KTT Ash Gray vs. Gateron Beer
An in-depth look at the KTT Ash Gray and the Gateron Beer switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Ash Gray and the Gateron Beer are two popular options to consider. The Ash Gray is recognized for its blend of tactile feedback that is both substantial and smooth, providing a satisfying typing experience without being overly aggressive. On the other hand, the Gateron Beer stands out with its unique translucent green design and light actuation force, offering a more subtle and clacky typing feel. While the Ash Gray is categorized as 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', the Beer is categorized as 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', 'Stepped'. Both switches have their own advantages, 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
38g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Ash Gray and the Gateron Beer, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting. However, the Ash Gray stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Beer maintains consistency with a polycarbonate bottom housing, offering a sharper and crisper sound profile similar to its top housing.
The differing bottom housing materials of the Ash Gray and the Beer showcase how nylon and polycarbonate contribute to the overall feel and sound of the switches. While pressing down on the Ash Gray will elicit a deeper and fuller sound thanks to the nylon bottom housing, the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing will deliver a sharper and crisper sound experience. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced during bottom-out keystrokes, while the top housing plays a bigger role in the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, catering to varying preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the KTT Ash Gray and the Gateron Beer highlights the importance of understanding how different plastics can affect the sound and feel of mechanical switches. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings that provide a clear and resonant sound, the Ash Gray's nylon bottom housing introduces a deeper and fuller sound profile not found in the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing. These distinctions demonstrate how the combination of top and bottom housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience, offering users a range of options to suit their preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Gateron Beer tactile switch, it is clear that they both have a similar actuation force of 38 grams. However, the Ash Gray has a heavier bottom out force of 53 grams compared to the Beer's lighter 50 grams. This means that while both switches require the same amount of force to start a keystroke, the Ash Gray provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed. For those who prefer a lighter touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, the Gateron Beer switch may be more suitable. On the other hand, those looking for a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the KTT Ash Gray. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Ash Gray tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Beer tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular for their faster response times, especially among gamers. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Ash Gray with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. On the other hand, if you prefer a quicker and more abrupt key press, the Beer with its slightly shorter travel distance could be the better option. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience and will provide comparable results in terms of tactile feedback and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Ash Gray has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ash Gray for $2.55.
The Gateron Beer has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Beer for $4.59.
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
When it comes to sound, the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch offers a neutral experience, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. In contrast, the Gateron Beer tactile switch provides a clacky sound that is sharp and percussive, adding a distinctive flair to typing sessions. The sound produced by each switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used. In terms of feel, both switches are described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. The Ash Gray switch is known for its mild feel, providing a comfortable typing experience without excessive fatigue, while the Beer switch offers a stepped tactility that adds a subtle complexity to each keystroke. Overall, while the Ash Gray and Beer switches offer different sound profiles and tactile feels, both provide an enjoyable typing experience that caters to various preferences. Whether you opt for the Ash Gray's moderate sound and gentle feel or the Beer's clacky sound and stepped tactility, you can expect similar levels of satisfaction in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing performance.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the KTT Ash Gray tactile switch and the Gateron Beer tactile switch, you should consider your preference for actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly higher actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Ash Gray may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a clacky sound profile, the Beer switch might be more appealing. Both switches offer an easy-to-press typing experience, but the Ash Gray provides a mild tactile feedback while the Beer offers a stepped tactility. Consider your typing preferences and needs to determine which switch aligns best with your keyboarding style and enjoy the delightful experience each switch has to offer.
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