Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Presenting two fantastic options for mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red offer a delightful typing experience with their own unique features. The G Pro Brown, a tactile switch, provides a gentle bump that adds a subtle tactile sensation without interrupting the typing flow. It boasts a frosted light diffuser, ensuring that your RGB lighting shines vibrantly and creates an immersive visual experience. With a medium-high pitch and satisfying auditory feedback, typing becomes an enjoyable and joyful experience. On the other hand, the G Pro Red, a linear switch, prioritizes a smooth typing experience with its medium-light actuation force. It strikes a perfect balance between responsiveness and ease of use, enhancing your typing performance without breaking the bank. Similar to the G Pro Brown, it also features a frosted light diffuser for brighter RGB lighting effects and offers a satisfying auditory experience with its medium-high pitch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red share many similarities when it comes to their housing materials. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for those planning to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through. Additionally, polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, offering a clear and resonant sound. Therefore, users can expect a similar sound experience from both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the G Pro 3.0 Red.
While the top housings of the two switches are the same, the bottom housings differ. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Red also features a nylon bottom housing, meaning users will experience a similar deep and full sound when typing. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a consistent experience between both switches.
In summary, the main difference between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red lies in their top and bottom housing materials. The top housings are identical, both featuring polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound profile. Meanwhile, the bottom housings are made of nylon in both switches, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience. Overall, users can expect a similar typing experience from both switches, with the main variation being the sound when letting go of a key, which is influenced by the top housing.
Weight
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces, resulting in different typing experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the lighter actuation force of 45 grams for the G Pro 3.0 Red. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Brown will require a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, when it comes to bottoming out, the G Pro 3.0 Red is lighter with a bottom out force of 50 grams, whereas the G Pro 3.0 Brown has a heavier bottom out force of 63 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Red will feel lighter when pressing all the way down compared to the G Pro 3.0 Brown.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch would be a suitable choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for faster and lighter keystrokes, making it ideal for prolonged typing sessions or quick and precise gaming movements. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch. Its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a tactile feedback and a more pronounced physical response when typing. This can be beneficial for those who enjoy a more deliberate and responsive typing experience. Overall, while the G Pro 3.0 Red offers a lighter feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a slightly heavier and more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will feel the key travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a similar tactile and responsive typing experience with this travel distance. Therefore, whether you choose the Brown or Red switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels when pressed. Both switches offer a reliable and satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Brown for $2.77.
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Red for $2.77.
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 it comes to sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is best described as having a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, adding an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch is categorized as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. It is worth noting that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so your specific setup may alter the sound experience to some extent.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is known for its easy-to-press characteristic. It offers gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Furthermore, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is categorized as a mild switch, providing a gentle typing experience in terms of both sound and feel. Overall, these qualities make the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch approachable and suitable for various users. Additionally, it is considered a stepped switch, which means it has a two-stage feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
On the other hand, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This smoothness can be attributed to either lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. Typing on a G Pro 3.0 Red switch provides a silky sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys as they melt into each keystroke. Like the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch, the G Pro 3.0 Red is also categorized as a mild switch, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. It is also classified as a polished switch, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, the G Pro 3.0 Red switch offers a refined and smooth feel while minimizing resistance during key presses and releases.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and G Pro 3.0 Red switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Brown switch provides a medium-high pitch sound that adds joy to typing sessions, along with an easy-to-press feel that reduces finger fatigue. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Red switch offers a creamy and silky smooth typing experience, accompanied by a neutral sound profile. Both switches fall into the mild switch category, ensuring an approachable experience for most users. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference, with the Brown switch offering a tactile feedback and the Red switch providing a smooth linear typing experience. However, it is important to note that individual setups with different keyboards and keycaps may result in variations in sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, based on the information provided, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you if you are looking for a switch that offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation. With a medium bottom out force of 63 grams, these switches provide a gentle bump that won't overpower your typing flow. They also offer a medium-high pitch for a satisfying auditory feedback. Additionally, the frosted light diffuser ensures that your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch would be more suitable for you. With a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches strike a balance between responsiveness and ease of use. They offer a medium-high pitch for a satisfying auditory experience and feature a frosted light diffuser for brighter and more vibrant RGB lighting effects.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preference for tactile feedback and typing experience. If you enjoy a gentle bump and subtle tactile response, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is the way to go. However, if you prefer a smoother and more linear feel, the G Pro 3.0 Red would be the better option. Consider your typing style, the sound and feel descriptions, and how you prioritize these factors in order to make an informed decision. Happy typing!
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