and priorities when it comes to sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
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