Gateron Beer vs. Everglide Oreo
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Gateron Beer and the Everglide Oreo, both tactile switches. The Gateron Beer switch is characterized by its translucent green color and lightweight design, offering a stepped tactility that provides a subtle feel with a clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo switch boasts a crisp and responsive tactile bump at the top, followed by a cushioned sensation upon bottoming out, offering a medium light tactility for a satisfying keystroke and comfortable typing experience. While the Beer is known for being 'easy-to-press' and producing a 'clacky' sound, the Oreo is 'accented' and 'chirpy'. However, let's delve deeper into the features of each switch to help you make an informed decision on which one best suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Everglide Oreo are both made of polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through the housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, enhancing the overall sound profile and aesthetic appeal.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing of the Gateron Beer and the Everglide Oreo, they both also utilize polycarbonate material, which further contributes to the sharp and clear sound profile of the switches. The qualities of the bottom housing material play a key role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. This ensures a consistent and satisfying tactile experience for the user, regardless of which switch they choose to use. Both switches benefit from the use of polycarbonate in their bottom housings, enhancing the overall performance and durability of the switches.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Beer and Everglide Oreo share similar housing materials in both their top and bottom housings, the utilization of polycarbonate brings out the best qualities of each switch. The stiff nature of polycarbonate creates a more resonant sound profile, while the translucency allows for RGB lighting to shine through. Whether it's the top or bottom housing, both switches benefit from the unique properties of polycarbonate, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 55 grams. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Beer switch would be the ideal choice due to its lighter weight, making it more suitable for long typing sessions or gaming. However, for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel with a bit more resistance, the Oreo switch would provide a more satisfying keystroke with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for each keystroke.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer switch offers a quicker response time, which may be preferred by gamers looking for fast and precise keystrokes. On the other hand, the Oreo switch provides a bit more depth, which can be appealing to those who prefer a more tactile and deliberate typing experience. Both switches fall within the range of common travel distances, so they will ultimately provide similar results in terms of key press feel, with the main difference being the slight variance in distance.
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 Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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 offers a clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch provides a more subtle and mellow sound profile, described as chirpy with a unique squeak that sets it apart. When considering sound, it's important to note that the overall acoustic experience also depends on other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is characterized by its easy-to-press nature, offering a gentle resistance during key presses with minimal force required to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing efficiency and comfort, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a more subdued tactile feel, with distinct pre-travel and post-travel sensations. Alternatively, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offers an accented typing experience with a medium light tactility that strikes a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing. Like the Beer, the Oreo switch also features a stepped tactility, providing a mild and controlled tactile feedback for users.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch presents a clacky sound and easy-to-press, stepped tactility for a distinct typing experience, the Oreo switch provides a chirpy sound profile and an accented, medium light tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound and tactile feedback, with users likely to achieve similar satisfactory results with either option based on their desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. Opt for the Gateron Beer if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a stepped tactility for a subtle keypress feel, and a clacky sound signature. This switch would be ideal for those seeking an easy-to-press switch that offers a unique typing experience with a distinct sound profile. On the other hand, choose the Everglide Oreo if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force, an accented medium light tactility for a balanced typing experience, and a chirpy sound profile. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a tactile bump at the top of the keystroke and a cushioned feel when bottoming out, accompanied by a mellow sound profile. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience.
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