TTC Honey vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the TTC Honey and the Gateron Smoothie, both being linear switches. The TTC Honey is renowned for its smooth and creamy feel, accompanied by a deep and pleasant sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie boasts an all-POM construction, providing a thocky sound signature, exceptional smoothness, and a lightweight touch. While the Honey is described as 'Subdued', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Buttery', 'Subtle', 'Polished', the Smoothie is known for being 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', 'Silky'. If you are looking for a switch with a smooth and creamy feel, the Honey may be the right choice for you. However, if you prioritize a thocky sound signature and remarkable smoothness, the Gateron Smoothie might be a better fit. With these general points in mind, let's delve deeper into these switches to help you make an informed decision.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In terms of sound profile, the Honey's polycarbonate top and bottom housings create a sharp, high-pitched, and clear sound when pressed, while the Smoothie's POM top and bottom housings produce a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in sound profiles makes the Honey more suitable for those who prefer a crisper and brighter typing experience, while the Smoothie would be a better choice for those who prefer a quieter and deeper typing sound. Both housing materials offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Aesthetically, the Honey's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting as it allows the light to shine through for a vibrant and colorful look. On the other hand, the Smoothie's POM housing is not translucent and does not allow for RGB lighting, giving it a more traditional and understated appearance. While the Honey offers a more visually striking option with its translucent housing, the Smoothie provides a more classic and simple look. Both housing materials offer different aesthetic qualities that appeal to different users depending on their preference for visual elements in their keyboard setup.
When it comes to feel, the bottom housing of both the Honey and the Smoothie plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. The stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey may result in a more pronounced bottom-out sound and feel, while the softer POM bottom housing of the Smoothie may offer a smoother and quieter typing experience. This difference in bottom housing material affects the overall feel of the switch when pressed, making the Honey more suitable for those who prefer a more tactile and clicky experience, and the Smoothie better for those who prefer a smoother and quieter typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two housing materials comes down to personal preference for sound, aesthetics, and typing feel.
Weight
The TTC Honey linear switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch with an actuation force of 40 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the TTC Honey requires 50 grams while the Gateron Smoothie's bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the TTC Honey is on the lighter side, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie offers a slightly lighter actuation force but may provide a more substantial typing experience due to its unknown bottom out force. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. The Honey switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more deliberate and controlled feel when typing. On the other hand, the Smoothie switch's slightly shorter travel distance may appeal to those who prefer a more immediate key response. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Honey linear switch is known for its subdued and pleasant sound profile, offering a dampened and subtle sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, with a deep and rich tone that is satisfying to the ears. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience, depending on personal preference and the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Moving on to the feel, both the TTC Honey and Gateron Smoothie linear switches are described as creamy and buttery, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Honey switch is known for its creamy and frictionless feel, providing a silky sensation when typing, while the Smoothie switch also delivers a buttery and silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing the overall smoothness of key travel. With both switches offering a polished and refined finish, users can expect reduced friction and a seamless typing sensation.
In conclusion, both the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Honey switch provides a subdued sound profile and a creamy, frictionless feel, the Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound signature and a buttery, silky typing experience. Depending on individual preferences and usage scenarios, users can choose between these switches to achieve a satisfying and pleasant typing experience. Ultimately, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of sound and feel, providing users with a high-quality choice for their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the TTC Honey linear switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a light bottom out force of 50 grams, a smooth and creamy typing feel, and a deep sound profile, then the TTC Honey switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you are interested in a switch with a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, the Gateron Smoothie switch might be more to your liking. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so be sure to consider your typing preferences and choose accordingly. Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Honey and Gateron Smoothie switches will depend on what aspects are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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