Jwick Taro vs. Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Jwick Taro and Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile are both popular tactile mechanical keyboard switches, each offering a unique typing experience. The Taro switches are well-loved for their cozy typing experience, with a medium level of tactility and crisp clacks. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile switches are praised for their smoothness, snappy tactile bump, and neutral sound signature. While the Taro switches are categorized as 'Neutral', 'Buttery', and 'Stepped', the WS Light Tactile switches are categorized as 'Stepped', 'Neutral', and 'Easy-to-press'. When considering which switch to choose, it ultimately depends on your personal preference 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.4mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate plastics, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting capabilities. However, the Taro and the WS Light Tactile differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Taro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile also features a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a focus on creating a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of housing materials, both the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile prioritize the use of polycarbonate for their top housings. This commonality results in a consistent sound profile for both switches, characterized by sharpness and clarity. However, where they diverge is in their choice of bottom housing material. The Taro's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the WS Light Tactile's nylon bottom housing similarly aims to create a rounder sound with a dampening effect. Despite this difference, the overall typing experience provided by the two switches may still be quite similar due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it is important to note that the qualities brought by each material are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing of a switch like the Jwick Taro, with its nylon material, will have a more significant effect on the bottom-out sound and feel experienced when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing, made of polycarbonate in both the Taro and the WS Light Tactile, will influence the sound produced when releasing a key. This division of housing materials allows for a nuanced typing experience that combines the unique properties of both polycarbonate and nylon to create a balanced and satisfying feel.
Weight
The Jwick Taro tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Taro tactile switch has an actuation force of None grams, making it unclear how much pressure is needed to trigger a keystroke, while it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a light touch is needed to activate a key, and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is relatively lighter compared to the Taro switch. The lighter actuation force of the WS Light Tactile switch may suit those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, while the heavier bottom out force of the Taro switch may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing force and experience during extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Jwick Taro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Taro has a shorter travel distance compared to the WS Light Tactile. The difference may not seem significant, but it can affect the feel and responsiveness of the switch. For those who prefer a quicker response time, the Taro may be the preferred choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the WS Light Tactile may be more suitable for those who prefer a deeper and more pronounced key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
The Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile comes in at $4.20 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, both the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they both have a moderate actuation force requirement and produce a moderate sound level, making them suitable for various purposes and environments. The sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard they are used in and the keycaps attached.
When it comes to feel, the Jwick Taro switches are described as providing a buttery typing experience, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation. Additionally, they offer a stepped feel, which means there is a sense of two stages during the keypress, providing a more gradual tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches also offer a stepped feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, as well as being described as easy-to-press. This means they require minimal force to activate, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions while offering a responsive and comfortable typing feel.
Overall, both the Jwick Taro and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile switches provide users with a cozy and comfortable typing experience. The Taro switches offer a snappy and medium-level of tactility with acute and crisp clacks, while the WS Light Tactile switches maintain smoothness with a perceptible tactile bump. Both switches have a neutral sound profile and deliver a satisfying typing experience, with slight variations that cater to different preferences. Whether you choose the Taro or the WS Light Tactile switches, you can expect similar results in terms of overall quality and performance.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Jwick Taro tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Light Tactile tactile switch, you should consider the bottom out force, sound, and feel preferences. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a cozy typing experience with a snappy tactility and acute clacks, the Taro switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with smoothness, a perceptible tactile bump, and a neutral sound signature, the WS Light Tactile switches would be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal typing preferences and the typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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