Everglide Oreo vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Oreo and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare are the Everglide Oreo and the Gateron Smoothie. The Everglide Oreo is a tactile switch known for its delectable treat for your fingertips, offering a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out. With a medium light tactility and a subtle, mellow sound profile, the Oreo strikes a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie is a linear switch made entirely of POM material, providing a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Chirpy', and 'Stepped' for the Oreo, and 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky' for the Smoothie, each switch offers unique qualities that cater to different preferences. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Oreo and the Gateron Smoothie, it is clear that the Oreo utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings, while the Smoothie uses POM for both. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it a popular choice for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, POM housings produce a deeper and more muted sound, providing a unique auditory experience. Both housing materials have their own distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in sound profiles.
One key difference between the two switches lies in the sound produced by their bottom housings. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Oreo contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, while the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie offers a deeper and more subdued tone. This showcases how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound experience of a switch. Despite this difference, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials, catering to users who prefer varying levels of sound output.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Oreo and the Gateron Smoothie ultimately comes down to personal preference when it comes to sound profile. While the Oreo's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, the Smoothie's POM housing offers a deeper and more muted tone. Both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience with their unique housing materials, providing users with options to tailor their keyboard sound to their liking. Whether one prefers a more resonant and clear sound or a deeper and more subdued tone, both the Oreo and the Smoothie deliver on their promise of providing a satisfying sound experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a slightly lighter actuation force compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, with 45 grams versus 40 grams respectively. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Oreo requires 55 grams while the Smoothie's force is unknown. The Oreo provides a medium-light typing experience, making it easier to type for longer periods without fatigue. On the other hand, the Smoothie's actuation force is slightly lighter, but since its bottom out force is unknown, it's difficult to determine how it compares in terms of typing experience. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Oreo more suitable, while those who enjoy a slightly heavier feel may lean towards the Smoothie if they are willing to take the risk of potentially bottoming out with an unknown force.
Travel distance
The Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is slightly longer than the Gateron Smoothie linear switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that the Oreo switch will require slightly more force to actuate compared to the Smoothie switch due to the longer distance it must travel. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Gateron Smoothie with its shorter travel distance, while those who enjoy a deeper and more tactile typing experience may lean towards the Everglide Oreo. Both switches still offer a relatively traditional travel distance, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers a unique and subtle chirpy sound profile that adds a touch of character to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound that delivers a satisfying deep "thud" or soft "knock" with each press. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Oreo having a more mellow tone compared to the Smoothie's bass-heavy sound.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides an accented and stepped tactile experience that strikes a balance between a noticeable bump and a smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch offers a buttery, creamy, and silky smooth typing sensation that ensures a seamless and effortless typing experience. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable and enjoyable typing feel, with the Oreo offering a more pronounced tactile feedback compared to the Smoothie's ultra-smooth keystrokes.
Overall, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch each bring their own unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel to the table. While the Oreo offers a chirpy sound and an accented tactile feel, the Smoothie provides a thocky sound and a buttery smooth typing experience. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that is sure to satisfy newcomers and enthusiasts alike. With these switches, you can expect top-notch performance and a satisfying typing experience that will elevate your keyboarding journey.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Oreo tactile switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, the decision ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-light bottom out force with a satisfying tactile bump and cushioned sensation, along with a subtle, mellow sound profile, then the Oreo is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, then the Smoothie may be more suited to your liking. Consider what type of typing feel and sound profile you prefer to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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