Outemu Maple Leaf vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver

Overview

When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Maple Leaf, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, offer unique features to suit different preferences. The Maple Leaf switch is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump when pressed. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch stands out for its short travel distance, smoothness, and lightweight feel, making it ideal for quick and precise typing. Both switches have their own strengths, with the Maple Leaf offering a tactile typing experience and the Smoothie Silver providing a fast and smooth typing experience. 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 Maple Leaf Tactile

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

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Housing materials

The Outemu Maple Leaf and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both offer unique sound profiles due to their top and bottom housing materials. The Maple Leaf features a nylon top housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material is softer and absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver boasts a POM top housing, known for creating an incredibly pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. Despite their differences, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct sound characteristics.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Maple Leaf utilizes nylon, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile as the top housing. The softer nylon material absorbs sound effectively, creating a consistent typing experience throughout the switch. Conversely, the Smoothie Silver features a POM bottom housing, contributing to the overall sound profile by providing a deep and muted sound. Both switches offer a unique sound profile that adds to the overall typing experience, allowing users to enjoy a satisfying sound feedback while typing on their keyboards.

While the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Gateron Smoothie Silver have different top and bottom housing materials, the qualities each material brings to the switch are pronounced in different ways. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a tactile response when typing. In contrast, the top housing affects the sound when letting go of a key, contributing to the overall typing experience. Despite their differences, both switches offer a premium typing experience with distinctive sound profiles that cater to the preferences of keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for different preferences. The Maple Leaf has a medium-heavy actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams. The bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver is unknown, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of overall heaviness. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Smoothie Silver for extended typing or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more significant push may opt for the Maple Leaf for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.

Travel distance

The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile 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 have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers may prefer the Maple Leaf with its shorter distance for faster response times, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the Smoothie Silver with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience due to their unique travel distances, catering to different preferences for keyboard users.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Maple Leaf tactile switch does not have a specific sound profile commonly associated with it. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, which is a satisfying deep and soft sound that many enthusiasts enjoy. When it comes to feel, the Maple Leaf switch is praised for a tactile bump that provides feedback to the user while typing. In contrast, the Smoothie Silver switch is recognized for its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, making it effortless to actuate keys quickly and smoothly. It is important to consider personal preference when choosing between these switches, as the sound and feel can greatly impact the typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that may appeal to different users, so trying out both to see which suits your preferences best is recommended.

Conclusion

To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are looking for a switch best known for its specific features, the Maple Leaf may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a feather-light touch, lightning-fast actuation, and a thocky sound, the Smoothie Silver may be more suitable. Ultimately, make your decision based on what feels and sounds best to you when typing.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Maple Leaf Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Smoothie Silver Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more