KTT Orange vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Orange and Gateron Smoothie both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The KTT Orange switch is known for its bouncy feel, frictionless typing experience, and low-pitched sound profile. With a factory-lubed design and a combination of polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and orange nylon bottom housing, the KTT Orange switch provides a refined and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out for its all-POM construction, offering a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch. While the Smoothie switch is described as buttery, thocky, creamy, and silky, the Orange switch is characterized as bouncy, frictionless, and low-pitched. 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
46g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Gateron Smoothie, it is evident that both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their respective polycarbonate and POM top housings. The Orange's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Smoothie's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in sound profiles can greatly impact the overall typing experience for users, depending on their preferences for key press feedback and noise levels.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Orange and Smoothie switches utilize polycarbonate and POM materials, respectively. The qualities of these materials are also reflected in the sound profiles produced by the bottom housings. While the Orange's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing adds a deeper and more muted quality to the switch. These differences in sound profiles highlight how housing materials can play a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Overall, the choice between the KTT Orange and the Gateron Smoothie ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing experience. Both switches offer distinct characteristics based on their housing materials, whether it be the sharper, higher-pitched sound of polycarbonate in the Orange or the deeper, more muted sound of POM in the Smoothie. Regardless of which switch is chosen, users can expect a unique and satisfying typing experience based on the specific qualities each housing material brings to the table.
Weight
The KTT Orange linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch with 40 grams. The bottom out force of the Orange is also heavier at 53 grams, whereas the Smoothie's bottom out force is unknown. Both switches provide a medium-light actuation force, making them suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, the heavier bottom out force of the Orange may appeal to those who desire a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm standard. Gamers may find the shorter 3.5 mm travel distance of the Orange switch appealing for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie with its slightly longer 3.6 mm travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange for $4.15.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Orange switch offers a low-pitched profile, which typically brings a bass-heavy and mellow tone to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch provides a thocky sound signature that gives off a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed and released. Both switches share a low-pitched characteristic, which means you can expect a more bass-heavy and subdued sound profile compared to higher-pitched switches. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by your choice of keyboard and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the KTT Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, with a spring-like feedback that gives a lively feel and minimizes resistance when pressing the keys. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The smooth and fluid keystroke experience of the Smoothie switch makes it a comfortable option for prolonged typing sessions, while the bouncy feel of the Orange switch adds a spring-like rebound to each keystroke.
In conclusion, the KTT Orange switch and the Gateron Smoothie switch offer different but equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Orange switch provides a low-pitched sound profile with a bouncy typing feel, the Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound signature and a buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches can deliver a satisfying and smooth typing experience, ensuring that you'll get similar results in terms of comfort and performance regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the KTT Orange linear switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, you should take into account your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a bouncy, frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, then the KTT Orange switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a bottom out force of None grams and prioritize a thocky, buttery, or creamy feel with a subdued, low-pitched sound, then the Gateron Smoothie switch might be better suited for you. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and priorities.
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