Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch. The Dragon Fruit is praised for its sharp and definitive bottom-out thanks to its long pole stem, making it ideal for those who enjoy a strong tactile feedback with a pronounced bump at each press. On the other hand, the Smoothie stands out for its smoothness and thocky sound signature, offering a lightweight touch that is satisfyingly buttery. Both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences in typing experience. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie offer different characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Dragon Fruit's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched sound profile, while the Smoothie's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard switch. On the other hand, POM offers a unique sound profile that appeals to users seeking a more subtle typing experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Dragon Fruit's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller tone. Similarly, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing also contributes to the deeper and muted sound profile, aligning with the overall typing experience provided by the switch. Both housing materials bring their own unique qualities to the table, catering to different preferences in sound and feel for keyboard enthusiasts.
Although the top and bottom housing materials differ between the two switches, they both play a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of typing. The bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing the key. Despite these differences, users can expect similar results in terms of sound profile and typing experience, as both the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie offer distinct characteristics that cater to varying preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. However, the Dragon Fruit also has a higher bottom out force of 65 grams while the bottom out force of the Smoothie is unknown. This means that the Dragon Fruit provides a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. In terms of weight, the Dragon Fruit is slightly heavier overall compared to the Smoothie. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Smoothie for longer typing sessions, while others may appreciate the heavier feel of the Dragon Fruit for a more pronounced keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience and weight preference.
Travel distance
The Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 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 Dragon Fruit. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those looking for faster response times, especially gamers. However, the slight difference in travel distance might be noticeable to some users. Those who prefer a slightly deeper keypress may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie, while those who enjoy a slightly shorter travel distance may opt for the Bsun Dragon Fruit. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, catering to users who prioritize quick keystrokes for gaming or typing efficiency.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Dragon Fruit has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dragon Fruit 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
In terms of sound, the BSUN Dragon Fruit switch offers a clacky sound signature, creating a lively and engaging typing experience with each press. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch provides a thocky sound, known for its deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed and released. Both switches offer different auditory experiences, with the Dragon Fruit being more distinct and the Smoothie delivering a more mellow sound. Depending on personal preference, users may find one sound more appealing than the other, but both switches are sure to enhance the overall typing experience.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Dragon Fruit switch is characterized by its accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback, offering a prominent amount of tactility with each key press. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal resistance. While the Dragon Fruit switch focuses on a more pronounced tactile sensation, the Smoothie switch prioritizes a seamless and effortless typing feel. Both switches offer unique tactile qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Dragon Fruit providing a sharper tactile feedback and the Smoothie offering a smoother typing experience.
In conclusion, the BSUN Dragon Fruit and Gateron Smoothie switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dragon Fruit switch stands out with its clacky sound and sharp tactile feedback, creating an engaging typing experience, while the Smoothie switch impresses with its thocky sound and buttery, creamy, and silky smoothness, delivering a seamless keystroke sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the lively and pronounced tactile experience of the Dragon Fruit switch or the smooth and effortless typing feel of the Gateron Smoothie switch for an enhanced mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a sharp, definitive tactile feedback that creates an invigorating and snappy typing experience with a clacky sound signature, then the Dragon Fruit switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a lightweight touch, remarkable smoothness, and a thocky sound signature that offers a buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience, then the Gateron Smoothie switch may be more suitable for your needs. Consider your preferences for bottom-out force, tactility, sound, and feel when making your decision between these two switches to ensure that you select the one that best fits your typing preferences.
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