SP-Star Meteor White vs. Gateron Mini i
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Meteor White and the Gateron Mini i switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch with the Gateron Mini i tactile switch, it's essential to note their distinct characteristics. The Meteor White offers a subdued experience with its gentle linear feel, providing a soft touch and a quiet typing sound. In contrast, the Mini i provides a subtle tactility with a fairly muted sound profile, making it ideal for office environments where quiet professionalism is essential. While the Meteor White is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mini i is labeled as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', 'Subtle', and 'Stepped'. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on your preference for linear smoothness or tactile feedback. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
57g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold plated
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The SP-Star Meteor White and the Gateron Mini i both feature nylon top and bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The relatively softer nature of nylon compared to harder plastics allows for more sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This commonality in housing material ensures that both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
However, despite sharing nylon as the housing material, the SP-Star Meteor White and the Gateron Mini i may still have subtle differences in sound and feel due to other factors such as stem design or spring weight. While the qualities of the housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch, the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel may vary slightly between the two switches. As a result, there may be nuanced differences in the typing experience between the SP-Star Meteor White and the Gateron Mini i, even though they both utilize nylon as the housing material.
In conclusion, the choice between the SP-Star Meteor White and the Gateron Mini i may ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer a deep and full sound profile thanks to their nylon top and bottom housings, providing a pleasant typing experience. While there may be slight differences in sound and feel due to other factors, the use of nylon as the housing material ensures that both switches deliver a similar typing experience overall. Whether one prefers the SP-Star Meteor White or the Gateron Mini i will likely depend on individual typing preferences and needs.
Weight
The SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Gateron Mini i tactile switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Meteor White has an actuation force of None grams, making it unknown, and a bottom out force of 57 grams, which is medium-light. In comparison, the Mini i has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it lighter, and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is also light. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Mini i, while those who prefer a slightly heavier feel may opt for the Meteor White. Both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Gateron Mini i tactile switch, it is clear that the Mini i has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm compared to the Meteor White's 4 mm. This means that the Mini i provides a quicker key press with a shallower depth, making it ideal for gamers seeking faster response times. On the other hand, the Meteor White offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying and tactile typing experience for those who enjoy a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
The Gateron Mini i comes in at $6.00 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
In terms of sound, both the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch and the Gateron Mini i tactile switch are described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that they produce a moderate sound that is suitable for most settings, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use them at home or in an office environment. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as offering a mild and polished typing experience. This means that it provides a gentle typing feel with a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mini i switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, subtle, and stepped. These qualities suggest that the Gateron Mini i switch provides a lively and responsive typing experience with a gentle resistance and light typing feel.
Overall, both switches offer a soft and gentle typing experience with muted sound profiles. While the SP-Star Meteor White switch is more subdued and easy to push, the Gateron Mini i switch strikes a balance between gentle tactility and satisfying feedback without sacrificing a quiet typing experience. Depending on your preference for feel and sound, you can expect similar results with either switch, providing you with a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, you should opt for it if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a subdued, soft typing experience with a gentle sound profile. This switch is ideal for those who value a smooth and polished typing feel without much resistance. On the other hand, if you are looking for a light bottom out force and a more bouncy, easy-to-press tactile feedback, the Gateron Mini i tactile switch would be a better choice. These switches offer a subtle and muted sound profile, making them suitable for quiet office environments where professionalism is key. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for typing feel and sound profile, whether you lean towards the gentle linear experience of the Meteor White or the subtle tactility of the Mini i.
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