HMX Deep Navy vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Deep Navy and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both stand out as excellent linear options, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Deep Navy is celebrated for its rich, sharp sound profile and silky smooth keystrokes, thanks to its full nylon construction and Ly stem. This switch is ideal for users who appreciate a more tactile auditory experience along with a smooth typing feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is known for its exceptionally short travel distance, enabling lightning-fast actuation, making it a go-to choice for gamers or typists seeking speed. With its all-POM construction, it produces a thocky sound that complements the unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch. Both switches cater to specific user preferences, whether you're after an immersive sound experience or rapid responsiveness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, we find distinct yet comparable elements. The Deep Navy utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housings. As a classic switch housing material, nylon is known for its softer attributes, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softness enables nylon to absorb more sound, cultivating a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features POM for its housings, which also leads to a unique sound profile characterized by a deeper and more muted sound. While both materials contribute to a pleasant auditory experience, the tonal qualities are affected by their inherent properties, with nylon creating a rounded sound and POM offering a unique twist on that depth.

Examining the implications of these materials on the overall typing experience reveals more about their contrasting characteristics. The softer nature of nylon in the Deep Navy likely leads to a more cushioned feel upon keypress, effectively absorbing vibrations and creating a smooth bottom-out sensation. Meanwhile, the POM used in the Smoothie Silver, while also providing a muted sound, may introduce a different type of feedback and responsiveness when pressed. Consequently, the differences in acoustic properties and physical feel mean that while both switches can produce enjoyable sound profiles, they will evoke distinct tactile sensations and auditory responses that cater to different user preferences.

Despite these differences, users seeking similar results in sound and feel can achieve consistent experiences with either switch. The Deep Navy’s softer nylon housing, and the Smoothie Silver’s POM housing both enhance sound profile depth, albeit through different engineering methods. If one were to favor a softer, more rounded auditory experience, the Deep Navy would be an excellent choice, while those drawn to a unique, muted sound might prefer the Smoothie Silver. In this way, the two switches offer different pathways to a similar auditory goal, ultimately emphasizing the diverse options available for users prioritizing sound quality in their typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, we can observe notable differences in their actuation forces, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver remains unknown. The Deep Navy switch features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, along with a bottom out force of 45 grams. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, suggesting a firmer feel when typing. With the absence of a specified bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver, we cannot draw a direct comparison for that metric. For users who favor a lighter switch for longer typing or gaming sessions, the Deep Navy is the more suitable option. Conversely, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Smoothie Silver due to its stronger actuation force, making it the heavier of the two options.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the Deep Navy features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Smoothie Silver measures a slightly shorter 3.4 mm. This means that the Deep Navy offers a more pronounced key press, which may appeal to users who favor a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver's shorter 3.4 mm travel distance can provide quicker response times, making it a potentially better choice for gamers seeking rapid activation. For those who gravitate towards shorter travel distances for enhanced responsiveness, the Smoothie Silver would be the preferable option. Ultimately, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Deep Navy will feel more substantial with its greater travel distance, while the Smoothie Silver offers a quicker, more immediate response with its shorter travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch delivers a rich, sharp sound profile thanks to its full nylon construction, providing a resonant acoustics that can enhance the typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch produces a thocky sound that is characterized by its more muted yet satisfying auditory feedback. While both switches offer distinct auditory experiences, the Deep Navy is noted for a more pronounced sound, while the Smoothie Silver's sound is softer and more subdued. Ultimately, both switches will produce unique sounds influenced by the choice of keyboard PCB and keycap materials, but users can expect a sharper contrast between the two.

When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch is renowned for its silky smoothness with every keystroke, largely attributed to the design of its Ly stem. This smooth experience can make typing and gaming equally enjoyable and fluid. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver switch offers unparalleled smoothness even with its shorter travel distance, appealing to users who prioritize speed in their typing or gaming sessions. The feather-light touch of the Smoothie Silver enhances quick responses, making it an attractive option for users who thrive on rapid keystrokes. Thus, both switches provide smooth operation, but they cater to different preferences in terms of responsiveness and travel distance.

In conclusion, both the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics that make them appealing to different types of users. The Deep Navy excels in producing a rich sound and silky feel, while the Smoothie Silver features a thocky sound with a focus on speed and an extremely smooth touch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will hinge on personal preference regarding auditory and tactile feedback, and both can offer satisfying experiences based on individual needs.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you appreciate a light bottom-out force, a silky-smooth keystroke, and a rich, sharp sound profile, the Deep Navy is likely the better option for you. This switch’s 45-gram actuation force is suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed typing experience, making it an ideal choice for extended typing sessions or for users who enjoy a more tactile response while they type. Conversely, if you prioritize speed and want a switch that offers rapid actuation with an ultra-smooth feel, the Smoothie Silver is an excellent choice. Although its specifications are unavailable, the feather-light touch and short travel distance collectively enable you to perform rapid key presses—ideal for gamers or typists who require quick inputs. It's crucial to consider the sound profile as well; if you enjoy a thocky sound during your typing, the Smoothie Silver will certainly enhance that experience. Ultimately, your decision should align with what you value most in your typing experience—either the depth and richness of the Deep Navy or the speed and responsiveness of the Smoothie Silver.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more