Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Gateron Smoothie Silver stand out as popular choices with unique characteristics. The Spring Breeze is a clicky switch, known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound upon actuation. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is a linear switch, praised for its smooth keystrokes and short travel distance for quick actuation. While the Spring Breeze offers a satisfying clicky response, the Smoothie Silver provides a thocky sound and feather-light touch. Both switches have their own advantages, making them appealing to different types of users. 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
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.50 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
Nylon
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 Spring Breeze uses a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver utilizes a POM top housing that produces a unique and pleasing sound with a deeper tone that is more muted. Both housing materials contribute to enhancing the overall typing experience by influencing the sound profile of the switches, albeit in slightly different ways.
In terms of bottom housing, the Outemu Spring Breeze also features a nylon material that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile through sound absorption. Similarly, the Gateron Smoothie Silver incorporates a POM bottom housing that contributes to a more muted and deeper sound profile. While both switches use different materials for their bottom housing, they both aim to create a duller and rounder sound that enhances the typing experience for users.
Overall, the top and bottom housing materials of the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Gateron Smoothie Silver play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and feel of the switches. While each switch may use different materials, such as nylon and POM, they share a common goal of providing a unique and pleasing typing experience for users. Whether you prefer the deeper and fuller sound of the nylon housing in the Spring Breeze or the muted and deep tone of the POM housing in the Smoothie Silver, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that is sure to satisfy keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, it is evident that the actuation force for the Spring Breeze is lighter at 40 grams compared to the Smoothie Silver's 45 grams. The bottom out force for the Spring Breeze is also lighter at 55 grams, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver is unknown. The Spring Breeze provides a medium-light feel, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver offers a slightly heavier actuation force, which may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing experience. Overall, both switches provide varying levels of force for actuation, with the Spring Breeze being lighter and the Smoothie Silver potentially heavier depending on the unknown bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky 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 Spring Breeze. The 0.6 mm difference may not seem significant, but for those who prefer a shorter travel distance for quicker response times, the Smoothie Silver would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial keypress feel with a longer travel distance, the Spring Breeze would suit you better. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of travel distance, catering to different preferences among users.
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 Spring Breeze 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 comparing the sound of the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the Spring Breeze is known for its loud clicky sound that is reminiscent of traditional mechanical keyboards, while the Smoothie Silver is recognized for its thocky sound, providing a more muted and satisfying typing experience. The sound of both switches can be affected by the keyboard housing and keycaps used, but overall, the Spring Breeze offers a more pronounced and tactile auditory feedback compared to the smoother and softer sound of the Smoothie Silver.
When it comes to the feel of these switches, the Spring Breeze is known for its tactile feedback and pronounced bump during the keystroke, providing a more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver is favored for its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, offering a more linear and consistent feel throughout each keystroke. The Spring Breeze provides a more tactile and clicky typing experience, while the Smoothie Silver offers a smoother and more linear feel, suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Spring Breeze is best suited for those who enjoy a loud and tactile typing experience, while the Smoothie Silver is ideal for users who prefer a smoother and quieter typing feel. Both switches have their unique characteristics, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on the user's preference for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a clicky switch with a medium-light bottom out force and a specific sound and feel, the Spring Breeze may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize lightning-fast actuation, a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch with no bottom out force, the Gateron Smoothie Silver could be the perfect fit for your typing preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences and typing style.
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