Bsun Dragon Fruit vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie Silver mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts are presented with two distinct options catering to different preferences. The Dragon Fruit switch is a tactile option that stands out for its long pole stem, providing a sharp bottom-out and significant tactile feedback that appeals to those who enjoy a pronounced bump with each press. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch is a linear switch known for its lightning-fast actuation thanks to a short travel distance, along with a thocky sound signature, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. While the Dragon Fruit offers a lively and clacky typing experience, the Smoothie Silver provides a quieter and smoother alternative. 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
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
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 Silver differ in terms of their compositions and resulting sound profiles. The Dragon Fruit features a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound compared to the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing, which creates a more muted and deeper sound. On the other hand, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. However, the Dragon Fruit's softer nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver.
In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Bsun Dragon Fruit allows for RGB lighting to shine through due to its translucency, adding a visual appeal to the switch. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Gateron Smoothie Silver does not offer the same level of transparency, resulting in a more muted appearance. While the Dragon Fruit's top housing may provide a more visually striking option for those looking to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup, the Smoothie Silver's POM housing offers a more subdued and understated look.
Overall, the choice between the Bsun Dragon Fruit and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and aesthetics. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, with the Dragon Fruit providing a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its polycarbonate top housing, while the Smoothie Silver offers a more muted and deeper sound with its POM top housing. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a fuller sound profile, showcasing that despite their differences, they can both provide a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
Both the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, they differ when it comes to bottom out force. The Dragon Fruit has a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience, while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. When comparing weight preferences, some may prefer the Dragon Fruit for its slightly heavier feel, ideal for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the unknown bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver may appeal to those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, whether for work or long gaming sessions. Ultimately, the actuation force being the same means that both switches will provide a similar typing feel in terms of triggering keystrokes.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches allows for a consistent typing experience, regardless of which switch you choose to use. So, whether you opt for the Dragon Fruit or the Smoothie Silver, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 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
In terms of sound, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch is known for its clacky sound signature, providing a lively and engaging typing experience that stands out. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is renowned for its thocky sound, offering a unique sound profile that adds to the overall typing experience. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch is described as having an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactility. This means that it provides a medium level of tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still distinct and enjoyable. The Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, on the other hand, does not have specific descriptors available. However, based on its characteristics of being all-POM and featuring a short travel distance for fast actuation, it is likely to offer a smooth and light touch that is ideal for quick and efficient typing.
Taking all the available information into account, the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities that cater to varying preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. The Dragon Fruit switch provides a satisfying tactile bump with a clacky sound, creating an engaging typing experience. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver switch offers lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound and unparalleled smoothness. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for tactility, sound, and typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the BSUN Dragon Fruit tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, pronounced feedback, and a clacky sound signature, the Dragon Fruit could be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with no bottom out force, lightning-fast actuation, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Smoothie Silver may be more suited to your needs. Consider what aspects are most important to you in a keyboard switch and select the one that aligns best with your preferences for a customized typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences.
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