Outemu Gold vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Gold and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present distinct options catering to different typing preferences. The Outemu Gold, known for its clicky feedback, offers a tactile and auditory experience that many typists and gamers enjoy, helping to enhance typing accuracy and provide satisfying feedback with each keypress. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie features a linear design, delivering a smooth and quiet typing experience without any tactile bumps or click sounds, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a more serene typing environment or require fast, fluid key presses during gaming sessions. While the Gold switch appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate its pronounced sound and feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie excels in providing an effortlessly smooth key action at an accessible price point. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
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
The housing materials of the Outemu Gold and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches present both similarities and contrasts that significantly influence their sound profiles. The Outemu Gold features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its ability to produce a sharper, crisper sound due to its stiffer composition. This material's translucency also allows for effective RGB lighting, making it a visually appealing choice for enthusiasts seeking illuminated keyboards. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie's POM top housing offers a distinct sound profile that leans towards the deeper and more muted end of the spectrum. While polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance, POM provides a softer, warmer sound, demonstrating a clear divergence in their auditory performance.
When considering the bottom housing materials, both switches again reveal noteworthy distinctions. The Outemu Gold utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is celebrated for its ability to create a fuller and deeper sound profile. Nylon's softer characteristics absorb more noise, contributing to a rounder typing experience compared to the stiffer materials. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM bottom housing mirrors some of the nylon's qualities by producing a deeper and muted sound profile. Despite both employing POM in the top and bottom housings for the Sea Salt Smoothie, the unique attributes of each material lead to a subtle but significant difference in the overall acoustics of the switch.
Ultimately, when pressed, the bottom housing's material impacts the sound and feel at bottom-out, while the top housing influences the release sound. In the case of the Outemu Gold, the sharper and more resonant qualities of the polycarbonate top would stand in contrast to the nylon bottom's deeper tones. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its POM materials on both ends, might deliver a more uniform but distinctly muted auditory experience. If one were to experiment with similar switch designs using identical housing materials, they could achieve a more homogenous sound profile across the board, though the unique properties of each material in the Outemu Gold and Sea Salt Smoothie enable a richer exploration of sound dynamics in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces, as well as a key piece of missing information regarding the bottom out force of the Sea Salt Smoothie. The Outemu Gold requires an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which positions it as a medium-weight option suitable for users who enjoy both typing and gaming without experiencing finger fatigue. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly higher actuation force of 48 grams, which makes it a bit heavier than the Gold, but lacking information on its bottom out force leaves a gap in our understanding of its overall feel during use. This absence of data means we cannot directly compare their bottom out experiences. However, the preference for weight varies among users; those who favor a lighter touch in their switches might gravitate toward the Outemu Gold for longer typing sessions, while those seeking a firmer feel will likely prefer the heavier sensation provided by the Sea Salt Smoothie.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the differences become evident. The Outemu Gold features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Gold switch the longer option, appealing to users who prefer the deeper, more substantial feedback that comes with a greater travel distance. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter travel distance, caters to those who favor quicker response times, such as gamers, who might appreciate the faster actuation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches boils down to personal preference: if you enjoy a more pronounced sensation when typing, the Outemu Gold is the better option, whereas if you desire speed and responsiveness, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie would suit you well.
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 Gold 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 Gold clicky switch is often characterized by a pronounced auditory feedback, providing a satisfying click sound with each key press that some typists find particularly enjoyable. This clicky sound can enhance the typing experience, giving users tactile and audible confirmation of their key presses. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch offers a thocky sound profile that is more muted than a clicky switch but nevertheless pleasing in its own right. The sound of the Smoothie not only conveys a certain richness but also contributes to a subtler overall typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer less noise while maintaining a distinctive auditory presence.
Regarding feel, the Outemu Gold clicky switch is known for its tactile feedback, which allows users to feel the point of actuation distinctly. This feature is often favored by gamers and typists who appreciate a sense of engagement with each keystroke. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie presents a smoother keystroke experience typically associated with linear switches. The absence of a tactile bump allows for fluidity during typing, which can be preferable for rapid key presses and gaming scenarios where consistent motion is essential. Thus, while the Gold provides tactile feedback through its clickiness, the Smoothie excels in providing a seamless and smooth typing experience.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a switch with a distinctive sound, the Outemu Gold clicky switch delivers a satisfying auditory experience built on its click mechanism, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch offers a more subdued yet thocky sound for those seeking a different auditory palette. In terms of feel, the Gold provides tactile feedback ideal for users who enjoy a clear actuation point, whereas the Smoothie is designed for a smoother, uninterrupted keystroke experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you desire.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch largely depends on your preferences and intended usage. If you enjoy distinct tactile feedback and a pronounced clicking sound, which can enhance the typing experience, then the Outemu Gold is an excellent option. With its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and resistance, making it suitable for both typing and gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth typing experience without the auditory distractions, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is your go-to switch. Known for its thocky sound profile and exceptional smoothness, this switch excels in providing a consistently pleasant feel, making it ideal for long typing sessions or quiet environments. Ultimately, consider your personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback, as well as the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard, to make the most informed decision between these two compelling options.
Mentioned in this article
