Outemu Brown vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Brown and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer distinct experiences tailored to different typing preferences. The Outemu Brown is a tactile switch, known for its noticeable bump that provides feedback without the audible click, making it a popular choice for both typists and gamers looking for precision without disruption. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a linear switch, celebrated for its buttery smooth keystrokes and thocky sound profile, catering to users who prefer a quieter and smoother typing experience. While the Brown switch is ideal for those who crave tactile feedback and a balance between typing and gaming, the Sea Salt Smoothie excels in offering a seamless and satisfying actuation for those who appreciate speed and consistency. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Brown Tactile

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the Outemu Brown and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches, one of the most notable differences lies in the materials used for their top housings. The Outemu Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its rigid structure that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This high-pitched resonance is particularly ideal for users who enjoy a pronounced auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie employs a POM top housing, which is renowned for delivering a deeper and more muted sound experience. This distinction in top housing materials means that while the Outemu Brown will appeal to those seeking clarity and brightness in their keystrokes, the Sea Salt Smoothie will attract users who prefer a softer and more subdued auditory experience.

Meanwhile, the bottom housing of both switches reinforces their respective sound profiles but in different ways. The Outemu Brown's nylon bottom housing absorbs sound due to its softer plastic nature, resulting in a fuller and warmer sound with a more pronounced bottom-out. This complements the sharper sound of the polycarbonate top, creating a balanced auditory experience. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's POM bottom housing also creates a muted yet pleasing sound, aligning with the already subdued profile provided by its POM top housing. While the difference in materials does provide unique sound characteristics, both switches promise pleasing auditory feedback, albeit through contrasting acoustic methods.

Ultimately, the varying materials of the top and bottom housings serve to create distinct typing experiences in both switches. The Outemu Brown's polycarbonate top offers a bright accent to its fuller nylon bottom, ensuring clarity when letting go of keys, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a cohesive deep sound throughout due to its consistent use of POM. Users who prioritize the sound experience will find that both switches can yield satisfying results, albeit through different acoustical presentations. Whether one prefers a more articulated sound or a smoother, more muted experience, each switch offers its own charm and unique personality shaped by the materials chosen for its construction.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it's clear that these switches cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Brown features an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option that appeals to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams, which would be preferable for users who favor a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, leaving some uncertainty about its overall feel when pressed to the maximum travel distance. Generally, if you seek a more tactile feedback with a stronger resistance, the Outemu Brown would be the ideal choice, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is better suited for those who want a lighter and potentially quicker response in their keystrokes.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Outemu Brown has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie measures 3.7 mm. This makes the Brown structure the longer option, providing a more substantial depth when pressed, which may appeal to users who appreciate a tactile experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter 3.7 mm travel distance, offers a more responsive feel, which is especially favored by gamers seeking quicker actuation. Consequently, if you prefer a switch that provides a more pronounced depth in your key presses, the Outemu Brown would be the better choice, while those looking for a snappier response might opt for the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Brown tactile switch has a sound profile that leans toward a more subdued thock, providing a satisfying auditory feedback without being overly loud or intrusive. This makes it an excellent choice for environments where noise could be a concern, like an office setting. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch is known for its thocky sound profile, which delivers a pleasant auditory experience while typing. The distinct sound is attributed to its construction; however, it’s important to remember that the overall sound can still vary based on the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Outemu Brown is recognized for its tactile feedback, giving users a noticeable bump at the actuation point. This tactile sensation can enhance typing accuracy and overall satisfaction for those who appreciate a pronounced feedback element. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a linear switch, which offers a smooth and consistent pressing motion without any tactile bump. This creates a different experience, as users enjoy a fluid motion without interruptions, ideal for those who favor a more straightforward typing style.

In summary, the Outemu Brown and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Brown switch offers a gentle thock with pronounced tactile feedback, making it suitable for typists who enjoy a tactile experience. In comparison, the Sea Salt Smoothie provides a pronounced thocky sound alongside smoothness for those who prefer linear switches. Choosing between these two comes down to personal preference, as the sound and feel are distinct yet cater to different typing styles, ultimately inviting users to explore which one resonates with them more.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preference and intended use. If you enjoy a tactile feedback that lets you feel each key press while typing or gaming, the Outemu Brown is an excellent choice due to its medium-heavy 65-gram bottom-out force and pronounced bump. This makes it perfect for typists who appreciate tactile responses without the loud click of a more aggressive switch. On the other hand, if you prioritize smoothness and a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers exceptional fluidity and a pleasant thocky sound profile. It's particularly well-suited for gamers who need quick, uninterrupted keystrokes for fast-paced action. In essence, if you're inclined towards a more tactile typing experience with a bit of force, go for the Outemu Brown; for a seamless and smooth keypress with quieter operation, the Sea Salt Smoothie is likely the better fit. Ultimately, the decision hinges on what aspects—tactile feedback versus smoothness—you value most in your keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Brown Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more