Akko V3 Crystal Pro vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Crystal Pro and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Akko V3 Crystal Pro and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow both offer unique characteristics for different types of users. The V3 Crystal Pro is well-known for its fully polycarbonate construction, providing a bright and chirpy sound signature along with a silky smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow stands out for its budget-friendly excellence and higher-pitched clacky sound profile, offering a bouncy typing feel. While the V3 Crystal Pro is categorized as bouncy, chirpy, and polished, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is categorized as polished, high-pitched, creamy, and resonant. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences; however, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Polycarbonate
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Housing materials
The main similarity between the Akko V3 Crystal Pro and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is their use of polycarbonate for the top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both switches benefit from the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing element to the overall design.
Where the two switches differ is in their choice of bottom housing material. The V3 Crystal Pro utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, continuing the trend of creating a clear and resonant sound profile throughout the switch. Conversely, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow opts for a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than polycarbonate, leading to a duller and rounder sound that may appeal to those looking for a more nuanced typing experience.
In terms of typing experience, the housing materials of both switches play a crucial role in the overall sound and feel of the keys. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced during the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, with the nylon bottom housing of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offering a softer and deeper typing experience compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the V3 Crystal Pro. On the other hand, the top housing material, in this case, polycarbonate for both switches, will have a greater influence on the sound when releasing a key, contributing to the overall auditory feedback of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role. The V3 Crystal Pro has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow's 50 grams, making the former a slightly easier switch to activate. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the V3 Crystal Pro requires 60 grams of force, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow needs 67 grams, indicating that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy range, offering a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences, with the V3 Crystal Pro being lighter and the G Pro 3.0 Yellow being heavier, providing users with options tailored to their typing needs.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, we see that the V3 Crystal Pro has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Crystal Pro offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow. The shorter travel distance of the V3 Crystal Pro may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper actuation feel. Overall, both switches offer slightly different travel distances, catering to different preferences in key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Crystal Pro has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Crystal Pro for $3.30.
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 Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch offers a chirpy and bright sound that sets it apart from other switches. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch produces a higher-pitched and resonant sound when typing, providing a sharper and crisper auditory experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so the choice between them would depend on personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard.
When it comes to feel, the Akko V3 Crystal Pro switch is known for its bouncy and polished typing experience, providing a spring-like feedback and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch also offers a polished feel, ensuring reduced friction and a sleek typing experience. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery sensation when typing. Both switches provide a tactile experience that enhances typing comfort and efficiency.
In conclusion, the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The V3 Crystal Pro stands out with its chirpy sound and bouncy feel, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow impresses with its higher-pitched sound and creamy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience. Both switches are budget-friendly options that provide quality performance, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Akko V3 Crystal Pro linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a switch with a fully polycarbonate construction that provides a bright and chirpy sound signature along with a silky smooth typing experience, then the Akko V3 Crystal Pro may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force and a budget-friendly linear switch that offers a higher-pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy typing feel, then the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and key characteristics.
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