Gateron Beer vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that come to mind are the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch. The Gateron Beer switch is characterized by its mesmerizing translucent green color, lightweight feel, and stepped tactility that sets it apart from traditional round tactility switches. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch boasts a smooth and creamy feel, thanks to its innovative use of POK material in the stem and bottom housing. While the Beer switch offers a characteristic clacky sound signature, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and resonant sound. In general, the Beer switch is ideal for those looking for an easy-to-press and clacky typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is favored by typists seeking a buttery and creamier feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Beer and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Beer utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a clear and resonant sound profile. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a proprietary KTT blend top housing that offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both materials contribute to a clear sound, the polycarbonate in the Beer may provide a more defined and resonant tone compared to the KTT blend in the Vanilla Ice Cream.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Gateron Beer and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream differ once again. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing mirrors its top housing, creating a sharp and crisp sound profile. Meanwhile, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing is known for its smoothness, clackiness, and durability. The POK material offers exceptional strength and wear resistance, contributing to the overall smooth and durable feel of the switch. While the Beer's bottom housing may emphasize a clearer sound, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK material prioritizes smoothness and durability.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Beer and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream housing materials depends on personal preferences for sound and feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their housing materials, with the Beer emphasizing a clear and resonant sound with its polycarbonate housing, and the Vanilla Ice Cream focusing on smoothness and durability with its POK bottom housing. Whether one prefers a sharper, higher-pitched sound or a smoother, clacky feel, both switches provide distinctive options for keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual preferences for sound profile and keypress feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that the Beer is the lighter of the two. The Beer has an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. Both switches have relatively light actuation forces, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, the slight difference in bottom out forces may provide a slightly softer landing for keystrokes on the Vanilla Ice Cream switch compared to the Beer switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Beer switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for gamers looking for faster response times. However, the difference of 0.1 mm may not be noticeable to everyone. Ultimately, deciding between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of the amount of travel distance desired for a satisfying key press.
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 Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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 profile that is sharp and percussive, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch provides a high-pitched and marbly sound that is unique and resonant. Both switches have distinct auditory qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Beer switch leaning towards a bright and crisp tone, and the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivering a cleaner and more immersive sound experience. Depending on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard, users can select the switch that best suits their auditory needs.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, offering a light actuation force that makes typing effortless and comfortable. The stepped tactility of the switch provides a more subtle feel, allowing users to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during key presses. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and uniform typing sensation that is reminiscent of the dessert it's named after. The use of POK in both the stem and bottom housing contributes to the overall creamy feel of the switch, enhancing the typing experience for users who prefer a more fluid keystroke.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch both offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Beer switch provides a clacky and easy-to-press experience with a stepped tactility, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch delivers a high-pitched and buttery feel with a creamy typing sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, users can choose between these two switches to achieve their desired outcome. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to a variety of typing preferences, ensuring a satisfying and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a lighter bottom out force and a more subtle tactile feel with a characteristic clacky sound, the Beer switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for tactile feedback, sound signature, and typing feel. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
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