Gateron Quinn vs. Gateron Smoothie Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Quinn and the Gateron Smoothie Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Quinn, a tactile switch, with the Gateron Smoothie Silver, a linear switch, it becomes evident that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Quinn switches stand out for their crisp tactility and deep, resonant sound profile, providing users with a rich and immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silvers boast a short travel distance for rapid actuation, along with a thocky sound and unmatched smoothness. Each switch has its own set of qualities that make them appealing for different reasons. 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
59g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Quinn and Gateron Smoothie Silver both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Quinn's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's POM top housing also produces a deep sound, but with a more muted quality. While both materials offer a pleasing sound, the Quinn may provide a slightly rounder tone compared to the Smoothie Silver's more subdued sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Quinn and the Smoothie Silver use nylon and POM respectively. The nylon bottom housing of the Quinn enhances the deeper and fuller sound profile of the switch, absorbing more sound to create a rounder tone. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver contributes to its muted sound profile, adding to the switch's overall unique sound. Despite the differences in materials, both bottom housings play a significant role in shaping the sound of the switches, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Overall, the Gateron Quinn and Gateron Smoothie Silver offer distinct sound profiles due to their housing materials. While the Quinn's nylon housings create a deeper and fuller sound with a rounder tone, the Smoothie Silver's POM housings produce a deeper, more muted sound. However, despite the differences in materials between the top and bottom housings of each switch, both switches provide an equally satisfying typing experience, with each housing material contributing to the overall sound profile in their unique ways. Ultimately, whether you choose the Quinn or the Smoothie Silver, you can expect a high-quality typing experience with a satisfying sound profile.
Weight
The Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch. The Quinn requires 59 grams of force to actuate a keystroke, while the Smoothie Silver only needs 45 grams. Additionally, the Quinn has a bottom out force of 67 grams, whereas the bottom out force for the Smoothie Silver is unknown. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, the Quinn may be more suitable due to its heavier forces. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver's lighter actuation force could be preferred by those who type for longer periods or engage in extended gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and key force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. The tactile feedback of the Quinn switch will provide a bump feeling during actuation, while the linear Smoothie Silver switch will provide a smoother keystroke without any tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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 Gateron Quinn tactile switch stands out for its deep and bassy sound profile, giving each keystroke a resonant and immersive quality. The clacky and low-pitched nature of the Quinn switches adds a crisp and bright element to the typing experience, making it a satisfying option for those who enjoy a tactile response with a rich auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is relatively unknown in terms of sound characteristics, but it is safe to say that its all-POM construction may offer a unique thocky sound that contributes to a smooth and quiet typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offers a snappy and polished typing experience, with a bouncy and accented tactile feedback that enhances the tactile bump during keystrokes. The buttery and creamy feel of the Quinn switches ensures a smooth and fluid typing sensation, making each keystroke effortless and satisfying. As for the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, the specific feel characteristics are not mentioned, but given its feather-light touch and unparalleled smoothness, users can expect a responsive and seamless typing experience with minimal resistance.
In conclusion, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Quinn switches provide a rich and bassy sound with a crisp and clean tactile feedback, ideal for users who appreciate a more pronounced tactile response. On the other hand, the Smoothie Silver switches offer a thocky sound and smooth linear action, perfect for those looking for a fast and frictionless typing experience. Ultimately, both switches deliver high-quality performance and it ultimately comes down to personal preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch, consider the qualities that best suit your typing preferences. If you enjoy a tactile typing experience with a unique sound profile characterized by a crisp and immersive tactile bump, the Quinn switch with its medium-heavy bottom out force may be the ideal 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 switch with its absence of bottom out force could be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for tactile feedback and sound profile in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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