Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock White Lotus, two mechanical keyboard switches that offer a tactile feel for an enhanced typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, a member of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series, presents an economical option without compromising on quality. These switches provide a gentle bump that adds a subtle tactile sensation, ensuring a smooth typing flow without overpowering the user. With a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown also enhances the RGB lighting, creating a visually immersive experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus switches are designed with the discerning typist in mind. This exquisite light tactile option strikes the perfect balance between tactility and user comfort, making it ideal for extended typing sessions and work. Additionally, the White Lotus switches feature a removable light column, allowing for vibrant and luminous RGB lighting effects to enhance your keyboard setup's aesthetics. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
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
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a clear and resonant typing experience. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. Similarly, the Durock White Lotus also utilizes a Modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which provides a unique and premium feel. While both switches share this common material, they may exhibit slight variations in sound and feel due to other design factors.
On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the White Lotus differ in their bottom housing material. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a classic nylon housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon material's softness absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when compared to harder plastics. Similarly, the White Lotus also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar sound experience characterized by its deep and full tones. As a result, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, albeit with subtle nuances in sound due to their respective design differences.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall typing experience, it becomes evident that they play distinct roles. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has a greater impact when releasing a key. These subtle differences in sound and tactile feedback contribute to the overall typing experience and can be appreciated by enthusiasts looking for specific qualities in their mechanical keyboards. Therefore, although their housing materials may differ slightly, both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the White Lotus offer similar results in terms of sound and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is slightly heavier than the White Lotus. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, while the White Lotus has an actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 56 grams. Both switches fall under the medium weight category, making them suitable for a wide range of users.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the White Lotus may be ideal. With a lower actuation and bottom out force, it allows for easier keystrokes and may result in less fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a slightly heavier and more substantial push feel. This can be preferable for individuals who enjoy a tactile response that requires a bit more force.
It's important to note that while the G Pro 3.0 Brown is heavier than the White Lotus, their weights are still within the medium range. Therefore, if you prefer a lighter or heavier feel, both switches can provide similar results. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch share the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on the key, both switches will provide a similar tactile feedback and the distance traveled from top to bottom will be identical. Therefore, users can expect comparable typing experiences when using either of these switches. Both switches offer a 4 mm travel distance, ensuring a satisfying keypress and a consistent typing feel.
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 Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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 offers a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback. The sound is not overpowering and adds an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Durock White Lotus switch are described as low-pitched and neutral. Low-pitched switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while neutral switches have a moderate sound profile that suits most users' needs. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps chosen. Overall, both switches provide pleasant sound experiences, with the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown offering a medium-high pitch and the Durock White Lotus providing a low-pitched and neutral sound profile.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches offer an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance during key presses. This requirement of minimal force for activation ensures that typing is effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the switches have a mild tactile feel, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Both switches fall into a safe middle-ground zone when it comes to their qualities, offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel. Moreover, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is described as having a stepped feel, which means it has two stages of tactile feedback, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The Durock White Lotus, on the other hand, is described as subtle, providing a gentle resistance without being too feather-light. This makes it suitable for shared spaces where a quieter typing experience is desirable.
Taking into account the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Durock White Lotus switches share many similarities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, balancing tactile feedback without overwhelming the user. They also have an easy-to-press characteristic that requires minimal force for activation. Furthermore, the switches provide low-impact typing experiences, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. While there may be some differences in sound profile and the presence of a stepped feel in the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch, overall, both switches offer comparable results and can deliver satisfying typing experiences. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to personal preference and any additional features or qualities that may be desirable for specific use cases.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly switch that offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown would be a great choice. These switches provide a medium-high pitch auditory feedback and feature a frosted light diffuser for brighter RGB lighting. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile option that strikes the perfect balance between tactility and typing comfort, the Durock White Lotus switches are ideal for you. They offer a delicate tactility and feature a removable light column for vibrant RGB lighting effects. In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Brown has a distinct sound profile, while the White Lotus switches have a low-pitched and neutral sound. Additionally, both switches have an easy-to-press and mild feel, enhancing the typing experience and reducing finger fatigue. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and priorities when choosing between these two switches.
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