Gateron Beer vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch. The Beer switch stands out with its mesmerizing translucent green design, evoking the allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle. Known for being lightweight and offering a stepped tactility, the Beer switch provides a subtle feel with a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch boasts lightning-fast actuation with its short travel distance and all-POM construction. With a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a unique typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, one can see that they differ in their composition. The Beer features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver incorporates a POM top housing, producing a deeper and more muted sound. While the Beer's polycarbonate top housing is known for its translucency that is ideal for RGB lighting, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing offers a unique and pleasing sound profile.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these two switches, the Gateron Beer and Gateron Smoothie Silver also showcase distinct characteristics. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, similar to its top housing. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing results in a deeper and more muted sound. With the bottom housing playing a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, each switch offers a different tactile experience based on their respective housing materials.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Gateron Smoothie Silver differ in terms of polycarbonate and POM, respectively, they both contribute to unique and distinct sound profiles. The polycarbonate housing of the Beer produces a sharper and crisper sound, while the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver creates a deeper and more muted sound. Whether you prefer a more resonant sound like the Beer or a smoother sound like the Smoothie Silver, both switches offer quality performance based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Beer switch requires 50 grams of force while the bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is unknown. The Beer switch provides a lighter typing experience which may be preferred for longer typing sessions or extended gaming use, while the Smoothie Silver may appeal to those seeking a slightly stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, so users can choose based on their personal preferences for typing feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch both have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that when you press down on either key, you will experience a similar travel distance as they both require the same amount of force to actuate. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience due to their consistent travel distance. Whether you choose the Beer or the Smoothie Silver, you can expect to get comparable results in terms of key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.
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 Gateron Beer tactile switch offers a distinctive and lively clacky sound signature, providing a crisp and bright auditory experience when typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is noted for its thocky sound, which gives off a deep and resonant tone. Depending on personal preference, the clacky sound of the Beer switch may be more appealing to those who enjoy a sharper and more percussive typing experience, while the thocky sound of the Smoothie Silver switch may cater to individuals who prefer a smoother and more muted typing sound.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering a light actuation force that requires minimal effort to activate. This results in a gentle typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a subtle and unique feel, with distinct pre-travel and post-travel stages during each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, allowing for lightning-fast actuation and a seamless typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and an easy-to-press, stepped tactile feel, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound and a smooth, feather-light typing experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and keypress feel, both switches can provide an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience, with the Beer switch catering to those who prefer a lively and tactile typing experience, and the Smoothie Silver switch appealing to those who value smoothness and swift actuation. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Beer tactile switch or the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a light, tactile switch with a unique clacky sound signature and a stepped tactility, the Gateron Beer switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, linear switch with a short travel distance and a thocky sound, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch might be more to your liking. Take into account your typing habits, desired sound profile, and actuation force preferences when making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different needs, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing experience.
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