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Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. KTT Grapefruit

An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Grapefruit switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

Presenting the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown: an exceptional addition to Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series. These switches offer an economical solution without compromising on quality. The G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, carefully crafted to provide a gentle bump that won't overpower your typing flow. With a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown ensures your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience. Additionally, this switch offers a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, adding an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, we have the KTT Grapefruit switches, which are truly special. These tarty linear switches showcase a soft and light typing feel, offering a unique experience. The Grapefruit switches have a "baritone," though not yet "bass," deep sound profile that adds a touch of sophistication to every keystroke. Categorized as low-pitched, neutral, and polished, these switches provide a smooth and consistent typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Grapefruit switches both have their unique qualities that cater to different preferences. 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

55g

Actuation force

45g

Bottom-out force

63g

Bottom-out force

53g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

1.90 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

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Grapefruit both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contributes to a similar sound profile for both switches. The use of polycarbonate in the housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it especially advantageous for switches that utilize RGB lighting. This similarity ensures that users can expect a clear and resonant sound from both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Grapefruit when typing.

However, while the top housings are the same, the bottom housings for these two switches differ. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its ability to absorb more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Grapefruit also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound. Both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, creating a more satisfying auditory experience for users.

Ultimately, when pressing down on either the G Pro 3.0 Brown or the Grapefruit, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, ensuring that users can enjoy a consistent typing experience regardless of the switch they choose. However, the top housing's contribution cannot be overlooked, as it plays a crucial role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the housing materials may differ slightly, users can expect similar results when pressing down and releasing keys on both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Grapefruit.

Weight

When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch, there are some notable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Grapefruit requires slightly less force at 45 grams to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is slightly heavier at 63 grams compared to the Grapefruit's 53 grams.

The lighter actuation force of the Grapefruit switch makes it more ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. It allows for effortless keystrokes, which is beneficial for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a slightly stronger push feel, giving users a more substantial typing experience. This can be preferred by individuals who enjoy a bit more resistance and feedback while typing.

Overall, both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. While the Grapefruit requires slightly less force than the G Pro 3.0 Brown, individuals seeking a similar typing experience can expect comparable results from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preference and the desired weight of keystrokes for each individual's specific needs.

Travel distance

The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the KTT Grapefruit linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience when it comes to the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. Whether you choose the G Pro 3.0 Brown or the Grapefruit switch, you can expect the keys to travel the same distance from top to bottom.

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 KTT Grapefruit comes in at $3.41 per 10 switches.

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

The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch presents a delightful and subtle tactile sensation. With a gentle bump, it enhances the typing experience without overpowering the flow. The sound of the G Pro Brown is medium-high pitched, delivering a satisfying auditory feedback that adds joy to typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Grapefruit switch offers a tarty linear feel that is soft and light. While the feel of the Grapefruit switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined finish, the sound profile is low-pitched, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. It is important to note that while these switches possess distinct qualities, the sound and feel of a switch are also influenced by factors like the choice of keyboard and keycaps.

Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and KTT Grapefruit switches offer different subjective qualities. The G Pro Brown provides a gentle tactile sensation and a medium-high pitched sound, delivering a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Grapefruit switch offers a soft and light feel with a low-pitched sound profile, creating a unique typing experience. While the G Pro Brown is easy-to-press and offers a mild and stepped feel, the Grapefruit switch provides a polished and smooth typing experience. Both switches have their own distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences. Depending on the user's personal preference for tactile feedback and sound profile, they can choose the switch that suits their typing style. In terms of sound, the medium-high pitched sound of the G Pro Brown can be compared to the low-pitched sound of the Grapefruit switch, offering similar auditory feedback. Additionally, the G Pro Brown ensures a brighter RGB lighting experience with its frosted light diffuser, while the Grapefruit switch's RGB lighting capabilities are unknown. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's desired typing experience and preference for tactile feedback and sound.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a delightful typing experience, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is the choice for you. These switches offer a gentle bump that won't overpower your typing flow, making them suitable for extended typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. They also provide a responsive and low-impact typing feel, thanks to their easy-to-press and mild characteristics. Additionally, their frosted light diffuser enhances your RGB lighting experience, creating a visually immersive setup. However, if you prefer a soft and light linear switch, the KTT Grapefruit is the way to go. With a medium-light bottom out force, these switches offer a unique "baritone" sound profile, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone. Additionally, their polished finish ensures a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference for tactile or linear switches and the specific typing experience and sound profile you desire.

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