Gateron Beer vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Beer and the BSUN Olive mechanical keyboard switches, there are a few key differences to consider. The Beer switch offers a unique tactile experience with its stepped tactility and characteristic clacky sound, making it a great option for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Olive switch stands out with its deep, resonant sound and pronounced tactile feedback, providing a satisfyingly sharp bottom-out feel. While the Beer is categorized as 'clacky', 'easy-to-press', and 'stepped', the Olive is labeled as 'accented', 'invigorating', 'sharp', and 'snappy'. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and the Bsun Olive both feature unique housing materials for their switches. The Beer utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which results in a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Olive uses a POM top housing, producing a deeper and relatively more muted sound. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Beer is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency, the POM top housing of the Olive offers a different acoustic experience with its unique sound profile.
Moving onto the bottom housing of these switches, both the Beer and the Olive have distinct characteristics. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to its sharp and crisp sound profile, similar to the top housing. This consistency in material throughout the switch results in a cohesive sound experience. Conversely, the Olive's POM bottom housing adds to its deep and muted sound profile, creating a harmonious balance with the POM top housing. While both switches may have different materials for their top and bottom housings, each contributes to the overall sound and feel of the switch in its own way.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Beer and the Bsun Olive ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. The polycarbonate and POM housing materials offer contrasting characteristics, with the Beer providing a sharper and crisper sound while the Olive offers a deeper and more muted tone. Whether you prefer a switch with a more resonant sound profile or enjoy a unique acoustic experience, both options have their own strengths. Regardless of the chosen switch, understanding the impact of housing materials on sound and feel is essential in making an informed decision.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch show some notable differences. The Gateron Beer has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Bsun Olive's 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Beer is 50 grams, while the Olive requires 65 grams to bottom out, indicating a more substantial typing experience with the Olive. This means that the Beer switch is better suited for individuals who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Olive switch is ideal for those who enjoy a heavier push feel for a more pronounced typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.4mm. This means that both switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the key travels from the top to the bottom. This will result in a consistent feel and feedback when pressing down on the keys for both switches. As a result, users can expect a consistent typing experience whether they are using the Gateron Beer or the Bsun Olive tactile switch.
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 Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 switch offers a clacky sound signature, giving a sharp and snappy auditory experience when pressed. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switch's sound quality is unknown at this time. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. The stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a subtle two-stage feel during keystrokes. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch is characterized as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, offering a prominent tactile feedback with a crisp and sharp bottom-out sensation.
Overall, both the Gateron Beer and Bsun Olive switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Beer switch provides a lighter feel with a clacky sound, while the Bsun Olive switch delivers a satisfying tactile experience with a deep sound profile. Depending on your typing preferences and the desired typing experience, both switches offer distinct advantages that can enhance your overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference and the specific typing feel and sound profile you are looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a light and easy-to-press switch with a unique clacky sound signature, the Gateron Beer tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with pronounced tactile feedback, sharp actuation, and an invigorating typing sensation, then the BSUN Olive tactile switch would be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired typing experience to determine which switch aligns best with your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose wisely based on what matters most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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