Gateron Beer vs. Aflion Iceberg
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Iceberg switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and Aflion Iceberg stand out as popular choices among enthusiasts. The Gateron Beer, with its translucent green housing, offers a unique tactile experience with a light touch and stepped tactility, resulting in a satisfyingly clacky sound. On the other hand, the Aflion Iceberg, from a newer switch manufacturer, provides a smooth and fulfilling linear feel with a two-stage spring mechanism for added feedback. While both switches share a clacky sound profile, the Beer is noted for being easy-to-press and stepped, while the Iceberg is described as high-pitched, snappy, feathery, and subtle. 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
Partial box
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Iceberg, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This choice leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is advantageous for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting, making it a popular choice in the keyboard community. However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Beer uses polycarbonate for its bottom housing, while the Iceberg opts for nylon. The Beer's bottom housing contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the Iceberg's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound to produce a duller and rounder sound.
While both the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Iceberg feature polycarbonate top housings, their differing bottom housing materials result in distinct typing experiences. The stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the Beer contributes to a more clear and resonant sound when typing, with a focus on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the Iceberg's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound to produce a rounder sound. This contrast in bottom housing materials showcases how varying materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience of a switch. Despite utilizing the same top housing material, the difference in bottom housing materials demonstrates the importance of considering all aspects of a switch's design for a tailored typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Beer and the Aflion Iceberg will depend on personal preference in typing feel and sound. Both switches share the benefits of using polycarbonate for the top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound profile with the added bonus of translucency for RGB lighting. However, the divergence in bottom housing materials highlights the unique characteristics each switch brings to the table. Whether you prefer the clear and resonant sound of the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing or the deeper and fuller sound of the Iceberg's nylon bottom housing, both switches offer a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to individual typing preferences and the desired sound profile.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch both have relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, with the Beer being slightly heavier in both aspects. The Beer switch has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Iceberg has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Both switches are considered light in comparison to other switches on the market, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. The lower actuation force of the Iceberg might provide a slightly quicker response, while the higher bottom out force of the Beer could offer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch, it is evident that the Beer has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm compared to the Iceberg's 4 mm. The Beer's shorter travel distance may appeal to those seeking a faster response time, such as gamers, while the Iceberg's longer travel distance may provide a more substantial keystroke feel for those who prefer a deeper actuation. Both switches fall within the range of common travel distances but cater to different preferences in terms of responsiveness and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance in mechanical keyboards.
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 Iceberg has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Iceberg for $3.07.
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 Iceberg switches are described as having a clacky sound signature. This means that they both produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be crisp, bright, and percussive. However, the Iceberg switch also has a high-pitched sound profile, offering a more sharp and crisp sound compared to the Beer. While the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, if you prefer a more high-pitched sound, the Iceberg switch may be more to your liking.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer switch is noted for being easy-to-press and having a stepped tactility, providing a gentle resistance during key presses and a more subtle tactile feel. On the other hand, the Aflion Iceberg switch is described as snappy, feathery, and subtle. These qualities mean that the Iceberg switch offers a super responsive typing experience with a light actuation force, reducing finger fatigue and providing a comfortable typing feel. The feathery and subtle nature of the Iceberg switch also ensures a gentle resistance and a quieter sound signature, suitable for shared spaces.
Overall, while both the Gateron Beer and Aflion Iceberg switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel, they cater to different preferences. If you prefer a switch with a more stepped tactile feel and a clacky sound, the Gateron Beer switch may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a switch that is snappy, feathery, and subtle in feel with a high-pitched sound profile, the Aflion Iceberg switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches provide a different typing experience that caters to varying preferences, so choosing between the two would depend on your personal preference for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Aflion Iceberg linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference in terms of feel and sound. If you are looking for a switch with a unique, lightweight feel and a characteristic clacky sound, the Beer may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and fulfilling typing experience with a snappy and high-pitched sound profile, the Iceberg could be the ideal switch for your needs. Consider how you like your switches to feel and sound when making your decision between these two excellent options in the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
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