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Gateron Beer vs. TTC Gold Brown Pro

An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the TTC Gold Brown Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the Gateron Beer and the TTC Gold Brown Pro mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile experience that adds a satisfying feedback to your typing. The Gateron Beer stands out for its unique translucent green design inspired by Tsingtao beer bottles, creating a visually captivating keyboard. With its lightweight and stepped tactility, the Beer switch gives a subtle yet distinct feel with a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch focuses on providing a nuanced and understated tactile feedback. Its gentle tactile bump allows for a background presence, ensuring a quiet typing experience perfect for those who prefer minimal distractions. 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

N/A

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

3.40 mm

Total travel

3.80 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Standard

Stem material

POM

Stem material

NPI

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

18mm spring

Housing materials

The Gateron Beer and the TTC Gold Brown Pro both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This material is ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for a more vibrant display. On the other hand, the Gold Brown Pro's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. While the top housing of both switches may be the same, the bottom housing material plays a significant role in influencing the overall typing experience.

In terms of aesthetics, both the Gateron Beer and the TTC Gold Brown Pro feature clear housings, indicating the presence of polycarbonate material. This transparency not only adds a sleek and modern look to the switches but also allows for the transmission of RGB lighting effects, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. However, the choice of bottom housing material differs between the two switches, with the Beer utilizing polycarbonate for its bottom housing while the Gold Brown Pro opts for nylon. This contrast in materials influences the sound profile and feel of typing on each switch, with polycarbonate offering a crisper sound and nylon providing a deeper, more muted sound.

When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housing on the overall typing experience, it is evident that the qualities of each material are distributed accordingly. The bottom housing material plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed, while the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. This split between top and bottom housing materials results in a dynamic typing experience, with the Gateron Beer and TTC Gold Brown Pro offering unique characteristics based on their respective housing compositions.

Weight

Comparing the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, the actuation force and bottom out force vary between the two. The Gateron Beer has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Gateron Beer would be the better option, as it requires less force to trigger a keypress. However, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the TTC Gold Brown Pro may be more suitable, even though the exact bottom out force is not specified. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding actuation force and bottom out force, with some preferring a lighter touch for longer typing sessions and others favoring a heavier push for a more satisfying typing experience.

Travel distance

The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Beer has a shorter travel distance compared to the Gold Brown Pro. A shorter travel distance can be preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying depth when typing. Both switches offer tactile feedback, but the individual preference for travel distance will ultimately determine which switch is preferred. Whether you choose the Gateron Beer or the TTC Gold Brown Pro, you can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and overall 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 TTC Gold Brown Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown Pro for $2.90.

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, the Gateron Beer switch produces a characteristic clacky sound, known for its sharp and snappy nature when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, providing typists with a deep, rich, and satisfying auditory experience. The Gold Brown Pro's sound is also described as neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of users and settings. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches in terms of sound comes down to personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Beer switch is noted for being easy-to-press and providing a light actuation force for effortless typing. It also features a stepped tactility, giving typists a more subtle tactile feedback compared to other switches. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch offers a polished and silky typing experience, with a mild and subtle tactile bump that allows users to stay focused on their tasks without distraction. Both switches also share the characteristic of having a stepped feel, providing a mild and approachable typing experience for a wide range of users.

In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel with stepped tactility, the Gold Brown Pro switch delivers a thocky and low-pitched sound with a polished, silky, and subtle typing experience. Both switches offer a stepped feel, ensuring a mild and comfortable typing experience suitable for various preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel, as well as the overall setup of the keyboard.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Gold Brown Pro tactile switch, consider the characteristics that best suit your preferences and needs. If you value a light actuation force, stepped tactility, and a clacky sound profile, the Gateron Beer switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a gentle tactile bump, subdued sound profile, and polished, silky feel, the TTC Gold Brown Pro switch could be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a unique and more pronounced tactile experience with the Beer switch, or a subtle and refined typing feel with the Gold Brown Pro switch. Choose wisely to enhance your typing experience and enjoy your mechanical keyboard to the fullest.

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