Gateron Smoothie vs Kailh Box Cream
The Gateron Smoothie and the Kailh Box Cream are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Kailh Box Cream is lighter to actuate (38g versus 40g); travel is 3.6 mm on the Gateron Smoothie and 3.5 mm on the Kailh Box Cream; stock they sound different: soft, muted versus deep, thocky.
- Lubed from the factoryGateron Smoothieusable out of the box without lubing
Choose the Gateron Smoothie if
- you want a switch popular for budget thock.
- you want a switch popular for light linears.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (40g).
- you want a factory-lubed switch out of the box.
Choose the Kailh Box Cream if
- you want a switch popular for thocky builds.
- you want a switch popular for self-lubricating POM.
- you want a lighter keystroke (38g).
Gateron Smoothie vs Kailh Box Cream, spec by spec
| Gateron Smoothie | Kailh Box Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 40g | 38g |
| Bottom-out force | n/a | 50g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 1.8 mm |
| Total travel | 3.6 mm | 3.5 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | POM | POM |
| Bottom housing | POM | POM |
| Spring | dual-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light (stronger spec) | none |
| Pins | 5-pin | 3-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.35 | $0.35 |
| Sound profile | soft, muted | deep, thocky |
| Released | 2024 | n/a |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
7% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Smoothie; 6% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kailh Box Cream.
34% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Smoothie; 16% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Kailh Box Cream.
30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Smoothie; 30% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kailh Box Cream.
Where to buy the Gateron Smoothie
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kailh Box Cream
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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