Gateron Jupiter Red vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie can significantly affect your typing experience. The Jupiter Red, with its medium-heavy actuation and single-stage spring design, is celebrated for providing a smooth and uninterrupted keystroke that caters to users seeking a polished, creamy, and silky touch. Its high-precision molds and softer backlight effects enhance aesthetics and functionality, making it an excellent option for those who prioritize a seamless and consistent typing journey. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a delightful thocky sound profile and a medium-weight performance, combining affordability with premium all-POM construction for a uniquely smooth experience. This switch is ideal for users looking for a satisfying auditory feedback while typing without breaking the bank. Both switches cater to distinct preferences, yet each excels in its own right. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$2.80 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, notable differences emerge that influence each switch's acoustic and tactile profiles. The Jupiter Red features a polycarbonate top housing, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This quality is largely attributed to polycarbonate's rigidity, which enhances sound clarity and resonance. Additionally, the clear nature of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both materials are effective for sound production, the Jupiter Red’s polycarbonate is better suited for those who favor a more pronounced auditory experience, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie appeals to users seeking a subtler sound.

Looking at the bottom housings, there is a clear distinction in sound characteristics as well. The Jupiter Red features a nylon bottom housing that is deemed a classic, producing a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to nylon's softer composition, which absorbs more sound. This results in a duller, rounder auditory experience when the key is bottomed out. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM bottom housing also generates a unique and pleasing sound, similarly leaning towards a deeper and more muted output. While both switches utilize materials intended to create a softer sound when pressed, the specific characteristics of nylon versus POM lead to different auditory outcomes, with the nylon providing a more traditional feel.

Despite the differences in materials, the impact of the top and bottom housings should not be underestimated. The qualities that each material brings to the switches mean that when pressed, the user will primarily experience the sound created by the bottom housing, while the top housing will predominantly affect the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, while the Jupiter Red's polycarbonate top allows for a more resonant sound during the key release, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top will contribute to a sound that is more muted at that moment. This interplay underscores the importance of both housing types in determining the overall acoustic experience of each switch, highlighting how even different materials can lead to satisfying and unique outcomes for end users.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we observe some key differences. The Jupiter Red features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range for typing comfort and gaming responsiveness. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams, but its bottom out force remains unknown, leaving a gap in our understanding of its full tactile response. This suggests that while the Jupiter Red is lighter in terms of actuation, providing a potentially less strenuous typing experience suitable for long sessions, the Sea Salt Smoothie might offer a stronger push feel, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Overall, if you're looking for a lighter switch for extended use, the Jupiter Red would be the better choice, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie may cater to users who favor a firmer keystroke sensation.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find a distinct difference: the Jupiter Red features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Jupiter Red the longer option, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing a key. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its 3.7 mm travel distance, caters to users who favor quicker response times typically favored by gamers. The shorter travel distance can sometimes feel more abrupt, which might not suit everyone. Thus, the choice between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference for depth versus responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red switch presents a neutral auditory profile. This makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of environments, whether you're a beginner or an expert and suitable for both home and office settings. The sound level is moderate, avoiding any pronounced clackiness or overly muted tones, offering a balanced auditory experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is known for its thocky sound profile, which contributes to a richer and more satisfying auditory feedback when typing. While both switches provide a pleasant sound, the Jupiter Red leans towards neutrality, making it versatile, while the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a more distinct acoustic character that some users may find more enjoyable.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Jupiter Red is characterized by a polished, creamy, silky, and mild typing experience. Its design promotes a smooth and refined finish, resulting in seamless key travel that is easy on the fingers. Users can expect a buttery and silky sensation as they type, making the Jupiter Red an ideal option for extended typing sessions without fatigue. The Sea Salt Smoothie, on the other hand, has not been detailed in its tactile characteristics. However, if it shares the same high standards as Gateron’s other offerings, it likely still delivers a satisfactory typing experience.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Jupiter Red and Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches have their unique qualities tailored to different preferences. While the Jupiter Red is distinguished by its neutral sound and exceptionally smooth feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie presents a thocky tone that could appeal to those seeking a more pronounced auditory experience. Ultimately, both switches would meet the needs of users looking for quality and performance, allowing for enjoyable typing experiences. Choosing between them will largely depend on whether you prioritize sound profile or the feel of the keystrokes.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches ultimately hinges on your specific preferences and typing style. If you value a balanced and consistent typing experience with a medium bottom-out force, the Jupiter Reds are likely your best bet, especially for everyday typing tasks or gaming where seamless keystrokes can enhance performance. Their polished and creamy feel offers a refined touch, making them versatile for both work and casual use. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an exceptionally smooth experience paired with a thocky sound profile, the Sea Salt Smoothie may be more appealing. Although the bottom-out force is unknown, it's tailored for those who appreciate a luxurious typing experience and don’t mind experimenting with different feel traits. In the end, consider the context of your use: for a reliable all-rounder, lean towards the Jupiter Red, but if you seek something distinctive that stands out acoustically and tactically, try the Sea Salt Smoothie. Your typing experience should align with what feels best for you, so weigh these factors carefully to find your perfect switch.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Red Linear

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more