Gateron Beer vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch, you may come across the Gateron Beer, a tactile switch, and the Haimu Neo White, a linear switch. The Gateron Beer switch is unique with its mesmerizing translucent green color, evoking the allure of a Tsingtao beer bottle. It offers a refreshingly lightweight feel with a stepped tactility, providing a subtle touch compared to traditional tactility and emitting a characteristic clacky sound. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White switch stands out with its medium weight and slightly reduced total travel, offering a distinctive typing experience. The rare use of a Ly stem in the Neo White switch contributes to a smooth actuation, making each keystroke satisfying. If you prefer a 'clacky', 'easy-to-press', and 'stepped' switch, the Gateron Beer may be the way to go. Conversely, if you lean towards a 'mild' and 'neutral' typing experience, the Haimu Neo White could be your choice. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
Both the Gateron Beer and the Haimu Neo White feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic material. This makes them ideal for switches that will be used with RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for vibrant lighting effects. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of these switches contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile, resulting in a satisfying typing experience.
Where the two switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Gateron Beer utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which continues to enhance the sharp and crisp sound profile of the switch. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic compared to polycarbonate, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switch. This distinction in bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of the switch.
In terms of functionality, the qualities of the bottom housing material have a more direct impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed down, while the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. Despite this difference, both the Gateron Beer and the Haimu Neo White offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the crisper sound of polycarbonate or the fuller sound of nylon, these switches provide a range of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the Haimu Neo White linear switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Beer has a heavier bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Neo White has a bottom out force of 58 grams. This means that the Beer switch will provide a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer less resistance when typing or gaming for extended periods. On the other hand, the Neo White switch offers a medium resistance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial feel while typing. In terms of weight, both switches can cater to different preferences and needs, with the Beer being lighter and the Neo White being heavier in terms of bottom out force. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their faster response times. The Beer switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those looking for a quicker key press. On the other hand, the Neo White switch provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may offer a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and 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 Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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 tactile switch is known for its clacky noise, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This sound is crisp, bright, and percussive, giving a tactile and satisfying auditory feedback to the user. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, which is moderate and suitable for various purposes, whether it be for beginners or advanced users. Ultimately, the sound produced by both switches will depend on additional factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Beer tactile switch offers an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force results in effortless and comfortable typing, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. Additionally, the stepped tactility of the Beer switch provides a unique typing sensation with two stages of tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White linear switch is described as providing a mild typing experience, offering a gentle feel that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone suitable for most users. The use of a Ly stem in the Neo White switch contributes to a smooth actuation, enhancing the overall typing feel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Beer switch is known for its clacky sound and easy-to-press, stepped tactility, providing a unique typing experience. In contrast, the Neo White switch offers a neutral sound profile and a mild typing feel, making it approachable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, the preference between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. If the user is looking for a more tactile and pronounced typing experience, the Gateron Beer switch would be the ideal choice, while the Haimu Neo White switch would be a suitable option for those seeking a smoother and more subtle typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, consider the factors of bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter actuation force and a more unique typing feel with a stepped tactility and characteristic clacky sound, the Gateron Beer tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force with a smooth actuation due to the Ly stem, and a more neutral sound profile with a mild typing experience, then the Haimu Neo White linear switch would be the better option for your needs. Make your decision based on your personal preferences and typing requirements to ensure the best keyboard experience for yourself.
Mentioned in this article
