Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Cherry MX Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Cherry MX Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Cherry MX Black, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer different qualities and features. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, part of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series, provides an exceptional option without compromising on quality. These switches offer a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, delivering a gentle bump that enhances your typing flow. With a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown ensures vibrant RGB lighting, creating an immersive visual experience. Additionally, it offers a medium-high pitch, providing a satisfying auditory feedback to elevate your typing sessions. On the other hand, Cherry has perfected their iconic MX Black switches with their new Hyperglide tooling. These switches offer a classic textured smoothness and a deep sound profile when typing. They are categorized as low-pitched, textured, and stiff. While these general pointers give you an idea of what each switch offers, 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
60g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
80g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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 Cherry MX Black differ in their top housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the MX Black features a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. While their sound profiles differ, both materials provide their own unique qualities to enhance the typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the MX Black utilize nylon material. This common housing material creates a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. These switches prioritize a more satisfying auditory experience by providing a solid bottom-out sound. Despite slight variations in sound characteristics, the use of nylon as the bottom housing material contributes to a similar typing experience for both switches.
Considering that the top and bottom housing materials are different for the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Cherry MX Black, each housing material brings its own unique qualities to the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing material has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. While the G Pro 3.0 Brown's polycarbonate top housing enhances the sound when releasing a key, the MX Black's nylon top housing offers a different effect. The interaction between the top housing and the switch mechanism influences the sound profile when a key is released. Despite these differences, both switches prioritize sound enhancement for both pressing down and letting go, ensuring an overall improved typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch, there are notable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams, whereas the MX Black requires a slightly heavier force of 60 grams to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have a medium to heavy bottom out force. The G Pro 3.0 Brown requires 63 grams of force to bottom out, while the MX Black has a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams. Therefore, if weight is a consideration, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the G Pro 3.0 Brown due to its lighter actuation force. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the MX Black with its heavier actuation force. Both switches will provide similar results in terms of bottoming out, as they both fall within the medium to heavy range.
Travel distance
The travel distances of both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Cherry MX Black linear switch are equal, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key.
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 Cherry MX Black comes in at $4.00 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback while typing. The precise sound profile of the MX Black switch is not provided, but it is known for producing a low-pitched sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is easy to press, offering gentle resistance during key presses. This means that it requires minimal force to activate, resulting in effortless and comfortable typing. The overall typing experience with these switches is low-impact and responsive. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is described as having a mild feel, standing in a safe middle-ground zone in terms of tactile characteristics. It may also have a stepped feel, meaning that it has two stages of tactile feedback with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations.
On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black switch is known for its textured feel, which refers to noticeable friction when pressed. This texture can vary in intensity, with some users preferring a subtle texture while others prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. The MX Black is also described as being stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. This means that more force will need to be applied when pressing the keys with MX Black switches.
To conclude, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation with a medium-high pitch sound profile. It is easy to press, providing gentle resistance and a low-impact typing experience. The MX Black switch, on the other hand, offers a textured feel and a low-pitched sound profile. While both switches have their own unique characteristics, such as the G Pro 3.0 Brown's stepped feel and the MX Black's stiffness, they provide different typing experiences. Depending on your personal preferences, either switch can deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch, it is the ideal choice for those seeking a more budget-friendly option without compromising on quality. These switches provide a pleasant and subtle tactile sensation, offering a gentle bump that won't disrupt your typing flow. Additionally, the frosted light diffuser ensures that your RGB lighting shines brightly, creating an immersive visual experience. The medium-high pitch of the G Pro Brown adds a satisfying auditory feedback to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Black linear switch is best suited for those who prefer a heavier touch. With a bottom out force of 80 grams, these switches require more pressure to activate and bottom out. The MX Black switches offer a classic textured smoothness, providing a familiar deep sound profile when typing. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences and typing style.
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