Gateron Beer vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and TTC Honey offer unique experiences for different preferences. The Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its mesmerizing translucent green color reminiscent of a Tsingtao beer bottle. It is known for its refreshingly lightweight feel and stepped tactility, providing a subtle tactile feedback with a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the TTC Honey, a linear switch, boasts a smooth and creamy type feel with a deep and pleasant sound profile. Its characteristics include being subdued, creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished. Each switch has its own appeal, with the Beer being easy-to-press and the Honey offering a unique buttery smoothness. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Beer and TTC Honey switches are quite similar as both feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall design. Both switches offer a consistent sound experience and tactile feel, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Despite the similarities in housing materials, the Gateron Beer and TTC Honey switches may have subtle differences in how they sound and feel when typing. While both switches feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings, the specific design and construction of each switch can affect the overall typing experience. Factors such as spring weight, stem design, and lubrication can all contribute to the sound and feel of a switch. Therefore, enthusiasts may notice slight variations in sound and tactility between the two switches, even though they share the same housing material.
In terms of functionality, the distribution of qualities between the top and bottom housings can impact the overall typing experience. The bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This division of qualities can result in a nuanced typing experience, with the bottom housing providing a more tactile feel and the top housing contributing to the overall sound profile of the switch. By understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall typing experience, enthusiasts can tailor their switch selection to suit their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, both switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, making them equal in terms of the amount of force needed to fully press the key. However, the Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Honey linear switch, which has an actuation force of 42 grams. This means that the Beer switch would provide a lighter touch when triggering a keystroke, while the Honey switch would require slightly more force to activate. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, the Beer switch might be the preferred choice. Conversely, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Honey switch. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Beer has a shorter travel distance compared to the Honey. Shorter travel distances like the Beer's 3.4 mm are often favored by gamers for faster response times, while longer travel distances like the Honey's 3.8 mm can provide a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a shorter, quicker key press or a longer, more tactile feel.
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 Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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 offers a clacky experience, which produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the TTC Honey linear switch provides a more subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature. Depending on personal preference, the Beer switch may be preferred for those who enjoy a more crisp and bright sound, while the Honey switch may appeal to individuals seeking a quieter typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is praised for being easy-to-press and stepped, providing a lightweight and gentle typing experience with a subtle tactile bump. The TTC Honey linear switch, on the other hand, offers a creamy, frictionless, and buttery feel, giving a smooth and effortless typing sensation with a subtle resistance. Those who prefer a more lubricated and polished typing experience may find the Honey switch to be more appealing, while the Beer switch caters to those who enjoy a lighter actuation force and a mild tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and easy-to-press stepped feel, the Honey switch delivers a subdued sound and creamy, frictionless typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile, typing feel, and desired level of tactile feedback. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to a variety of typing styles, ensuring a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience for newcomers to the hobby.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clacky sound and easy-to-press, stepped tactility, the Beer switch may be the one for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a subdued sound profile and a creamy, frictionless, buttery typing experience, the Honey switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what characteristics you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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