KTT Cream Yellow vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Cream Yellow and Gateron Smoothie both stand out in their own unique ways. The Cream Yellow is known for its distinctively clacky sound and bouncy typing feel, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem design. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie offers a thocky sound signature, exceptional smoothness, and a lightweight touch, all while being an affordable option with its all-POM construction. While the Cream Yellow is praised for its bounciness and clacky sound, the Smoothie stands out for its buttery smoothness and thocky sound profile. 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
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie, it is evident that they each offer unique characteristics. The Cream Yellow boasts a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Smoothie features a POM top housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite this difference, both materials excel in enhancing the overall sound quality of the switch, with polycarbonate contributing to a clear and resonant sound and POM delivering a pleasing and unique tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Cream Yellow utilizes a nylon material that results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie incorporates a POM bottom housing, offering a similar deep and muted sound profile as its top housing. While the nylon bottom housing of the Cream Yellow provides a duller and rounder sound, the POM housing of the Smoothie focuses on delivering a consistent and pleasing tone throughout typing sessions.
Overall, the choice between the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie housing materials ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound profiles. The Cream Yellow's combination of polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing offers a unique balance between sharpness and depth in sound, while the Smoothie's POM top and bottom housing provide a consistent and satisfying typing experience. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize sound quality and aesthetics, ensuring that users will receive a premium typing experience regardless of their choice.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow is the heavier option. The Cream Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, providing a medium level of resistance. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie offers a lighter typing experience with an actuation force of 40 grams, although the bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Smoothie may be more suitable, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. However, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Cream Yellow for its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and weight preference.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, we see that the Cream Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are increasingly popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for quicker feedback, the Cream Yellow would be the better choice. However, if you prefer a bit more depth in your key presses, the Gateron Smoothie, with its slightly longer travel distance, might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance and can provide a satisfying typing experience depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
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
In terms of sound, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch offers a clacky sound, characterized by a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, providing a crisp, bright, and percussive tone. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky sound signature, with a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released, featuring a low-pitched and subdued tone. The choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with the Cream Yellow offering a more lively and resonant sound, while the Smoothie delivers a smoother and deeper sound profile.
Moving on to the feel, the Cream Yellow linear switch is known for its bouncy typing experience, offering a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation that gives keys a lively feel with a rebound when pressed. In comparison, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Both switches offer a comfortable typing feel, but the Cream Yellow focuses more on a bouncy and tactile experience, while the Smoothie emphasizes a smooth and fluid keystroke sensation.
In conclusion, the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cream Yellow provides a clacky sound and a bouncy typing feel, while the Smoothie offers a thocky sound with a buttery, creamy, and silky feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing experience. However, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience and deliver high-quality performance, ensuring that users will get satisfying results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the sound and feel preferences you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard. If you enjoy a clacky sound with a bouncy typing feel, the Cream Yellow may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a thocky, low-pitched sound with a buttery and creamy typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for sound and feel when typing.
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