Outemu Blue vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Outemu Blue and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, each offering unique characteristics to suit different typing preferences. The Outemu Blue is renowned for its clicky feedback, providing an audible and tactile response that many typists enjoy, making it an excellent choice for those who relish the satisfying sound of each keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is celebrated for its smooth, linear action and a medium weight that ensures a comfortable experience without any tactile bumps or clicks. This switch offers a “thocky” sound profile that enhances the typing experience while maintaining a quiet operation, appealing to users who prefer a more subdued environment. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you appreciate the lively acoustics and feedback of a clicky switch or the elegant fluidity of a linear one. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Outemu Blue's polycarbonate top housing and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top housing, distinct sound profiles emerge based on the materials used. The polycarbonate material in the Outemu Blue is characterized by its stiffness, which lends itself to a sharper and crisper sound when a key is pressed or released. This quality becomes even more pronounced when paired with RGB lighting, as the clear nature of the polycarbonate enhances the visual aesthetic. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Sea Salt Smoothie creates a deeper and more muted sound profile. This significant difference highlights how the choice of top housing material can impact the auditory experience and overall feel while typing.
Moving to the bottom housings, the Outemu Blue utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Sea Salt Smoothie features a POM bottom housing. Nylon, recognized as a classic switch housing material, contributes to a decidedly deeper and fuller sound due to its softer texture, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics. This results in a more rounded auditory output when a key bottoms out. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Sea Salt Smoothie, although also creating a deeper sound, tends to produce a sound profile that is distinctively muted. While both bottom housings can offer a satisfying typing experience, their differing sonic qualities provide nuanced variations that influence how the switches feel and sound during use.
Ultimately, while the Outemu Blue and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, they each create a unique typing experience shaped by their respective sound profiles. The nylon and polycarbonate combination in the Outemu Blue results in a brighter, clearer sound, while the dual POM construction of the Sea Salt Smoothie cultivates a deeper, more subdued auditory experience. Despite the differences, both switches can deliver satisfying results, particularly in regard to the bottom-out sound and overall feel. In essence, the interaction between the top and bottom housings of each switch delivers distinct auditory feedback and typing sensations, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for sound and tactile response.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Blue clicky switch to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find that the actuation forces are quite similar, with the Blue requiring 50 grams and the Sea Salt Smoothie needing 48 grams. This slight difference suggests that both switches will provide a comparable typing experience, especially for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the Outemu Blue is marginally heavier, which may appeal to those who appreciate a more substantial push feel. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, making it difficult to compare how firmly they feel when fully pressed down. Overall, if you favor a lighter action, the Sea Salt Smoothie is the more suitable option, while the Outemu Blue offers a slightly heavier preference for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile response.
Travel distance
The Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch exhibit differing travel distances, with the former having a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the latter's 3.7 mm. This 0.3 mm difference highlights a key distinction between the two switches, as the Outemu Blue may provide a more pronounced keystroke feel, making it a better option for those who enjoy a deeper and more tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie’s shorter travel distance caters to gamers and users seeking quicker response times, as a 3.7 mm travel can feel more responsive and less abrupt than shorter options. Ultimately, the choice between these switches boils down to personal preference in typing feel: one may favor the hearty depth of the Outemu Blue, while another might appreciate the slightly snappier action of the Sea Salt Smoothie.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Sea Salt 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 Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
The Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Outemu Blue clicky switch produces a distinct auditory feedback that many typists and gamers enjoy for its pronounced click sound, which adds a satisfying layer to the typing experience. This characteristic makes it an engaging choice for those who appreciate the sensory confirmation of a key press. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch offers a thocky sound profile that strikes a balance between a muted typist-friendly noise and an engaging auditory response. Although the Sea Salt Smoothie doesn’t have the same pronounced click as the Blue, its sound is designed to be pleasant and satisfying without being overly distracting, making it suitable for both office and home environments.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Blue switch provides a tactile bump that gives clear feedback when a key is actuated, catering to users who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. This tangible bump can enhance typing accuracy for those who thrive on physical feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch is characterized by its smooth action throughout the key travel, making it a great choice for those who prefer an uninterrupted keystroke. The linear feel promotes swift key presses without any tactile resistance, allowing for rapid typing or gaming with minimal distraction from the key mechanism.
In summary, if you are drawn to auditory feedback and tactile sensations, the Outemu Blue clicky switch may align better with your preferences, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a smooth and somewhat quieter experience that still ensures satisfaction in sound and feel. Each switch fulfills different preferences, so your choice ultimately depends on whether you value a-clicky tactile experience or a silky, subdued keystroke.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing or gaming style. If you enjoy a tactile feedback and an audible click sound that helps you feel each keypress, the Outemu Blue is a great choice, especially if you’re a typist who loves the classic mechanical keyboard experience. However, if you prefer a smooth, quiet operation that allows for rapid, uninterrupted keystrokes, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is preferable. Its medium-weight feel combined with an impressive thocky sound profile makes it well-suited for both gaming and typing without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value the tactile click of the Blue switch or the seamless, smooth action of the Smoothie—a choice that reflects your own unique typing experience.
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