Gateron Beer vs. Neo Lavender HE

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice often boils down to personal preference and the type of typing experience one seeks. The Gateron Beer switch, with its eye-catching translucent green housing, mimics the refreshing vibe of a Tsingtao beer bottle and offers a tactile experience characterized by its stepped tactility. This makes it an ideal option for those who appreciate a lightweight feel coupled with a distinctive clacky sound signature, adding a playful auditory element to your typing. In contrast, the Neo Lavender HE employs hall effect technology, providing a unique low sound profile and smooth engagement that appeals to users looking for precision and quiet operation. Moreover, its compatibility with Wooting keyboards enhances versatility, making it a suitable choice for gamers and typists alike. Each switch has its own allure, catering to different preferences in terms of feedback and acoustics. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Beer Tactile

Neo Lavender HE Hall Effect

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

$4.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Neo Lavender HE switches, it is evident that they employ different plastics for both the top and bottom housings, which in turn influences their overall sound profiles. The Gateron Beer features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer composition that produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This material allows sound waves to resonate clearly, delivering a crisp auditory feedback that many typists may prefer, particularly in settings where precision is paramount. In contrast, the Neo Lavender HE utilizes a nylon top housing, which tends to absorb sound due to its softer plastic composition. As a result, this material creates a deeper, fuller, and slightly duller sound profile, fostering a different auditory experience that caters to users seeking a more muted and rounded keypress.

When it comes to the bottom housing, the Gateron Beer continues the trend of utilizing polycarbonate, maintaining the same sonic characteristics as its top half. This choice echoes its clear and resonant sound profile, ensuring consistency between the keystroke feel and sound at the bottom-out point. The Neo Lavender HE, on the other hand, features a nylon bottom housing that aligns with the softer qualities pushed forth by its top housing. By combining a nylon bottom with a nylon top, the Lavender HE can produce a cohesive sound experience that remains deep and rounded, enhancing the typing experience for users who appreciate a softer tactile response. Therefore, while both switches provide unique auditory experiences, their materials are well integrated to ensure that users achieve a distinctive sound based on their preferences.

Ultimately, while the distinct materials in the Gateron Beer and Neo Lavender HE switches create contrasting sound profiles, there’s a fundamental principle at play regarding how each material affects the overall typing experience. The Gateron Beer, with both top and bottom housings made of polycarbonate, yields a sharper, brighter sound, ensuring that the qualities of the sound remain consistent throughout the keystroke. Conversely, the Neo Lavender HE’s use of nylon in both the top and bottom housings brings a harmonious fullness to its sound, creating a rounded auditory experience that resonates with those who favor a softer touch. Thus, understanding the impact of housing materials allows users to make informed choices based on whether they prioritize clarity or depth in their typing experiences.

Weight

The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch both exhibit relatively light forces, making them suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. The Beer switch has an actuation force of 38 grams, slightly lighter than the Lavender HE's actuation force of 40 grams. Both switches share identical bottom out forces of 50 grams, which provides a consistent tactile feedback when fully pressed down. While the Beer switch offers a marginally lighter touch, the difference in actuation force is minimal, allowing users who prefer either switch to experience a comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference for a slightly softer or slightly firmer actuation without compromising the familiar bottom out sensation.

Travel distance

The Gateron Beer tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. This difference means that the Beer switch provides a shorter actuation distance, making it more appealing for gamers or those who prefer quicker response times. On the other hand, the Lavender HE offers a more substantial travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who appreciate a comforting depth in their keystrokes. Thus, while both switches serve their purposes well, the Gateron Beer is the shorter option, catering to a preference for responsiveness, whereas the Neo Lavender HE enables a deeper and potentially more engaging keystroke experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When considering the sound profile of the Gateron Beer tactile switch, it delivers a vibrant and lively clacky signature. This sound is characterized by sharp, snappy tones that encapsulate a bright and percussive quality, making it an engaging choice for typers seeking auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Neo Lavender HE is known for its clean and low sound, which suggests a more muted auditory experience compared to the Beer’s lively character. While the Beer provides an energetic clack, the Lavender HE may appeal to those who prefer a quieter operation, contributing to a more subdued typing environment. Ultimately, both switches can produce distinct sounds depending on the keyboard, type of keycaps, and other factors, but their inherent qualities set them apart.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch shines with its easy-to-press design that requires minimal force to activate, leading to a comfortable typing experience. Its stepped tactility presents a gentle resistance that makes the key presses feel more mild and allows typers to discern a noticeable but subtle change in the resistance during the keystroke. This feature effectively reduces finger fatigue during longer typing sessions, making it appealing for extended use. In contrast, the feel of the Neo Lavender HE is unknown, but if it shares the smoothness and reliability of other hall effect switches, it may offer a different kind of experience—possibly emphasizing a linear feel or a unique tactile sensation altogether.

In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch stands out with its clacky sound and easy-to-press, stepped tactile feel, making it a fantastic option for those who enjoy vibrant audio feedback and a comfortable typing experience. In contrast, the Neo Lavender HE switch offers a clean and low sound, which could appeal to those seeking a quieter operation, but its tactile feel remains unreported. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you prefer the dynamic energies of the Beer or the subdued elegance of the Lavender HE, both of which showcase how mechanical keyboard switches can provide distinct and tailored experiences.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch will largely depend on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a light and effortless typing feel, the Beer switch is an excellent choice, particularly if you favor a pronounced tactile bump that makes it easier to feel your key presses. Their clacky sound can also add an exciting auditory element to your typing experience, making it ideal for those who enjoy a lively and engaging sound profile. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter environment and prefer a switch that delivers smooth operation with minimal noise, the Lavender HE is the way to go. The clean, low sound and compatibility with Wooting keyboards make it appealing for users who seek a seamless experience, especially when gaming or working in shared spaces. Ultimately, both switches offer a light bottom-out force of 50 grams, but your choice hinges on whether you prefer the tactile feedback and sound of the Beer or the smooth, silent operation of the Lavender HE.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Beer Tactile

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

Learn more

Neo Lavender HE Hall Effect

$4.50 per 10

Learn more