Bsun Light Sakura vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie both offer unique benefits that cater to different user preferences and environments. The Light Sakura, renowned for its silent operation and ultra-light feel, is an excellent choice for those who prioritize comfort and discretion, making it ideal for extended typing sessions in quiet office settings or shared spaces. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out with its buttery, thocky sound signature and remarkable smoothness, appealing to users who enjoy a more tactile and auditory experience without breaking the bank. While both switches are linear and provide a seamless typing experience, the Light Sakura focuses on creating a gentle, fatigue-reducing feel, whereas the Smoothie emphasizes a richer auditory feedback complemented by its low-pitched, creamy characteristics. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When it comes to comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie, distinct differences can be noted. The Light Sakura features a polycarbonate top housing, known for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to this clear resonance, making it an excellent choice for switches intended for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Smoothie's top housing is crafted from POM, which offers a deeper, more muted sound. The properties of POM create a unique auditory experience, leading to a richer but less pronounced sound compared to polycarbonate. Hence, users seeking brightness in sound will find the Light Sakura more appealing, while those leaning towards a subdued audio experience may prefer the Gateron Smoothie.
Examining the bottom housings reveals similar disparities between the two switches. The Light Sakura maintains its polycarbonate bottom housing, which consistently delivers its crisp sound profile. This adherence to a polycarbonate design ensures that users experience the sharper tones associated with the other half of the switch's housing. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie's bottom housing, made from POM, aligns with its top housing in producing a sound that is pleasing yet distinctly muted. The interaction between each housing material and the switch's acoustic properties will significantly influence the overall auditory feedback during use. Therefore, the differing materials create a divergence in the bottom-out sound and feel, highlighting the unique qualities each switch offers.
Ultimately, the contrasting materials used in the top and bottom housings of the Light Sakura and Gateron Smoothie result in distinctly different sound profiles and tactile experiences. While both switches leverage their respective materials to achieve unique results, the user's preferences in sound clarity versus depth will determine which switch aligns best with their typing experience. If unified in material, similar acoustic behaviors could be expected, iterating that while the differences in housing material matter, the character of each switch is also defined by the synergy between the top and bottom housings. In this context, understanding how these materials interact allows users to choose switches that best match their auditory and tactile desires.
Weight
The Bsun Light Sakura and Gateron Smoothie linear switches present an interesting comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Light Sakura features a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams; however, its bottom out force remains unspecified. Given that the Smoothie's actuation force is stronger than that of the Light Sakura, those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Smoothie, despite the lack of bottom out force data. Overall, the Light Sakura is the lighter switch while the Smoothie may appeal to users seeking a heavier push feel, although without the complete bottom out information, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive comparison on that front.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch feature the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, allowing for a comparable typing experience in terms of key press depth. Since both switches share this identical travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key actuation and feedback during use. Consequently, neither switch is notably shorter or longer than the other, providing an equalized experience for those who prefer a linear switch feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
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 Bsun Light Sakura switch is designed to be quite silent, making it an excellent choice for quiet environments like offices or shared spaces. This switch produces minimal noise, allowing users to type without the distracting "clicks" or louder sounds associated with many other mechanical switches. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie offers a thocky sound signature, characterized by a deep, rich auditory feedback that delivers a satisfying experience when pressed. Its low-pitched tones are bass-heavy and provide a more mellow sound compared to many higher-pitched options, resulting in a keyboard that delivers auditory satisfaction without being overly loud. Overall, while the Light Sakura is crafted for discretion, the Smoothie emphasizes a deeper acoustic profile, though it must be noted that the overall sound can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Light Sakura is recognized for its ultra-light touch, making it particularly suitable for prolonged typing sessions where comfort is key. This switch is engineered to minimize finger fatigue, allowing users to maintain a comfortable and gentle typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie excels with its buttery, creamy, and silky sensations, thanks to its all-POM construction that delivers a seamlessly smooth keystroke experience. Typing on the Smoothie feels like gliding your fingers across the keys, as it provides a uniform and luxurious sensation that can enhance the overall typing experience. While the Sakura prioritizes a lightweight feel, the Smoothie's tactile smoothness offers a different yet equally enjoyable experience.
Ultimately, choosing between the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie will come down to personal preference and intended use. If silence and comfort during long typing sessions are your priorities, the Light Sakura is an excellent option. However, for those who appreciate deeper sound and a plush typing experience, the Smoothie stands out with its smooth, satisfying feel and thocky sound signature. Both switches present their unique strengths, ensuring that users can find a switch that aligns closely with their specific typing preferences and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie linear switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you seek a switch that provides a light touch and is exceptionally quiet, making it suitable for prolonged typing without drawing attention in shared or office environments, the Light Sakura is your best choice. Its comfortable feel allows for extended use with minimal finger fatigue, and it prioritizes discretion above all. On the other hand, if you value a more tactile and audio-pleasing experience—even if it’s slightly louder—the Gateron Smoothie suits your needs perfectly. With its unique thocky sound signature and buttery feel, this switch offers that appealing tactile feedback and an overall smooth typing experience ideal for gaming and dynamic typing sessions. Both switches have their strengths: choose the Light Sakura for gentle, noise-sensitive typing or the Smoothie for a rich auditory experience and a silky-smooth keystroke.
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