Bsun Akashi vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Akashi stands out for its UPE stem that provides smoothness and a distinctive housing combo of POM top and nylon bottom, resulting in a unique sound profile with a bright, crisp bottom-out. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is known for its budget-friendly excellence and offers a higher-pitched clacky sound profile with a bouncy feel. While the Akashi is described as 'clacky', 'creamy', and 'silky', the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is categorized as 'polished', 'high-pitched', and 'resonant'. Both switches have their strengths, but diving deeper beyond these generalities will help you determine the best switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow, one noticeable difference is in the top housing material. The Akashi's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound profile, contrasting with the G Pro 3.0 Yellow's polycarbonate top housing which creates a sharper and crisper sound. This difference in sound can be attributed to the stiffness of polycarbonate plastic, resulting in a more resonant sound compared to the softer POM material. Furthermore, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to utilize RGB lighting, offering a visually appealing aspect to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow.
On the other hand, both the Akashi and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material between the two switches means that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The impact of the bottom housing is felt most when bottoming out a key, highlighting the importance of the material in the overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and feel of the typing experience. While the top housing material differs between the two switches, with POM offering a more muted sound compared to polycarbonate's sharper tone, the nylon bottom housing shared by both switches ensures a deeper and fuller sound during typing. Whether it is the deeper sound profile created by the nylon bottom housing or the visual appeal of the translucent polycarbonate top housing, each material brings its unique characteristics to enhance the overall user experience of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Akashi linear switch to the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Akashi is lighter in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force. The Akashi has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it a lighter option compared to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow, which has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier force requirements. This makes it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing. On the other hand, the Akashi's lighter force requirements make it ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions where lighter actuation and bottom out forces are preferred. In either case, users can expect different typing experiences based on the actuation and bottom out forces of each switch.
Travel distance
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, making it shorter than the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall on the shorter side compared to traditional switches, the Akashi provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch offers a bit more depth to each keystroke, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an MSRP of $3.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Yellow for $2.78.
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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Akashi linear switch offers a unique and resonant experience, with a bright and crisp bottom-out sound due to the long pole stem and hybrid housing design. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch provides a higher pitched clacky sound profile which can be described as sharp and bouncy. Depending on personal preference, users may prefer the deeper acoustic richness of the Akashi or the higher pitched and clacky sound of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, both the Akashi and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow are noted for their smooth and buttery typing experiences. The Akashi switch is described as creamy, frictionless, polished, silky, snappy, and easy-to-press, offering a range of qualities that enhance the typing feel. Similarly, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is also described as polished and creamy, providing reduced friction, smooth key travel, and a silky sensation while typing. Both switches offer a comfortable and responsive typing experience, making them suitable choices for users who value smoothness and effortless keystrokes.
In conclusion, the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Akashi provides a resonant and bright sound with a range of smooth and responsive typing experiences, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a high-pitched clacky sound profile and a buttery typing sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these switches to achieve their desired typing experience. Ultimately, both switches deliver quality performance and can provide similar results in terms of comfort and responsiveness.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Bsun Akashi linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, consider your preference for typing feel and sound profile. If you value a smooth, creamy typing experience with a bright, crisp bottom-out sound, the Akashi switch with its easy-to-press actuation force may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom-out force with a higher-pitched, clacky sound profile and a polished, smooth finish, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for.
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