SP-Star Polaris Purple vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the SP-Star Polaris Purple, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, each offers unique characteristics for a personalized typing experience. The Polaris Purple is renowned for its exhilarating tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience with a snappy sound profile. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver stands out for its lightning-fast actuation thanks to the short travel distance, paired with a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and feather-light touch. While the Polaris Purple offers a tactile typing experience and the Smoothie Silver provides a smooth linear feel, the decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
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
Overall, the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Gateron Smoothie Silver differ in their housing materials, with the Polaris Purple featuring polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings while the Smoothie Silver utilizes POM for both housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, while POM produces a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This means that the Polaris Purple will provide a more clear and resonant sound due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, while the Smoothie Silver will offer a more subdued and unique sound experience.
In terms of aesthetics, the Polaris Purple's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting for a visually striking effect. On the other hand, the POM housing of the Smoothie Silver may not be as visually appealing in terms of transparency. However, the unique sound profile generated by the POM material may make up for this difference in appearance. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on whether the user prioritizes sound quality or visual aesthetics in their typing experience.
While the housing materials of the SP-Star Polaris Purple and the Gateron Smoothie Silver may differ, they both bring their own unique qualities to the typing experience. It is important to consider how each housing material affects the sound profile and feel of the switch when making a decision. Whether you prefer the crisper sound of polycarbonate or the deeper tones of POM, both switches offer distinct benefits that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will come down to personal preference and what qualities you value most in your typing experience.
Weight
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium to heavy switch. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the Polaris Purple will require a heavier touch to type compared to the Smoothie Silver. The actuation force of the Polaris Purple is not available, making it difficult to directly compare the two in terms of actuation force. However, the heavier bottom out force of the Polaris Purple suggests that it may also have a higher actuation force compared to the Smoothie Silver. Ultimately, the weight of the switch plays a crucial role in determining the typing experience, with lighter switches being preferred for long typing sessions and heavier switches providing a more substantial typing experience. So, if you prefer a lighter touch, the Smoothie Silver may be the better option, while the Polaris Purple is more suited for those who prefer a heavier push feel.
Travel distance
The SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Polaris Purple offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver offers a shorter travel distance, which can result in faster response times, making it a favorite among gamers. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances and can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Polaris Purple has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Polaris Purple for $5.00.
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.
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 SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch offers a snappy, neutral sound profile that is suitable for a variety of typing environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch provides a thocky sound that is smooth and quiet, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. Both switches can provide a satisfying sound depending on the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Polaris Purple switch is described as providing a mild and polished typing experience. This means that the switch offers a gentle and refined feel, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In comparison, the Smoothie Silver switch does not have specific descriptors for feel, but being an all-POM switch with a short travel distance, it likely offers a light and smooth typing experience that is great for quick actuation.
In conclusion, the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer different but equally appealing qualities. The Polaris Purple provides a tactile typing experience with a neutral sound profile and a mild, polished feel, making it suitable for most users. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switch offers a smooth and quiet typing experience with a thocky sound, ideal for those who prefer a quieter switch. Ultimately, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, and the choice between them would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the SP-Star Polaris Purple tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a snappy sound profile and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Polaris Purple would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lightning-fast actuation with a thocky sound, unparalleled smoothness, and a feather-light touch, the Smoothie Silver would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound.
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