Aflion Carrot vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Aflion Carrot and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow are both mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and experiences to users. The Carrot is a tactile switch, known for its two-stage spring that provides a bouncy tactile experience. Additionally, it has a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a linear switch that excels in affordability while maintaining excellent quality. When typing on these switches, users can expect a higher pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy feel. Both switches offer distinct advantages, 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
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow have similar housing materials when it comes to their polycarbonate top housings. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to its relatively stiffer nature, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Carrot and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow will provide a similar sound and aesthetic experience with their polycarbonate top housings.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material and offers its own set of characteristics. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, the switches create a duller and rounder sound. Both the Carrot and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow will provide this aspect with their nylon bottom housings, ensuring a satisfying typing experience with a deeper sound profile.
It's important to note that the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in the overall typing experience. The bottom housing has a stronger impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when you let go of a key. Therefore, the Carrot and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow will have slight differences in sound and feel due to the variations in their bottom and top housing materials. However, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both switches provide high-quality sound profiles overall.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, it is clear that there are noticeable differences in weight. The Carrot switch has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, meaning a gentle press is all that is needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter touch will likely find the Carrot switch more suited to their needs, allowing for longer and more comfortable typing or gaming sessions.
Moving on to the bottom out force, which measures the force required to fully press a key, the Carrot switch has a bottom out force of 45 grams. This indicates that a slightly stronger push is needed to fully depress the keys. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch has a higher bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a more substantial and tactile typing experience.
Considering the weight aspect, individuals who prioritize a lighter typing experience should opt for the Aflion Carrot switch, as it offers a lower actuation force and bottom out force. This makes it a suitable choice for those who require extended typing or gaming sessions without experiencing fatigue. Alternatively, users seeking a more substantial and tactile typing feel may prefer the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch, which provides a higher actuation force and bottom out force for a more pronounced keystroke sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch both have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience provided by both switches. Whether you choose the Aflion Carrot or the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow, you can expect a consistent travel distance of 4 mm, ensuring a satisfying keystroke every time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
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
When comparing the sound qualities of the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, the Carrot switch is known for a firm and mid-pitched sound profile, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch produces a higher-pitched and clacky sound. Both switches fall under the category of high-pitched switches, which means they produce a sharp and crisp sound. However, the Carrot switch offers a unique bouncy tactile experience, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch provides a fairly bouncy feeling. Therefore, if you prefer a brighter and slightly firmer sound profile, the Carrot switch would be a better choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a higher-pitched clacky sound and a bouncy feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch would be more suitable. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch is described as bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle. These descriptors indicate that the Carrot switch offers a lively and spring-like feedback sensation, making the keys feel more alive. The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch, on the other hand, is described as polished and creamy. This suggests that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch provides a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The creamy sensation of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is comparable to effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. Overall, if you prefer a switch that offers a bouncy and lively feel, the Carrot switch would be a better choice. However, if you value a polished and smooth typing experience with reduced friction, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch would be more suitable.
Based on the available information, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch is known for its uniquely bouncy tactile experience and mid-pitched, firm sound profile. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is praised for its budget-friendly excellence and provides a higher-pitched clacky sound and a fairly bouncy feel. Both switches fall under the category of high-pitched switches, producing sharp and crisp sounds when pressed. Additionally, the Carrot switch offers a range of feel descriptors including bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch provides a polished and creamy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preferences for sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a fun and bouncy tactile switch with a light bottom out force, the Aflion Carrot is a great choice. It offers a uniquely bouncy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a budget-friendly linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is the way to go. It provides a higher pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy feel when typing. In terms of sound, both switches have a high-pitched profile, but the Carrot is also described as clacky and marbly, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is resonant. As for feel, the Carrot is bouncy, snappy, and stepped, offering a lively and spring-like feedback. In contrast, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is described as polished and creamy, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow depends on your preference for a tactile or linear switch, as well as your desired sound and feel.