Gateron Beer vs. Gateron North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Gateron Beer and the Gateron North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Beer, with its translucent green housing and stepped tactility, offers a refreshingly lightweight and clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron North Pole V2 provides a gummy, creamy, and subdued linear typing feel with a satisfying chewy touch. While the Beer is easy-to-press and delivers a distinct tactile feedback, the North Pole V2 stands out for its polished and bouncy nature. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Gateron North Pole V2 are both made of polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiff plastic, leading to a more resonant sound. Aesthetically, the use of polycarbonate in clear housings allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it a popular choice for those looking to customize their keyboards with colorful lighting effects. Both switches offer similar benefits in terms of sound and appearance thanks to their polycarbonate construction.
However, where the two switches differ is in the overall design and key feel. The housing material of the bottom housing in both switches will have a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down. This means that while the top housing material contributes to the sound when a key is released, the bottom housing material plays a larger role in the overall typing experience. Despite this difference, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with their polycarbonate construction.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Gateron Beer and the Gateron North Pole V2 may be the same in terms of being made of polycarbonate, but they each bring unique characteristics to the table. The polycarbonate material used in both switches provides a clear and resonant sound profile, making them ideal choices for those who prioritize sound quality in their mechanical keyboards. Whether you choose the Beer or the North Pole V2, you can expect a premium typing experience with a satisfying sound and feel, thanks to the high-quality housing materials used in their construction.
Weight
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a good choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch has a higher actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, offering a more substantial push feel for those who prefer a heavier typing experience. The Beer switch is lighter overall, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the North Pole V2 switch provides a more robust typing experience. Both switches have different actuation and bottom out forces, so choosing between them depends on individual preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Beer tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the North Pole V2 has a slightly longer key travel distance. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Beer switch, while those who prefer a deeper key press may lean towards the North Pole V2. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their travel distances, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences.
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 Gateron North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the North Pole V2 for $5.70.
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 offers a distinctive clacky sound signature, which is sharp, bright, and percussive, creating an engaging typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch produces a more subdued sound, with a dampened profile that is deep and muted, providing a quieter and more subtle typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that can contribute to the overall typing atmosphere, with the Beer switch being more lively and the North Pole V2 being more mellow.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Beer tactile switch is described as easy-to-press and stepped, with a light actuation force and a subtle tactile bump that enhances typing accuracy. On the other hand, the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch is characterized as gummy, creamy, bouncy, and polished, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience with a spring-like feedback sensation. While the Beer switch focuses on a gentle and responsive typing feel, the North Pole V2 switch provides a more luxurious and elastic typing experience, catering to different preferences in key feel.
Overall, the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch offer contrasting subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Beer switch delivers a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel with stepped tactility, while the North Pole V2 switch provides a subdued sound and a gummy, creamy, bouncy, and polished feel that is smooth and luxurious. Depending on personal preferences for sound and key feel, users can choose between these two switches to achieve their desired typing experience, knowing that each switch offers its own unique characteristics to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Beer tactile switch and the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch, consider the following guidelines. Opt for the Beer tactile switch if you prefer a light actuation force and a subtle stepped tactility, along with a clacky sound signature. This switch offers an easy-to-press feel that enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. On the other hand, go for the North Pole V2 linear switch if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a gummy, creamy typing feel with a subdued sound profile. This switch provides a unique and satisfying typing experience with a bouncy and polished sensation. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your preference for actuation force, tactile feedback, sound, and typing feel.
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