TTC Silent Red vs. Wuque Studio WS Yellow
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Red and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in search of a mechanical keyboard switch that combines a seamless, noise-free typing experience with a comfortable user interface, both the TTC Silent Red and Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches are excellent choices. The Silent Red switch is renowned for its smooth and consistent feel, making it an ideal option for office or shared living spaces due to its muted sound profile. Furthermore, it boasts a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. On the other hand, the WS Yellow switch incorporates classic materials with cutting-edge engineering, resulting in a timeless and delightful typing experience. With its 22mm double-stage spring, it provides a satisfying bounce while offering a familiar sound signature that keyboard enthusiasts admire. Additionally, its lightweight design ensures effortless keystrokes and a fluid typing experience. However, let's delve deeper into the nuances of each switch to help you decide which one suits your preferences best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Red and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches have some similarities and differences. Both switches feature nylon in their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. This gives both switches a similar typing experience in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel.
However, when it comes to the top housing, the Silent Red utilizes polycarbonate, while the WS Yellow uses nylon. The polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Red contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is relatively stiffer, allowing for a clearer and resonant sound. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Yellow adds to a deeper and fuller sound profile but with a duller and rounder sound quality.
These differences in the top housing materials of the two switches will have a noticeable impact on how they sound when releasing a key. The Silent Red, with its polycarbonate top housing, will likely produce a louder, more defined sound when the key is released. Conversely, the WS Yellow, with its nylon top housing, will offer a softer and more muffled sound upon key release. Therefore, while both switches share similarities in the bottom housing material, they will provide distinct sound experiences due to their different top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Red has an actuation force of 45 grams, whereas the WS Yellow's actuation force is unavailable. This indicates that the Silent Red requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Red has a heavier force of 63.5 grams compared to the WS Yellow's 53 grams. This means that the Silent Red offers a more substantial typing experience, requiring more force to fully press down the keys.
Considering weight as an important factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience would benefit from the Silent Red switch, as its actuation and bottom out forces are both lighter compared to the WS Yellow. This lightness allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work environments or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a more substantial push feel, the WS Yellow may be the better choice. Although the actuation force is unknown, its slightly heavier bottom out force provides a more satisfying typing experience, giving a sense of stability and solidity to each keystroke.
Overall, while the Silent Red offers a lighter actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, the WS Yellow offers a balance between the two. Without the exact actuation force available for the WS Yellow, it is important to note that the combination of actuation and bottom out forces determines the overall typing experience. If the actuation forces of the Silent Red and WS Yellow happen to be similar, then the results would be comparable in terms of typing feel, with the Silent Red being slightly heavier overall.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. In the case of the TTC Silent Red linear switch, the travel distance is 3.7 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, either switch would be a suitable choice, as the difference of 0.1 mm between them is unlikely to be noticeable. However, for those who prefer a deeper keypress, the TTC Silent Red with its slightly shorter travel distance may feel slightly more abrupt compared to the WS Yellow. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches should be based on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Silent Red switch is best described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. The Silent Reds are designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them perfect for office or shared living space use. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch are unknown. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also affected by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen, so it's recommended to consider those as well.
In terms of feel, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a buttery and mild typing experience. The switch provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, resulting in a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Its qualities stand in a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, the Silent Red switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that enhances the typing experience by reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel.
Similarly, the Wuque Studio WS Yellow switch also offers a mild and polished feel. It provides a smooth and buttery typing experience, possibly due to the factory-applied lubricant or specific materials used in its construction. Typing on the WS Yellow switch is described as creamy, allowing for a silky sensation and effortless keystrokes.
In conclusion, both the TTC Silent Red and Wuque Studio WS Yellow switches offer smooth and gentle typing experiences. While the sound characteristics of the WS Yellow switch are unknown, it shares similarities with the Silent Red switch in terms of feel. Both switches have mild qualities that provide a comfortable typing experience, and they boast a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Thus, if you are looking for a keyboard switch with a smooth and seamless typing experience, either of these options will deliver similar results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a smooth and seamless typing experience without all the noise, the Silent Reds are the perfect choice. These switches have a muted sound profile, making them ideal for office or shared living space use. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, they provide a medium-heavy feel, offering a comfortable typing experience. The Silent Reds have a buttery and polished feel, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a delightful typing experience and a satisfying bounce, the WS Yellow linear switches are a timeless fusion of classic materials and cutting-edge engineering. These switches have a bottom out force of 53 grams, making them medium-light. With a creamy and polished feel, they offer a smooth and buttery typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between the Silent Red and WS Yellow switch will depend on your preference for sound and feel, as well as your typing environment.
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