Outemu Cold Plum vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, enthusiasts are met with a unique decision to make. The Cold Plum switch is renowned for its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, offering a smooth keystroke and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch boasts lightning-fast actuation with its all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch. Each switch has its own appeal, with the Cold Plum providing a distinct and enjoyable typing feel, while the Smoothie Silver offers speed and smoothness. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Cold Plum and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Cold Plum features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver'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 deep sound profile, the nylon top housing of the Cold Plum may have a slightly duller and rounder sound compared to the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches again use different materials to influence the overall sound and feel of typing. The Cold Plum utilizes a nylon bottom housing to contribute to the deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Smoothie Silver uses a POM bottom housing for a similar yet distinct sound. The POM housing of the Smoothie Silver may offer a more muted sound compared to the nylon housing of the Cold Plum, creating a subtle difference in the typing experience. Despite these variations, both switches maintain a deep sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience for users.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Cold Plum and the Gateron Smoothie Silver ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. While the Cold Plum's nylon housing may provide a slightly duller and rounder sound, the Smoothie Silver's POM housing offers a more muted and unique sound. Both switches deliver a deep sound profile that enhances the typing experience, with the bottom and top housing materials playing a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch. Whether you prefer the characteristics of nylon or POM, both switches can offer a satisfying typing experience with their distinctive housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Cold Plum is heavier in both aspects. The Cold Plum requires an actuation force of 60 grams and has a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is lighter, needing only 45 grams to actuate, with an unknown bottom out force. The Cold Plum would be better suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Smoothie Silver would be ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing periods or gaming sessions. Overall, the actuation force and bottom out force of these switches play a significant role in determining the typing experience and preference of the user.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices for gamers seeking quicker response times. The Cold Plum is slightly shorter than the Smoothie Silver, which may appeal to those looking for a more immediate key press feel. However, the slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to all users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and key press responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie Silver 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 Silver for $2.60.
The Outemu Cold Plum 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 Cold Plum switch provides a thocky sound profile that is satisfying to many users, making typing a pleasant experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch also offers a thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness and a feather-light touch, allowing for quick and precise typing. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience, and the choice between them may come down to personal preference.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Cold Plum is known for its smooth keystroke and satisfying tactile feedback, providing a unique typing feel that many enthusiasts appreciate. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver switch features a short travel distance for lightning-fast actuation, offering a different typing experience for those seeking quick and precise keystrokes. Both switches offer distinct feelings under the fingers, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Overall, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Gateron Smoothie Silver switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that can enhance the typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts. Whether you prefer the thocky sound and smooth keystroke of the Cold Plum or the lightning-fast actuation and feather-light touch of the Smoothie Silver, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience that can elevate your keyboard setup. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style, but rest assured that both options offer quality and performance for an enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the specific qualities you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch. If you value a medium-heavy bottom out force, a smooth keystroke, and a satisfying thocky sound profile, the Outemu Cold Plum may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an unknown bottom out force, lightning-fast actuation, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver may be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing experience and what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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