Gateron Beer vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear offer unique characteristics to cater to different preferences. The Gateron Beer tactile switch stands out for its translucent green design inspired by Tsingtao beer, providing a visually appealing experience. Its lightweight and stepped tactility offer a refreshing typing feel, accompanied by a distinctive clacky sound. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear linear switch boasts a smooth and high-pitched typing experience, thanks to its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing. With a lightly lubed POM stem, this switch ensures minimal friction for a buttery and polished keystroke. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style; 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
38g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear both feature polycarbonate top housings, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in these housings creates a clear and resonant sound due to its stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear stands out with its UHWMPE bottom housing, which offers a very bright sound signature and resonant clacks when typing. This newer material brings a unique quality to the switch and may provide a different typing experience compared to the Beer.
In terms of aesthetics, both the Gateron Beer and the WS Aurora Clear feature clear housings, suggesting they are made of polycarbonate. The translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, enhancing the visual appeal of the switches. While the top housings of both switches influence the sound profile when releasing a key, the choice of material for the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Therefore, the use of different materials in the bottom housing of the Beer and WS Aurora Clear may result in distinct typing experiences despite both switches having polycarbonate top housings.
Overall, the Gateron Beer and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear showcase how different housing materials can affect the sound and feel of mechanical switches. While they both feature polycarbonate top housings, the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing offers a unique sound signature that sets it apart from the Beer. Whether you prefer the crisper sound profile of polycarbonate or the bright clacks produced by UHWMPE, these switches demonstrate the importance of selecting the right housing material to achieve the desired typing experience.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch offers a lighter typing experience compared to the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch. The Beer has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a light switch overall. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear features a higher actuation force of 53 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Beer would be the better option. However, if a stronger push feel is desired for a more tactile typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear would be the preferred choice. Both switches offer different weight options to cater to individual preferences, allowing users to select the one that best suits their typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Beer has a shorter travel distance compared to the WS Aurora Clear, which means that it may provide a quicker response time for users who prefer a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear offers a slightly longer travel distance, which can be appealing to those who enjoy a deeper key press feeling. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for users who prefer a more compact typing experience with minimal key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.
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 Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its clacky sound signature, which produces a sharp and snappy noise when pressed, while the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound, providing a sharp and crisp auditory feedback. The choice between the two will ultimately come down to personal preference, with the Beer offering a more percussive sound and the WS Aurora Clear providing a brighter, high-pitched tone. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps being used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is described as easy-to-press and stepped, offering a gentle resistance during key presses and a subtle two-stage tactility. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch is labeled as buttery, mild, and polished, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, a gentle typing sensation, and a refined finish for sleek key travel. The Beer switch focuses on lightweight actuation and stepped tactility, while the WS Aurora Clear emphasizes smooth and effortless keystrokes with minimal friction.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer and Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches offer distinct subjective qualities in both sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and an easy-to-press, stepped feel, the WS Aurora Clear switch delivers a high-pitched sound and a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. Depending on whether you prefer a sharp, percussive noise and lighter actuation or a bright, crisp sound and smooth key travel, you can choose between the two switches to suit your typing preferences. It is important to consider how these switches will interact with your overall keyboard setup to achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a more subtle tactile feel with a clacky sound signature, the Beer may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smoother, high-pitched typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear could be the switch for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the type of typing feel and sound profile that you enjoy the most.
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