Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Gateron Smoothie Silver offer distinct features to consider. The Jupiter Brown is a tactile switch known for blending tradition with innovation, offering a medium-heavy weight keystroke feel with a single-stage spring. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is a linear switch made entirely of POM, providing lightning-fast actuation with a short travel distance and a thocky sound. While the Jupiter Brown emphasizes reliability and aesthetic appeal, the Smoothie Silver prioritizes smoothness and a feather-light touch. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Spring steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Jupiter Brown and Gateron Smoothie Silver both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Jupiter Brown's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound, ideal for those looking for a clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing offers a deeper and more muted sound, appealing to users who prefer a quieter typing experience. While the top housings differ in material, both switches provide a pleasing sound profile that caters to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housings, the Jupiter Brown utilizes a nylon material while the Smoothie Silver features a POM material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound, as it absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Similarly, POM housings create a unique and pleasing sound that leans towards the deeper end of the spectrum. Despite the differences in material, both switches offer a satisfying auditory experience that enhances the overall typing feel.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Brown and Gateron Smoothie Silver ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Jupiter Brown's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials delivers a clear and resonant typing experience, while the Smoothie Silver's POM top and bottom housings provide a deeper and more muted sound profile. Whether you prefer a sharper, high-pitched sound or a deeper, fuller sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to various typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a crucial role in the typing experience. The Jupiter Brown has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the smoother 45 grams of the Smoothie Silver. However, the Jupiter Brown also has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. The difference in actuation and bottom out forces means that the Jupiter Brown provides a more substantial typing experience with a greater tactile feedback, while the Smoothie Silver offers a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Jupiter Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Smoothie Silver. In practical terms, this could mean that the Jupiter Brown may provide a slightly deeper feeling when pressed compared to the Smoothie Silver. However, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Smoothie Silver being on the shallower end. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to personal preference and whether you prefer a slightly longer or shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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 Jupiter Brown is known for producing a satisfying thock sound, making it ideal for users who enjoy a more traditional typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is characterized by a thocky sound that is highly sought after by enthusiasts who prefer a quieter typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so choosing the right one will ultimately depend on your personal taste in keyboard acoustics.
When it comes to feel, the Jupiter Brown offers a mild and polished typing experience that falls within the middle-ground zone of tactile switches. This results in a gentle and refined keypress with reduced friction, providing a smooth and comfortable typing feel. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver features a feather-light touch and unparalleled smoothness due to its all-POM construction and short travel distance. This leads to a lightning-fast actuation that is well-suited for users who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their typing.
Overall, both the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Jupiter Brown provides a classic tactile typing experience with a satisfying thock sound, while the Smoothie Silver delivers lightning-fast actuation and unparalleled smoothness. Whether you prefer a traditional tactile switch with a medium-heavy weight or a linear switch with a feather-light touch, both switches ensure reliable performance and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the sound and feel of these switches can be further enhanced by pairing them with the appropriate keyboard and keycap combination to achieve your desired typing experience. Ultimately, whether you choose the Jupiter Brown or the Smoothie Silver, you can expect a high-quality mechanical keyboard switch that meets your typing needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy the traditional tactile feel with a single-stage spring, the Jupiter Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no bottom out force and value a lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound and smooth touch, the Smoothie Silver may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a tactile typing experience or a linear switch with a unique all-POM design.
Mentioned in this article
