Outemu Green vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Green and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come up for consideration are the Outemu Green clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch. The Outemu Green switch is best known for its tactile feedback and audible click, making it a favorite among typists who enjoy a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch stands out for its lightning-fast actuation due to its short travel distance, as well as its smoothness and light touch. While the Green switch offers a distinct clicky feel, the Smoothie Silver switch provides a quieter, thocky sound. 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
65g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Green switch uses a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver's POM top housing, which offers a deeper and more muted sound. This difference in sound quality is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate versus the softer nature of POM. However, both switches have a translucent housing that allows for RGB lighting, giving them a similar aesthetic appeal. When it comes to the bottom housing, the Green uses nylon, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound, while the Smoothie Silver also employs POM for its bottom housing, contributing to the same pleasing and unique deeper tone.
While the top housing material of the Outemu Green and Gateron Smoothie Silver differs in terms of sound profile, they both offer benefits for sound production. The stiffer polycarbonate material of the Green creates a clearer and resonant sound, while the softer POM material of the Smoothie Silver creates a unique and pleasing sound that is deeper in tone. Additionally, both switches utilize translucent housing for RGB lighting, enhancing their visual appeal. On the other hand, the bottom housing material of both switches is consistent, with nylon providing a deeper and fuller sound for the Green, and POM giving a similar deep and muted sound profile for the Smoothie Silver.
In terms of typing experience and overall sound quality, the housing materials of the Outemu Green and Gateron Smoothie Silver play a significant role. The polycarbonate top housing of the Green creates a crisper and sharper sound when releasing a key, while the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver produces a deeper and more muted sound. The nylon bottom housing of the Green offers a rounder and fuller sound profile upon keypress, while the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver provides a similar deep and muted tone. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Green clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that they have significant differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Outemu Green has a much heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, making it a more robust and substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to type on for extended periods of time. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Smoothie Silver is unknown, but it is expected to be lighter than the Outemu Green due to the lower actuation force. Overall, the Outemu Green is heavier and provides a more tactile typing experience, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver is lighter and more suitable for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force and feel.
Travel distance
The Outemu Green clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Green clicky switch offers a more traditional travel distance, making it a good choice for those who prefer a longer keystroke. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver linear switch with its shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers and individuals who prioritize quick response times. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but the Green clicky switch offers a deeper keystroke compared to the Smoothie Silver linear switch. In essence, choosing between the two options ultimately depends on your personal preference for travel distance and typing style.
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 Green 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 Green switch is best known for its tactile clicky feedback, providing a satisfying click sound with each key press. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is known for its smooth linear action and thocky sound, offering a quieter typing experience compared to the Green switch. The Green switch may feel more crisp and pronounced due to its tactile feedback, while the Smoothie Silver switch provides a smoother keystroke with a lighter actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a clicky and tactile switch like the Outemu Green or a smooth and silent switch like the Gateron Smoothie Silver. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences, and experimenting with both can help determine which switch best suits your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a heavy bottom out force and a satisfying clicky sound, the Outemu Green switch would be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a short travel distance, smooth actuation, and a feather-light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. Consider trying out both switches to see which one best fits your typing style and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
