Gateron Beer vs. Aflion Carrot
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Beer is renowned for its translucent green color that evokes the allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle. This tactile switch is refreshingly lightweight with a stepped tactility, providing a subtle feel and a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Aflion Carrot is a fun tactile switch with a long, two-stage spring that offers a uniquely bouncy tactile experience. It also boasts a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. While the Beer switch is easy-to-press and offers a clacky feel, the Carrot switch is marbly, high-pitched, snappy, and feathery. Ultimately, the choice between the two 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
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through the housing for a visually appealing effect. In contrast, the Aflion Carrot's bottom housing is made of nylon, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound produced by polycarbonate.
While both the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, they differ in the material used for the bottom housing. This contrast in housing materials impacts the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Gateron Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and clear sound profile associated with polycarbonate, while the Aflion Carrot's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. The difference in sound between the two switches can be felt when bottoming out the keys, with the bottom housing having a significant impact on the resulting sound and feel.
In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot play a crucial role in determining the sound profiles of the switches. While both switches have polycarbonate top housings that create a sharp and crisp sound, the Aflion Carrot's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Gateron Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing. The choice of housing material for both the top and bottom of a switch can significantly impact the overall typing experience, with each material bringing its own qualities to the sound and feel of the switch.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch are quite similar, with both being on the lighter side. The Gateron Beer has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Aflion Carrot has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Both switches provide a light typing experience, which can be suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, if someone prefers a slightly stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, they may lean towards the Gateron Beer due to its slightly higher bottom out force. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with minimal force required for actuation and bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Aflion Carrot tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers looking for a faster response time, while the Carrot's longer travel distance might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial key press. Both switches offer unique typing experiences, and the choice between them ultimately depends on individual preference. Having different travel distances means that each switch will provide a slightly different typing experience, so selecting the one that matches your preferences will result in a satisfying 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 Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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, both the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot switches are described as having a clacky sound profile. This means that they produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. However, the Carrot switch also offers a marbly sound, which is resonant, high-pitched, and clean. This adds a unique auditory experience to the typing action. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Beer is known for being easy-to-press and having a stepped tactile feel. These characteristics make it gentle on the fingers and offer a more subdued tactile experience compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Aflion Carrot switch is described as bouncy, snappy, and stepped as well. This means that it provides a lively and responsive typing sensation, with a spring-like feedback and a sense of liveliness in each keystroke. Additionally, the Carrot switch is noted for its feathery and subtle qualities, making it comfortable for extended periods of use.
Taking into consideration all the available information, it is clear that both the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Carrot switches offer unique and desirable qualities. While the Beer switch focuses on a light and easy typing experience with a stepped tactility and a characteristic clacky sound signature, the Carrot switch provides a bouncy and lively feel with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. However, both switches are likely to deliver satisfying results for users who enjoy tactile switches with distinct characteristics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Aflion Carrot tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a switch with a stepped tactility that offers a subtler feedback, along with a characteristic clacky sound signature, then the Gateron Beer switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an even lighter bottom out force, a bouncy tactile experience provided by a two-stage spring, and a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, then the Aflion Carrot switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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