Outemu Silent Green vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Smoothie both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Green is known for its lack of audible click, providing a quiet typing experience. Categorized as a linear switch, it offers a smooth keystroke without the distraction of noise. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie is making waves with its all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound profile, exceptional smoothness, and a light feel to the touch. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky', this switch provides a different tactile experience compared to the Silent Green. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Outemu Silent Green and the Gateron Smoothie offer unique characteristics. The Silent Green features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for translucency, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Smoothie utilizes POM in its top housing, resulting in a more pleasing and muted sound profile with deeper tones. While both materials are durable, they offer distinct auditory experiences for users.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Silent Green and Smoothie also differ in their materials. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Green contributes to its sharp and clear sound profile, particularly impacting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie enhances its unique and deeper sound profile, adding to the overall tactile experience of the switch. Despite these differences, both housing materials play a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of each keystroke, offering users a range of options based on their preferences.
It is important to note that the choice of housing material in a switch can significantly impact the overall typing experience. While the Silent Green and Smoothie may have different top and bottom housing materials, they ultimately provide users with a diverse range of sound profiles to choose from. Whether you prefer a sharper, more resonant sound profile with polycarbonate housing or a deeper, more muted sound profile with POM housing, both switches offer quality construction and durable materials that can enhance your typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two will come down to personal preference and the desired auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, we can see a difference in actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Green has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Smoothie's 40 grams. This means that the Silent Green will require a bit more force to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Green has a higher force of 60 grams while the Smoothie's bottom out force is unknown. This makes the Silent Green switch a bit heavier in terms of bottoming out. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Outemu Silent Green. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Gateron Smoothie has a shorter travel distance compared to the Outemu Silent Green. The shorter travel distance of the Smoothie switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the slightly longer travel distance of the Silent Green may provide a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron 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 Smoothie for $2.60.
The Outemu Silent 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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Silent Green and Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer distinct auditory experiences. The Silent Green switch is known for its silent operation, lacking the usual click or clack associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Smoothie switch provides a thocky sound signature, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. The low-pitched and subdued nature of the Smoothie switch creates a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to the Silent Green switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your preference for a silent operation or a richer sound experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Silent Green and Smoothie switches also offer different tactile sensations. The Outemu Silent Green switch's tactile feedback characteristics are currently unknown. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky. These descriptors indicate a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The lubrication in the Smoothie switch contributes to its silky and buttery feel, enhancing the overall typing experience for users seeking a smooth and pleasant touch.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Green and Gateron Smoothie linear switches cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. While the Silent Green switch is designed for a silent typing experience, the Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound profile coupled with a buttery, creamy, and silky feel. Depending on whether you prioritize silence or a richer sound experience paired with smooth key presses, you can choose between these two switches to achieve your desired typing sensation. Keep in mind that both switches may yield similar results when it comes to overall typing performance and efficiency, despite their distinct qualities in sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Silent Green linear switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, you should think about your preferences for typing experience. If you prioritize a medium bottom out force and a quieter typing experience, the Silent Green could be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a switch that offers a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, the Gateron Smoothie might be more appealing. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences for sound and feel while typing.
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