Bsun Cinnamon Pink vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cinnamon Pink and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Cinnamon Pink and the Gateron Smoothie stand out as top contenders in the linear switch category. The Bsun Cinnamon Pink is known for its distinctively clacky yet not overpowering sound, offering a medium-light typing feel with a smooth action thanks to its Ly-infused stems. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie presents a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, all at an affordable price point. While the Cinnamon Pink leans towards a more engaging, snappy typing experience, the Smoothie provides a buttery and subdued feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision on which switch suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.45 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Cinnamon Pink and the Gateron Smoothie switches are both made of POM, which creates a pleasing and unique sound profile that is deeper and more muted compared to other materials. This means that both switches will likely provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel, as the POM material for both the top and bottom housings will have a similar impact on the overall sound profile of the switches.
However, if the top and bottom housings of the switches are different, the qualities of the POM material will be split between the two parts of the switch. The bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. This means that even though both switches use POM material, the arrangement of the housing components may result in slightly different typing experiences in terms of sound and tactile feedback.
Overall, the choice between the Bsun Cinnamon Pink and the Gateron Smoothie switches may come down to personal preference based on the specific feel and sound profile you are looking for in a switch. Both switches offer the unique qualities of POM material, providing a deeper and more muted sound compared to other materials, but the arrangement of the housing components may lead to subtle differences in typing experience. Ultimately, trying out both switches may be the best way to determine which one suits your preferences the most.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch reveals some differences. The Cinnamon Pink has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams compared to the Smoothie's 40 grams, making it slightly easier to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Cinnamon Pink requires 42 grams to fully press down, while the Smoothie's bottom out force is unknown. This difference in forces may result in a slightly lighter typing experience with the Cinnamon Pink, making it more suitable for long typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the unknown bottom out force of the Smoothie leaves some uncertainty about the typing feel it offers. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 3.45 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Cinnamon Pink. Both switches fall within the shorter range of traditional travel distances, which can be beneficial for gamers looking for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users, with the Cinnamon Pink offering a slightly shorter travel distance for those who prefer a quicker actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cinnamon Pink has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cinnamon Pink for $3.83.
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.
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 Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch offers a clacky and distinctive sound that is sharp, snappy, and percussive. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky sound signature, which is deep, rich, and satisfying, with a low-pitched and subdued tone. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on whether you prefer a more clacky or thocky sound for your mechanical keyboard setup.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Cinnamon Pink switch is described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, providing a smooth, buttery typing experience with minimal resistance and gentle actuation force. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is characterized as buttery, creamy, and silky, delivering a fluid, effortless, and uniform keystroke sensation. Both switches excel in providing a smooth typing experience, with the Bsun Cinnamon Pink switch offering a bit more variety in terms of feel profiles compared to the Gateron Smoothie switch.
Overall, both the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offer excellent sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the Cinnamon Pink provides a more clacky sound and a variety of feel descriptors, the Smoothie offers a thocky sound signature and a buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience. Depending on whether you prioritize sound or feel in your mechanical keyboard switch selection, you can achieve similar results with both switches by considering your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the Bsun Cinnamon Pink linear switch versus the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing experience. If you are looking for a switch with a light bottom out force, a distinctively clacky sound, an engaging medium-light typing feel, and a smooth action, then the Bsun Cinnamon Pink switch would be a fantastic choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a thocky sound, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, the Gateron Smoothie might be more suitable for your typing needs. Consider the sound and feel descriptions of each switch carefully to determine which one aligns better with your preferences and typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance and unique characteristics that can enhance your overall typing experience.
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