KTT Glimp vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that come to mind are the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both of which are linear switches. The KTT Glimp is admired for its medium-light feel, offering just the right amount of resistance for a satisfying typing experience without being too strenuous. With tactile feedback and a comfortable actuation force, the Glimp switch provides a responsive typing feel and a fairly clacky sound profile for an enjoyable auditory element. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver is known for its all-POM construction, short travel distance, thocky sound, unmatched smoothness, and feather-light touch for lightning-fast actuation. While the Glimp is categorized as clacky, creamy, mild, and neutral, the Smoothie Silver falls under its own category. Both switches have their unique strengths and appeal, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
18mm spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, one notable difference lies in their top housing materials. The Glimp uses a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate plastic. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound. While the Glimp's polycarbonate housing offers clarity and resonance, the Smoothie Silver's POM housing provides a unique and pleasing sound experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Glimp incorporates a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver also utilizes POM for its bottom housing, offering a similarly deep and muted sound experience. Both switches provide a unique sound profile, with the Glimp's nylon bottom housing offering a different texture compared to the Smoothie Silver's POM material.
Ultimately, the choice between the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will come down to personal preference in sound and typing experience. While the Glimp's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound. Similarly, the Glimp's nylon bottom housing offers a fuller sound, while the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing contributes to a unique and pleasing typing experience. Overall, both switches offer distinct qualities based on their housing materials, allowing users to choose the sound profile that best suits their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Glimp is lighter in both aspects. The Glimp has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Smoothie Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams with no information on the bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Glimp would be the better choice, allowing for longer typing or gaming sessions without fatigue setting in. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Smoothie Silver might be the preferred option due to its slightly higher actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Glimp linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Glimp offers a longer travel distance, providing a more traditional feel with a slightly deeper press. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver has a shorter travel distance, making it ideal for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. Both switches offer different experiences based on their travel distance, with the Glimp being the longer option and the Smoothie Silver being the shorter option. Depending on your preference for depth or responsiveness, you can choose the switch that best suits your needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Glimp has an MSRP of $3.84 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glimp for $3.45.
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 KTT Glimp linear switch offers a clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This adds a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is described as having a thocky sound, providing an unparalleled smoothness with a feather-light touch. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, with the Glimp providing a more pronounced clacky sound, while the Smoothie Silver offers a thocky sound for a different typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Glimp linear switch is noted for its creamy typing experience, offering a smooth and buttery feel that feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. This is achieved through the application of lubricant within the switch or specific materials used. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch's feel is not provided, so its specific tactile sensation remains unknown. Nevertheless, given its properties of featuring a short travel distance for fast actuation, it can be assumed to provide a quick and responsive typing feel.
In conclusion, the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Glimp switch provides a clacky, crisp sound profile and a creamy, buttery typing experience, while the Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound with a feather-light touch. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Glimp switch focusing on tactile feedback and a satisfying typing feel, while the Smoothie Silver emphasizes fast actuation and smoothness. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when choosing between the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a medium-light switch with tactile feedback, a clacky sound profile, and a satisfying typing feel, the Glimp switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer an all-POM switch with short travel distance, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver switch would be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel. So, take into account your own preferences and typing style when selecting the switch that best suits your needs.
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