Gateron Smoothie vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream are two popular choices that offer unique characteristics for typing enthusiasts. The Gateron Smoothie is praised for its all-POM construction, providing a thocky sound profile, exceptional smoothness, and a light touch. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream sets itself apart by utilizing POK in both the stem and bottom housing, resulting in a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both switches share attributes such as being buttery and creamy, they differ in sound profile, with the Smoothie being low-pitched and subdued, while the Vanilla Ice Cream is high-pitched and resonant. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Smoothie Linear

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Smoothie's POM top housing provides a deeper and relatively muted sound profile, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary KTT blend top housing produces a higher-pitched and clacky sound. In contrast, the Smoothie's POM bottom housing also creates a deep and muted sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing is exceptionally smooth, clacky, and durable, with wear resistance 14 times stronger than POM.

Although the top and bottom housings of the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches differ in material and characteristics, they both contribute to the overall experience of using the switches. The POM and POK materials each bring their own unique properties to the switches, impacting the sound and feel in distinct ways. The POM housings of the Smoothie offer a pleasing and unique sound, while the POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream provides smoothness, clackiness, and durability. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience through their housing materials.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel. While the Smoothie may appeal to those looking for a deeper and more muted typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream may be favored by users who prefer a higher-pitched and clacky sound signature. Both switches offer unique housing materials that contribute to their overall performance, making them both excellent choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a specific sound and feel in their typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream's 43 grams. The Smoothie's bottom out force is unknown, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it heavier. This means that while both switches provide a smooth linear typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may offer a more substantial feel during use due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie switch may be the better option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing feel for the user.

Travel distance

The Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for quicker response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be significantly noticeable during use, as both switches provide a relatively short travel distance compared to more traditional options. Ultimately, selecting between the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches may come down to personal preference regarding the feel of the keypress, with the Smoothie offering a slightly longer travel distance for those who prefer a bit more depth in their typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Smoothie offers a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature when pressed, creating a deep and satisfying tone. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch produces a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound profile, giving off a sharp and crisp noise when activated. The Smoothie leans towards a quieter and more bass-heavy sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream is on the livelier and sharper side of the sound spectrum. Depending on personal preference, typists may prefer one over the other based on whether they enjoy a more subdued or resonant sound experience.

Moving on to the feel, both the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches are described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The application of lubricant or the choice of materials in these switches enhances the typing sensation, offering a seamless and effortless typing feel. Typists can expect a silky sensation when typing on either switch, as they glide their fingers across the keys with ease. This uniform and comfortable typing experience may attract those who value smoothness and consistency in their keypresses.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Smoothie and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches excel in providing a smooth and pleasant typing experience, each offering a unique sound profile that may cater to different preferences. While the Smoothie delivers a thocky and low-pitched sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream offers a high-pitched and resonant tone. Typists can achieve similar results in terms of feel with either switch, as both are described as buttery and creamy, creating a uniform and effortless keystroke sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to individual preference for sound and the overall typing experience desired.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you prefer a low-pitched, subdued sound with a buttery and silky feel, the Gateron Smoothie may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a high-pitched, resonant sound with a buttery and creamy feel, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream could be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to test them out firsthand to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and sound preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more