Gateron Smoothie Silver vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gateron Smoothie Silver and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Smoothie Silver and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream are both excellent options to consider. The Smoothie Silver is known for its all-POM construction, short travel distance, thocky sound, smoothness, and feather-light touch, making it a top choice for those who prioritize speed and precision while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch from KTT stands out for its innovative use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing, resulting in a remarkably smooth and creamy feel that is reminiscent of its dessert-inspired name. Additionally, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a unique high-pitched and clacky sound signature that sets it apart from other linear switches. While these general characteristics can help guide your decision, diving deeper into the specifics of each switch will ultimately help you determine the best fit for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Smoothie Silver and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Smoothie Silver features a POM top housing that creates a deeper and more muted sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream utilizes a proprietary KTT blend top housing that produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. In terms of the bottom housing, the Smoothie Silver also uses POM material, providing a pleasing sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream incorporates POK material known for its smoothness, durability, and clacky sound.
While both switches have different top and bottom housing materials, they each bring unique qualities to the overall typing experience. The POM top housing of the Smoothie Silver contributes to a deeper and more muted sound upon key release, while the KTT blend top housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream produces a higher-pitched and clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie Silver offers a pleasant sound profile, while the POK material used in the bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream provides exceptional smoothness and durability, contributing to a clacky sound and feel.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Smoothie Silver and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and feel. Both switches offer unique housing materials that impact the typing experience in different ways. Whether you prefer a deeper, more muted sound profile or a high-pitched, clacky sound signature, each switch provides a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see that the Smoothie Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 43 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Smoothie Silver's force is unknown, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is lighter in terms of bottom out force. The actuation force of both switches is relatively light, making them suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Vanilla Ice Cream switch due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements during use.
Travel distance
The Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm. Gamers may prefer the Smoothie Silver for its slightly shorter travel distance, allowing for faster response times. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, with the Vanilla Ice Cream switch being slightly longer than the Smoothie Silver.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie Silver 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 Silver for $2.60.
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch is known for its thocky sound, which provides a deep and satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, giving typists a sharp and crisp sound when typing. Both switches provide unique sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience, depending on personal preferences and the setup of the keyboard.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is recognized for its unparalleled smoothness and feather-light touch, providing typists with a smooth and effortless keystroke experience. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a creamy and buttery typing experience, reminiscent of the dessert it is named after. Both switches aim to provide a seamless and uniform typing sensation, allowing users to type comfortably for extended periods without fatigue.
Overall, the Gateron Smoothie Silver and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Smoothie Silver provides a thocky sound and feather-light touch, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature with a creamy and buttery typing experience. Ultimately, selecting between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Additionally, it's important to consider factors such as keycaps and keyboard setup to optimize the performance of these switches. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the typing experience, ensuring that users will get satisfying results regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Gateron Smoothie Silver linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preferences for key feel and sound. If you prioritize a feather-light touch and a thocky sound with unparalleled smoothness, the Smoothie Silver may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light bottom out force, a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, and a creamy and buttery typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for key feel and sound profile.
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