Gateron Beer vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Yellow Silver offer distinct characteristics for different preferences. The Gateron Beer's tactile switches, inspired by the Tsingtao beer bottle, provide a unique experience with their lightweight feel and stepped tactility, resulting in a satisfying clacky sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offers a light actuation force and neutral sound profile, ideal for gamers and typists seeking speed and responsiveness. While the Beer switch is 'Clacky', 'Easy-to-press', and 'Stepped', the Yellow Silver switch falls under the 'Neutral' category. 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
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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 the Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This material is ideal for switches with RGB lighting, as its translucency allows the light to shine through, enhancing the overall aesthetic. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material can impact the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacting the sound when releasing a key.
While both the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Yellow Silver share the same polycarbonate top housing material, resulting in similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profiles, they diverge when it comes to their bottom housing materials. The Beer's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the clear and resonant sound profile associated with this material, while the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature. This difference in bottom housing material showcases how the choice of material can significantly impact the overall typing experience.
In conclusion, the material used for the housing of a switch plays a crucial role in determining its sound profile and typing feel. Both the Gateron Beer and the Outemu Yellow Silver demonstrate the impact of housing materials on sound quality, with polycarbonate top housings offering a sharp and clear sound, while nylon bottom housings produce a deeper and fuller sound. Understanding the properties of different housing materials can help users make informed decisions when selecting switches based on their preferred sound and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Beer tactile switch to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Beer is the lighter option with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Yellow Silver is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. The Beer offers a lighter typing experience, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the Yellow Silver provides a slightly more substantial push feel. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, but those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Beer, while those who enjoy a bit more resistance might opt for the Yellow Silver. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer reliable actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different preferences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Beer switch may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times due to its shorter travel distance, while the Yellow Silver switch with a longer travel distance may be favored by those who prefer a more tactile and deeper feeling when typing. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their travel distance, so choosing between the two will ultimately depend on individual preferences for responsiveness and key feel.
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 Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
The Gateron Beer tactile switch is known for its distinct clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and percussive sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users and environments. When it comes to feel, the Beer switch is easy-to-press with a light actuation force, making typing effortless and comfortable. Additionally, its stepped tactility provides a subtle and unique typing experience. Unfortunately, information on the feel of the Yellow Silver switch is not available. Overall, if you prefer a switch with a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch would be a great choice. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more neutral sound profile and a switch suitable for various use cases, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch might be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Beer tactile switch or the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a light actuation force and a unique tactile feel with a clacky sound signature, the Gateron Beer switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a neutral sound profile and a light actuation force for speedy and responsive typing, then the Outemu Yellow Silver switch might be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer their own distinctive characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so be sure to consider what factors are most important to you when choosing between the two.
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