Gateron Beer vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and Cherry MX Black offer unique features to consider. The Gateron Beer switch evokes the sparkling allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle with its mesmerizing translucent green color. Known for its lightweight and stepped tactility, this switch provides a subtler feel compared to other tactile switches. Additionally, it offers a characteristic clacky sound signature that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch, perfected by Cherry with Hyperglide tooling, offers a classic textured smoothness and a deep sound profile while typing. Categorized as clacky, easy-to-press, stepped and low-pitched, textured, stiff respectively. Each switch has its own strengths and appeals to different preferences. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
80g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Cherry MX Black, we can see that both switches offer unique sound profiles due to their different housing materials. The Beer's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, while the MX Black's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate leads to a clearer and more resonant sound, whereas the softer nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Moreover, the differences in the bottom housings of the Beer and MX Black also contribute to their overall sound profiles. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Beer adds to its sharp and crisp sound profile, while the nylon bottom housing of the MX Black enhances its deeper and fuller sound. The impact of the bottom housing is more noticeable when pressing down on a key, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, whereas the top housing plays a larger role in the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and Cherry MX Black play a significant role in determining the sound profiles of these switches. While the Beer's polycarbonate housing leads to a sharper and clearer sound, the MX Black's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to individual preferences in typing experience. Whether choosing the Beer or MX Black, users can expect a unique sound and feel based on the material composition of the top and bottom housings.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Cherry MX Black linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams. Similarly, the Beer has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the MX Black has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Beer make it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, especially for extended use during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the heavier forces of the MX Black provide a more substantial and tactile typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, when considering weight, it's important to choose a switch that aligns with your personal preference for typing feedback and comfort.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is shorter than the Cherry MX Black linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer switch offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers looking for speed and accuracy. On the other hand, the MX Black switch provides a more substantial depth with its longer travel distance, offering a more satisfying feel for those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preference, with the Beer being the shorter option and the MX Black being the longer one. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual typing or gaming style preferences.
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 Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is best described as producing a clacky sound when pressed, offering a sharp and snappy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch features a low-pitched sound profile, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing. Depending on personal preferences and the setup of your keyboard, the sound produced by each switch can vary.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for being easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a unique typing experience with two distinct stages in each keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is characterized by its textured smoothness, offering a classic typing feel. However, it is noted for being on the stiffer side, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches.
Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Gateron Beer switch provides a clacky sound and an easy-to-press, stepped tactility, the Cherry MX Black switch offers a low-pitched sound and a textured smoothness with a stiffer feel. Depending on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, both switches can deliver satisfying results, with the Beer switch offering a more lightweight and unique tactile experience, while the MX Black switch provides a classic, deep sound with a smoother texture. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the user's preference for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, consider your typing preferences and needs. If you prefer a lighter, easy-to-press switch with a unique clacky sound and stepped tactility, the Gateron Beer tactile switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier switch with a low-pitched sound and a textured, stiff feel, the Cherry MX Black linear switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what feels most comfortable and enjoyable for your typing experience.
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