Gazzew LT vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gazzew LT and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gazzew LT and the Gateron Smoothie Silver mechanical keyboard switches, one notable difference is their sound profile. The Gazzew LT, known for its enticing lilac hue, offers a deep, resonant thockiness with every keystroke, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a bassy and low-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver boasts a thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch, thanks to its all-POM construction. While the LT provides a seamless glide, the Smoothie Silver offers a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gazzew LT and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, it is clear that both switches offer unique sound profiles resulting from their respective top and bottom housings. The LT's proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings are known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile due to their softness, often referred to as "boba plastic." In contrast, the Smoothie Silver features POM top and bottom housings that create a more muted sound profile on the deeper side. Despite their differences in material composition, both switches excel in providing a satisfying auditory experience for users.
While the LT and Smoothie Silver share a common goal of delivering pleasing sound profiles through their housing materials, they differ in the specific qualities each material brings to the overall switch experience. The Gazzew blend top housing of the LT emphasizes a rich and deep sound profile, enhancing the typing or gaming experience with a soft and satisfying sound upon key release. In comparison, the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver offers a unique sound profile that leans towards the deeper side, providing a more subdued auditory feedback during typing or gaming sessions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew LT and Gateron Smoothie Silver comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing feel. While the LT's Gazzew blend housing may offer a slightly softer and richer sound experience, the Smoothie Silver's POM housing provides a more muted and deeper sound profile. Both switches prioritize delivering a satisfying typing or gaming experience through their respective top and bottom housings, allowing users to customize their setup based on their preferred sound and feel. Whether opting for the LT's proprietary Gazzew blend or the Smoothie Silver's POM housing, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with distinct auditory feedback.
Weight
The Gazzew LT linear switch has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option in terms of weight. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter touch than the LT switch. This means that the Smoothie Silver switch may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, while the LT switch could be better for those who prefer a more substantial push feel. Both switches have their own advantages depending on individual preferences. The actuation force of the LT switch is not specified, so it is not possible to directly compare it with the Smoothie Silver switch in that aspect. Ultimately, the weight of a switch can greatly impact typing comfort and user experience, so it is important to consider this factor when choosing the right switch for your keyboard.
Travel distance
The Gazzew LT linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, which is shorter than the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. For those looking for a faster response time, the LT switch may be more appealing due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer switches with shorter travel distances for quick key presses. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial and satisfying feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and typing experience.
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 Gazzew LT comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to the sound produced by the Gazzew LT linear switch, users can expect a deep and resonant thockiness that emanates with each keystroke. The auditory experience with LT switches is best described as bassy, thocky, and low-pitched, providing a satisfying typing sound that is rich and full. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch also offers a thocky sound, delivering a similar deep and rich tone during key presses. While the specific descriptors for the sound of the Smoothie Silver are not provided, users can anticipate a pleasant auditory experience with these switches as well.
In terms of tactile feel, the Gazzew LT linear switch is known for providing a seamless glide with every keystroke, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. Unfortunately, there is no specific information available regarding the tactile feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch. However, based on its short travel distance for quick actuation and unparalleled smoothness, users can expect a swift and responsive feel with the Smoothie Silver switches.
Overall, both the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer desirable qualities when it comes to sound and feel. While the LT switches are praised for their bassy and thocky sound profile, as well as their seamless typing experience, the Smoothie Silver switches boast a fast actuation speed, smooth keystrokes, and a feather-light touch. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users can achieve similar results with either of these switches, ultimately providing a pleasant typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a deep, resonant "thocky" sound with a smooth typing experience, the Gazzew LT switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch without a specified bottom out force and value lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound, smoothness, and a short travel distance, then the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and priorities.
Mentioned in this article
