Kailh Berry vs. Gateron Type A
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Type A switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Type A both offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. The Kailh Berry is known for its linear switches that provide a hefty typing experience with a springy feel and a chalk-like texture. It offers a deep sound profile categorized as 'Textured', 'Low-pitched', and 'Bassy'. On the other hand, the Gateron Type A, part of Sillyworks' "Project Rehash," reimagines traditional travel distances with factory lubing techniques. It is a medium-weight switch with a sound signature leaning towards the deeper side, categorized as 'Neutral' and 'Subdued'. Both switches have their own strengths, but choosing between them will depend on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Type A, one key difference is seen in the top housing material. The Berry utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiff nature. On the other hand, the Type A features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer composition that absorbs more sound. This contrast results in the Berry providing a crisper sound with more clarity, while the Type A offers a rounder and duller sound with a deeper tone.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Type A employ nylon materials. This similarity means that both switches will elicit a similar deep and full sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softness, which helps absorb sound and create a more resonant typing experience. However, the impact of the bottom housing material is more pronounced during the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, highlighting the importance of housing materials in different aspects of typing on a mechanical keyboard.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Type A housing materials comes down to personal preference in sound profiles. The Berry's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, while the Type A's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller tone. The shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound profile. Whether you prefer a sharper sound or a deeper tone, both housing materials offer distinct qualities that can enhance your typing experience based on your preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Gateron Type A linear switch, it is clear that they offer different experiences for users. The Kailh Berry has a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience without specifying an actuation force. On the other hand, the Gateron Type A has a lower bottom out force of 55 grams and an actuation force of 50 grams, offering a medium-light feel. The Berry switch offers a heavier typing experience, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial push feel, while the Type A switch provides a lighter typing experience that may be more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Berry linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Type A linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Gateron Type A has a longer travel distance compared to the Kailh Berry. The 3.6 mm travel distance of the Berry switch offers a slightly shorter keystroke compared to the 4 mm of the Type A switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Berry switch, while those who prefer a more significant keystroke depth may opt for the longer travel distance of the Type A switch. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25, whereas the Gateron Type A comes in at $4.70.
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 comparing the sound of the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Gateron Type A linear switch, we find that the Berry offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, providing a deeper and richer sound during typing. On the other hand, the Type A switch is described as having a more neutral and subdued sound, suitable for a variety of environments and preferences. In terms of feel, the Berry switch is known for its textured typing experience, offering a springy feel with a chalk-like texture. Unfortunately, information on the feel of the Type A switch is not provided.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the Kailh Berry and Gateron Type A linear switches, it is evident that both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Berry switch provides a low-pitched, bassy sound profile with a textured typing experience, while the Type A switch offers a more neutral and subdued sound with unknown information on feel. Depending on individual preferences, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience with similar results in certain aspects. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the specific preferences and needs of the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a springy typing experience with a deep sound profile, then the Kailh Berry switch would be a suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force with a sound signature leaning towards the deeper side of the spectrum and a switch that offers a compromise between weight and sound, the Gateron Type A linear switch would be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force when choosing between these two linear switches.
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