Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both linear switches offer unique characteristics tailored to different typing experiences, despite their similar switch category. The Chiikawa - 45g is celebrated for its bright sound profile and very light actuation force, providing a highly responsive typing experience combined with a crisp, high-pitched sound that many typists find enjoyable. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver excels with its all-POM construction, featuring a short travel distance that enables lightning-fast actuation. This switch is particularly cherished for its 'thocky' sound and unparalleled smoothness, offering a feather-light touch that may appeal to gamers and typists looking for rapid key presses. Each switch has its own merits—while the Chiikawa emphasizes auditory feedback and responsiveness, the Smoothie Silver prioritizes speed and smoothness. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, distinct differences in their compositions lead to varying sound profiles. The Chiikawa - 45g utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This results in a crisp audio experience that can be particularly pronounced if RGB lighting is used due to the material's translucency. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. The softer characteristics of POM lend themselves to a unique and pleasing auditory experience, demonstrating how even the differences in top housing can influence the resulting sound.
The bottom housing of the switches further illustrates the variances in their acoustic profiles. The Chiikawa - 45g is crafted with a nylon bottom housing, whose sound-dampening properties contribute to a deeper and fuller sound. This material absorbs sound effectively thanks to its softer nature, helping to create a duller and rounder audio quality. Meanwhile, both the bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver and the Chiikawa - 45g show similarities in sound characteristics; the Smoothie Silver also uses POM, leading to a similarly muted and deep auditory profile. This commonality in bottom housing materials highlights how this aspect can unify the overall sound experience, producing results that verge on the muted end of the spectrum despite the differences in top housing.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in both switches affects their acoustic profiles and typing experience. For the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g, the mixture of the higher-pitched polycarbonate top and the deeper nylon bottom creates a dynamic auditory experience, while the Smoothie Silver's top and bottom POM housing foster a uniform and muted sound. When typing on these switches, the characteristics of each housing material manifest: the top housing will influence the sound upon release, and the bottom housing will dominate the bottom-out sound and feel. Despite their differences, the unique acoustic properties of each switch can still yield satisfying results, reminding users that a combination of various materials can create delightful typing experiences.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, both switches exhibit an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they will provide a similar feel during typing or gaming in terms of the force required to register a keystroke. However, the bottom out force for the Chiikawa is specified at 51 grams, indicating that while the actuation might be comfortable for prolonged use, the increased weight at the bottom could be felt by the user. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver lacks a defined bottom out force, leaving that aspect unknown. Therefore, it’s unclear how it would compare in terms of overall resistance when pressing down completely. With the Chiikawa being the only switch with a known bottom out force, it can be considered the heavier option overall, while both switches are equal in terms of actuation force, providing similar initial feedback. This makes the Chiikawa a more reliable choice for those who prefer an understanding of the full range of forces they'll experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the Chiikawa switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Smoothie Silver features a slightly shorter distance of 3.4 mm. This means that if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Gateron Smoothie Silver would be the better option due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker key actuation. On the other hand, the Bsun Chiikawa switch offers a longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial and less abrupt keystroke, appealing to users who favor a deeper typing experience. Thus, you can expect quicker response times with the Smoothie Silver, whereas the Chiikawa provides a more pronounced tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 45g for $3.29.
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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch is characterized by a bright sound profile, producing a crisp, high-pitched sound during typing. This makes it notably responsive, allowing for a lively auditory feedback that can enhance the typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch delivers a thocky sound that, while still maintaining a smooth typing experience, offers a different auditory signature. The differences in sound are influenced by the switch design and materials used; thus, this quality can be affected by the keyboard build, including the choice of board and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Chiikawa - 45g switch is known for its very light actuation force, making it pleasantly easy to press down with minimal effort. This lightweight action can contribute to a fast and responsive feel while typing, which is especially favored by those who enjoy a quick and agile keyboard. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features unparalleled smoothness with a feather-light touch, which could make it feel just as effortless to use, but with the addition of a short travel distance that enhances its speed during rapid typing sessions. Both switches facilitate a comfortable typing experience, though the nuances in their actuation and travel could cater to different preferences among users.
In conclusion, while both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles, they share similarities in their lightweight feel that promise ease of use. The Chiikawa provides a bright and crisp auditory feedback, while the Smoothie Silvers deliver a thocky sound that emphasizes smoothness and speed. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on whether one prioritizes the high-pitched clarity of the Chiikawa or the deeper, thocky resonance of the Smoothie Silver, alongside their overall typing preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a medium-light bottom-out force and enjoy a bright, high-pitched sound profile when typing, the Chiikawa - 45g is an excellent choice. Its responsiveness and crisp audio feedback make it ideal for those who appreciate a lively typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and smoothness with a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver might be more suitable. Its short travel distance and 'thocky' sound deliver a unique blend of quick actuation and unparalleled smoothness, making it perfect for fast-paced gaming or typing scenarios. Depending on whether you desire more auditory feedback and a responsive feel or a silky-smooth and swift typing experience, you can confidently opt for either switch based on your personal needs.
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