HMX Lotus vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus and Gateron Smoothie Silver offer unique experiences for users. The HMX Lotus, a linear switch, provides a medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bright, resonant sound, giving users a super bouncy feeling with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver, also a linear switch, boasts an all-POM construction with a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation. It offers a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Both switches have their strengths, with the Lotus providing a delightfully bouncy feel and the Smoothie Silver delivering a lightning-fast actuation experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Lotus and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Lotus features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver incorporates a POM top housing that produces a unique sound profile on the deeper side and relatively more muted. Despite their differences, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience through the materials used in their housing construction.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Lotus and the Smoothie Silver utilize nylon for the Lotus and POM for the Smoothie Silver. Nylon is known for its ability to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile, while POM creates a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and more muted. These differences in material contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches when pressed, with the bottom housing playing a crucial role in the bottom-out sound and feel experienced during typing.
Overall, while the HMX Lotus and the Gateron Smoothie Silver utilize different housing materials for their top and bottom components, they both aim to enhance the typing experience through unique sound profiles. The nylon top and bottom housing of the Lotus contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver produces a more muted yet pleasing sound. Both switches showcase the importance of housing materials in creating a distinct typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams. However, the HMX Lotus has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. The HMX Lotus is lighter in terms of bottom out force when compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver. The actuation force of the two switches being the same means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of triggering a keystroke. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the HMX Lotus may be the better option due to its lower bottom out force. Conversely, those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie Silver or opt for a keyboard with heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances preferred by gamers for faster response times. The 0.1 mm difference between the two switches may not be significant for most users, as the travel distances are quite similar. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper feel when typing, you may lean towards the HMX Lotus with its slightly longer travel distance. On the other hand, if you prioritize a slightly quicker response, the Gateron Smoothie Silver may be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer comparable travel distances, and the difference is likely to be minimal in practical use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
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 HMX Lotus linear switch is best known for its bright and resonant sound, providing a satisfying auditory experience with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a unique thocky sound, which is known for its smoothness and feather-light touch. The choice between the two will ultimately depend on personal preference, as some may prefer the bouncy and resonant sound of the Lotus, while others may prefer the smooth and thocky sound of the Smoothie Silver.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch is praised for its medium weight of 50g bottom out, offering a comfortable typing experience with a super bouncy feeling. Conversely, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch boasts a short travel distance for rapid actuation, providing a smooth and quick typing experience. Whether you prefer a bouncy feel like the Lotus or a feather-light touch like the Smoothie Silver will depend on your typing style and preference for key switch feel.
Considering all the available information, both the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Lotus provides a bright and resonant sound with a bouncy feeling, the Smoothie Silver offers a thocky sound with smoothness and a feather-light touch. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference, as both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience in different ways. It's important to consider factors such as sound profile, typing feel, and overall preference when deciding between these two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium weight switch with a bright, resonant sound and a bouncy feeling, the Lotus may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for an all-POM switch with a short travel distance for quick actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, then the Smoothie Silver may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall user experience.
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