Gateron Beer vs. Gateron Weightlessness

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two intriguing options from Gateron stand out: the Gateron Beer and the Gateron Weightlessness, both of which offer unique tactile experiences. The Gateron Beer, inspired by the allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle, is known for its lightweight and stepped tactile feel, providing a more nuanced typing experience with its distinct clacky sound signature. This makes it ideal for those who appreciate a bit of auditory feedback and enjoy a comfortable, effortless keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness switches deliver a more balanced and subtle tactile experience, perfect for users seeking a moderate feel without overwhelming sound, promoting focus and precision in typing. While both switches cater to tactile preferences, one leans towards a lively engagement while the other prioritizes a smooth, understated interaction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that's right for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Beer Tactile

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Beer and the Gateron Weightlessness switches utilize distinct materials for their housings, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles and tactile feedback during use. The Gateron Beer features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, known for its rigidity and clarity. As a result, the sound profile produced when typing is notably sharper and more resonant. This material choice also aids in achieving a visual aesthetic that highlights RGB lighting effects, thanks to its translucency and vibrant sound characteristics. The overall typing experience with the Gateron Beer is marked by a crisper sound, making it ideal for users who favor a bright auditory feedback while typing.

In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which introduces a different auditory experience. Nylon is characterized by its flexibility, yielding a deeper and fuller sound profile that is softer and more sonorous than its polycarbonate counterpart. The sound absorption qualities of nylon lead to a duller sound when bottoming out, providing a rounder and more muted typing experience that may appeal to users looking for a more understated acoustics. This variation in material ensures that the nuances in sound and editing-based work are distinctly altered, which can greatly influence a user's preference for certain typing environments.

While the Gateron Beer and Weightlessness exhibit contrasting housing materials, the impact of each material on the overall sound profile demonstrates how the combination of distinct materials influences auditory feedback in switches. The Beer’s reliance on polycarbonate results in a sharper, more lively tactile experience, while the Weightlessness’s nylon offers a mellowing effect that could reduce auditory distractions. For users who appreciate varying sound profiles in their typing or gaming experiences, experimenting with these switches can yield notably different but equally engaging results, underscoring how critical the choice of housing material is in the realm of mechanical keyboards.

Weight

The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch present a noticeable contrast in their actuation forces. The Beer switch has an actuation force of 38 grams, making it a lighter option that may appeal to users who prefer ease of typing for extended periods, such as during long work sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams, catering to those who seek a more substantial typing experience. The bottom out force for the Beer switch is 50 grams, indicating that it has a defined endpoint when fully pressed down. However, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch remains unknown, leaving a gap in understanding its performance upon full depression. As a result, users might find that the Beer switch offers a lighter overall feel, while the Weightlessness switch provides a heavier and more tactile feedback, depending on the switch's unknown bottom out characteristics.

Travel distance

The Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch both have an identical travel distance of 3.4 mm, meaning that when pressing down on either switch, you will experience the same feel and response due to this uniform distance. This similarity results in a comparable tactile feedback and overall keystroke experience, making them both suitable options for users who prefer a tactile effect without a significant difference in travel mechanics. Since the travel distances are equal, users can expect consistent performance regardless of which switch they choose, highlighting the versatility and compatibility of both options in various typing scenarios.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Gateron Beer tactile switch is characterized by a distinctly clacky signature, producing a sharp and percussive tone when pressed. This clackiness not only provides auditory feedback that many typists find satisfying, but it also enhances the overall experience of using the switch. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switch features a balanced sound profile; however, details about its specific sound characteristics have not been provided. This gives the impression that while the Beer switch delivers a more pronounced sound experience, the Weightlessness may embody a subtler auditory presence, which would tend to blend more quietly into an environment.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Beer switch excels with its lightweight and easy-to-press action, designed to require minimal force for activation. Its stepped tactility offers a mild but noticeable distinction during key presses, providing an engaging typing experience without overwhelming resistance, making it ideal for extended use. On the other hand, the feel of the Weightlessness switch remains somewhat ambiguous as no specific tactile characteristics are provided. This uncertainty leaves its tactile feedback largely unknown, which could affect user preference based on personal touch response.

In summary, the Gateron Beer and Weightlessness tactile switches present distinct experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Beer offers a clear clacky sound and a light, stepped tactile sensation, appealing to users who enjoy both auditory and physical feedback during typing. The Weightlessness, while potentially elusive in sound and tactile feedback, might cater to those seeking a more subdued typing experience. As both switches bring their unique attributes to the table, personal preference will significantly dictate which one better suits an individual's typing style and needs.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, your decision should be guided by your typing style and preferences. If you prefer a lightweight switch that offers a sharper tactile feedback and an engaging auditory experience, the Beer switch is ideal. With its 50-gram bottom-out force, it is easy to press and provides a distinct clacky sound, making it suitable for those who enjoy a lively typing environment and seek a responsive feel that minimizes finger fatigue during extended sessions. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more subtle tactile experience with a balanced sound profile, you might gravitate toward the Weightlessness switch. Its unique characteristics appeal to those who appreciate a moderate tactile feel without the pronounced auditory feedback, offering an understated typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you want a vibrant, lightweight tactile switch or a more refined, smoother feel that complements your typing habits.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Beer Tactile

$6.00

$4.59 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Weightlessness Tactile

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more