Gazzew Bobagum vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Smoothie mechanical keyboard switches, we see two linear switches that offer unique qualities. The Bobagum is praised for its smoothness, providing a tactile experience that stands out from the crowd with its matte feel and silent sound profile. On the other hand, the Smoothie offers a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, all while being budget-friendly. While the Bobagum is categorized as 'Muted' and 'Subtle', the Smoothie boasts descriptors such as 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky'. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Smoothie both play a crucial role in determining the sound profile of the switches. While the Bobagum features a proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing known for its rich and deep sound profile, the Smoothie utilizes POM material for both the top and bottom housing, creating a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper and more muted. Both switches offer a distinct sound experience due to their different housing materials, with the Bobagum's soft boba plastic providing a softer and deeper sound compared to the Smoothie's POM material.
Despite the difference in housing materials between the Bobagum and the Smoothie, both switches ultimately aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience with their sound profiles. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend top and bottom housing contribute to a rich and deep sound that is achieved through its softness, while the Smoothie's POM housing material creates a deeper and more muted sound profile that is equally pleasing. Although they use different materials, both switches are designed to offer a premium typing experience with their unique sound characteristics.
In terms of functionality, the housing materials of the Bobagum and the Smoothie play a significant role in the overall sound output of the switches. The bottom housing material of a switch tends to have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing material influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the distinct qualities of the Gazzew blend and POM materials are evenly distributed between the top and bottom housing of the switches, ensuring a balanced sound profile for a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie's 40 grams, making the Bobagum require a bit more pressure to register a keystroke. Additionally, the Bobagum has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie is unknown. This means that the Bobagum switch provides a more consistent and tactile typing experience with a noticeable difference between actuation and bottom out forces. In contrast, the Smoothie switch may offer a lighter and smoother keystroke overall, especially since its bottom out force is not specified. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preference, with the Bobagum being a better choice for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, while the Smoothie may be preferred by users who enjoy a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
Both the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing the travel distance of the two switches, they both provide the same tactile experience in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. This means that whether you choose the Bobagum or the Smoothie, you can expect a similar keypress feel and response due to their identical travel distances. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to other factors such as actuation force or sound profile.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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 Gazzew Bobagum linear switch offers a muted and nearly silent typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a quieter keyboard. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound profile, which gives a satisfying and deep tone with each keystroke. Both switches have their unique sound characteristics that cater to different preferences, so the choice between the two would depend on whether you prefer a softer and quieter sound (Bobagum) or a deeper and more satisfying thocky sound (Smoothie).
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bobagum switch is described as having a subtle resistance that offers a light typing feel without being too soft. It also provides a gentle typing experience that is suitable for shared spaces due to its lack of resonance. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is known for its buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke that feels effortless and uniform. Both switches provide a smooth typing experience, but the Bobagum may appeal more to those looking for a light and subtle resistance while the Smoothie may be preferred by those who enjoy a buttery and silky typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offer unique sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. The Bobagum excels in providing a nearly silent sound profile with a subtle and gentle typing feel, while the Smoothie stands out for its thocky sound signature and buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a quieter sound with a light feel (Bobagum) or a deeper, more satisfying sound with a smooth and buttery typing experience (Smoothie). Either way, both switches offer high-quality performance that will enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and value a matte smoothness with a unique tactility and a nearly silent sound profile, the Bobagum may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lighter touch, a thocky sound signature, and a buttery, creamy, or silky typing experience, the Smoothie could be the perfect fit for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking to achieve with your keyboard.
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