Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stand out as compelling options, both embracing the linear design but catering to different preferences. The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red is celebrated for its budget-friendly nature, making it accessible for gamers and typists alike who seek a smooth and responsive typing experience without a hefty price tag. With a medium-light actuation force, it strikes a harmonious balance between feel and feedback, enhanced by a frosted light diffuser that allows for stunning RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie offers a medium-weight all-POM construction that elevates its quality beyond mere affordability, boasting a ‘thocky’ sound profile that delights auditory enthusiasts while maintaining exceptional smoothness in keypresses. Each switch has its unique strengths: the G Pro 3.0 Red shines in vibrant lighting and a nuanced auditory experience, while the Sea Salt Smoothie appeals to those who value a richer acoustic feedback and premium feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present distinct contrasts in their housing materials, which significantly influence their auditory profiles and tactile feedback. The G Pro 3.0 Red employs a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, crisper sound due to its stiffer plastic composition. This quality generates a more pronounced and resonant auditory experience, particularly when advertised for RGB lighting applications where the translucence of polycarbonate enhances visual effects. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's top housing is constructed from POM, a material that contributes to a different sound characteristic altogether. POM provides a deeper and more muted sound profile, creating a mellow auditory environment that departs from the brightness that polycarbonate offers. Thus, when pressing the keys on these switches, the experience varies significantly due to these inherent properties in the top housing materials.
When considering the bottom housings, the differences in sound profiles continue to manifest. The G Pro 3.0 Red features a nylon bottom housing which traditionally offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs sound more effectively. This results in a more rounded auditory experience. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie's bottom housing is also POM, which, similar to its top counterpart, provides a unique but still relatively muted sound. The deeper sound created by the POM bottom housing effectively complements its top housing, ensuring a consistent auditory quality throughout, albeit on the more subdued side. Therefore, while the nylon of the G Pro 3.0 Red produces a fuller sound, the POM of the Sea Salt Smoothie creates a continuous depth of sound that may appeal to those preferring a softer auditory output.
Ultimately, the interplay of these materials highlights how the properties of the top and bottom housings affect overall sound and feel during use. In the case of the G Pro 3.0 Red, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon results in a brighter, crisper feel upon release while maintaining a depth in sound as the switch bottoms out. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie's use of POM in both housings creates a cohesive, softer auditory experience that still offers depth but does not carry the same sharpness as its counterpart. Despite their differences, both switches can provide satisfying performance, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference. Depending on the desired sound and feel, users might find similar results in the depth and quality of feedback but will undoubtedly notice the tonal distinctions stemming from the specific materials employed in each switch.
Weight
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, signifying a relatively light switch that may appeal to users who favor extended typing sessions or gaming without strain. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams, but its bottom out force remains unknown. This distinction means that the Sea Salt Smoothie may provide a more substantial feel during keystrokes, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push for a more tactile typing experience. Overall, the G Pro 3.0 Red is the lighter option, potentially offering easier key presses for longer durations, while the Sea Salt Smoothie leans towards a heavier feel, making it a better choice for users who enjoy greater resistance. If both switches had similar bottom out forces, one could expect a comparable typing experience, but as it stands, the unknown bottom out force of the Sea Salt Smoothie leaves some uncertainty in that regard.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch differ in travel distance, with the former featuring a travel distance of 4 mm, while the latter has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, the G Pro 3.0 Red offers a more traditional and deeper feel, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a tactile experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie, with its 3.7 mm travel distance, is designed for a quicker response time, making it more suitable for gamers who favor rapid key presses. This preference for shorter distances often aligns with a demand for responsiveness, although some users may find the abruptness of a shorter travel distance less appealing. Therefore, if you value a deeper and more hearty engagement while typing, the G Pro 3.0 Red would be the ideal choice; however, if you seek quicker key response, the Sea Salt Smoothie could be more advantageous.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Salt Smoothie for $2.70.
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 comparing the sound profile of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, the G Pro Red is recognized for its neutral sound, which strikes a balance suitable for a variety of environments, be it at home or in a professional setting. This moderation means it doesn't produce excessive noise, making it versatile for different users, from beginners to experienced typists. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie is known for its thocky sound profile, which implies a deeper and more resonant sound when typing. This could contribute to a satisfying auditory feedback, especially appealing for those who enjoy an acoustic element in their mechanical keyboard experience. Users should also note that sound perception can be influenced by keycap material and keyboard construction.
Regarding the feel of these switches, the G Pro 3.0 Red is characterized by its creamy, mild, polished, and silky sensations, creating an exceptionally smooth and enjoyable typing experience. The combination of these attributes ensures a gentle transition with minimal resistance, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. This makes the G Pro Red well-suited for longer typing sessions while providing a refined and luxurious feel. On the other hand, the specific feel of the Sea Salt Smoothie is not provided, making it challenging to directly compare tactile sensations. However, its design suggests that it aims to deliver a high-quality typing experience.
In conclusion, while the sound profiles of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and Sea Salt Smoothie exhibit distinct auditory characteristics, both switches boast smoothness in their own respects. The G Pro Red offers a refined, pleasant typing experience with its various tactile descriptors, whereas the Sea Salt Smoothie is likely to provide its unique touch, although details on that feel remain unknown. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences, allowing users to choose based on their auditory and tactile desires. This makes them both worthy options in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie will ultimately depend on your specific preferences and needs as a typist. If you favor a budget-friendly option that provides a balanced touch and sound profile, the G Pro 3.0 Red is an excellent choice. Its light actuation force of 50 grams makes it ideal for fast typists who appreciate a smooth and creamy typing experience—especially if you enjoy a responsive feel without too much resistance. This switch is well-suited for various environments, whether you're working or gaming, thanks to its neutral sound profile and polished key travel. On the other hand, if you seek a unique auditory experience with a thocky sound and exceptional smoothness, you might want to explore the Sea Salt Smoothie. Although its exact actuation force is unknown, this medium-weight switch aims to elevate the tactile sensation with its all-POM construction and standout sound characteristics. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style and whether you're looking for efficiency and value or a more specialized sound and feel.
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