Aflion Panda vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Panda and Gateron Smoothie Silver stand out as popular choices with distinct characteristics. The Aflion Panda, a tactile switch, is renowned for its hyper-tactile sensation and deep thocky sound profile, making it ideal for those who value pronounced feedback and a satisfying keystroke experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, offers a lightning-fast actuation due to its short travel distance and feather-light touch. While the Panda is characterized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Resonant', the Smoothie Silver focuses on unparalleled smoothness and a thocky sound. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Smoothie Silver have distinct differences. The Panda utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which gives it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which resonates sound more clearly. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding to its aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, offering a deeper and more muted sound profile. The POM material provides a unique sound experience that is on the deeper end of the spectrum.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Panda incorporates a nylon material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The Gateron Smoothie Silver, on the other hand, also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, contributing to the switch's pleasing and unique sound profile. With POM material, the sound quality remains on the deeper side and relatively more muted compared to other housing materials.
While the Aflion Panda and the Gateron Smoothie Silver have different top and bottom housing materials, each brings a unique sound profile to the switch. The qualities of the bottom housing, whether nylon in the Panda or POM in the Smoothie Silver, impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Meanwhile, the top housing material, whether polycarbonate in the Panda or POM in the Smoothie Silver, influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to differing preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Panda has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Smoothie Silver's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Panda requires 60 grams while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. This makes the Panda slightly heavier in terms of bottom out force. The Panda offers a more medium feel in terms of force required, while the Smoothie Silver provides a lighter actuation force. The actuation force of both switches is relatively close, so users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. The choice between the two switches would depend on whether the user prefers a slightly heavier or lighter typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance for switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Gamers may prefer the Smoothie Silver for its faster response times due to the shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Panda with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of key press feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Gateron Smoothie Silver has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie Silver for $2.60.
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 Aflion Panda tactile switch offers a resonant and deep "thocky" sound profile, providing a full-bodied and immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch also features a thocky sound quality, which can contribute to a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will greatly depend on additional factors such as the keyboard build and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Panda switch is renowned for its accented and invigorating tactile feedback, offering a hyper-tactile sensation that is not overwhelming but still satisfying. In comparison, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch provides an unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch, allowing for lightning-fast actuation. Both switches provide a unique typing experience tailored to different preferences, where the Panda prioritizes tactile feedback and the Smoothie Silver emphasizes a smooth keystroke.
Overall, both the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinctive qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Panda excels in hyper-tactility and a resonant sound profile, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its smoothness and light touch. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches offer excellent options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preference for tactility and sound profile. If you prioritize a hyper-tactile sensation with a deep, thocky sound, the Aflion Panda would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose based on what qualities matter most to you in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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