Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear vs. HMX Xinhai
An in-depth look at the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear and the HMX Xinhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear and the HMX Xinhai both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The WS Aurora Clear is renowned for its smooth, high-pitched typing experience, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a buttery and polished feel. The transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear allow for customizable RGB lighting, adding a touch of personalization to your keyboard. On the other hand, the Xinhai switch stands out for its unique PA12 top housing, which provides a softer acoustics profile, perfect for those looking for a bouncy and creamy typing experience. The POM stem of the Xinhai switch adds a crisp, higher-pitched resonance to each keystroke, offering a blend of sophistication and performance. 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
53g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear and the HMX Xinhai, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking a visually appealing keyboard setup. However, the UHWMPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear offers a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks, providing a unique typing experience compared to the Xinhai's nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer and sound-absorbing properties.
While the top housings of both switches share similar characteristics being made of polycarbonate, the bottom housings set them apart in terms of sound signature and typing feel. The WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing provides a bright and resonant typing experience, while the Xinhai's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. The impact of the bottom housing material is more noticeable during bottom-out sounds and typing feedback, whereas the top housing material plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. These differences highlight the importance of considering both top and bottom housing materials when selecting switches for a personalized keyboard setup.
In conclusion, while both the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear and the HMX Xinhai feature a polycarbonate top housing, their bottom housing materials set them apart in terms of sound signature and typing feedback. The UHWMPE bottom housing of the WS Aurora Clear offers a bright and resonant sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the Xinhai provides a deeper and fuller typing experience. Understanding the impact of top and bottom housing materials on sound and feel is crucial for keyboard enthusiasts looking to customize their typing experience to suit their preferences. Whether opting for a clearer and crisper sound profile or a deeper and fuller typing feedback, the choice between these housing materials can greatly influence the overall typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, it is evident that the Xinhai is lighter while the Aurora Clear is heavier. The WS Aurora Clear has an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Xinhai has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is lighter. This means that the Aurora Clear will provide a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier force requirements, while the Xinhai will offer a lighter touch for those who prefer a gentler typing feel. Both switches are suitable for different preferences, with the Aurora Clear being ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel, and the Xinhai being suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Xinhai has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Aurora Clear. Generally, a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for quicker response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for some users. Both switches offer a different feel due to their respective travel distances, so choosing between them would depend on personal preference for typing or gaming. Ultimately, the WS Aurora Clear and the HMX Xinhai linear switches provide different tactile experiences due to their slightly varying travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Xinhai has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Xinhai for $3.19.
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
In terms of sound, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch is best described as high-pitched, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Xinhai linear switch offers a clacky sound, known for its sharp and snappy characteristics. When it comes to the feel of the switches, the WS Aurora Clear is buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation with a polished finish. In contrast, the Xinhai switch is bouncy and creamy, giving a spring-like feedback sensation with a smooth and buttery typing experience.
Overall, if you prefer a high-pitched sound with a buttery and polished feel, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a clacky sound with a bouncy and creamy feel, the Xinhai linear switch would be a perfect fit. Remember that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps you use. Ultimately, with both switches offering distinct characteristics, you can expect to achieve satisfying and similar results in terms of typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a smooth, high-pitched keystroke with minimal friction and maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique PA12 top housing for softer acoustics and a crisp, bright, and percussive sound profile, along with a bouncy and creamy typing sensation, the HMX Xinhai may be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what best fits your personal typing style and preferences.
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