Gateron Beer vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Beer and the Gazzew U4T mechanical keyboard switches, it's clear that both offer unique features to enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Beer stands out with its translucent green design inspired by a Tsingtao beer bottle, providing a visually striking option. It is praised for its lightweight feel and stepped tactility, offering a subtle tactile feedback along with a characteristic clacky sound. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T boasts a thocky sound profile and sharp tactility, delivering a satisfying auditory and tactile experience with every keystroke. While the Beer is known for being easy-to-press and clacky, the U4T is recognized for its bassy and sharp characteristics. Each switch has its own strengths, but diving deeper into their specific qualities will help you choose the best switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
In terms of housing materials, the Gateron Beer and the Gazzew U4T both offer unique characteristics that greatly influence the sound profile of the switch. The Beer's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharp, high-pitched sound that is crisp and resonant, making it ideal for those who prefer a clear and distinct typing experience. On the other hand, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing produces a deep and rich sound due to its softness, providing a more mellow typing experience. While the Beer focuses on clarity and sharpness, the U4T prioritizes a warmer and fuller sound quality.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the differences continue to be apparent between the Gateron Beer and the Gazzew U4T. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing mirrors the qualities of the top housing, offering a sharp and clear sound profile that complements the overall typing experience. In comparison, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing contributes to a rich and deep sound profile, enhancing the tactile feedback and bottom-out sound of the switch. These contrasting characteristics demonstrate how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall feel and sound of a mechanical keyboard switch.
While the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Gazzew U4T offer distinct advantages and sound profiles, they share common ground in their ability to shape the overall typing experience. Both switches utilize unique housing materials to create specific sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the sharp and resonant sound of the polycarbonate housing in the Beer or the deep and rich sound of the Gazzew blend in the U4T, both switches offer a customizable typing experience that can enhance your overall enjoyment and satisfaction with your mechanical keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, it is evident that there are notable differences between the two. The Beer has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the U4T, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Beer is 50 grams, while the U4T has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Beer provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a softer touch. On the other hand, the U4T offers a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force. In terms of weight, some may find the Beer more appealing for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the heavier push feel of the U4T for a more satisfying typing experience. Despite the differences in force, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to various preferences, ensuring that users can achieve their desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the Gazzew U4T tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Beer switch may be preferred by those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the U4T switch may provide a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Overall, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference regarding travel distance and the desired typing experience.
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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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 switch offers a clacky experience, which produces a sharp and snappy sound that is crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switch provides a bassy 'thock' sound profile, giving a deeper and richer tone during key presses. If you prefer a more distinct and sharp sound, the Beer switch would be the way to go, while the U4T switch is ideal for those seeking a deeper and more satisfying sound profile.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer switch is known for being easy to press, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force to activate. This makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. It also features a stepped tactility, providing a subtler feel compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switch is described as sharp, delivering a high feedback intensity with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. If you prefer a more gentle and easy-to-press feel, the Beer switch would be the better option compared to the more intense and sharp feel of the U4T switch.
Overall, both the Gateron Beer and Gazzew U4T switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Beer switch provides a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel with a stepped tactility, while the U4T switch delivers a bassy 'thock' sound and sharp tactile feedback. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, it's important to consider other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps, as they can also influence the overall sound and feel of the switches. Ultimately, both switches offer their own distinctive characteristics, so you can expect to get different but equally enjoyable results with either option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lighter, easy-to-press switch with a distinct clacky sound profile, the Gateron Beer tactile switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a sharp tactile feedback and a bassy 'thock' sound profile, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch is the way to go. Consider your preferences in terms of actuation force, sound, and feel to make the best decision for your typing experience. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles.
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