Aflion Windy Shadow vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Emerging as a noteworthy manufacturer, Aflion presents its latest linear switch: the Windy Shadows. These switches are known for their neutral sound profile and distinctive bounce from the extended spring, providing a comfortable medium-light feel at a 55g bottom-out. On the other hand, Wuque Studio introduces the WS Yellow linear switches, blending classic materials with cutting-edge engineering. These switches offer a delightful typing experience with a 22mm double-stage spring and a familiar sound signature that enthusiasts love. While the Windy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Neutral', the WS Yellow is known for being 'Creamy', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. Each switch has its own unique qualities, but diving in deeper will help you determine the best switch for your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
19.7mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow, it is evident that both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and ability to absorb sound. This characteristic results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings. As a result, both the Windy Shadow and WS Yellow are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience with a softer bottom-out sound.
On the other hand, the top housing of the Windy Shadow is made of polycarbonate, while the WS Yellow features a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is recognized for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffness. It is also beneficial for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Yellow contributes to a deeper sound profile compared to polycarbonate. This material absorbs more sound, resulting in a more rounded sound when pressing down on the key.
Overall, the housing materials of the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow offer unique qualities that affect the sound and feel of the switches. While both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, they differ in the material used for the top housing. The Windy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the WS Yellow's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. These distinctions highlight how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience, providing users with different options to suit their preferences.
Weight
The Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch both have a medium-light bottom out force, with the Windy Shadow requiring 55 grams and the WS Yellow requiring 53 grams. However, the actuation force for both switches is not specified, so it is unclear which one has a lighter or heavier actuation force. When it comes to weight preferences, some may prefer the lighter actuation force for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may opt for a heavier force for a more pronounced typing experience. Overall, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of bottom out force, but the actuation force may vary which could affect the typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation force.
Travel distance
The Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular among gamers for increased responsiveness. A shorter travel distance can lead to faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more substantial key press feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Windy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Windy Shadow for $3.91.
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 Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone suitable for various applications. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch does not have specific sound descriptors available, but enthusiasts appreciate its familiar sound signature resulting from its material blend. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, with the Windy Shadow delivering a distinctive bounce from its extended spring and the WS Yellow providing a satisfying bounce from its double-stage spring.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Windy Shadow is described as offering a mild typing experience, falling in a safe middle-ground zone that is approachable to most users. Conversely, the WS Yellow is characterized as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing sensation that resembles gliding fingers across the keys effortlessly. Additionally, the WS Yellow switch is noted to have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience with their unique characteristics and engineering.
Overall, the Aflion Windy Shadow and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. While the Windy Shadow excels in providing a low-pitched sound profile and a mild typing experience, the WS Yellow stands out for its creamy feel and polished finish. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can expect satisfying results from either switch option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Windy Shadow linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a neutral sound profile with a distinctive bounce and a slightly higher bottom-out force, the Windy Shadow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smooth and buttery typing experience with a lower bottom-out force, the WS Yellow could be the perfect fit. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so consider your typing habits and preferences before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch — whether it be sound, feel, or typing experience.
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