Huano Sakura vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing two popular linear switches, the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie, enthusiasts often consider their unique characteristics and the typing experience they provide. The Huano Sakura is celebrated for its feather-light actuation force and medium acoustics, making it an excellent choice for those who engage in extended typing sessions where comfort and speed are paramount. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie stands out with its all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound signature that's both satisfying and subdued, while also offering remarkable smoothness during use. This combination gives a unique tactile experience that appeals to users looking for a creamy, buttery feel. While the Sakura is ideal for those prioritizing lightness and moderate noise, the Smoothie's luxurious texture and deeper sound may attract those who value auditory feedback alongside a smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal 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
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Huano Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie switches each utilize distinct materials for their top and bottom housings, which play a significant role in the overall typing experience. The Sakura features a POK material for its top housing, which exhibits a low coefficient of friction, leading to a smoother keypress. This smoothness is complemented by its impressive durability and shock resistance, providing users with a consistent and long-lasting switch experience. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie's top housing is made of POM, a material known for creating a pleasing and deeper sound profile, albeit with a slightly higher friction than the Sakura's POK. While both switches aim for a smooth typing experience, their choice of materials leads to different auditory sensations and tactile feedback, showcasing the unique characteristics each brand brings to its products.
When examining the bottom housings, the differences continue to emerge. The Sakura employs nylon, a classic material that produces a fuller sound and absorbs more noise due to its softer composition. This characteristic contributes to a rounder sound profile, enhancing the switch's overall acoustics when typing. On the other hand, the Smoothie's bottom housing is also crafted from POM, which provides a muted and deeper sound quality similar to the characteristics noted in its top housing. Although both switches might produce a similar deep sound due to their respective bottom housing materials, the differences in nylon and POM can lead to varying degrees of noise absorption and resonance, affecting the overall auditory and tactile experience.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials between the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie allows them to offer distinct yet somewhat overlapping results in terms of sound and feel. While the premium POK top housing of the Sakura focuses on delivering exceptional smoothness and durability, the more commonly used POM in both the Smoothie's top and bottom housings creates a pleasing auditory profile. This synergy in material choice ensures that users will notice differences in typing feel and sound, with the POK providing a clackier, more pronounced feedback when releasing keys, while the Smoothie's POM exudes a more muted, refined sound. These distinctions highlight how the interplay of various housing materials contributes to each switch's unique typing characteristics, despite some similarities arising from the overlapping use of POM components in the Smoothie.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, some distinct differences become apparent. The Huano Sakura features a light actuation force of 35 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer feel, conducive to extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie has a slightly heavier actuation force of 40 grams, which may provide a more robust typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push. While the bottom out force for the Sakura switch is known to be 45 grams, the bottom out force for the Smoothie switch remains unknown at this time. This uncertainty means that, while the Sakura's bottom out is confirmed to be heavier than its actuation force, we cannot directly compare it to the Smoothie's bottom out point. Overall, the Huano Sakura is the lighter option, favoring those who lean towards a more effortless keystroke. Meanwhile, the Gateron Smoothie offers a heavier action, aligning with preferences for a more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, both switches exhibit the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that users will experience an identical distance when pressing down on a key for either switch, leading to similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness. Since both switches have the same travel distance, neither can be considered shorter or longer; they provide a uniform experience in this aspect.
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 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 comparing the sound profiles of the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, there are distinct differences that cater to various preferences. The Sakura switch has medium acoustics, offering a balanced sound for extended typing without being intrusive. It may resonate as a pleasant and unobtrusive option for those who type for long periods. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie switch boasts a thocky sound signature characterized by a deep, rich, and satisfying thud upon activation. This low-pitched sound gives the Smoothie a more robust auditory experience, often favored by users looking for satisfactory acoustic feedback as they type. Therefore, while both switches provide an enjoyable auditory experience, the Sakura is suited for quieter environments, while the Smoothie emphasizes a more pronounced acoustic feedback.
The feel of each switch also presents distinct experiences. The Sakura is noted for its feather-light touch, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer minimal resistance during typing. This quality facilitates quicker keystrokes and a less strenuous experience, ideal for those who type extensively. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie switch excels in its buttery, creamy, and silky sensations, creating an exceptionally smooth typing experience. Each keystroke on the Smoothie flows seamlessly, providing a very satisfying tactile experience that many find enjoyable. For users who appreciate a smooth and effortless typing sensation, the Smoothie is unmatched, while the Sakura offers a lighter touch that can also enhance long typing sessions.
In conclusion, choosing between the Huano Sakura and the Gateron Smoothie linear switches ultimately boils down to personal preference regarding sound and feel. The Sakura offers a balanced auditory experience with a light keystroke feel, making it suitable for lengthy typing tasks. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie provides a thocky sound and an ultra-smooth feel that many enthusiasts cherish. Depending on your typing style and environment, both switches can deliver enjoyable outcomes, though the nuances in sound and tactile feedback may guide your final decision.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Huano Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you favor a lightweight touch coupled with a medium acoustic profile, the Sakura switch is an excellent choice. Its 45-gram bottom-out force makes it particularly suitable for extended typing sessions where you might prioritize endurance and comfort. Additionally, if you enjoy a more subdued sound experience while typing, the Sakura will likely meet your needs with its balanced audio feedback. Conversely, if you're looking for a switch that offers buttery smoothness and a satisfying thocky sound with a deeper, richer acoustic signature, the Gateron Smoothie is the way to go. Its all-POM construction contributes to its creamy feel and engaging typing experience, making it great for those who appreciate both tactile pleasure and auditory feedback. Ultimately, your decision may come down to whether you prioritize a feather-light touch for extensive use or the luxurious smoothness combined with a low-pitched thock for a more immersive typing experience.
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