Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present compelling yet distinct options for users. The Lightning Silver V3 is celebrated for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, offering a unique auditory experience that appeals to gamers and typists who enjoy a bit of acoustic feedback. Its silky smooth keystrokes, coupled with a special light diffuser that enhances RGB illumination, make it an excellent choice for those looking to add flair to their keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stands out with its thocky sound profile and medium-weight actuation, providing a satisfying tactile response that emphasizes both quality and affordability. Made entirely of POM, this switch prioritizes durability without compromising on smoothness, making it a great choice for users who value a balanced switch feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that's right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
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
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, one immediately notices a significant difference in the types of plastics used. The Lightning Silver V3 features polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a sound profile characterized by sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper acoustic feedback. This is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for a resonant sound that is particularly pronounced when the key is released. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's choice of POM for both the top and bottom housings leads to a contrasting sound profile that is deeper and more muted. The use of POM material softens the auditory impact, creating an experience that is often described as more pleasant and unique, albeit less vibrant than that of the Lightning Silver V3.
Beyond just sound, the choice of housing materials in these switches also affects their aesthetic qualities and functionality, especially in terms of RGB lighting. The polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3, being clear and translucent, enhances the visual effects of RGB backlighting, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize illumination. Conversely, the opaque nature of the POM used in the Sea Salt Smoothie means that it won’t provide the same level of brightness or color diffusion, which may appeal to those who prefer a more subdued aesthetic. Thus, the contrasting capabilities of the materials not only influence sound and acoustics but also play a critical role in the lighting design aspects of a keyboard.
Ultimately, the distinct attributes provided by the housing materials result in different tactile and auditory experiences, even though the basic functionality of each switch remains intact. The polycarbonate components of the Lightning Silver V3 create a sound that stands out, especially during key release, while the POM in the Sea Salt Smoothie leads to a more pleasurable but quieter typing experience. Users can expect a mix of unique auditory sensations based on the materials’ properties, and the characteristics of the bottom housing can heavily influence the bottom-out feel and sound. While both switches may cater to varying user preferences, they demonstrate how housing materials are crucial in shaping the overall performance and experience of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it's interesting to note that both switches have the same actuation force of 48 grams. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience when it comes to the effort required to register a keystroke, making either switch a suitable choice for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. However, the bottom out force diverges significantly: while the Lightning Silver V3 has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a more resilient feel when fully pressed, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie remains unknown. This uncertainty means we can't directly compare their bottom out experiences. Consequently, the Lightning Silver V3 can be characterized as the heavier option due to its defined bottom out force, while the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its unknown bottom out force, may offer a lighter feel at its limits, depending on its characteristics. Overall, those who appreciate a firmer feedback during typing may prefer the Lightning Silver V3, while users seeking a potentially softer experience might lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie, should it prove to be lighter at bottoming out.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the differences are clear. The Lightning Silver V3 features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. Consequently, the Lightning Silver V3 can be considered the shorter option, making it potentially more suitable for gamers seeking faster response times. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more substantial feel that some users prefer, especially those who appreciate a deeper keystroke. Ultimately, your choice would depend on whether you prioritize rapid actuation or a more pronounced typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its clacky and high-pitched signature, providing a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience with each keypress. This sharp sound can create an engaging typing atmosphere, especially for users who enjoy the more lively auditory feedback of a keyboard. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a thocky sound profile that is generally characterized by a deeper and richer auditory feedback. While both switch types deliver satisfying sound impressions, the Lightning Silver V3 will resonate more with those who prefer a bright, snappy sound, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to users looking for a fuller and deeper auditory note.
Regarding feel, the Lightning Silver V3 is praised for its silky typing experience, where each keystroke is exceptionally smooth, minimizing resistance and enhancing the overall fluidity during use. This quality can greatly improve typing speed and comfort, particularly for extensive typing sessions. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available about the feel of the Sea Salt Smoothie; thus, one cannot directly compare its tactile experience. However, given the reputation of Gateron switches for their overall smoothness, one might anticipate a pleasant feel similar to that of the Lightning Silver V3.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches each present unique auditory and tactile experiences. If you enjoy a brighter, clacky sound with an exceptionally smooth feel, the Lightning Silver V3 would be an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you are inclined towards a thocky sound profile, you might find the Sea Salt Smoothie equally compelling, despite a lack of detailed information regarding its tactile feel. Ultimately, both switches aim to provide a fulfilling typing experience, making them worthy considerations for anyone looking to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 or the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, you'll want to reflect on your personal preferences in tactile feedback, sound profile, and aesthetics. The Lightning Silver V3 is ideal if you enjoy a clacky, high-pitched auditory experience that adds a lively atmosphere to your typing sessions. Its unique silky feel and light diffusion feature enhance not only the overall smoothness but also the visual appeal of illuminated keyboards. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, more subdued auditory interaction with a 'thocky' sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie might be the better option for you, delivering an exceptional tactile experience that complements longer typing sessions without being overly loud or distracting. This switch maintains high quality while being cost-effective, making it perfect for those who prioritize both performance and value. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should align with your comfort, sound preferences, and budget, as both options bring distinctive qualities to the table.
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