KTT Darling vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 White
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Darling, a linear switch, and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White, also a linear switch, each offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Darling provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation with bouncy and clacky feedback, while producing a high-pitched, resonant sound upon keystroke. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 White is designed for delicate typists, offering an incredibly light actuation force of 38g with a creamy, easy-to-press feel and medium-high pitch feedback. The Darling excels in providing a satisfying tactile and auditory experience, while the G Pro White offers a budget-friendly option with a premium typing feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
20mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it an ideal choice for switches that want to showcase RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound profile and aesthetic appeal related to RGB lighting, both the Darling and the G Pro 3.0 White would provide similar results due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
However, when we look at the bottom housing material, we see a difference between the two switches. The KTT Darling utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White also uses nylon for its bottom housing, providing a similar effect in terms of sound profile, with a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon. In this aspect, both switches offer a comparable typing experience with their nylon bottom housings.
Ultimately, the split between the top and bottom housings in a switch plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. While the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, the top housing impacts the sound when the key is released. Therefore, despite any differences between the housing materials of the KTT Darling and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White, the qualities each material brings are shared between the top and bottom of the switches, contributing to a unique typing experience for each.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch differ in weight. The Darling has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the G Pro 3.0 White's 38 grams, making the G Pro 3.0 White the lighter option in this comparison. Similarly, the Darling has a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the G Pro 3.0 White has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams, indicating that the G Pro 3.0 White is again the lighter option. Overall, the Darling provides a medium-light typing experience, while the G Pro 3.0 White offers a lighter touch. For users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the G Pro 3.0 White may be the better choice, whereas those seeking a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the slightly heavier Darling switch. Ultimately, the weight variances between these two switches cater to different preferences for typing and gaming needs.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch, it is clear that the Darling has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the G Pro 3.0 White with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Darling's 3.5 mm distance provides a shallower feel, which may appeal to those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 White's 4 mm distance offers a more traditional feel with a bit more depth. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Darling offering a faster response time and the G Pro 3.0 White providing a slightly deeper key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White has an MSRP of $3.40 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 White for $3.27.
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 profiles of the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch, it is evident that the Darling offers a more high-pitched, resonant, and clacky sound, providing a tactile and auditory experience that is engaging and satisfying. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 White switch produces a clacky sound as well, but with a more neutral and subdued tone, catering to a wider range of users with its moderate actuation force requirement. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that can complement different preferences depending on the user's typing style and environment.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the KTT Darling is recognized for its bouncy sensation, giving each keystroke a springy and lively feedback. In contrast, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a creamy, easy-to-press, feathery, mild, silky, and subtle typing experience, emphasizing smoothness, light actuation force, and reduced finger fatigue. While the Darling focuses on a more lively and bouncy feel, the G Pro 3.0 White switch provides a range of smooth and gentle typing sensations to suit various typing preferences and needs.
In conclusion, the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch present distinctive subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Darling excels in providing a chewy, substantial feel with a bouncy feedback and a resonant, high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a budget-friendly option with a variety of typing sensations, including creamy, easy-to-press, feathery, mild, silky, and subtle characteristics. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique experiences that cater to different typing styles and preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers in the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the KTT Darling linear switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a typing sensation that is chewy, substantial, and bouncy, complemented by a high-pitched resonant sound, then the KTT Darling may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a switch that offers an incredibly light actuation force for effortless keystrokes, with a medium-high pitch sound profile and budget-friendly pricing, then the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch might be more suitable for your needs. Consider the sound and feel characteristics described for each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that best fits your individual preferences.
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