Everglide Sakura Pink vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offer unique advantages tailored to different typing preferences. The Sakura Pink switches are celebrated for their ultra-light actuation force of just 35 grams, making them ideal for those who favor a delicate touch while typing. Their frictionless operation and poppy sound add an element of fun to the experience, providing a buttery and creamy feel that many delicate typists adore. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie combines a medium-weight design with a thocky sound profile, striking a balance between quality and affordability. It maintains exceptional smoothness, appealing to typists seeking a more substantial tactile feedback. While both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience, they cater to different styles: the Sakura Pink for effortless, light keystrokes and the Sea Salt Smoothie for a sturdier, engaging touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Everglide Sakura Pink switches to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches, one of the most noticeable differences lies in the materials used for their respective housings. The Sakura Pink features polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, which is known for providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This characteristic is achieved due to polycarbonate's stiffer composition, making it ideal for creating a clear and resonant auditory experience. Furthermore, the transparency of polycarbonate enhances its aesthetic appeal, particularly when utilizing RGB lighting in mechanical keyboards. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes POM for both its top and bottom housings, which produces a sound profile that is deeper and more muted, creating a unique auditory experience that contrasts with the Sakura Pink’s bright tones.
While the housing materials differ significantly, they also influence the overall performance and response of each switch. The Sakura Pink's use of polycarbonate means that the distinct brighter sound produced will be more prominent in both the bottom-out and release phases due to the characteristics inherent to the material. The POM used in the Sea Salt Smoothie, on the other hand, tends to create a more subdued sound output, which complements a smoother keystroke experience. Thus, each switch provides a different tactile feedback and auditory response, correlating to the sound profiles dictated by their respective materials.
It's worth noting that although the sound profiles differ due to the disparate materials, the two switches can achieve similar overall performance through careful use and adjustments in a keyboard set-up. For enthusiasts or builders who prefer a specific sound and feel, these switches can be customized further with various keycaps and dampening materials, allowing for a tailored experience. While the raw characteristics of the materials inherently shape the auditory and tactile outcomes, the personal preferences and modifications of the user can ultimately create comparable experiences in both the Everglide Sakura Pink and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches, depending on the user's intended use and aesthetic desires.
Weight
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation forces. The Sakura Pink has a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a key feel that allows for extended typing sessions with less fatigue. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie features a significantly heavier actuation force of 48 grams but has an unknown bottom out force. This heavier push may appeal more to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. As such, the Sakura Pink is the lighter option, while the Sea Salt Smoothie is the heavier one. Users seeking a lighter, more forgiving switch will find the Sakura Pink preferable, whereas those who appreciate a firmer response may lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie, though the unknown bottom out force presents some uncertainty in its overall feel.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch features a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the Sakura Pink the longer option, providing a more traditional feel that many users might appreciate for its depth and tactile feedback. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its 3.7 mm travel, is better suited for those who prefer a quicker and more responsive typing experience, which can be particularly beneficial for gamers seeking faster reaction times. Thus, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Sea Salt Smoothie would be the preferable choice, while the Sakura Pink might be favored by those who enjoy a more substantial keypress.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
The Gateron Sea Salt 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 Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 Everglide Sakura Pink switch produces a delightful poppy sound that resembles the playful sound of bubble wrap being popped. This unique auditory signature contributes to a more lively typing experience, though it is also considered to be somewhat muted, as it minimizes the troublesome noise often associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch has a thocky sound profile, which gives a richer and deeper auditory feedback while typing. This sound can evoke a sense of satisfaction with each keystroke, making for an engaging typing experience. However, it’s important to remember that the ultimate sound character can be influenced by additional elements such as the choice of keyboard construction and keycap material.
In terms of feel, the Sakura Pink switches truly shine with their buttery, creamy, and frictionless characteristics. The light actuation force of just 35 grams allows for a gentle resistance that makes each keystroke feel effortless, significantly reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. This exceptional smoothness creates a near-gliding experience, ensuring that users enjoy a seamless typing sensation as they press down on the keys. In contrast, the feel of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is not explicitly detailed, leaving its tactile sensation and overall experience to be an unknown. Without this information, it’s challenging to draw direct comparisons, but it’s likely that each switch could cater to different preferences in typing style.
Considering the above attributes, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is an excellent choice for those seeking a light, fun, and smooth typing experience, particularly for delicate typists. Its poppy sound and effortless feel create a whimsical atmosphere during use. Meanwhile, while the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a satisfying thocky sound profile, its tactile qualities remain less defined. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preferences regarding sound and feel, though both switches promise an enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience tailored to different user needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches ultimately depends on your typing style, preferences, and the overall experience you seek from your keyboard. If you prioritize a lighter touch and an exceptionally smooth typing experience, the Sakura Pink switches are an excellent choice, especially if you're a delicate typist or engage in long typing sessions where minimizing finger fatigue is crucial. Their unique sound profile adds a playful element, making them perfect for those who enjoy a bit of character in their keyboarding. On the other hand, if you are looking for a balance of medium weight with a more pronounced thocky sound, the Sea Salt Smoothie would suit your needs better. While its bottom-out force remains unspecified, it promises a satisfying and smooth feedback with remarkable build quality, ideal for those who want a balance of tactile satisfaction without being too heavy. Ultimately, selecting the right switch boils down to identifying what kind of typing experience enhances your productivity and enjoyment the most.
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