TTC Flaming Pink vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices stand out: the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both of which are linear switches designed to enhance your typing experience. The TTC Flaming Pink is celebrated for its smooth and responsive feel, coupled with a satisfying bottom-out sound that strikes a perfect balance between performance and acoustic pleasure, making it ideal for both gaming and daily typing tasks. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is engineered for speed with its short travel distance that allows for lightning-fast actuation, delivering an unparalleled smoothness and a thocky sound profile that many enthusiasts adore, all while boasting a feather-light touch. While the Flaming Pink provides a more traditional yet premium experience, the Smoothie Silver excels in rapid response and tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, significant differences can be observed in their top and bottom housings. The Flaming Pink features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, which contributes to a sharper and clearer sound profile, particularly beneficial for RGB lighting aesthetics. This material's rigidity allows for a more resonant high-pitched sound that can enhance the typing experience for users who favor a crisper auditory feedback. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver utilizes a polyoxymethylene (POM) top housing, which results in a unique sound profile that is notably deeper and more muted. This softer and more flexible material tends to absorb sound, leading to a pleasant typing experience that is generally less vibrant than that of the Flaming Pink.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of these switches also presents notable contrasts, with the Flaming Pink featuring nylon and the Smoothie Silver opting for POM again. Nylon, being a softer plastic, effectively dampens sound, producing a fuller and rounder sound profile that adds warmth to the overall acoustic experience. Meanwhile, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver also leans towards a muted sound character, although it remains on the deeper side. While both switches employ POM in the Smoothie Silver, resulting in potential similarities in the overall sound dynamics, the differing bottom housing materials contribute to distinct auditory experiences, with the Flaming Pink leaning towards a fuller sound and the Smoothie Silver achieving more muted acoustics.
Ultimately, both switches have their unique appeal based on the characteristics of their housing materials, creating distinct typing experiences. If you seek a clearer and more resonant sound, the Flaming Pink's polycarbonate top paired with nylon at the bottom aligns excellently. Conversely, if a deeper and more muted sound is preferable, the Smoothie Silver's POM materials would be the right choice. Despite these differences, the influences of each housing on the switch's performance signify that these switches could still yield similar results in terms of overall enjoyment if balanced correctly, as the housing functions together to create a cohesive typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch with the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, we find notable differences in actuation force, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver remains unknown. The Flaming Pink switch features a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, compared to the 45 grams required for the Smoothie Silver. This means that those who favor a lighter switch for longer typing sessions or extended gaming marathons might prefer the Flaming Pink. However, since the bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is not specified, we cannot make a direct comparison for that metric. While the Flaming Pink reaches a bottom out force of 50 grams, it is recognized as being light, potentially appealing to users who enjoy a softer touch. In conclusion, if you're seeking a lighter typing experience, the TTC Flaming Pink is the better option, whereas the Gateron Smoothie Silver, with its slightly heavier actuation force, may cater to users who prefer a more substantial push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, we find that they differ slightly. The Flaming Pink features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Smoothie Silver offers a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch that provides a more responsive feel, the Gateron Smoothie Silver would be the better option due to its shorter travel distance. However, those who prefer a more substantial depth in their key presses may find the TTC Flaming Pink more satisfying, as its longer travel distance of 3.6 mm can feel less abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on personal preference for travel distance and response time, with the Flaming Pink being the longer option and the Smoothie Silver the shorter.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Pink has an MSRP of $4.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Pink for $4.00.
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 TTC Flaming Pink switch offers a bright yet pleasantly subdued auditory experience, characterized by a satisfying bottom-out sound that is not overly loud, making it well-suited for both gaming and everyday typing without being disruptive. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch boasts a thocky sound profile, which is deeper and more resonant, appealing to those who appreciate a pronounced auditory feedback when typing. Both switches provide distinct sound qualities that cater to different preferences—while the Flaming Pink maintains a lighter, less intrusive sound, the Smoothie Silver delivers a more robust and rich acoustic experience.
When discussing feel, the Flaming Pink switch is celebrated for its smooth and responsive actuation, offering a premium typing experience that combines comfort and efficiency in both gaming and daily use. The Smoothie Silver, on the other hand, is designed with a short travel distance, resulting in lightning-fast actuation that emphasizes unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch. This means that while the Flaming Pink provides a well-rounded tactile experience, the Smoothie Silver focuses more on speed and ease of use, appealing to users who prioritize rapid key presses.
In summary, the TTC Flaming Pink and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Flaming Pink excels with its bright but not overwhelming sound and smooth typing experience, making it versatile for various users. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver is characterized by its thocky sound and incredibly light actuation, ideal for those who require speed and responsiveness. Ultimately, both switches offer unique experiences, allowing users to choose based on their specific typing and gaming needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switches, consider the type of experience you’re seeking from your keyboard. If you prefer a light bottom-out force combined with a smooth and responsive feel, the Flaming Pink is an excellent choice. Its tactile feedback and satisfying sound profile make it suitable for both gaming and everyday tasks, catering to those who appreciate a well-rounded typing experience. On the other hand, if your priority lies in achieving the fastest response possible with a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silvers are the way to go. Their short travel distance and unparalleled smoothness deliver exceptional performance for high-speed gaming, complemented by a thocky sound that adds a unique auditory experience. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you value a balanced, enjoyable typing feel or need a swift, game-ready response.
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