Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves drawn to the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, both of which are linear switches offering unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stands out for its medium-weight design and all-POM construction, delivering a smooth and thocky sound profile that balances quality and affordability—making it an appealing choice for those seeking a satisfying typing experience without breaking the bank. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow entices users with its creamy aesthetic and an engaging sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles, paired with a distinct gliding feel that comes from its unique Ly stem and proprietary factory lube method. This switch also features a sharp, responsive action due to its short travel and long-pole stem, appealing to users who crave precision in their keystrokes. Both switches have their merits, catering to different tastes in sound and feel, and choosing between them can greatly influence your typing experience. 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
48g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches share a notable similarity in their housing materials, both utilizing POM, or polyoxymethylene. This commonality is significant as POM is renowned for its durability and low friction properties, which contribute to a smooth typing experience and enhanced longevity. Furthermore, both switches produce a sound profile characterized as deeper and relatively muted. This deeper sound enhances the overall acoustic experience of each switch, offering typists a more satisfying auditory feedback when typing. As a result, users can expect analogous sound characteristics when using either switch, promoting a pleasing auditory environment.
When it comes to the individual components of the switches, the top and bottom housings of both the Sea Salt Smoothie and Sunset Yellow are made of POM. Consequently, this means that when pressed, the acoustic qualities of each switch will align closely. The POM material in both the top and bottom housings will impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the Sea Salt Smoothie and Sunset Yellow alike. Since both switches utilize the same housing materials, users can anticipate a consistent experience in terms of sound and feel, regardless of which switch they choose.
However, it is also essential to consider how the housing structure might affect the overall performance of each switch. Even though both switches employ POM for both the top and bottom housings, slight design differences or switch tolerances could influence the overall feel or sound profile slightly when pressed or released. Therefore, while users will generally achieve similar results in terms of deeper and muted sound profiles with either switch, individual perceptions may vary based on the nuanced characteristics of each model, ensuring an enjoyable experience for enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, notable differences in actuation force and bottom out force emerge. The Sea Salt Smoothie has a higher actuation force of 48 grams compared to the lighter 43 grams required for the Sunset Yellow. This makes the Sunset Yellow more suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less effort to actuate, appealing to those who prefer a lighter feel. However, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, while the Sunset Yellow has a bottom out force of 51 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light option. As such, those who favor a more substantial push may prefer the Sunset Yellow due to its defined bottom out resistance, while the overall experience with the Sea Salt Smoothie might remain uncertain until the bottom out force is established.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a significantly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Sunset Yellow measures at 3.2 mm. This difference means that gamers or users who prefer a quicker, more responsive experience might find the Sunset Yellow to be more favorable due to its shorter travel distance, which can lead to faster response times during key presses. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial feel and a deeper key press may lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie, as its longer travel distance provides a more pronounced feedback. Overall, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on the user's preference for depth versus responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 per 10 switches.
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
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switch produces a thocky sound profile that delivers a deep and satisfying auditory experience with every keystroke. This means that when you press down a key, you'll enjoy a rich, pronounced sound that has a nice resonance, akin to a soft thud. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, providing a bassy and decadent auditory feedback. Its sound can be described as lower frequency and rich, resulting in a unique experience that stands out. While both switches are enjoyable, the Sea Salt Smoothie leans more towards the thocky side, while the Sunset Yellow offers a more bass-rich sound, giving typists different auditory pleasures.
In terms of feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie is recognized for its exceptional smoothness, although specific descriptors for this experience are not provided. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow switch is characterized as creamy, frictionless, and polished. This means users can expect a silky and effortless typing experience marked by minimal resistance, coupled with a refined finish that enhances fluid key travel. The combination of the unique Ly stem and a proprietary factory lube method in the Sunset Yellow ensures that the feel is not just smooth but also responsive. While both switches promise a good tactile experience, the Sunset Yellow explicitly showcases features that emphasize a luxurious typing sensation.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches have distinctive qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Sea Salt Smoothie offers a thocky sound with good smoothness, whereas the Sunset Yellow stands out with its bassy, mahjong tile-like auditory experience along with a creamy, polished, and frictionless typing feel. Depending on individual priorities, either switch could provide an exceptional typing experience, though the nuances in sound profile and tactile feedback suggest that personal preference will play a significant role in choosing between them.
Conclusion
To conclude, selecting between the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a smooth and polished typing experience with a unique thocky sound profile, the Sea Salt Smoothie might be the ideal choice for you. Its excellent build quality ensures a reliable experience, and the distinct sound it produces can be very satisfying during long typing sessions. This switch would suit those who enjoy a slightly heavier, yet not too taxing, feedback during use. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a more bassy and indulgent auditory experience, alongside a notably creamy and frictionless feel, the Sunset Yellow is likely better suited to your needs. Its medium-light bottom out force combined with its unique construction delivers a highly responsive typing experience that many users find appealing for both gaming and extensive typing tasks. In essence, consider how you intend to use your keyboard and what aspects of the typing experience are most important to you when making your decision.
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