HMX Game1989 vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX 1989 and the Gateron Smoothie Silver offer unique attributes that cater to different user preferences, even within the realm of linear switches. The HMX 1989 is celebrated for its deep and thocky sound profile, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists who appreciate tactile feedback from their keystrokes. Its robust build and pronounced acoustics provide a satisfying typing experience that many find appealing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver stands out with its all-POM construction and short travel distance, allowing for incredibly fast actuation—ideal for competitive gamers seeking speed and responsiveness. With a feather-light touch and unparalleled smoothness, it ensures virtually no resistance while typing. Both switches showcase unique qualities that cater to different typing styles; the HMX 1989 offers a rich auditory experience and a solid feel, while the Smoothie Silver focuses on elements of speed and a lightweight touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Game1989 Linear

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX 1989 and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, we see a notable distinction in the choice of top housing materials, each bringing unique sound profiles to the switches. The HMX 1989 utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its inherent stiffness. This stiffness contributes to a brighter and more resonant sound profile, allowing for a sharper auditory experience when tapping the keys. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate not only offers a visual appeal for RGB lighting setups but also effectively enhances the acoustics of the typing experience, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate clarity in key sounds. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver employs a POM top housing that reflects a noticeably different acoustical behavior. POM, or polyoxymethylene, is recognized for producing a sound that is deeper and more muted. This results in a unique auditory experience that contrasts sharply with the sharper notes produced by the HMX 1989, emphasizing the softer sounds that might appeal to users seeking a more subdued typing atmosphere.

Analyzing the bottom housing reveals a fascinating similarity, with both the HMX 1989 and Gateron Smoothie Silver opting for softer materials that enrich the sound profile. The HMX 1989 features a nylon bottom housing, a classic choice known for its inherent softness. This material absorbs sound effectively and results in a deeper, fuller auditory experience. Similarly, the Smoothie Silver employs a POM bottom housing, which also produces deeper and relatively muted sound qualities. The use of these softer materials allows both switches to share a certain cohesiveness in bottom-out sounds, generating an overall plush and satisfying feedback during typing. If one were to use these switches in tandem, the deeper sounds from the bottom housing across both designs would likely create a more cohesive experience when bottoming out, lending a sense of warmth and roundness to the overall typing experience.

In keyboard switches, the interplay between top and bottom housing materials significantly influences the overall acoustics and feel during use. While the HMX 1989's polycarbonate top housing provides a bright, resonant character to the switch, its nylon bottom housing ensures a fuller sound profile that complements the sharper top range. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver's POM components offer muted results on both ends, creating a uniform depth throughout the typing experience. Despite their differences, these switches can yield similar outcomes in terms of user satisfaction by focusing on the particular attributes each material brings to the typing experience. For those who appreciate the distinct characteristics of each switch, understanding how the combination of sound profiles can affect overall feel is crucial to finding the perfect fit for their typing preferences. Thus, each switch provides a unique auditory experience through thoughtful material selection, enhancing individual user enjoyment.

Weight

The HMX 1989 linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch share an identical actuation force of 45 grams, which means users will experience a similar level of resistance required to trigger a keystroke with both switches. This moderate actuation force can be advantageous for those who type for extended periods, making them both suitable options for work or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out forces diverge significantly: the 1989 has a bottom out force of 53 grams, providing a slightly heavier feel when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver has an unspecified bottom out force, leaving its full tactile feedback during bottoming out unknown. Thus, while the actuation force is the same, the 1989 offers a more substantial typing experience with its defined bottom out force, making it the heavier option overall. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver's lighter actuation force could appeal to those preferring a softer touch, but without concrete data on its bottom out force, its overall performance remains uncertain.

Travel distance

The HMX 1989 linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the HMX 1989 measuring 4 mm and the Smoothie Silver at 3.4 mm. This makes the HMX 1989 the longer of the two switches, offering a more traditional and hearty depth that some users may prefer for a more substantial feel when typing. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver's shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm caters to those who favor quicker response times, especially popular among gamers who desire a more responsive switch. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on individual preferences for switch feel—those who enjoy a deeper keypress may opt for the HMX 1989, while those seeking swift actuation may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie Silver.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX 1989 linear switch is celebrated for producing a deep and thocky tone, which resonates well with enthusiasts who enjoy a punchy acoustic response. This quality is particularly engaging for gamers and typists alike, as it offers auditory feedback that enhances the tactile experience of typing or gaming. Conversely, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch also delivers a thocky sound, but its profile is characterized by a crisper and cleaner acoustic signature owing to its POM construction. Despite this difference, both switches provide a satisfying auditory experience, appealing to users who prefer a more muted click without the harshness of higher-pitched sounds.

When it comes to feel, the HMX 1989 switch is known for its substantial and robust actuation, offering a sense of stability and weight that many users appreciate for different tasks, including competitive gaming. Its tactile feedback is pronounced, allowing for precision during key presses. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch stands out with its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch. This lightweight feel makes it particularly appealing for fast-paced gaming, where rapid key presses are the norm. While both switches provide excellent performance, their distinct characteristics cater to different preferences—those who enjoy a more weighted key press versus those who favor an ultra-smooth and light actuation.

In conclusion, both the HMX 1989 and Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switches offer unique qualities that cater to diverse typing and gaming preferences. The HMX 1989 is ideal for those who appreciate a deep thocky sound paired with a solid, weighted feel, making it suited for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver with its feather-light touch and crisp sound is perfect for users seeking speed and smoothness. Ultimately, choosing between these switches comes down to personal preference, as they each deliver a distinct auditory and tactile experience, with similar thocky qualities in sound but differing in actuation feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX 1989 linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prefer a medium-light keystroke for a deeper, thocky sound when typing or gaming, the HMX 1989 is likely the better fit for you. Its distinct tactile feedback and sound profile make it particularly enjoyable for those who appreciate the depth in their key switches, especially in a gaming environment where you want to feel the impact of your actions. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a switch that delivers unparalleled smoothness with rapid actuation and lighter touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver would be your go-to option. This switch is ideal for fast-paced gaming or quick typing tasks, where every millisecond counts, and a lighter keystroke can lead to better performance. By weighing these factors, you can better decide which switch aligns with your typing style and preferences, ultimately enhancing your overall keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Game1989 Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more