Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie offer distinct experiences. The Bamboo Green is a tactile switch known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie is a linear switch made of POM material, offering a thocky sound signature, smoothness, and a lightweight touch that appeals to users looking for a quieter and smoother typing experience. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
43g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie both have PBT top housings, but the sound profiles they create are quite different. The Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile that is neither crisp nor dull, while the Smoothie's POM top housing produces a deeper, more muted sound. This means that typing on the Bamboo Green switches may result in a more subtle and balanced typing experience, while the Smoothie switches may provide a deeper and more distinctive typing sound.
In terms of bottom housings, both the Bamboo Green and the Smoothie use PBT and POM respectively. The bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is fully pressed. Therefore, the PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green may offer a neutral and consistent typing experience, while the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie may contribute to a more unique and satisfying feel. This difference in bottom housing materials can impact the overall typing experience and sound profile of the switches.
While the top and bottom housings of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie differ in material, they both aim to provide a quality typing experience. The split in housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch allows for a balance in sound profile and typing feel. Both switches offer their own unique qualities - the Bamboo Green with its neutral and balanced sound profile, and the Smoothie with a deeper and more muted sound. Ultimately, choosing between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch with 40 grams. However, the Bamboo Green also requires a higher bottom out force of 62 grams compared to the Smoothie which has an unknown bottom out force. In terms of weight, the Bamboo Green would be considered the heavier option between the two. The actuation force is crucial for determining the sensitivity of the switch, while the bottom out force is important for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. For users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Smoothie may be the preferred choice. However, for those who prefer a stronger push feel, the Bamboo Green may provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Smoothie has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Bamboo Green offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to individuals who prefer a more substantial key press feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie provides a slightly shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. Both switches offer varying levels of tactile feedback and smoothness in operation. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Gateron Smoothie 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 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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a high-pitched and resonant typing experience, characterized by a sharp and crisp sound profile that immerses the user in their typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature, creating a deep and satisfying auditory feedback that is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to the Bamboo Green. The choice between these switches will depend on individual preference for sound profiles, with the Bamboo Green catering to those who enjoy a sharper and cleaner sound, while the Smoothie appeals to users who prefer a deeper and richer tone.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished typing experience, providing a distinct tactile bump with a refined finish for smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch is known for its buttery, creamy, and silky feel, offering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation with enhanced smoothness and minimized resistance. Choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for tactility and keypress feedback, with the Bamboo Green delivering a more pronounced tactile bump and the Smoothie offering a smoother and more fluid keystroke experience.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a sharp tactility, while the Smoothie offers a thocky and low-pitched sound with a buttery smooth keystroke. Depending on whether you prioritize a sharper tactile feedback and crisp sound or a smoother typing experience with a deep sound profile, you can choose between these switches to enhance your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches promise quality performance and a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you will get similar results in terms of durability and reliability with either choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider your preferences in sound and feel. If you enjoy a medium bottom out force, a clacky sound signature, and a sharp tactile bump, the Bamboo Green may be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no specified bottom out force, a thocky sound profile, and a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what aspects of typing experience matter most to you, whether it's the sound, feel, or overall performance of the switch.
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