Gateron Beer vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches for your typing or gaming needs, two popular options to explore are the Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, a linear switch. The Beer switch stands out with its mesmerizing translucent green design that evokes the allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle. Known for its refreshingly lightweight feel and stepped tactility, the Beer switch offers a subtler tactile experience compared to other switches, along with a characteristic clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch from KTT is celebrated for its buttery smooth typing experience, thanks to its progressive spring and dry-lube design. Categorized as 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', 'Stepped' for the Beer, and 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild' for the Sea Salt Lemon, each switch has its unique qualities to consider. 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
53g
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
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Beer and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches share many similarities when it comes to their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a relatively stiffer plastic, which leads to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting for an aesthetically pleasing experience. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound and feel when typing on switches with polycarbonate top housings, whether they choose the Gateron Beer or KTT Sea Salt Lemon.
However, where these switches differ is in their bottom housing materials. The Gateron Beer features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Beer contributes to its overall sound profile, creating a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound when typing. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Sea Salt Lemon results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, with the softer plastic absorbing more sound than polycarbonate. This creates a duller and rounder sound when compared to the sharper sound produced by polycarbonate bottom housings.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Beer and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches will ultimately come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. While both switches offer a similar sound profile with their polycarbonate top housings, the difference in bottom housing materials will impact the overall typing experience. Users looking for a sharper, crisper sound may prefer the Gateron Beer with its polycarbonate bottom housing, while those who prefer a deeper, fuller sound may lean towards the KTT Sea Salt Lemon with its nylon bottom housing. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a slightly heavier bottom out force of 53 grams. The Beer switch is ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a more substantial typing experience with a slightly heavier force, appealing to users who enjoy a stronger push feel. Both switches provide a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, catering to individuals with different preferences.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that the Beer has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Sea Salt Lemon's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying depth for some users. Both switches offer a different tactile experience due to their varying travel distances, catering to individual preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for travel distance and tactile feedback.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 characterized by a clacky sound signature, offering a sharp and crisp auditory feedback when pressed. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a more mellow and versatile sound experience. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Beer switch leaning towards a more pronounced and percussive sound, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a smoother and more subdued acoustic experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, providing a gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. The stepped tactility of the switch creates a subtle and responsive typing experience, enhancing comfort and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a mild typing experience, with a buttery smooth feel provided by its progressive spring and dry-lube design. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Beer switch leaning towards a more effortless and low-impact feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a gentler and more approachable typing sensation.
Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Beer switch provides a clacky sound signature and easy-to-press feel with stepped tactility, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile with a mild typing experience. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles, providing a unique typing experience that can vary depending on personal preference and the overall keyboard setup. Whether you prefer a more pronounced and percussive typing experience or a smoother and gentler feel, both switches offer reliable performance and quality that can enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lightweight switch with a unique tactile experience and a clacky sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light switch with a buttery smooth typing feel and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for feel, sound, and bottom out force to ensure that your mechanical keyboard experience is tailored to your liking.
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