Outemu Crystal Brown vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Gateron Smoothie Silver. The Crystal Brown is a tactile switch, offering a satisfying bump when pressed, while the Smoothie Silver is a linear switch, providing a smooth and consistent keystroke. The Crystal Brown is best known for its tactile feedback, while the Smoothie Silver stands out for its short travel distance for quick actuation, thocky sound, smoothness, and light touch. Depending on your preference for a tactile or linear typing experience, you may lean towards the Crystal Brown or the Smoothie Silver. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, we can see that both switches feature unique qualities that impact their sound profiles. The Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiff nature, while also being visually appealing with its translucency for RGB lighting effects. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, providing a different auditory experience for users. Despite these differences, both switches aim to enhance the overall typing experience through their distinctive housing materials.
Moving on to the bottom housings of the switches, the Crystal Brown utilizes a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a rounder tone. Similarly, the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing contributes to a deep and muted sound profile, offering a unique typing experience for users. While the bottom housing may not be as visually prominent as the top housing, it plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch during typing.
When considering how the top and bottom housings interact with each other within each switch, it becomes apparent that each material brings its own distinct qualities to the typing experience. The split in housing materials divides the impact on sound and feel between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences in material between the Crystal Brown and Smoothie Silver, both switches are designed to optimize sound profiles and tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is clear that the actuation force is the same at 45 grams for both switches. However, the bottom out force differs, with the Crystal Brown having a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unknown. The Crystal Brown provides a medium-light typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force, offering a balance between comfort and feedback. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's bottom out force is unavailable, making it difficult to determine if it is lighter or heavier than the Crystal Brown. The choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, with some preferring the lighter actuation and bottom out force of the Crystal Brown for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the potentially heavier feel of the Smoothie Silver for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Crystal Brown offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a deeper key press compared to the smoother and shallower experience of the Smoothie Silver. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Smoothie Silver, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Crystal Brown. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of key feel and responsiveness, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference.
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 Crystal Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch is known for providing a satisfying "thock" sound with each key press. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offers a quieter typing experience due to its all-POM construction. The sound produced by these switches will also be influenced by the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
In the realm of feel, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch offers a tactile bump during actuation, providing feedback to the user with each key press. Meanwhile, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is renowned for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, thanks to its POM material and short travel distance. Each switch will provide a unique typing experience based on these characteristics.
Overall, if you are looking for a tactile typing experience with a satisfying sound, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch may be the choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and linear keystroke with a quieter sound profile, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch could be the ideal option. Ultimately, both switches excel in their own ways, and the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch or the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, you should take into account your preferences in terms of bottom out force, typing speed, and sound profile. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a tactile typing experience, the Crystal Brown may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with no bottom out force and prioritize lightning-fast actuation and smoothness, the Smoothie Silver may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and priorities in terms of feel and sound.
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