Bsun Hutt vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Bsun Hutt and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often boils down to personal preference for tactile feedback or smooth operation, and the Bsun Hutt and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie serve as excellent representatives of these styles. The Bsun Hutt, characterized by its medium-heavy spring and prominent tactile bump, offers a snappy and invigorating typing experience with an accentuated sound profile that many enthusiasts find gratifying. This switch appeals particularly to users who enjoy the physical sensation of each keystroke, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate noticeable feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie caters to those who seek a silky-smooth experience, boasting its medium-weight, all-POM construction that produces a delightful "thocky" sound with every press. This switch is perfect for users who prefer a quieter, more fluid typing experience without the interruption of tactile bumps. Ultimately, the choice between the Hutt and Sea Salt Smoothie hinges on your typing style and preferences; 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
40g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
49g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
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
20.5mm single-staged spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Hutt and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, it's evident that both switches utilize distinct materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Hutt employs a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffer structure that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This makes it particularly effective for users seeking a clear and resonant auditory feedback, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie opts for a POM top housing, which generates a sound profile that is deeper and comparatively muted. While the polycarbonate top aims to enhance brightness in sound, the POM housing embraces a rounded approach, offering users a softer auditory experience when the switch is released.
Moving to the bottom housing, the stark contrast between materials continues. The Bsun Hutt features a nylon bottom housing, which is traditionally known for its ability to absorb sound, yielding a deeper and fuller sound profile that feels more deliberate upon actuation. This characteristic is admired by many for its ability to create a more plush typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie also incorporates POM in the bottom housing, echoing the material choice seen in its top housing. This results in a muted and deep sound profile similar to that of the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing, which signals that both switches possess a consistent deep sound signature in their bottoming out sensations.
In essence, while both the Bsun Hutt and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie incorporate different materials for their top and bottom housings, they do offer complementary experiences. The Hutt's polycarbonate top, combined with the nylon bottom, produces a bright top-down sound profile balanced by a softer bottom-out feel. The abrasive nature of the nylon enhances the overall tactile sensitivity. Meanwhile, the dual POM housing of the Sea Salt Smoothie fosters a cohesive sound profile that remains muted but satisfyingly deep across the entire switch actuation. Users who appreciate clarity may find the Hutt more appealing, while those seeking a more subdued and rounded feel will likely gravitate toward the Smoothie. Thus, the choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal auditory preferences and the desired typing experience.
Weight
The Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch present distinct differences in their actuation forces, catering to varying user preferences. The Hutt has a relatively light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 49 grams, making it a great choice for those who prioritize ease of typing and comfort during extended use, such as in work or gaming settings. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a heavier actuation force of 48 grams, which provides a more substantial typing feel, appealing to users who prefer a firmer key press. While the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, the heavier actuation force suggests a potentially different typing dynamic compared to the Hutt. Consequently, users looking for a lighter switch should lean towards the Hutt, while those seeking a stronger push feel with immediate response will likely prefer the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there is a notable difference: the Hutt switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that if you’re seeking a switch that offers quicker response times for gaming or rapid interaction, the shorter travel distance of the Hutt may be preferable. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie’s longer travel distance can provide a more pronounced typing experience, with a heartier depth that some users might find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for responsiveness versus depth in keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Hutt has an MSRP of $6.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hutt for $5.39.
The Gateron Sea Salt 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 Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 Bsun Hutt tactile switch is known for its resonant quality, characterized by a clean, sharp sound profile that offers an immersive auditory experience. This higher-pitched tone can enhance the enjoyment of typing, making it a delightful aspect for those who appreciate auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie features a thocky sound profile, which adds a more subdued yet rich depth to each keystroke. This combination provides a satisfying auditory experience, but the specific qualities of the Sea Salt Smoothie’s sound are less well-defined compared to the Hutt's clear and resonant character. Therefore, while both switches provide engaging sounds, they cater to different auditory preferences.
In terms of feel, the Hutt tactile switch excels with its snappy and invigorating qualities. Its pronounced tactile bump and moderately heavy spring create a highly responsive typing experience that feels both alive and engaging. The sharp tactile feedback ensures that each keypress is noticeable, adding to an immersive sensation during use. Furthermore, the Hutt possesses an accented feature that strikes a balance between strong tactility and a comfortable experience, making it appealing for extended typing sessions. In contrast, the feel characteristics of the Sea Salt Smoothie remain unspecified. However, if it's anything like other Gateron switches known for smoothness, it likely provides a different experience that emphasizes fluid keystrokes without the tactile feedback of the Hutt.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Hutt and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches bring unique qualities to the table, catering to different typing preferences. The Hutt switch stands out with its resonant sound and invigorating tactile feedback, while the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a satisfying thocky sound that complements its expected fluidity. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will hinge on personal taste—whether one prefers tactile responsiveness and clear auditory signals or a smooth and subdued typing experience. Each will provide reliable performance, but the true distinction lies in the subjective experience they offer to the user.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Hutt tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely depends on your preferences for typing feel and sound profile. If you enjoy a more dynamic typing experience with pronounced feedback, the Hutt’s snappy and invigorating tactile response makes it an ideal choice. It excels in providing a distinctive tactile bump that enhances your interaction with each keystroke, paired with a resonant sound that can add to your overall enjoyment, especially if you appreciate a clean and sharp auditory feedback as you type. However, if you're seeking a smoother, quieter typing experience, or if you plan on using your keyboard for gaming where rapid key presses are essential, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie may be the better option. Its medium-weight design delivers exceptional smoothness, making it easy to glide from key to key, while the thocky sound profile gives a satisfying auditory element without the pronounced tactile feedback of the Hutt. Ultimately, consider what aspects—such as sound, feel, and usage scenarios—are most important for you to determine which switch suits your typing or gaming style best.
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