Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. KTT Matcha
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Matcha switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches: the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Matcha. Both switches offer a delightful tactile experience for your typing needs. The G Pro 3.0 Brown by Gateron is known for its budget-friendly yet high-quality design. It presents a subtle and gentle bump that enhances your typing flow without overpowering it. This switch also features a frosted light diffuser, ensuring that the RGB lighting shines brighter and creates a visually immersive experience. Additionally, its medium-high pitch provides a satisfying auditory feedback, further elevating your typing sessions.
On the other hand, the KTT Matcha stands out with its comfortable and snappy tactility, making it a pleasure to type on. The Matcha switch offers a distinct clean bottom-out sound thanks to its long pole stem. It is categorized as "stepped," "snappy," "accented," "clacky," "feathery," and "subtle," granting a unique typing experience.
However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision and find the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Matcha both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This means that they will have a similar sound profile, characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper tone. The translucency of polycarbonate is also advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting effects to shine through beautifully. Therefore, in terms of aesthetics and sound quality when releasing keys, both switches will offer comparable results.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Brown features a nylon material, while the Matcha incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction will have an impact on the overall typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Brown will bring a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the absorbing qualities of nylon. This softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Matcha will contribute to a sharper and more resonant sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate adds clarity and enhances the overall sound profile when bottoming out the keys.
In summary, although both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Matcha share the same polycarbonate top housing, their bottom housings differ. This difference will affect the sound and feel of the switches. The G Pro 3.0 Brown's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the Matcha's polycarbonate bottom housing provides a sharper and more resonant tone. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the personal preference for the desired sound and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the KTT Matcha tactile switch, there are clear differences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Matcha's lighter 40 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Brown requires more force to trigger a keystroke, providing a slightly stronger push feel during typing. Similarly, the bottom out force of the G Pro 3.0 Brown is also heavier at 63 grams, while the Matcha has a lighter measurement of 45 grams. These differences indicate that the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers a more substantial and weighty typing experience compared to the Matcha. However, for those who prefer a lighter switch, the Matcha would be a suitable choice as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing. Overall, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is heavier in both actuation force and bottom out force, while the Matcha provides a lighter and potentially more relaxed typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the KTT Matcha tactile switch is equal, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key fitted with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel, resulting in similar tactile feedback. Therefore, there is no difference in the travel distance between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the KTT Matcha switches.
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 Matcha has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Matcha for $4.88.
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 Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is best described as having a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback. The sound is pleasant and adds an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the KTT Matcha switch is described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. The sound is crisp, bright, and percussive, creating a distinct bottom-out sound due to its long pole stem. 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 chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch offers an easy-to-press experience. It has a 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. Overall, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch enhances the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel. Additionally, it can be described as mild, meaning its qualities stand in a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. The switch also has a stepped feel, which means it has two stages and allows you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Comparatively, the KTT Matcha switch has a stepped feel as well, providing a two-stage tactile experience. It is also described as snappy, which means it is super responsive and gives the typing experience a lively feel. In addition, the Matcha switch is accented, meaning it offers a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It is not scratchy and falls into the category of a "medium tactile" switch. The Matcha switch is also feathery, requiring little exertion from your fingers. This makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions and reduces finger fatigue. Moreover, it has a subtle feel, maintaining a light typing feel without being too feather-like. The sound signature of the Matcha switch will not be resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and KTT Matcha switches have their unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Brown offers a medium-high pitch sound with a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, while the Matcha switch has a distinct clacky sound with a comfortable and snappy tactility. Both switches provide a satisfying auditory feedback and are suitable for different preferences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has an easy-to-press feel with a mild and stepped experience, while the Matcha switch offers a snappy and accented feel, along with being feathery and subtle. Overall, both switches provide enjoyable typing experiences, and depending on your preferences, you can achieve similar results with either switch.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a medium-bottom force switch that offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation without overpowering your typing flow, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is a great choice. With its frosted light diffuser, it ensures that your RGB lighting shines brighter, adding an immersive visual experience, while the medium-high pitch delivers a satisfying auditory feedback to enhance your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the KTT Matcha tactile switch is worth considering. With its comfortable and snappy tactility, it provides a distinctly clean bottom-out sound. Additionally, the Matcha offers a variety of characteristics, including stepped, snappy, accented, and feathery, providing a versatile typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
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