Gateron Mars vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mars and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches for your typing experience, two options from Gateron stand out: the Gateron Mars switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch. The Mars switch is renowned for its innovative design, featuring a unique POK stem and a housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM, which contributes to its smooth and consistent keystrokes, making it an excellent choice for gamers and typists seeking precision. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie switch, a medium-weight all-POM option, not only breaks the price barrier but also delivers a satisfying thocky sound profile paired with exceptional smoothness, appealing to those who value auditory feedback and a solid typing feel. While both switches are linear in nature, catering to different preferences for feel and sound, understanding their distinctive characteristics can significantly impact your overall 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
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Mars and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie utilize different housing materials for their respective top housings, leading to distinct auditory and tactile experiences when typing. The Mars features a nylon top housing, which is known for its softer texture, contributing to a fuller sound profile. This softness allows the housing to absorb sound better than harder materials, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory feedback. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie employs a POM top housing, which produces a pleasingly muted sound characteristic, albeit still deeper in tone. While both switches provide a satisfying sound, the sharper difference lies in the quality of sound production when keys are released: the Mars will generate a softer sound whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie will deliver a unique timbre, reflective of POM's properties.
On the other hand, both switches share POM as the material for their bottom housings, which further unifies their acoustic profile. POM is known for producing a unique and pleasant sound, with a deeper, more muted sound profile. Given that the bottom housing plays a significant role in shaping the bottom-out sound and feel of a keystroke, this similarity allows the Sea Salt Smoothie and Mars to provide a comparable experience in that regard. Users can expect a cohesive and rounded auditory signature from both switches when the keys are fully pressed down, reflecting the shared material. Therefore, while the top housings diverge in their composition and resultant sound characteristics, the congruence of bottom housing ensures a consistent feel between the two.
In summary, although the Gateron Mars and Sea Salt Smoothie switches present contrasting top housing materials—nylon and POM, respectively—their shared material in the bottom housing balances the overall typing experience. The Mars’s nylon top contributes to a softer, fuller sound on release, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie’s POM top creates a distinct, muted sound. Upon actuation, however, both switches will produce a warm and rich auditory output thanks to their POM bottom housings. Ultimately, typing on either switch will deliver satisfying acoustic qualities, representing their respective materials effectively while also offering a degree of similarity due to the shared bottom housing construction.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, notable differences and similarities in actuation forces come into play. The Mars has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it potentially more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch during extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie features a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force, leaving their complete resistance at the end of the keystroke unspecified. Despite this uncertainty, the Mars switch is clearly the lighter option, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is heavier, catering to different preferences in typing dynamics.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Mars linear switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find a slight difference: the Mars has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie measures 3.7 mm. This makes the Mars the shorter option, appealing to gamers or users who favor quick response times in their typing experience. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its longer travel distance, provides a more pronounced depth, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keypress feel. Both switches offer similar tactile feedback; however, users seeking a more responsive touch may lean towards the Gateron Mars, while those who prefer a more substantial press might opt for the Sea Salt Smoothie.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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
The Gateron Mars linear switch offers a sound profile that is expected to be distinct due to its innovative combination of materials, but specific details on its sound are currently unknown. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie presents a thocky sound profile, which contributes to a deeper and more satisfying auditory experience that many users appreciate. It is important to note, however, that the overall sound perception can vary depending on the keyboard's construction, the materials used for keycaps, and the platform they're utilized on, meaning even switches known for certain sound characteristics can perform differently in various setups.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Mars features a unique POK stem design that is anticipated to provide a smooth keystroke, but specific details about its tactile feedback are not provided. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Smoothie is known for exceptional smoothness, suggesting that it delivers a thoroughly enjoyable typing experience that is gentle on the fingers, allowing for quick and comfortable typing. If both switches utilize similar design principles and component materials, users may find comparable results in terms of feel despite the lack of specific details on the Mars switch.
In conclusion, while both the Gateron Mars and Sea Salt Smoothie have distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, the Mars offers the promise of innovative design with unknown sound and feel characteristics, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is celebrated for its thocky sound and exceptional smoothness. Regardless of the differences, both switches align with Gateron's commitment to quality, meaning users can expect a reliable performance with either choice. For those trying to decide, personal preference in sound and feel will ultimately guide which switch is the preferred option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch boils down to your personal preferences regarding performance, sound, and tactile feedback. If you're looking for a switch that offers a unique design with potentially innovative feel characteristics, the Gateron Mars may be the right option for you. This switch's POK stem and composite housing suggest a distinctive typing experience that could appeal to those curious about experimenting with new tech. On the other hand, if you're in search of a balanced typing experience that combines smoothness with a rich, thocky sound profile at a competitive price point, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is likely a better fit. Its all-POM construction ensures durability and a soft touch, making it an attractive choice for both typing and gaming. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what aspects of a switch matter most to you—be it innovative design or a proven smooth experience.
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