Gateron Beer vs. TTC Flame Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the TTC Flame Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, and the TTC Flame Red, a linear switch. The Beer switch from Gateron is known for its mesmerizing translucent green color, evoking the sparkling allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle. It offers a refreshingly lightweight feel with a stepped tactility that provides a subtler touch compared to round tactility. Additionally, it produces a characteristic clacky sound signature that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Flame Red switch from TTC stands out for its dazzling light diffuser, making it the perfect choice for those who want a backlit, RGB keyboard. Typing on Flame Red switches offers a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile. While the Beer switch is described as 'clacky', 'easy-to-press', and 'stepped', the Flame Red switch is categorized as 'neutral', 'mild', 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
54g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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
24.5mm long spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the TTC Flame Red, it is evident that the Beer's polycarbonate top and bottom housings offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those who prefer a more distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the Flame Red's nylon top and bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that may appeal to users looking for a quieter typing experience.
Despite their differences, both the Beer and the Flame Red utilize clear housing materials for their top housing, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the switches and allowing for RGB lighting effects. This transparent quality is characteristic of polycarbonate, which is commonly used in clear housings to showcase RGB lighting. When it comes to the sound produced by the switches, the polycarbonate top housing of the Beer offers a more pronounced and vibrant sound when keys are released, while the nylon top housing of the Flame Red creates a deeper and more muted sound effect.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Beer and the TTC Flame Red ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. While the Beer's polycarbonate housing provides a sharper and crisper sound, the Flame Red's nylon housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience. Both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences, making them suitable options for users seeking distinctive typing experiences. Whether you prefer a clearer and more resonant sound or a more muffled and rounded sound, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience with their respective housing materials.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the TTC Flame Red linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 54 grams. The Beer provides a softer and easier typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Flame Red offers a slightly firmer keypress, providing a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a bit more resistance. Both switches offer a different tactile feel due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences based on typing style and desired keypress feedback.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the TTC Flame Red linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for quick response times. On the other hand, the Flame Red switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keypress feel. While both switches provide a satisfactory typing experience, the slight difference in travel distance may influence the overall typing feel for individual users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and keypress response.
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 TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
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 signature, offering a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so it's important to consider the overall setup when choosing a switch based on sound preference.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate and offering a low-impact typing feel. The stepped tactility of these switches provides a subtle and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the TTC Flame Red linear switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience with a polished finish for smooth key travel. Both switches provide a comfortable typing feel, with the Beer being more effortless and the Flame Red being more approachable to a wider range of users.
Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Beer provides a unique clacky sound signature and easy-to-press, stepped tactility, while the Flame Red offers a neutral sound profile and a mild, polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences in sound and feel, as well as the overall keyboard setup being used to achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and aesthetics. If you prioritize a lightweight and subtle tactile feel with a clacky sound signature, the Beer switch may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and weighty typing experience with a polished finish and a backlit, RGB-friendly design, the Flame Red switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences and intended use for the keyboard. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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