HMX Cheese vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the HMX Cheese 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 HMX Cheese and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both of which fall under the category of linear switches. The HMX Cheese is renowned for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, offering a satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that sets it apart from the rest. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver boasts lightning-fast actuation with its all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound, exceptional smoothness, and a feather-light touch. While the HMX Cheese excels in being lighter than 90% of all switches, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its short travel distance. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the HMX Cheese and the Gateron Smoothie Silver use unique housing materials to create distinct sound profiles. The Cheese's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing offers a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. While both materials aim to enhance the typing experience with their sound profiles, the specific characteristics of nylon and POM give each switch its own distinct auditory signature.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the HMX Cheese and the Gateron Smoothie Silver also play a significant role in shaping the sound and feel of the switches. Both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. The POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver also adds to the unique sound profile of the switch, creating a more muted and deeper sound compared to the Cheese. While the materials differ slightly in their sound characteristics, both switches benefit from the qualities of their respective bottom housings to enhance the typing experience for users.
When comparing the top and bottom housings of the HMX Cheese and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, it becomes evident how each material impacts the overall sound and feel of the switches. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. While the switches may have different top and bottom housing materials, they both aim to provide users with a unique and satisfying typing experience by utilizing the sound-absorbing properties of nylon and POM to create distinct sound profiles.
Weight
In comparing the HMX Cheese linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Cheese is the lighter of the two in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Cheese requires a mere 43 grams to actuate and 46 grams to bottom out, providing a light and easy typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. This difference in weight may appeal to different preferences, with some favoring the lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing feel. Overall, while the actuation force varies slightly between the two switches, both can provide a similar typing experience depending on personal preference.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HMX Cheese linear switch is 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a more responsive feel may lean towards the Smoothie Silver, while those who enjoy a bit more depth in their key presses may prefer the Cheese. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience due to their close travel distances, but the Cheese is slightly longer than the Smoothie Silver.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cheese has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cheese for $3.79.
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 HMX Cheese linear switch is praised for its satisfying clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature, characteristic of ultra-light switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, contributing to an overall smooth typing experience. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Cheese switch is lauded for its unparalleled smoothness and pristine typing experience, offering a feather-light touch that sets it apart from other switches. Conversely, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch boasts a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation, providing users with a seamless and responsive typing experience. The feel of a switch is a highly subjective aspect and can heavily impact the overall typing feel and satisfaction.
In conclusion, the HMX Cheese linear switch stands out for its unique clacky and crispy sound profile, combined with an unmatched smoothness in typing feel. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound and lightning-fast actuation, providing users with a different yet equally appealing typing experience. Both switches offer their own set of subjective qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can achieve their desired typing experience based on their sound and feel preferences. Ultimately, users can expect a high level of quality and performance from either the HMX Cheese or Gateron Smoothie Silver switches, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a light bottom out force and a satisfying sound signature, the HMX Cheese linear switch would be a great choice. The Cheese offers unparalleled smoothness and a pristine typing experience, making it a top contender for those who prefer ultra-light switches. On the other hand, if you prioritize lightning-fast actuation and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch would be a better fit. The Smoothie Silver features a short travel distance and a thocky sound, providing a unique typing experience. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and typing feel.
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