Gateron Beer vs. Cherry MX Red

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and the Cherry MX Red offer distinct experiences worth exploring. The Beer switch stands out for its unique translucent green appearance, lightweight feel, and stepped tactility, providing a subtle yet satisfying typing experience with a characteristic clacky sound. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red is a classic linear switch known for its slightly heftier feel, deeper sound profile, and textured typing experience that combines responsiveness with a low-pitched thocky sound. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, but ultimately, the best choice depends on personal typing style and 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

Gateron Beer Tactile

Cherry MX Red Linear

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

$5.90

$4.00 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Cherry MX Red, it is evident that they each offer unique characteristics. The Gateron Beer incorporates a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is ideal for switches that feature RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for the illumination to shine through. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is softer than polycarbonate, absorbing more sound and producing a rounder tone. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of the desired typing experience.

Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Gateron Beer's polycarbonate construction once again delivers a sharper and crisper sound profile. This stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound when typing on the switches. Conversely, the Cherry MX Red's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, influencing the overall typing experience. Despite the differences in material, both the Gateron Beer and the Cherry MX Red aim to provide a satisfying tactile and audible typing response for users.

In instances where the top and bottom housings of a switch differ, the qualities of each material are divided between the two parts. The bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when the key is released. This distinction highlights the importance of both housing materials in shaping the overall typing experience. Whether it be the crispness of polycarbonate in the Gateron Beer or the fuller sound of nylon in the Cherry MX Red, each material brings its own unique qualities to the table, catering to diverse preferences among keyboard enthusiasts.

Weight

The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Cherry MX Red linear switch's 45 grams. This means that it takes less pressure to trigger a keystroke on the Beer switch, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In terms of bottom out force, the Beer switch requires 50 grams of force while the Cherry MX Red's bottom out force is unknown. This suggests that the MX Red switch may have a heavier overall feel when fully pressed. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is preferred. If both switches have the same actuation and bottom out force, users can expect similar results in terms of typing feel and performance.

Travel distance

The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Cherry MX Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the MX Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Beer. A shorter travel distance can be beneficial for faster response times, which is preferred by gamers. On the other hand, a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying and deliberate key press. Both switches offer different tactile experiences due to their travel distances, so choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preference. Despite the difference in travel distance, both switches will provide a similar result in terms of key actuation and overall typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is best characterized as having a clacky sound signature, which produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Red linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound, creating a deep, rich, and satisfying auditory experience. While the Beer provides a more crisp and bright sound, the MX Red delivers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. Overall, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that can enhance the typing experience based on personal preference and setup.

When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is described as easy-to-press with gentle resistance, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. Additionally, the Beer switch has a stepped tactility, providing a subtler and more nuanced typing experience compared to other tactile switches. On the contrary, the Cherry MX Red linear switch is noted for its textured feel, which may offer noticeable friction during key presses. Some users may prefer this slight texture for added feedback, while others may prefer a smoother typing experience.

Considering the available information, it is clear that the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Cherry MX Red linear switch offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound and an easy-to-press feel with stepped tactility, the MX Red switch delivers a thocky and low-pitched sound with a textured feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Both switches offer high-quality performance and can be a great addition to a mechanical keyboard setup for different typing preferences.

Conclusion

In closing, if you are looking for a light and easy-to-press switch with a unique tactile feel and a clacky sound signature, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heftier feel with a deep and satisfying thocky sound profile, the Cherry MX Red linear switch would be more suited to your preference. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch - whether it be the feel, sound, or overall typing experience. Both switches offer their own distinct characteristics, so it's important to prioritize what matters most to you when making your selection.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Beer Tactile

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

Learn more

Cherry MX Red Linear

$5.90

$4.00 per 10

Learn more