Cherry Nixie vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Cherry Nixie and the Gateron Smoothie, both of which are linear switches. The Cherry Nixie is a revered classic known for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, blending tradition with modern innovation thanks to Cherry's MX2A update. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie offers a more affordable option without compromising on quality, boasting a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch due to its all-POM construction. While the Cherry Nixie is praised for its textured feel and traditional appeal, the Gateron Smoothie stands out with its buttery smoothness and budget-friendly price point. 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
63.5g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Cherry Nixie and Gateron Smoothie both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Nixie utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In comparison, the Smoothie's POM top housing produces a pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. While both materials offer a similar depth in sound, the Nixie's nylon top housing may provide a slightly rounder sound profile compared to the Smoothie's POM top housing.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Cherry Nixie and Gateron Smoothie also differ in their materials. The Nixie’s nylon bottom housing, like its top housing, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile while offering a duller and rounder sound due to its softer nature. On the other hand, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing maintains a pleasing and unique sound profile with a deeper tone that is relatively more muted compared to the Nixie. Both bottom housings play a crucial role in the overall typing experience, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch.
In summary, while the Cherry Nixie and Gateron Smoothie feature different housing materials for both the top and bottom, they both aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with unique sound profiles. The Nixie's nylon housing may offer a slightly rounder sound compared to the Smoothie's POM housing, but both switches ultimately deliver deep and full sound profiles. Whether it's the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel from the bottom housing or the sound when releasing a key from the top housing, each material contributes to the overall user experience in its own way.
Weight
In comparing the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Nixie switch has a heavier actuation force of 63.5 grams compared to the Smoothie's lighter 40 grams. Similarly, the Nixie has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams, while the bottom out force of the Smoothie is unknown. For those who prefer a stronger push feel, the Nixie switch would be the more suitable option, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the lighter actuation force of the Smoothie switch would be ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer periods of comfortable typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, we see that the Nixie has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Smoothie has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Nixie falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, providing a standard key press feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie offers a slightly shorter distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Both options fall within a relatively similar range, with the Smoothie being the shorter of the two. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.19.
The Gateron 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 Smoothie 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, both the Cherry Nixie and Gateron Smoothie switches offer a thocky sound profile that provides a deep, satisfying sound when pressed. Additionally, both switches are noted for their low-pitched tone, which adds a bass-heavy and mellow quality to the typing experience. The Smoothie switch also introduces a subdued sound characteristic, offering a more dampened and subtle sound compared to the Nixie. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and how these sound qualities resonate with the user, keeping in mind that the sound produced is also influenced by other factors like the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry Nixie switch is celebrated for its textured typing experience, providing a tactile feedback that some users find satisfying. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke that glides effortlessly with each press. This difference in feel can greatly impact the typing experience for users who have a preference for either a textured or smoother touch. It's important to consider the typing feel that best suits individual preferences and typing style when choosing between these two switches.
Overall, both the Cherry Nixie and Gateron Smoothie switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. While the Nixie switch provides a traditional and textured typing experience with a thocky sound, the Smoothie switch presents a more modern and smooth feel with the added characteristic of buttery, creamy, and silky keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience, ensuring that they will achieve similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a textured typing experience, then the Cherry Nixie switch may be the right choice for you. The Cherry Nixie is known for its substantial heft and traditional feel with modern updates. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lighter touch, the Gateron Smoothie may be more suited to your preferences. The Smoothie offers a unique all-POM construction that provides a thocky sound, buttery feel, and a more budget-friendly option without compromising on quality. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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