Bsun Avocado vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Bsun Avocado and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Avocado and the Gateron Smoothie Silver stand out as popular choices with distinct characteristics. The Bsun Avocado is a tactile switch known for its refreshing tactile experience, providing a snappy and responsive bump followed by a buttery downstroke. Its pronounced tactility offers satisfying feedback without being overwhelming, complemented by a mild and neutral sound signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is a linear switch made of all-POM material, offering a short travel distance for rapid actuation. It is praised for its thocky sound, smoothness, and feather-light touch. Each switch caters to different preferences and typing styles, with the Avocado excelling in tactility while the Smoothie Silver focuses on speed and smoothness. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Avocado and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, one key difference lies in their top housing materials. The Avocado utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. This is especially useful for switches with RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for a more aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials offer unique sonic qualities, the polycarbonate of the Avocado tends to emphasize clarity and resonance, while the POM of the Smoothie Silver lends itself to a richer and rounder sound.
Another point of comparison between the two switches lies in their bottom housing materials. The Avocado boasts a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. Nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Smoothie Silver also features a POM bottom housing, which contributes to the switch's overall deeper and more muted sound profile. Both nylon and POM offer their own unique acoustic characteristics, with nylon providing a slightly softer and rounder sound compared to POM.
While the Avocado and Smoothie Silver differ in their choice of housing materials, their respective top and bottom housings contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch in a complementary manner. The bottom housing affects the sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound upon releasing the key. This means that while the Avocado's polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing may create a sharper and deeper sound profile, respectively, the Smoothie Silver's POM top and bottom housings work together to produce a consistent, deep, and muted sound across the entire typing experience. Ultimately, both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in shaping the sound profile and typing feel of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the actuation force is the same at 45 grams for both. However, the bottom out force differs, with the Avocado requiring 65 grams for bottoming out, while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Avocado is considered medium-heavy, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's weight cannot be determined. Choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preferences - lighter switches like the Avocado are ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming, while heavier switches may be preferred for those who value a stronger push feel. Ultimately, while the actuation force is consistent between the two switches, the bottom out force sets them apart in terms of feel and typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that the key press experience will be similar in terms of the distance the switch travels from top to bottom. However, the Avocado switch provides a tactile feedback while the Smoothie Silver switch is a linear switch, so there will be a difference in the feel of the key press despite the similar travel distance. Overall, both switches offer a standard travel distance for mechanical keyboards, providing a comfortable typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
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
Overall, the BSUN Avocado tactile switch is best suited for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience with a satisfying bump and a mild sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a different typing experience with lightning-fast actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Depending on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile, you can choose between the two switches accordingly. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a neutral sound, the Avocado is the way to go. If you prefer a smooth, linear typing feel with a thocky sound, the Smoothie Silver is a great option. Both switches will provide a high-quality typing experience, but the ultimate choice will depend on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Avocado switch is a great option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch and a thocky sound, the Smoothie Silver switch is the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose the switch that best suits your individual needs and typing style.
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