Outemu Silent Yellow vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver are two popular options to consider. The Silent Yellow is best known for its quiet operation, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a stealthy typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its lightning-fast actuation due to its all-POM construction. Additionally, the Smoothie Silver offers a unique thocky sound, smooth keystrokes, and a feather-light touch. Both switches fall under the linear category, offering a consistent keystroke with no tactile bump or audible click. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
Overall, the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, while the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent Yellow allows for RGB lighting to shine through, giving it a visually appealing quality. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver provides a more understated look.
When it comes to the bottom housing material, both switches offer slightly different characteristics. The Silent Yellow's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Similarly, the Smoothie Silver's POM bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and more muted sound profile. While both switches share similarities in the sound produced by their bottom housing materials, the slight variations in their compositions may lead to subtle differences in typing feel.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Gateron Smoothie Silver will ultimately depend on personal preference and desired sound profile. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, with the Silent Yellow emphasizing a sharper, crisper sound and the Smoothie Silver focusing on a deeper, more muted sound. Whether you prefer a switch with a more pronounced typing experience or one with a softer touch, both options provide a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Smoothie Silver is the lighter option with an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Silent Yellow is heavier with an actuation force of 65 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, but the Silent Yellow has a reputation for being heavy in this aspect as well. The actuation force determines the force required to trigger a keystroke, with the Silent Yellow requiring more force than the Smoothie Silver. Bottom out force measures the force needed to press a key all the way down, showcasing the heavier nature of the Silent Yellow switch. The choice between these switches would ultimately depend on personal preference, with the Silent Yellow providing a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, while the Smoothie Silver would be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Smoothie Silver has a shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Silent Yellow is more traditional, providing a slightly deeper press, while the 3.4mm travel distance of the Smoothie Silver offers a quicker response time favored by gamers. Both switches offer a different typing experience, allowing users to choose the option that best suits their preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer a deeper feel or a quicker response in your typing experience.
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 Silent Yellow 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 Silent Yellow switch is known for its silent operation, making it a popular choice for those looking for a quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is praised for its smooth and lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound profile. The Silent Yellow switch provides a relatively unknown tactile feel, whereas the Smoothie Silver switch offers a feather-light touch due to its all-POM construction. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you prefer a silent typing experience, the Silent Yellow switch may be the better option for you. However, if you prioritize smoothness and a light touch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch would be a great choice. Keep in mind that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used. Overall, both switches provide distinct characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a heavier actuation force and quieter typing experience, the Silent Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a fast actuation with a smooth and light touch, along with a unique thocky sound, then the Smoothie Silver switch may be the ideal option. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the right switch for your mechanical keyboard, so take the time to test out different options to find what works best for you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what feels and sounds best to you as you type.
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