Westlab Orange and ProjectW Accel Skates
A quick review of these skates after a full week on them both!
Orange:
- Hardened PTFE Noise-Reducing Foam
- 0.7 mm thickness
- 6.5mm diameter
- Pronounced rounded edge
- 20 Dots per pack
Accel:
- Pure PTFE
- 1mm thickness
- 6.5mm diameter
- More balanced contour shape
- 20 Dots per pack
Tested Surfaces:
- Tenta-X Issen (Glass)
- GlssWrks Polarity (Glass)
- InfinityMice Infinite Speed V3 (Cloth)
- Tenta-X JadeFire Shinkiro (Cloth)
My Initial Impressions:
Speed lovers paradise! Low static friction is something I seek in a product and these dots allowed for that instant start feeling in different ways. They adapted fairly well to all surfaces I tried with minor issues based on what surfaces I was on due to skate thickness.
True Performance:
These two skates are nearly identical in speed, but the ProjectW Accel dots offer a faster overall experience across every surface due to their perceived smoothness. Because the Accel dots sit higher, they provide essential clearance that offsets "push down" effects on cloth pads, maintaining a consistent glide even under pressure. In contrast, the Westlab Oranges offer a very floaty and quiet sensation, but their internal foam layer means that pushing down on the mouse can create a noticeable variance in friction. Furthermore, the more pronounced edges of the Orange dots tend to catch on cloth surfaces more easily than the Accelโs balanced contour. However for my finger tip grip that I use, that foam layer in the Oranges provided a uniquely pleasant weightless floaty effect that had little effect on my game sessions. I'm sure claw/palm grips with bigger mice will feel these effects to greater lengths.
Durabilty & Lifespan:
After a full week of heavy use (averaging about 4-6 hours a day), Iโm impressed with how well both sets are holding up. Even on the more abrasive glass surfaces, neither set has become scratchy or lost its signature glide. Usually, with thin dots, you expect a fast drop-off in performance, but both the hardened PTFE of the Westlabs and the solid build of the Accels still have plenty of life left in them. They feel well-broken-in but nowhere near needing a swap yet.
Cons:
I have only one request. No tiny films on each individual dot please!๐
Conclusion & Value:
Ultimately, both sets of skates are top tier options for anyone chasing the low-friction setup. If you use glass pads and want muted floaty performance, the Westlab Oranges are the pick. However, if you want that consistent buttery glide smoothness, the ProjectW Accels are your guy!
In terms of affordability, both of these skate offerings are a very good budget pick in today's market of premium dot skates.
These two have now been added to my go-to dot skate list:
- UG Ice
- Jade (Greens) / UG Green clones
- Cyclone Pros
- Westlab Orange
- ProjectW Accel
Thanks for stopping by! ๐ซถ