Everglide Crystal Violet vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Smoothie mechanical keyboard switches, we find two distinct options catering to different preferences. The Crystal Violet is a tactile switch known for its light operating force of 45g, providing a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. It offers a gentle and comfortable feel with a mellow, low-pitched sound profile, making it ideal for those who prefer a subtle auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie is a linear switch made of POM material, offering a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch. It is perfect for those who enjoy a buttery and silky typing experience. While both switches have their unique qualities and appeal, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
ABS
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
ABS
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Smoothie differ in terms of their top and bottom housing components. The Crystal Violet features ABS for both its top and bottom housing, which results in a relatively low-pitched sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Smoothie utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housing, creating a unique and deeper sound profile that is more muted compared to ABS. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, POM seems to provide a more pleasing and satisfying typing experience according to user feedback.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Crystal Violet and the Smoothie switches share similarities in their performance. The ABS top housing of the Crystal Violet and the POM top housing of the Smoothie contribute to the sound profile when a key is released. In contrast, the ABS bottom housing of the Crystal Violet and the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie impact the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. These distinctions in housing materials showcase how each component plays a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience and sound quality of the switches.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Crystal Violet and the Gateron Smoothie ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. While the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched sound with its ABS housing materials, the Smoothie provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM housing. Whether one prefers the unique sound of POM or the classic feel of ABS, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that caters to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, we can see that the Crystal Violet has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Smoothie's 40 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Crystal Violet requires 55 grams while the Smoothie's force is unknown. The Crystal Violet can be considered medium-light in terms of force required, while the Smoothie's force is unavailable. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie, while those who enjoy a slightly heavier typing experience may opt for the Everglide Crystal Violet. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, making them suitable choices for various typing needs.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is clear that the Crystal Violet has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Smoothie's 3.6 mm. The Crystal Violet's 4 mm travel distance provides a deeper keystroke feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a hearty depth to their typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie's shorter 3.6 mm travel distance offers a quicker response time, making it a popular choice among gamers seeking a faster keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Crystal Violet has an MSRP of $7.08 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crystal Violet for $4.19.
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 Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellow and subtle auditory experience perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing environment. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch is known for its thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature, offering a deep and satisfying tone when typing. Both switches provide unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Violet leaning towards a more relaxed and gentle sound while the Smoothie offers a rich and satisfying thocky sound.
Moving on to the feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet switch is described as creamy, mild, and stepped, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience with a gentle feel that is approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is also described as buttery, creamy, and silky, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation with enhanced smoothness and minimal resistance. Both switches prioritize a smooth typing experience but cater to different tactile preferences, with the Crystal Violet offering a more mild and gentle feel while the Smoothie focuses on providing a buttery and silky experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch both offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Crystal Violet provides a low-pitched and neutral sound with a creamy and mild feel, ideal for those seeking a relaxed and gentle typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie offers a thocky and subdued sound with a buttery and silky feel, perfect for users looking for a rich and smooth typing sensation. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide distinct characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, but regardless of the choice, users can expect a high-quality typing experience from either option.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a light operating force, a stepped tactile feel, and low-pitched sound profile, the Crystal Violet may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience, a thocky sound profile, and an all-POM material switch, the Gateron Smoothie could be more aligned with your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these switches comes down to personal preference in terms of feel and sound.
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