Durock Piano vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Durock Piano and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Piano and the Gateron Smoothie mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Durock Piano is known for its proprietary material blend, providing a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. Categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky', the Durock Piano is a popular choice for those who prioritize smoothness and a satisfying sound when typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out for its affordability while maintaining quality, offering a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch due to being an all-POM switch. Categorized as 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky', the Gateron Smoothie appeals to those who enjoy a quieter typing experience with a soft touch. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Mystery material
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Gateron Smoothie both feature POM blend top and bottom housings. Although we do not know the exact details of the POM blend used in each switch, they both offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. The Smoothie's POM housing is described as creating a relatively more muted sound compared to the Piano's POM housing. Both switches provide a deep sound profile, but the Smoothie may offer a softer and more subtle sound compared to the Piano.
While the top and bottom housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Gateron Smoothie are similar, the way they affect the overall sound of the switch can differ. The bottom housing of a switch typically has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. In this case, both switches may offer a deep and satisfying sound profile due to their POM blend housings. The difference in sound may be more subtle and nuanced, with the Smoothie potentially offering a more muted and softer sound compared to the Piano.
Overall, the housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Gateron Smoothie play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile of each switch. Both switches feature POM blend top and bottom housings, which contribute to a deep and unique sound experience. While the exact details of the POM blend are unknown, the switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience with their deep sound profiles. Whether one prefers a more muted sound like the Smoothie or a more pronounced sound like the Piano, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch are quite different. The Durock Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy, while its actuation force is not specified. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie has an actuation force of 40 grams, but its bottom out force is unknown. In terms of weight, the Smoothie is lighter with its lower actuation force compared to the Piano, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Piano's heavier bottom out force may be more appealing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and the desired level of force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is clear that the Smoothie has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Piano's 4 mm. The difference may seem minimal, but it can greatly impact the typing experience. The shorter travel distance of the Smoothie may offer faster response times, making it a preferred choice for gamers who value quick key presses. On the other hand, the slightly longer travel distance of the Piano may provide a more substantial feel when typing, which could be preferred by those who like a bit more depth in their key presses. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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.
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 Durock Piano linear switch offers a bassier sound profile with a deep and rich tone during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky sound that is deep, rich, and satisfying, producing a "thud" or "knock" sound when pressed and released. The Smoothie also has a low-pitched and subdued sound, offering a more mellow and dampened tone compared to most switches. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors like the keyboard's construction and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Durock Piano switch provides a frictionless and silky typing experience, offering an extremely smooth and effortless key press with minimal resistance or friction. The typing sensation is fluid and seamless, enhancing the overall smoothness of typing. Conversely, the Gateron Smoothie switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, as each keystroke effortlessly melts into the switch. Both switches offer a silky typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys for comfortable and enjoyable typing sessions.
Overall, the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Piano switch provides a deeper and bassier sound with a frictionless and silky typing feel, the Smoothie switch delivers a thocky and mellow sound with a buttery and creamy typing sensation. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches are excellent choices for a delightful typing experience. Whether you choose the Piano or the Smoothie, you can expect similar results in terms of smoothness and comfort during your typing sessions.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Piano linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams and enjoy a deep, creamy sound signature with a gliding push feel, then the Durock Piano switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an unknown bottom out force but value a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch, then the Gateron Smoothie switch might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Choose the switch that aligns best with your priorities and enjoy a satisfying typing experience tailored to your preference.
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