Gateron Beer vs. Outemu Green
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Green mechanical keyboard switches, the contrast between tactile and clicky switches becomes apparent. The Gateron Beer, with its mesmerizing translucent green color inspired by a Tsingtao beer bottle, offers a unique tactile experience. Known for its lightweight feel and stepped tactility, this switch provides a subtler feedback compared to traditional tactile switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Green switch excels in providing a satisfying clicky sound with each key press, offering a more pronounced tactile and auditory experience. While the Beer is characterized as 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', 'Stepped', the Green does not have specific characteristics listed. These general pointers give a glimpse into why one might choose either switch; 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
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
80g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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
Nylon
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 Outemu Green switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Additionally, both switches offer a clear housing, making them ideal for RGB lighting due to polycarbonate's translucency. However, the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing offers the same benefits as its top housing, while the Green's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer and sound-absorbing properties.
While both the Gateron Beer and Outemu Green switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing to produce a sharp and clear sound profile, they differ in their bottom housing material. The Beer features a polycarbonate bottom housing, maintaining consistency in sound quality throughout the switch. On the other hand, the Green switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the stiffer polycarbonate. This difference in material results in a varying sound experience when typing on the switches, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
In conclusion, the choice of housing material in mechanical keyboard switches plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and overall typing experience. Both the Gateron Beer and Outemu Green switches showcase the benefits of using polycarbonate in the top housing for a sharp and clear sound quality, ideal for RGB lighting. However, the difference in bottom housing material sets them apart, with the Beer offering consistency in sound throughout the switch and the Green providing a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon bottom housing. Ultimately, the housing materials of these switches result in distinct typing experiences based on the impact of each material on the sound and feel of the keys.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch are quite different. The Beer switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a more gentle typing experience. In contrast, the Green switch has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, providing a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Individuals who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Beer switch, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Green switch for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Green clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Outemu Green clicky switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Gateron Beer tactile switch. The traditional travel distance is around 4.0 mm, making the Outemu Green clicky switch more in line with this standard. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, so the Gateron Beer tactile switch may be more attractive to them. However, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Outemu Green clicky switch. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their travel distance, so it ultimately depends on personal preference whether you go for the shorter or longer option.
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 Outemu Green comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch offers a distinct and characteristic clacky sound that can be described as sharp, snappy, crisp, bright, and percussive. This sound signature adds to the overall typing experience and can be quite satisfying for those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Green clicky switch does not have a specific sound description provided, so it is difficult to directly compare the two in terms of sound. However, keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force can lead to a comfortable typing experience with reduced finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a more subtle and nuanced tactile feedback compared to other switches. On the contrary, the Outemu Green clicky switch does not have a feel description provided, making it challenging to directly compare the two in terms of tactile feel. However, it is important to note that personal preference plays a significant role in determining which switch feels best for individual users.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch stands out for its unique characteristics such as the clacky sound signature, easy-to-press actuation, and stepped tactility. On the other hand, the Outemu Green clicky switch lacks specific descriptions for sound and feel, making it challenging to provide a direct comparison between the two switches in those aspects. Ultimately, when choosing between these two switches, it is essential to consider personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience to determine which switch would be the best fit for your needs. Keep in mind that both switches offer their own set of qualities and characteristics that can enhance your mechanical keyboard typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Outemu Green clicky switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a lighter actuation force, easy-to-press keys, and a subtle tactile feedback with a clacky sound, then the Gateron Beer switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier actuation force and a more pronounced clicky sound without any tactile feedback, then the Outemu Green switch would be more suitable for you. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and key feel preferences when making your choice between these two switches. Ultimately, the decision should align with your personal preferences for a satisfying typing experience.
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