Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Smoothie Silver stand out with their unique characteristics. The Moyu Black offers a tactile typing experience with a strong downstroke bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver provides a smooth and lightning-fast actuation with a short travel distance and thocky sound. While the Moyu Black is best suited for those who prefer a sharp and punchy typing experience, the Smoothie Silver is perfect for those who prioritize smoothness and speed. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
PBT
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both have unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Moyu Black features a PBT top and bottom housing, offering a neutral sound profile that is neither too crisp nor dull. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver utilizes a POM top and bottom housing, creating a more muted and deeper sound profile that is incredibly pleasing. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Moyu Black may provide a slightly more balanced sound experience compared to the deeper and more muted sound of the Smoothie Silver.
In terms of the impact on the sound and feel of the switches, the housing materials play a significant role. The PBT housing of the Moyu Black contributes to a neutral sound profile, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound upon key release. Conversely, the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, with the bottom housing similarly impacting the bottom-out sound and feel and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles.
Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. While the Moyu Black offers a more balanced and neutral sound experience with its PBT housing, the Smoothie Silver provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM housing. If you prefer a more traditional sound profile, the Moyu Black may be the better option, while those looking for a unique and pleasing typing experience may lean towards the Smoothie Silver. In either case, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles.
Weight
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. The Moyu Black also boasts a higher bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Smoothie Silver may be the better choice. However, for those who enjoy a more pronounced push feel, the Moyu Black would be ideal. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference whether you prioritize a lighter or heavier force.
Travel distance
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Moyu Black switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Smoothie Silver switch. A 0.6 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can make a difference in terms of how the key feels when pressed. Those who prefer a bit more depth and feedback may lean towards the Moyu Black switch, while those who prioritize quicker response times may opt for the Smoothie Silver switch with its shorter travel distance. Both switches offer unique experiences based on their travel distances, and selecting one over the other will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch provides a resonant and high-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp auditory experience due to its sharp tactile bump during typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch, creating a different sound profile compared to the Moyu Black. The choice of board and keycaps can also impact the sound produced by these switches.
Moving on to feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is characterized by its accented and sharp tactile feedback, providing a medium level of tactility that is crisp and distinct with each keypress. The unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing in the Moyu Blacks contribute to a premium typing experience. Unfortunately, information on the specific feel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is not provided.
Overall, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offers a distinctive and impactful typing experience with its sharp tactile feel and resonant sound profile. Conversely, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch prioritizes lightning-fast actuation, smoothness, and a feather-light touch for a different typing experience. Depending on personal preference for sound, feel, and typing style, both of these switches offer unique qualities and can cater to different typing preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch or the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a sharp, tactile feel with a distinct upstroke bump and a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a feather-light touch with lightning-fast actuation and a thocky sound, then the Smoothie Silver would be more suited to your typing style. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what you value most in a switch when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for.
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