Outemu Silent Ocean vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Ocean and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your typing or gaming experience, the Outemu Silent Ocean and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer distinct characteristics that cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Silent Ocean, a linear switch, is highly regarded for its smoothness and quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for those who desire a stealthy yet satisfying typing experience. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, another linear switch, strikes a balance between affordability and premium feel, boasting a medium weight and a "thocky" sound profile that many enthusiasts find appealing. Both switches deliver a seamless keystroke experience, but the Silent Ocean is tailored for users prioritizing noise reduction, while the Sea Salt Smoothie captivates with its unique auditory feedback and quality construction at an accessible price point. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Ocean and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches showcase distinct approaches to housing materials, influencing both their sound profiles and tactile feedback during use. The Silent Ocean utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This creates a resonant quality that is favored for its clarity, particularly when used in conjunction with RGB lighting, as the transparency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of illuminated setups. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is made of POM, known for producing a deeper and more muted sound. This material evokes a unique auditory experience that is markedly softer, resulting in a sound profile that leans towards a more subdued acoustic signature. Thus, while both switches offer pleasing auditory experiences, their tonal qualities reflect the inherent differences between polycarbonate's crispness and POM's mellow resonance.
Examining the bottom housing of these switches further highlights their differences and similarities. The Silent Ocean uses nylon for its bottom housing, a material traditionally favored for its ability to absorb sound effectively, creating a deeper, fuller auditory experience. This absorption leads to a rounder sound profile, which contrasts with the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie’s POM bottom housing. The POM material, like nylon, contributes to a deeper sound profile but does so in a more muted manner. Here, both switches share the characteristic of producing sounds that are less piercing than those made by stiffer materials, emphasizing a preference for rounded, cohesive auditory sensations. Thus, while the Silent Ocean leans towards fuller depths thanks to nylon, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM offers a softer, yet still rich, sound experience.
When these switches are used in practice, the combination of their respective housing materials leads to unique auditory outputs that diverge based on their construction. The Silent Ocean’s polycarbonate top housing excels at delivering clarity and resonance during key release, while the nylon bottom housing adds depth during key presses. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie’s POM materials provide a more muted sound both on pressing and releasing keys. Users can expect a considerable difference in overall acoustic feedback due to this variation in material properties—while both switches share a focus on warmth and comfort in sound, their composite materials dictate an overall contrast in auditory experience. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences in tactile and auditory feedback, yet are connected by a desire for rich and engaging key performance.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, notable differences in actuation force can be observed, with the Silent Ocean requiring 45 grams of force for actuation, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Ocean presents a solid bottom out pressure of 65 grams, signifying a more substantial push feel that some users may prefer for typing and gaming. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie does not have a specified bottom out force, leaving its maximum actuation unknown. As a result, the Silent Ocean may be more appealing to those who favor a medium-heavy typing experience, while the heftier actuation in the Sea Salt Smoothie suggests it could provide a similar solid feel if its bottom out force were quantified. Overall, the Silent Ocean is the lighter option, making it potentially more suitable for prolonged use, whereas those who appreciate a firmer typing experience might find the Sea Salt Smoothie more to their liking.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distances of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, the Silent Ocean measures a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Outemu Silent Ocean the option with the longer travel distance, providing a more substantial depth during key presses, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying tactile experience. Conversely, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its shorter 3.7 mm travel distance, may be better suited for gamers or those who favor quicker response times, albeit potentially at the cost of feeling a bit more abrupt during use. Overall, the choice between these two switches will largely depend on individual preferences for key travel feedback: deeper and more deliberate versus shorter and more responsive.
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 Silent Ocean 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 Silent Ocean linear switch is relatively muted, designed to provide a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for office environments or any space where noise reduction is desirable. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch offers a thocky sound profile, which means it delivers a more pronounced auditory feedback that can be satisfying to many users. However, it’s important to remember that the overall sound produced by each switch can vary significantly based on the keyboard's material, design, and the keycaps used.
Regarding the feel of these switches, the Silent Ocean is crafted for smooth operation but does not stand out as particularly distinguished in feedback, making it well-suited for those who prefer a more consistently linear experience without any tactile bump. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness, providing a medium-weight feel that balances nicely between light and heavy keystrokes. This makes it a great choice for users who enjoy a little more resistance, creating a different typing dynamic altogether.
In summary, while both switches cater to different user preferences, the Silent Ocean is focused on silent, linear performance, appealing to those who need a quieter operation. Meanwhile, the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a notable thocky sound and a smooth feel that enhances the typing experience, particularly for those who appreciate a bit of auditory feedback. While they offer distinct characteristics, users can find satisfaction in either option depending on their specific needs and typing habits.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, your decision should be guided by your specific preferences and needs. If you are looking for a switch that offers a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial feel that can enhance tactile feedback during typing, the Silent Ocean may be your best bet. This makes it suitable for users who enjoy a firmer key press, especially in a quieter environment where unintentional sounds can be distracting. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth typing experience combined with a thocky sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie will likely serve you better. This switch is designed to provide exceptional smoothness, ideal for users who want a more relaxed typing experience and enjoy hearing the satisfying sound it delivers. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prefer a heavier feel with understated acoustics or a lighter touch with a more resonant sound, so consider your typing style and environment to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard.
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