Durock White Lotus vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Durock White Lotus and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Durock White Lotus and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear. The White Lotus is a tactile switch, known for its delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance, making it ideal for work and extended typing sessions. It offers a removable light column, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects that add a captivating glow to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear is a linear switch, providing a smooth, high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, this switch enables maximum RGB lighting customization. The POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock White Lotus and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear have distinct differences in their housing materials. The White Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, while the WS Aurora Clear utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The modified PC and UPE Blend of the White Lotus provides a unique and premium feel when using the switch. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the WS Aurora Clear creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, due to its translucency, the polycarbonate material is particularly advantageous for RGB lighting enthusiasts.
Moving to the bottom housing, the White Lotus boasts a nylon material, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear houses its switches with a UHWMPE bottom housing. This newer material contributes to a very bright sound signature and offers resonant clacks while typing.
Despite their differences, both the White Lotus and the WS Aurora Clear highlight how the top and bottom housings influence different aspects of a switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become apparent, impacting the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the specific materials may differ, both switches demonstrate how housing materials can enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, they exhibit notable differences. The White Lotus has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear requires a slightly heavier force of 53 grams to trigger a keystroke. This makes the White Lotus more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, enabling them to type for longer periods without strain. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear provides a medium-heavy actuation force, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial push feel.
Similarly, when considering the bottom out force, the White Lotus requires 56 grams, whereas the WS Aurora Clear demands 63.5 grams. Again, this showcases the White Lotus as the lighter option and the WS Aurora Clear as the heavier one. The bottom out force is significant for individuals who desire a firmer and more pronounced typing experience. The heavier force exerted by the WS Aurora Clear provides them with the desired tactile feedback and a distinct sense of keystroke bottoming out.
Although the Durock White Lotus and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear exhibit differences in their actuation force and bottom out force, it is important to note that both switches offer similar results in terms of providing a tactile and responsive typing experience. Individuals seeking a lighter feel may find the White Lotus more appealing, while those desiring a stronger push may prefer the WS Aurora Clear. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, it is clear that the White Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0mm, while the WS Aurora Clear has a travel distance of 3.8mm. 4.0mm is considered a more traditional travel distance, providing a sense of familiarity for those accustomed to it. On the other hand, 3.8mm is slightly shorter, making it a preferred choice for gamers who value faster response times. The shorter travel distance allows for quicker keystrokes and improved overall gaming performance. However, it is important to note that some individuals may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. For those seeking a more substantial feel when typing or gaming, the Durock White Lotus with its longer travel distance may be the more suitable option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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
The Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The White Lotus switch offers a low-pitched sound profile, which is characterized by a bass-heavy and mellow tone. This makes it suitable for those who prefer a more soothing sound while typing. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear switch has a high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This would appeal to users who enjoy a more vibrant and energetic sound while typing.
When it comes to feel, the White Lotus switch is known for being easy to press, providing minimal resistance during key presses. It requires minimal force to activate, resulting in an effortless and comfortable typing experience. This makes it ideal for long typing sessions without inducing finger fatigue. The switch's mild and subtle qualities also contribute to its overall comfortable feel, as it strikes a safe middle-ground zone between pronounced characteristics.
On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch is described as buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless and uniform typing sensation, making it favored by those who value a consistently smooth feel while typing. The switch's mild and polished qualities further enhance its smoothness, reducing friction and resulting in a sleek typing experience.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that the Durock White Lotus tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch offer contrasting subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The White Lotus switch caters to those who appreciate a low-pitched sound and an easy-to-press, gentle typing feel. Meanwhile, the WS Aurora Clear switch appeals to individuals who seek a high-pitched sound and a buttery, polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience. Regardless of the choice, both switches provide customizable RGB lighting effects, adding aesthetic value to any keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a light tactile switch with a medium-light bottom out force, the Durock White Lotus would be an excellent choice. The White Lotus switches are designed to provide a delicate tactility that strikes the perfect balance for work and extended typing sessions. They offer an easy-to-press feel with minimal force required to activate, enhancing the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column that allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, adding a captivating glow to your keyboard setup.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and high-pitched typing experience, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force, these switches offer a buttery and polished feel, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clears allow for maximum RGB lighting customization, ensuring a visually stunning keyboard setup.
In terms of sound, the White Lotus switches have a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The WS Aurora Clears, on the other hand, produce a sharp and crisp high-pitched sound when pressed, perfect for those who prefer a more rich and crisp sound profile.
Overall, both switches have their own unique qualities and are suited for different preferences. Whether you prioritize a light tactile experience with vibrant RGB lighting effects or a smooth linear feel with high-pitched sound, the choice ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and aesthetic preferences. As a final point, you can't go wrong with either the Durock White Lotus or the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switch, as both offer exceptional performance and customization options.
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