Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green, a tactile switch, to the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, there are several key differences to be noted. The Bamboo Green is favored for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its all-POM construction, short travel distance, thocky sound, smoothness, and feather-light touch, making it ideal for those seeking a fast and smooth keystroke. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
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 Silver both have unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing which offers a neutral sound profile with neither a crisp nor dull sound, while the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing creates a deeper, more muted sound. In terms of the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green's PBT material provides a similar neutral sound profile, while the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing offers a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side.
Despite their differences in sound profile, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie Silver have top and bottom housings that impact the overall feel and sound of the switch. The qualities of the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. On the other hand, the top housing has more of an impact on the sound when the key is released, creating a unique auditory experience with each keystroke.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Gateron Smoothie Silver may have different housing materials, they both contribute to a distinct sound profile that enhances the typing experience. Whether it's the neutral sound profile of the PBT material in the Bamboo Green or the deeper, more muted sound of the POM material in the Smoothie Silver, both switches offer a unique auditory experience that adds to the overall satisfaction of using a mechanical keyboard. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel.
Weight
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have some key differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Smoothie Silver's 45 grams, making it slightly easier to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Bamboo Green requires a heavier force of 62 grams compared to the Smoothie Silver, which has an unknown bottom out force. This means that while the Smoothie Silver may be easier to press down, the Bamboo Green offers a more substantial typing experience when fully depressed. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between these two switches cater to different preferences, with the Bamboo Green leaning towards a heavier feel and the Smoothie Silver offering a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it slightly longer than the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Bamboo Green offering a more standard experience and the Smoothie Silver being slightly shorter. Gamers may prefer the Smoothie Silver for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Bamboo Green. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding travel distance and keypress 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 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 Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a high-pitched and resonant profile, creating a sharp and crisp noise when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, offering a unique auditory experience with a feather-light touch. Both switches provide different sound experiences, allowing users to choose based on their preference for sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, providing a multi-dimensional tactile experience with a smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, information is unknown for the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch. Users who prefer a tactile typing experience with a distinct tactile bump and smooth key travel may be more inclined towards the Bamboo Green, while those who prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch may opt for the Smoothie Silver.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a clacky sound with a crisp and sparkling tactility, ideal for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience with a unique sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch features a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, catering to users who prefer a fast and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide different qualities in terms of sound and feel, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. If you enjoy a clacky sound signature, crisp tactility, and medium bottom out force, the Bamboo Green may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, feather-light touch, and shorter travel distance, the Smoothie Silver could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you prefer and what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch. Happy typing!
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