Durock Sea Glass vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Durock Sea Glass and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Durock Sea Glass and Gateron Smoothie are both linear mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique characteristics for typing enthusiasts to consider. The Sea Glass switch series from Durock is known for its captivating pastel colors and proprietary material blend, providing a typing experience that is dry, wispy, and airy while remaining smooth. With a 62g bottom-out force, these switches offer a weightlessness that defies expectations and a uniquely hollow sound signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out for its all-POM construction, which delivers a thocky sound signature, remarkable smoothness, and a lightweight touch at an accessible price point. While the Sea Glass switch is described as 'Frictionless', 'Mild', 'Feathery', and 'Easy-to-press', the Smoothie is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Subdued', and 'Silky'. Both switches have their own unique appeal, offering different typing experiences for users to consider. 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
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
P3+
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Gateron Smoothie switches both offer unique sound profiles that enhance the typing experience. While the Sea Glass utilizes a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for both the top and bottom housing, the Smoothie opts for a POM material for its housing components. The Sea Glass's blend creates a brighter sound profile, while the Smoothie's POM material produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite these differences, both housing materials contribute to a pleasant typing experience that caters to individual preferences.
In terms of sound profile, the Sea Glass's housing material brings a brightness to the overall typing experience, which may be more appealing to users looking for a more lively sound. On the other hand, the Smoothie's POM housing material offers a deeper and more muted sound, giving a different tactile feel to typing. The top and bottom housing materials play a crucial role in the overall sound output of the switches, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This highlights how each component contributes to the overall typing experience in a unique way.
While the housing materials of the Durock Sea Glass and the Gateron Smoothie switches offer distinct sound profiles, both provide a pleasant typing experience that caters to different preferences. The Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend creates a brighter sound, while the Smoothie's POM material produces a deeper and more muted sound. Despite these differences, the blend of materials in each switch contributes to an enjoyable typing experience that showcases the importance of housing materials in the customization of mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, whether opting for the Sea Glass or the Smoothie, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with unique sound profiles to suit their preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Durock Sea Glass linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Sea Glass has a higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Smoothie's 40 grams. On the other hand, the Sea Glass has a bottom out force of 62 grams while the bottom out force of the Smoothie is unknown. This means that the Sea Glass offers a slightly heavier typing experience overall.
When it comes to weight preferences, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Gateron Smoothie due to its lighter actuation force. This allows for longer typing periods without straining the fingers. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Durock Sea Glass with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Smoothie has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Sea Glass. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their quicker response times. However, if you prefer a more substantial and deeper keypress, the Sea Glass with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for travel distance and how it affects your typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock Sea Glass linear switch offers a uniquely hollow sound signature, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch provides a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound. The Sea Glass switch produces a sound that is distinct and airy, enhancing the typing experience with a light and hollow feel. On the other hand, the Smoothie switch delivers a deep, rich sound that is satisfying to the ears, creating a thocky and low-pitched tone that resonates well with users. Both switches offer a different auditory experience, catering to individuals with specific preferences in keyboard sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Durock Sea Glass switch is described as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing a typing experience that is smooth, gentle, and effortless. With a weightlessness that defies expectations and a fluid travel, these switches offer a comfortable and low-impact typing feel. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie switch is characterized as buttery, creamy, and silky, offering a smooth and uniform typing sensation that is seamless and effortless. The Smoothie switch provides a silky typing experience that is akin to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable typing session.
In conclusion, the Durock Sea Glass and Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Sea Glass switch stands out with its distinct hollow sound signature and frictionless typing experience, while the Smoothie switch impresses with its thocky sound and buttery smooth feel. Depending on personal preferences, users can choose between the airy and mild characteristics of the Sea Glass switch or the creamy and silky attributes of the Smoothie switch, both providing a premium typing experience that caters to different tastes in mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering whether to choose the Durock Sea Glass linear switch or the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what attributes you prioritize in a keyboard switch. If you value a unique typing experience with a weightless feel and a distinct sound signature, the Sea Glass may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a thocky sound and buttery smooth feel, the Smoothie could be the better choice for you. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired level of smoothness when making your decision between these two exceptional switches.
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