Gateron Beer vs. Durock Koala
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Durock Koala switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Beer and the Durock Koala mechanical keyboard switches, both switches offer a tactile experience but with different characteristics. The Beer, with its translucent green housing inspired by a Tsingtao beer bottle, is best known for its light and clacky feel, thanks to its unique stepped tactility. On the other hand, the Koala strikes a balance with a more pronounced bump during keystrokes without being too loud, offering a polished and low-pitched typing experience. While the Beer is described as 'clacky' and 'easy-to-press', the Koala is labeled as 'neutral' and 'stiff'. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and the Durock Koala both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. In contrast, the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the same sound profile as the top housing, whereas the Koala's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound.
While both switches feature polycarbonate top housing, the difference in their bottom housing materials impacts their overall sound profile. The Gateron Beer will have a consistent sharp and crisp sound throughout due to both top and bottom housings being polycarbonate. Conversely, the Durock Koala will have a combination of a sharp sound from the top housing's polycarbonate and a deeper sound from the nylon bottom housing. This split in housing material qualities affects not only the sound but also the feel of the switch when typing, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
The choice between the Gateron Beer and the Durock Koala ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. The Beer's consistent polycarbonate housing materials create a sharp and resonant sound profile, ideal for those who prefer a crisper typing experience. On the other hand, the Koala's combination of polycarbonate and nylon housing materials offers a mix of sharpness and depth in sound, appealing to those who enjoy a fuller sound profile. Both switches showcase the impact of housing materials on sound and feel, demonstrating how subtle differences can greatly influence the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch, it is evident that the Beer is the lighter option. The Beer has an actuation force of 38 grams, while the Koala's actuation force is unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Beer is 50 grams, which is still lighter compared to the Koala's 67 grams. For those who prefer a softer and lighter typing experience, the Beer would be the ideal choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and heavier feel when typing may lean towards the Koala for its medium-heavy bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with the Beer providing a lighter touch and the Koala offering a heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch have different travel distances, with the Beer having a travel distance of 3.4 mm and the Koala having a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer has a shorter travel distance compared to the Koala, which may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Koala may provide a more satisfying feeling of depth for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the specific feel desired for typing or gaming.
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 Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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, which produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Durock Koala tactile switch is described as having a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a mellow tone without being overly loud. Both switches provide unique auditory experiences, with the Beer offering a more crisp and bright sound, while the Koala delivers a bass-heavy and mellow tone.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press and having a stepped tactility, providing a mild tactile experience with two stages of feedback during the keystroke. Alternatively, the Durock Koala tactile switch is described as polished, accented, and stepped, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a medium amount of tactility. Additionally, the Koala switch is noted for being slightly stiffer in comparison to the Beer switch, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out.
Overall, while the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch offer different sound and feel profiles, they both provide a unique and enjoyable typing experience. The Beer switch excels in its clacky sound signature and easy-to-press feel, while the Koala switch offers a low-pitched sound and polished, accented feel. If you prefer one over the other based on these qualities, you can expect to get similar results in terms of typing satisfaction and performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Beer and Durock Koala tactile switches, consider the specific characteristics that each switch offers. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a more subtle tactile feel with a characteristic clacky sound, the Gateron Beer switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force and a more pronounced bump without being overly loud, the Durock Koala switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for actuation force, tactile feel, and sound profile.
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