KTT Darling vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling and the Gateron Smoothie Silver are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Darling is praised for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, along with a pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to keystrokes. It also delivers a resonant, high-pitched sound upon bottoming out, providing a blend of tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver features a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Each switch has its own set of characteristics that cater to different preferences. 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
53g
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
POM
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, one key difference lies in their top housing material. The Darling utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This material is relatively stiff, leading to a clear and resonant sound when typing. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound. While both materials offer unique sound profiles, the polycarbonate in the Darling provides a crisper sound compared to the POM in the Smoothie Silver.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Darling incorporates a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when typing. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver also uses a POM bottom housing, contributing to its deep and muted sound profile. Despite their differences in sound characteristics, both housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience. While the nylon in the Darling provides a deeper sound, the POM in the Smoothie Silver offers a unique and pleasing typing sound.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the KTT Darling and Gateron Smoothie Silver plays a significant role in the sound profile and typing experience. While the Darling's combination of polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing results in a sharp and deep sound, the Smoothie Silver's POM housing materials produce a more muted and pleasing sound. Despite the differences in their housing materials, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether it is the sharpness of polycarbonate in the Darling or the deep tones of POM in the Smoothie Silver, each material contributes to the overall typing experience in its own distinct way.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is clear that they have a similar actuation force of 45 grams. However, the Darling has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. The Darling provides a medium-light experience, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unavailable, so it is difficult to determine if it is lighter or heavier in comparison. Overall, the actuation force and bottom out force of a switch play a significant role in the typing or gaming experience, with lighter switches being favored for extended use and heavier switches providing a more substantial feel.
Travel distance
The KTT Darling linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Smoothie Silver the shorter option, offering a slightly quicker response time compared to the Darling. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for their fast and responsive feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference in terms of key feel and response time. If you prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Darling may be the better option, whereas if you value quick responsiveness, the Smoothie Silver could be the preferred choice.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
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 KTT Darling linear switch offers a high-pitched, resonant experience with a satisfying clacky sound upon bottoming out. This auditory feedback, combined with its chewy and substantial typing sensation, creates an engaging and immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch. While the specific sound profile of the Smoothie Silver is not explicitly described, it offers a different acoustic experience compared to the Darling. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the KTT Darling switch is praised for its bouncy nature, providing a springy and elastic feedback sensation that enhances the typing experience. This bounciness adds a responsive and lively feel to each keystroke, making it enjoyable for users who prefer a switch with some give. On the other hand, the feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is not explicitly described, so it's unclear how it compares in terms of tactile feedback and typing experience.
Overall, the KTT Darling and Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Darling excels in providing a resonant, high-pitched sound with a bouncy typing sensation, while the Smoothie Silver is known for its thocky sound, smoothness, and light touch. Both switches cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would ultimately depend on whether you prioritize a pronounced auditory feedback or a lightning-fast actuation with a feather-light touch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness and high-pitched sound upon bottoming out, then the KTT Darling linear switch would be the way to go. However, if you prefer an all-POM switch with a short travel distance for fast actuation, a thocky sound, unrivaled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, then the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch would be the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactile and auditory feedback with the Darling switch or lightning-fast actuation and a smooth touch with the Smoothie Silver switch. Consider your preferences and typing style to choose the switch that best suits your needs.
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