Gateron Beer vs. Bsun Guyu
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Bsun Guyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and Bsun Guyu offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Gateron Beer, with its translucent green design reminiscent of a Tsingtao beer bottle, provides a light and refreshing typing experience with a subtle tactile feel and a characteristic clacky sound. On the other hand, the Bsun Guyu linear switches stand out for their all-POM housing that enhances acoustics, creating a bright and crisp bottom-out sound. With smooth keystrokes and a medium weight, the Guyu switches offer a frictionless and polished typing experience with resonant feedback. Both switches have their strengths, so it ultimately depends on whether you prefer a lighter, tactile switch like the Beer or a smoother, linear switch like the Guyu. 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
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
UPE
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
21mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Bsun Guyu switches have significant differences in terms of sound profile and aesthetic qualities. The Beer features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the switch. In contrast, the Guyu utilizes a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound, offering a unique auditory experience.
In terms of the bottom housings, both the Beer and Guyu switches have different materials that impact the overall sound and feel of the switch. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the Guyu's POM bottom housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more noticeable, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing material will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, further emphasizing the differences between the two switches.
While the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and Bsun Guyu switches offer distinct characteristics, they both play a crucial role in shaping the overall sound profile of the switch. The use of polycarbonate and POM materials in the top and bottom housings provides a balanced combination of sharpness, depth, and clarity in the sound produced. Whether opting for the sharper and resonant sound of the Beer with its polycarbonate housing or the deeper and more muted sound of the Guyu with its POM housing, users can expect a high-quality audio experience tailored to their preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and aesthetic appeal.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Bsun Guyu linear switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, it is evident that the Beer has a lighter touch compared to the Guyu. The Beer requires an actuation force of 38 grams, while the Guyu needs 45 grams to actuate. When it comes to bottom out force, both switches require 50 grams. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming may lean towards the Beer switch, as it offers a slightly lower actuation force. On the other hand, individuals looking for a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Guyu switch with its marginally higher actuation force. In essence, while the actuation forces differ slightly, the bottom out forces are the same, ensuring that users will achieve similar results in terms of the weight needed for a full keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Bsun Guyu linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Guyu switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Beer switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them well-suited for activities where fast response times are desired, such as gaming. The slight difference in travel distance may affect the feel of the keystrokes, with the Guyu switch potentially feeling slightly more substantial due to its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of key feel and responsiveness.
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 Bsun Guyu has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Guyu for $3.70.
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 tactile switch and the Bsun Guyu linear switch are described as having a clacky sound signature. This means that when pressed, they produce a sharp and snappy sound, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. However, it's important to note that the actual sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press and featuring a stepped tactility. This means that it offers gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. The stepped tactility provides a subtler feel compared to a continuous curve of round tactility, allowing for some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. On the other hand, the Bsun Guyu linear switch is described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, and snappy. These qualities combine to offer a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance, providing a fluid and responsive keystroke.
Overall, while the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Bsun Guyu linear switch have different characteristics in terms of sound and feel, they both aim to enhance the typing experience in their own unique ways. Whether you prefer the lighter actuation and stepped tactility of the Beer switch or the medium weight and super-smooth keystrokes of the Guyu switch, both switches offer quality attributes that can cater to individual preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference regarding sound profile, typing feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
Therefore, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Beer tactile switch or the Bsun Guyu linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference in typing experience. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a unique, clacky sound signature with a stepped tactility, then the Gateron Beer switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-weight switch with a creamy, frictionless, polished feel and a bright, crisp bottom-out sound, then the Bsun Guyu switch may be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer their own distinct characteristics that can enhance your typing experience based on your personal preferences.
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