Gateron Beer vs. Kailh Box White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Kailh Box White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself torn between the Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, and the Kailh Box White, a clicky switch. The Beer switch from Gateron offers a unique experience with its mesmerizing translucent green color and refreshingly lightweight feel. It features a stepped tactility that provides a subtle touch compared to traditional round tactility switches, along with a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Kailh Box White switch is known for its maximum audio feedback, with a "stepping on autumn leaves"-like crunch and accentuated tactility when typing. While the Beer switch is labeled as 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', and 'Stepped', the Box White switch is categorized as 'Resonant', 'High-pitched', 'Crunchy', and 'Polished'. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and Kailh Box White both utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, enhancing the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it a popular choice for switches that utilize RGB lighting. On the other hand, while the Beer uses polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, the Box White opts for nylon. Nylon is softer than polycarbonate, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The absorption of sound by nylon creates a duller and rounder sound compared to the more resonant sound produced by polycarbonate.
Despite the differences in bottom housing material between the Gateron Beer and Kailh Box White, their similarities in top housing material will likely result in a similar sound profile when pressing down on the switches. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel may differ slightly due to the contrasting properties of polycarbonate and nylon. However, the top housing's influence on the sound when releasing a key is likely to be consistent across both switches. The sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing will be a common feature in both the Gateron Beer and Kailh Box White switches.
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Beer and Kailh Box White may come down to personal preference regarding the sound profile produced by the different housing materials. If a sharper and more resonant sound is desired, the polycarbonate top and bottom housing of the Gateron Beer may be the preferred option. Conversely, if a deeper and fuller sound profile is more appealing, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Kailh Box White could be the better choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles attributed to their housing materials, providing users with a variety of options to suit their needs and preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Kailh Box White clicky switch, it is evident that the Beer is lighter overall. The Beer tactile switch has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a lighter option. On the other hand, the Kailh Box White clicky switch has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium weight category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Gateron Beer switch would be the ideal choice. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Kailh Box White switch would provide a slightly heavier touch. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and typing habits.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Kailh Box White clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices among gamers looking for quicker response times. The Beer switch offers slightly less travel distance compared to the Box White switch, which may result in a slightly faster keystroke. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance of the Beer switch to feel too abrupt, preferring the slightly longer travel distance of the Box White switch for a more satisfying keystroke depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Kailh Box White comes in at $2.76 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its characteristic clacky sound, offering a sharp and snappy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Box White clicky switch produces a resonant and high-pitched sound profile reminiscent of stepping on crunchy autumn leaves. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Beer being more percussive and the Box White offering a clean and sharp audio feedback.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is favored for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a gentle resistance during key presses. Its stepped tactility provides a unique typing experience with a subtle feel. On the other hand, the Kailh Box White clicky switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. While the Beer switch focuses on a low-impact typing feel, the Box White switch emphasizes a sleek and comfortable typing experience.
Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Kailh Box White clicky switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gateron Beer switch provides a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel with a stepped tactility, while the Kailh Box White switch delivers a resonant and high-pitched sound with a polished and smooth key travel experience. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on whether one prefers a sharper, clacky sound or a cleaner, resonant sound, and whether a lighter, easy-to-press feel is preferred over a smoother, polished typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lighter tactile switch with a unique translucent design that offers a subtle tactility and a characteristic clacky sound, then the Gateron Beer tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight clicky switch that provides maximum audio feedback with a high-pitched, resonant sound profile and a polished finish for smooth key travel, then the Kailh Box White clicky switch would be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for weight, sound, and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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