Huano Sakura vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie both offer unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Huano Sakura switch is celebrated for its feather-light touch and medium acoustic profile, making it an excellent choice for those who engage in long typing sessions without experiencing finger fatigue. Its linear design ensures a smooth keystroke, allowing for a seamless typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a medium-weight feel, combined with a satisfying "thocky" sound, which enhances the auditory feedback during use. Made from durable POM material, this switch strikes a balance between affordability and high performance, appealing to users who appreciate both quality and value. While the Sakura might be ideal for those seeking effortless key presses, the Sea Salt Smoothie will attract users looking for a bit more heft and sound in their keystrokes. 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
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Huano Sakura and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie employ distinct housing materials that influence both their performance and auditory characteristics. The Sakura uses a POK top housing, known for its smoothness and exceptional durability. With a coefficient of friction of 0.04, it offers a user experience that feels slick and responsive, significantly benefiting users who value fast-paced typing. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is constructed from POM, which creates a deeper, more muted sound profile. While both materials deliver smooth operation, the Sakura boasts superior resilience, with wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM and better shock resistance. Therefore, whilst both switches might provide a smooth feel during key presses, the tactile experience and durability factors diverge notably between the two.
Examining the bottom housings reveals further distinctions yet some parallels. The Sakura's nylon bottom housing is designed to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a sound profile that is notably deeper and fuller. This characteristic allows for a softer auditory feedback when typing, appropriate for users aiming for a quieter environment. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM bottom housing, while also producing a deeper and muted sound, emphasizes a unique auditory experience that users find appealing. The softer nature of nylon in Sakura enhances its ability to dampen sound, whereas POM provides a slightly crisper yet still subdued feedback. Therefore, though both the Sakura and Sea Salt Smoothie can create a satisfying sound experience, the underlying materials uniquely influence the richness and quality of those sounds.
In terms of overall switch dynamics, the differences in top and bottom housings lead to unique experiences but also unveil a common ground. Since the top housing directly influences the sound when releasing a key, the POK material in the Sakura lends a more robust auditory exit than the muted POM of the Sea Salt Smoothie. However, both switches share an underlying depth in sound courtesy of their varying bottom housings, allowing each user to achieve satisfying acoustics. By combining their individual attributes—smooth key presses from Sakura’s POK and the Sea Salt Smoothie's deeper sound profiles—users can enjoy personalized experiences from both, despite their different material choices. Engaging with these switches thus reflects how thoughtful material selection can lead to tailored user sensations in both sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we observe notable differences in their actuation forces. The Sakura switch features a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie requires a stronger actuation force of 48 grams, catering to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Additionally, the Sakura's bottom out force is 45 grams, indicating a comfortable resistance when fully pressed down, whereas the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown. Consequently, while the Sakura switch is lighter overall, the Sea Salt Smoothie provides a heavier and more pronounced push feel, aligning with differing user preferences for typing and gaming.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, a notable difference emerges. The Sakura switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sea Salt Smoothie offers a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that if you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, the shorter Sakura switch may be more suitable, as it allows for quicker key presses. Conversely, if you appreciate a more pronounced keystroke, the Sea Salt Smoothie with its longer travel distance might provide that satisfying depth. Overall, while both switches cater to different preferences, the Sakura is the shorter option at 3.6 mm, compared to the 3.7 mm of the Sea Salt Smoothie.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Huano Sakura has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura for $3.29.
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
In terms of sound, the Huano Sakura linear switch is known for its medium acoustics, which strikes a balance that can provide a pleasant typing experience without overpowering your environment. This makes it suitable for long typing sessions, especially in quieter settings where you may not want to disturb others. On the other hand, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie delivers a thocky sound profile. The deeper resonance of the Smoothie contributes to a more satisfying auditory feedback, which many users find enjoyable during both gaming and typing. Overall, while both switches offer unique sound experiences, the choice largely hinges on personal preference for either a subtle or thocky auditory feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Huano Sakura switch is known for its feather-light touch, making it easy to press down on the keys. This characteristic is excellent for users who prioritize quick key presses and prefer a lighter resistance to minimize finger fatigue during prolonged use. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is a medium-weight switch that focuses on exceptional smoothness, providing a slightly firmer resistance that appeals to those who enjoy a more substantial tactile experience. While both switches can offer a degree of comfort in typing, the Sakura excels in softness and reduced effort, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie caters to those who might prefer a more grounded keystroke.
In summary, the Huano Sakura switch shines with its feather-light action and medium acoustics, making it ideal for comfortable, extended typing in quieter environments. Meanwhile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie combines a thocky sound profile with a smooth, medium-weight feel, appealing to users who appreciate a more substantial experience and satisfying audio feedback. Your choice between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and tactile feedback, as each offers distinct qualities that cater to different typing styles and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, it’s essential to consider your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you find yourself doing a lot of long typing sessions and prefer a lighter touch, the Huano Sakura with its feather-light 45-gram bottom-out force would be an excellent choice for you. Its medium acoustics will provide just enough sound without being overly disruptive, making it ideal for work or home environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. On the other hand, if you value a more tactile experience with a thocky sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, with its unknown bottom-out force but known for exceptional smoothness, may be more up your alley. It’s a fantastic option if you like the feeling of a medium-weight switch that doesn’t compromise on quality. Ultimately, your choice should hinge on whether you prioritize a lighter switch for extensive use or a slightly heavier switch that excels in acoustics and smoothness.
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