Gazzew U4 vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile
An in-depth look at the Gazzew U4 and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are excited to offer two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches: the Gazzew U4 and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile. Both switches provide a tactile experience while prioritizing noise reduction, making them perfect options for office and work environments. The U4 switches offer a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, accompanied by a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation. They have a whisper-quiet sound profile and fall into the "muted," "low-pitched," and "sharp" category. On the other hand, the WS Silent Tactile switches strike a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. They feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, effectively minimizing switch sound while delivering a crisp bottom-out and responsive return. These switches are categorized as "accented," "invigorating," "neutral," "mild," and "muted," and they provide a typing experience devoid of the usual padded feel found in most silent switches. Now that we have explored their general features, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14mm Korean spring
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew U4 and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches have different housing materials for both the top and bottom parts of the switch. The U4 utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," which provides a rich and deep sound due to its softness. In contrast, the WS Silent Tactile features nylon housing for both the top and bottom parts, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both switches aim to create a more rounded sound, but achieve it through different means.
The main difference between the Gazzew U4 and the WS Silent Tactile housing materials lies in the specific plastics used. The U4's Gazzew blend is a unique mixture that results in a soft plastic, while the WS Silent Tactile uses nylon, a softer plastic compared to harder alternatives. This distinction results in a difference in the sound profile of the two switches, with the U4 delivering a rich and deep sound due to its "boba plastic," and the WS Silent Tactile providing a deeper and fuller sound through the use of nylon. Ultimately, this difference in materials leads to slightly varied auditory experiences when typing on the switches.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Gazzew U4 and WS Silent Tactile switches differ, they complement each other to form a complete sound profile. When pressing down on either switch, the impact and bottom-out sound and feel are influenced by the bottom housing material. Consequently, the U4's bottom housing contributes to the rich and deep sound it delivers, while the WS Silent Tactile's nylon bottom housing enhances its deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the top housing material is more impactful on the sound when releasing a key, meaning that the Gazzew U4's proprietary blend and the WS Silent Tactile's nylon create distinct letting-go sounds.
In conclusion, the Gazzew U4 and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches differ in their housing materials, with the U4 utilizing a proprietary Gazzew blend and the WS Silent Tactile employing nylon. These materials contribute to their respective distinct sound profiles, with the U4 providing a rich and deep sound due to its soft "boba plastic" blend, while the WS Silent Tactile offers a deeper and fuller sound through the use of nylon. However, despite these differences, both switches aim to provide a well-rounded and pleasing auditory experience when typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Gazzew U4 has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the actuation force of the WS Silent Tactile switch is not available. However, both switches have a medium level actuation force, meaning the force required to trigger a keystroke is relatively moderate. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Gazzew U4 has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the WS Silent Tactile switch has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. This distinction means that for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push feel, the WS Silent Tactile switch may be the better choice. However, for individuals who value a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods without fatigue, the Gazzew U4 switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, when considering weight, it is important to assess personal preferences and individual typing needs to determine the ideal switch for each user.
Travel distance
The Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile tactile switch have slightly different travel distances. The U4 has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the WS Silent Tactile has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Although the difference is minimal, it is worth noting that the U4 has a slightly longer travel distance. In terms of overall feel and responsiveness, shorter travel distances are becoming popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. This means that if you prefer a more immediate and responsive feel, the WS Silent Tactile might be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. If this is the case, the Gazzew U4, with its slightly longer travel distance, would be the suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gazzew U4 comes in at $6.50, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile comes in at $4.20.
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
The Gazzew U4 silent tactile switch is known for its sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, providing a high intensity feedback with each keypress. Additionally, it offers a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation, creating a unique typing experience. The U4s have a sound profile that is whisper quiet, producing a muted and low-pitched tone, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch strikes a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction. It offers a medium level of tactility without compromising on sound reduction. The switch features stem railings with small cutouts, effectively minimizing switch sound while delivering a satisfyingly crisp bottom-out and responsive return. The WS Silent Tactile switches provide an accented tactile feel that is not overwhelming but still prominent. It offers an invigorating and reactive typing sensation. Similar to the U4, the WS Silent Tactile switch also produces a muted sound profile.
Based on the available information, the Gazzew U4 and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switches offer different subjective qualities. The U4 provides a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump with a plush bottom-out sensation, while the WS Silent Tactile offers a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction with its unique stem railings. Both switches produce a muted sound profile, ensuring a quieter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preference for the level of tactility and the specific typing experience desired. However, if a softer and quieter typing experience is the goal, both switches can provide similar results.
Conclusion
In summary, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch is a great choice if you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump. These switches offer a plush and felt-like bottom-out sensation, resulting in a unique and satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the U4s have a whisper quiet sound profile, producing a muted and low-pitched tone. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch may be more suitable for you if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force. These switches strike a delicate balance between tactility and noise reduction, providing a medium level of tactility without compromising on noise reduction. The WS Silent Tactile switches feature ingenious stem railings with small cutouts, resulting in a crisp bottom-out and responsive return while maintaining an impressively silent profile. Notably, these switches are described as neutral and muted, offering a moderate actuation force requirement and a softer, quieter sound profile. The WS Silent Tactile switches are also known for their invigorating feel, providing pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Tactile switch depends on your preference for bottom out force, tactility intensity, and sound profile.
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