Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red vs. Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear offer different experiences for users seeking a linear switch. The G Pro 3.0 Red, a budget-friendly option, strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of use with its medium-light actuation force. Its frosted light diffuser allows for vibrant RGB lighting effects, accompanied by a medium-high pitch that provides a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear boasts a smooth, high-pitched typing experience. With a transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing, this switch allows for maximum RGB lighting customization. Its POM stem is lightly lubed, ensuring minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Double-staged stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear share a similar housing material for their top housing. Both switches utilize a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to its translucency, polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through for aesthetic appeal. Therefore, both switches are likely to provide similar results in terms of sound profile and compatibility with RGB lighting.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Red differs from the WS Aurora Clear. The G Pro 3.0 Red features a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear utilizes a UHWMPE bottom housing, a newer material that offers a very bright sound signature. This material produces resonant clacks when typing, creating a unique auditory experience.
As a result, the qualities of the bottom housing material will have a significant impact on the sound and feel of these switches. The G Pro 3.0 Red's nylon bottom housing will contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the WS Aurora Clear's UHWMPE bottom housing will provide a bright and resonant clacking sound. Additionally, the top housing of both switches will influence the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound profile and the desired auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, meaning less force is required to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the WS Aurora Clear has a slightly heavier actuation force of 53 grams. As for the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Red has a weight of 50 grams, while the WS Aurora Clear is even heavier at 63.5 grams. This indicates that the WS Aurora Clear offers a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press the keys. If a lighter typing experience is preferred, the G Pro 3.0 Red would be the better choice. Both switches provide a range of forces that cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can achieve similar results based on their individual needs.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. While both distances are relatively close, the G Pro 3.0 Red has the longer travel distance. If you are a gamer looking for a faster response time, the WS Aurora Clear might be more suitable due to its shorter travel distance. However, if you prefer a deeper feel when pressing down on a key, the G Pro 3.0 Red would be a better choice with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference and the level of responsiveness desired.
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 Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear comes in at $8.00 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 Red switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use the switches at home or work. On the other hand, the WS Aurora Clear switch produces a high-pitched sound when pressed. This results in a sharp and crisp sound that may be preferred by those who do not enjoy the richer and bassier sound profiles of other switches. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch offers a creamy typing experience. This switch is designed to provide a smooth and buttery feel, similar to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The switch's creaminess is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Red switch is described as mild, which means it offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The switch has qualities that fall within a safe and middle-ground zone. It is also polished, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Furthermore, the G Pro 3.0 Red switch is silky, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Similarly, the WS Aurora Clear switch offers a buttery typing experience. This switch provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, allowing for a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It is also mild, ensuring that the sound and feel are approachable to most users. Like the G Pro 3.0 Red switch, the WS Aurora Clear switch is also polished, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch and the WS Aurora Clear switch offer excellent subjective qualities. While the G Pro 3.0 Red switch has a neutral sound profile and provides a creamy, mild, polished, and silky typing experience, the WS Aurora Clear switch has a high-pitched sound profile and offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between a switch with a moderate sound profile and medium-light actuation force (G Pro 3.0 Red) or a switch with a high-pitched sound and maximum RGB lighting customization (WS Aurora Clear). It's important to consider other factors such as keyboard board and keycaps used to achieve desired results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly linear switch with a smooth typing experience and medium-light actuation force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch would be the ideal choice for you. Its frosted light diffuser allows for brighter and more vibrant RGB lighting effects, while its medium-high pitch provides a satisfying auditory experience. This switch is suitable for both beginners and advanced users, whether you plan to use it at home or work.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, high-pitched typing experience with maximum RGB lighting customization, the WS Aurora Clear switch from Wuque Studio would be the better option. Its transparent polycarbonate top housing and UHMWPE bottom housing allow for enhanced lighting effects, while the lightly lubed POM stem ensures minimal friction and a satisfyingly smooth keystroke. This switch is particularly suitable for those who enjoy sharp and crisp sound profiles.
In terms of feel, both switches offer a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. The G Pro 3.0 Red is described as creamy, mild, polished, and silky, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. Similarly, the WS Aurora Clear is described as buttery, mild, and polished, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, your choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the Wuque Studio WS Aurora Clear will depend on your specific preferences for actuation force, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider these factors to select the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your typing performance.
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