Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Gateron Smoothie Silver mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences and priorities. The MX Silent Red is best known for providing a gratifying typing experience similar to the MX Red, but with the added benefit of operating silently. This switch is ideal for those who value a quieter sound profile in noise-sensitive environments while still enjoying the slightly heavier feel and textured typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its lightning-fast actuation due to a short travel distance, along with a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on the individual's preference for noise level, typing feel, and actuation 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Cherry MX Silent Red and Gateron Smoothie Silver use different materials for their top and bottom housings. The MX Silent Red features a nylon top housing, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver uses a POM top housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, POM housings produce a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper and relatively more muted. Despite these differences, both materials aim to enhance the typing experience by providing a distinct sound profile for users to enjoy.
In terms of bottom housing, the MX Silent Red utilizes nylon, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver employs POM. Similar to the top housing, nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile for the MX Silent Red. POM, on the other hand, creates a deeper and more muted sound in the Smoothie Silver. These differences in bottom housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch, offering users a variety of options to choose from based on their preferences.
While the Cherry MX Silent Red and Gateron Smoothie Silver have different housing materials in both their top and bottom components, the end result is similar in providing a unique and enjoyable typing experience. Both switches aim to enhance the sound profile with their respective materials, whether it be the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the MX Silent Red or the pleasing and muted sound of POM in the Smoothie Silver. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red 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 bottom out force for both switches is unknown. Despite this, it can be inferred that both switches may provide a similar typing experience in terms of actuation force. In terms of weight, lighter switches like the Cherry MX Silent Red are favored for extended typing or gaming sessions, as they allow for less strain on the fingers. On the other hand, some users may prefer a heavier switch like the Gateron Smoothie Silver for a more tactile and substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for gamers looking for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance may not be significant to most users, as the difference is minimal. However, if you prefer a slightly longer travel distance for a more traditional key press feel, you may lean towards the Cherry MX Silent Red. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for quicker key presses, the Gateron Smoothie Silver may be the preferred choice for you. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, and the choice between the two may come down to personal preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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
The Cherry MX Silent Red switch features a muted, thocky sound profile that is low-pitched, providing a quieter typing experience compared to traditional mechanical switches. It maintains the slightly heavier feel of the MX Red but with the added benefit of operating silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is known for its all-POM construction, short travel distance for quick actuation, and thocky sound profile with unparalleled smoothness. The Smoothie Silver switch offers a feather-light touch for effortless typing, but the exact sound characteristics are unknown.
When it comes to sound, these two switches offer distinctly different experiences. The Cherry MX Silent Red switch provides a quieter, deeper sound with a softer feel to key presses, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch offers a thocky sound with an unmatched smoothness. The choice between the two will largely depend on personal preference for sound and the specific typing environment in which the keyboard will be used.
In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is known for its textured feel, providing users with a tactile feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch's feel characteristics are not mentioned in the available information. If the Smoothie Silver switch also offers a textured feel or a smooth typing experience remains to be discovered and can greatly impact the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches offer unique sound profiles and potentially different feel characteristics. The MX Silent Red provides a quieter typing experience with a slightly heavier feel, while the Smoothie Silver offers a thocky sound and feather-light touch, ideal for quick and effortless typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preference for sound, feel, and typing style, ensuring a personalized and satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a quiet and slightly heftier linear switch with a satisfying typing experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize lightning-fast actuation, thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver would be the switch for you. Consider your typing environment and preferences when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences and needs.
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