Everglide Sakura Pink vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Smoothie both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Sakura Pink, a linear switch, is renowned for its super light 35g actuation force, making it ideal for gentle typists who enjoy a feather-light touch. Its smooth and frictionless operation provides a delightful typing experience with a playful poppy sound akin to bubble wrap being popped. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie, also a linear switch, stands out for its all-POM construction, offering a thocky sound signature and remarkable smoothness. Despite its affordable price, the Smoothie does not compromise on quality, providing a low-pitched and silky typing experience. Both switches are categorized as 'Buttery' and 'Creamy', but have their unique traits that set them apart. 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
35g
Actuation force
40g
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
3.60 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Smoothie, it is evident that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Sakura Pink features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Conversely, the Smoothie incorporates a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. This distinction in top housing materials results in varying auditory experiences for users of these switches.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Sakura Pink and the Smoothie also use different materials. The Sakura Pink utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, similar to its top housing, contributes to a sharper and clearer sound profile. This contrasts with the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie, which creates a more pleasing and unique sound that leans towards the deeper end of the sound spectrum. Clearly, the choice of bottom housing material plays a significant role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch, influencing the user experience.
When considering how the top and bottom housings interact with each other in these switches, it becomes apparent that their respective qualities impact the sound profile and feel of pressing the keys. The bottom housing material, whether polycarbonate or POM, has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key. Conversely, the top housing material dictates the sound produced when releasing a key. This differentiation in housing materials highlights the attention to detail and craftsmanship in the design of mechanical switches like the Everglide Sakura Pink and the Gateron Smoothie, offering users a tailored typing experience based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams compared to the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams. Both switches have an unknown bottom out force, but the Sakura Pink has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which is higher than its actuation force. In terms of weight, the Sakura Pink would be preferred by individuals who prefer a lighter keystroke for longer typing sessions or gaming, whereas the Smoothie would be favored by those who prefer a slightly heavier push for a more substantial typing feel. Overall, while the actuation forces are different between the two switches, individuals can expect similar results in terms of keystroke feel depending on their preference for lighter or heavier forces.
Travel distance
The Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch have distinct differences in their travel distances. The Sakura Pink has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Smoothie has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Sakura Pink being slightly longer than average. Gamers who prioritize speed and responsiveness may lean towards the Smoothie due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Sakura Pink with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of key feel and response time.
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 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 Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch offers a delightful poppy sound reminiscent of bubble wrap being popped, adding a playful touch to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie linear switch produces a thocky sound signature, known for its deep, rich, and satisfying tone when pressed and released. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences, with the Sakura Pink offering a more playful sound and the Smoothie providing a deeper and more satisfying thocky sound.
In terms of feel, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and Gateron Smoothie switches are described as buttery and creamy, offering smooth and fluid keystroke experiences. They provide seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensations, allowing your fingers to glide across the keys with ease. Additionally, both switches are known for their light actuation force, making typing effortless and comfortable while reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Furthermore, the Sakura Pink is lauded for its frictionless operation, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience, while the Smoothie offers a silky typing sensation, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Sakura Pink and Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the Sakura Pink delivers a playful poppy sound and a frictionless typing experience, the Smoothie provides a thocky sound signature and a silky typing sensation. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Those seeking a lighter and bubbly typing experience may prefer the Sakura Pink, while those looking for a deep and satisfying thocky sound may gravitate towards the Smoothie. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer a premium typing experience that is sure to enhance your overall enjoyment of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a super light actuation force and a playful poppy sound, the Sakura Pink is the way to go. Its buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless feel make typing a breeze. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a thocky sound, low-pitched tones, and a smooth typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie is a great choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and actuation force. Choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences for an optimal typing experience.
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