Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver mechanical keyboard switches, both switches are linear in nature but offer different characteristics to suit different preferences. The Ink Yellow is known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. It offers a smooth and clacky feel, making it ideal for those looking for a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its lightning-fast actuation thanks to its all-POM construction. It delivers a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. While the Ink Yellow is categorized as ['Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', 'Polished'], the Smoothie Silver lacks specific categorizations. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver have distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a thin and higher-pitched sound, often described as clacky. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. This difference in sound can greatly impact the typing experience for users who prefer a specific sound profile.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Ink Yellow and Smoothie Silver switches also play a crucial role in the overall typing experience. The Ink Yellow's INK blend bottom housing offers a relatively high-pitched sound profile that complements the top housing's characteristics. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing contributes to a deeper and more muted sound. This difference in sound profile can make the typing experience feel drastically different between the two switches, suiting different user preferences.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. While both switches offer unique housing materials that cater to different sound profiles, users will need to consider whether they prefer a higher-pitched, clacky sound (Ink Yellow) or a deeper, more muted sound (Smoothie Silver). Regardless of the choice, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their distinct housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Ink Yellow is the heavier of the two. The Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams. The bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver is unknown, but it is safe to say that it is likely lighter than the Ink Yellow. The actuation force of a switch is important for triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force measures the pressure required to fully press the key. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Smoothie Silver may be the better option. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Ink Yellow may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. While the difference is minimal, it can affect the overall feel and response of the keyboard. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers for quicker response times. Choosing between the two depends on personal preference - if you prefer a more responsive feel, the Ink Yellow may be the better option, whereas if you prefer a bit more depth to the press, the Smoothie Silver could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience with only a slight variance in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Yellow has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Yellow for $7.35.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch provides a thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness, giving it a unique auditory experience. Both switches may produce different sounds depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Ink Yellow switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, offering a gentle and smooth sensation while typing. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is known for its lightning-fast actuation and feather-light touch, offering a different tactile feel altogether. The Smoothie Silver's POM construction adds to its unique tactile feel.
Overall, both the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinctive qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ink Yellow provides a pleasant smoothness and clackiness with a shorter travel distance, the Smoothie Silver stands out with its thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and lightning-fast actuation. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between a neutral and clacky sound profile with a gentle and polished feel or a thocky sound with a feather-light touch. Ultimately, both switches offer a range of subjective qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, typing experience, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a typing experience reminiscent of a laptop keyboard with smoothness and clackiness, opt for the Gateron Ink Yellow. On the other hand, if you desire lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver may be the better choice for you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you prefer.
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