Gateron G Pro 3.0 White vs. KTT Hyacinth
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the KTT Hyacinth switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the KTT Hyacinth. The G Pro 3.0 White is a linear switch that boasts a budget-friendly option from Gateron's G Pro series. Perfect for delicate typists, it features an incredibly light actuation force of only 38g, ensuring effortless and sensitive keystrokes. With its frosted light diffuser, this switch allows for brighter RGB lighting, and its medium-high pitch provides satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Hyacinth stands out with its unique design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance. This decision was made to avoid the common issue of hard bottoming-out experienced with longer-stem switches. The Hyacinth aims to strike an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. What sets it further apart is its use of a single-stage elongated spring instead of the more common dual-stage elongated springs, creating a more consistent force curve. Both switches offer a neutral, silky, and subtle feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
56g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the KTT Hyacinth, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to polycarbonate's stiffness and clarity. Moreover, its translucency allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects. Therefore, in terms of their top housing, both switches offer similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 White uses nylon, while the Hyacinth also utilizes nylon as its bottom housing material. The nylon bottom housing of these switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder tone. Therefore, in terms of the bottom-out sound and feel, both switches will provide a similar experience.
It is important to note that the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down a key, the bottom housing's characteristics will be more prominent, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when the key is released. Therefore, the G Pro 3.0 White and Hyacinth may offer slightly different sound profiles upon key release due to their respective polycarbonate top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch, it is clear that both switches have different force requirements. The G Pro 3.0 White has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, meaning a lighter touch is needed to register a keystroke. In contrast, the Hyacinth requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams. This means that users who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the G Pro 3.0 White more suitable for their needs.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 White again has a lighter force of 45 grams. This means that when fully pressing down a key, a lighter touch is required to reach the bottoming out point. On the other hand, the Hyacinth has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 56 grams. This indicates that users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may find the Hyacinth switch preferable.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch provides a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the KTT Hyacinth linear switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience and want to minimize fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions may find the G Pro 3.0 White more suitable. However, for users who enjoy a slightly heavier and more substantial typing feel, the Hyacinth switch may be the better choice. Despite their differences, both switches aim to provide a smooth and responsive typing experience, ensuring users ultimately achieve similar results in terms of keystroke registration.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, while the KTT Hyacinth linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm. The G Pro 3.0 White has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Hyacinth. A 4.0mm travel distance is more traditional, offering a balance between depth and responsiveness. On the other hand, a 3.5mm travel distance is considered shallower, which is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Therefore, if you prioritize faster response times, the Hyacinth with its shorter travel distance would be a better choice. However, if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying key press, the G Pro 3.0 White with its longer travel distance would be more suitable. In either case, both switches offer their own benefits, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing/gaming style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White has an MSRP of $3.40 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 White for $3.27.
The KTT Hyacinth has an MSRP of $4.03 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Hyacinth for $3.75.
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 White switch is described as having a clacky sound. This means that it produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use it at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a creamy typing experience. This means that it provides a smooth and buttery feel when typing, akin to gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. It has an easy-to-press characteristic, requiring minimal force to activate, resulting in a low-impact and comfortable typing experience. Additionally, it can be described as feathery, as it is exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The switch also falls under the category of mild, offering a gentle typing experience that appeals to a wide range of users. Lastly, it has a silky quality, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switch is also described as having a silky feel, which enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizes resistance when using the keys. It also has a subtle resistance, offering a light typing feel without being excessively feather light. Moreover, its sound signature is not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces.
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch stands out for its clacky sound and creamy, easy-to-press, feathery, mild, and silky feel. It provides a budget-friendly option for delicate typists, with a light actuation force and satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the KTT Hyacinth switch has a neutral sound profile and a silky, subtle feel. Its design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance aims to provide an ideal balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, but they share similarities in terms of a neutral sound profile and silky feel, providing comparable results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a delicate typist who prefers an incredibly light actuation force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, it offers an easy-to-press and feathery feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, its frosted light diffuser allows for brighter RGB lighting, and its medium-high pitch provides a satisfying auditory feedback. The G Pro 3.0 White switch is budget-friendly, offering a premium typing feel without breaking the bank.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a balance between tactile feedback, auditory experience, and user comfort, the KTT Hyacinth linear switch would be a suitable option. With a bottom out force of 56 grams, it offers a subtle and silky feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Hyacinth's design choice of a 3.5mm travel distance avoids the hard bottoming-out experience commonly associated with longer stem switches. Additionally, its single-stage elongated spring provides a more consistent force curve.
Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes. However, the G Pro 3.0 White has a clacky option if you prefer a crisp and bright sound, while the Hyacinth is more subdued, offering a dampened sound.
Ultimately, your choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the KTT Hyacinth linear switch will depend on your typing preferences and priorities. Consider factors such as actuation force, typing feel, sound profile, and budget to make an informed decision.
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