Gateron G Pro 3.0 White vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the SP-Star Meteor White, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The G Pro 3.0 White is renowned for its budget-friendly nature, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a cost-effective option. With an actuation force of only 38g, this switch provides effortless and sensitive keystrokes, perfect for delicate typists. Additionally, its frosted light diffuser allows for brighter RGB lighting, while the medium-high pitch offers a satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Meteor White offers a more subdued experience. This gentle linear switch is effortless to push, providing a soft and pitter-patter sound profile. Its type feel and sound profile are both extremely soft, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a smooth and quiet typing experience. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
57g
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
Nylon
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
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the SP-Star Meteor White switches differ in terms of the top housing material. While the G Pro 3.0 White uses polycarbonate, the Meteor White utilizes nylon for its top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Meteor White creates a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its relatively softer plastic composition. Nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite these differences, both materials serve their purpose in enhancing the sound experience of these switches.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the G Pro 3.0 White and the Meteor White employ nylon as their housing material. This choice of material elicits a similar deep and full sound profile in typing. Nylon's relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, whether you choose the G Pro 3.0 White or the Meteor White, you can expect a similar sound experience when it comes to bottom-out typing.
It's worth noting that the qualities brought by the housing materials are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch. Conversely, when you release a key, the top housing influences the sound experience. Therefore, users of both switches can expect distinctive sound profiles when pressing and releasing keys, with the G Pro 3.0 White offering a crisper sound on release due to its polycarbonate top housing and the Meteor White producing a rounder sound in both instances due to its nylon top housing.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The G Pro 3.0 White has a relatively light actuation force of 38 grams, meaning it requires a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Meteor White's actuation force is unavailable, making it impossible to directly compare. However, the bottom out force of the G Pro 3.0 White is 45 grams, which indicates a slightly heavier feel when pressing the keys all the way down. On the other hand, the Meteor White has a bottom out force of 57 grams, suggesting a medium-light resistance.
Considering the consequences of weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch like the G Pro 3.0 White. It enables them to comfortably type for extended periods, making it suitable for work environments or long gaming sessions. Conversely, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation or bottom out force. Although the actuation force of the Meteor White is not provided, its higher bottom out force of 57 grams implies a somewhat firmer touch compared to the G Pro 3.0 White.
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch can be considered lighter in terms of actuation force, while the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is potentially heavier or at least medium-light due to its higher bottom out force. However, without knowledge of the Meteor White's actuation force, it is challenging to make a definitive comparison. Nevertheless, both switches offer distinct options to cater to different preferences, ensuring users can find a suitable typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience when it comes to key presses. Whether you choose the G Pro 3.0 White or the Meteor White, you can expect a consistent travel distance of 4 mm, giving you a smooth and satisfying typing or gaming experience.
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 SP-Star Meteor White has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor White for $5.00.
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 White switch offers a clacky sound profile, which is characterized by a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This sound can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the sound profile of the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as neutral and thocky. A neutral switch has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. Meanwhile, a thocky switch produces a deep, rich, and satisfying sound, similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. It's important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a range of descriptors. It is described as creamy, indicating a smooth and buttery typing experience. This could be due to factory lubrication or specific materials used in the switch. Typing on this switch provides a silky sensation, as if gliding fingers effortlessly across the keys. It is also described as easy-to-press, meaning it offers gentle resistance during key presses and requires minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The switch is also referred to as feathery and mild, offering an exceptionally light and low-impact typing experience suitable for gaming, school, or work. Furthermore, the G Pro 3.0 White switch provides a subtle and silky typing feel, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. It also features a polished finish, resulting in smoother and refined key travel with reduced friction.
In summary, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and SP-Star Meteor White switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 White switch provides a clacky sound profile with various descriptors for its typing feel, including creamy, easy-to-press, feathery, mild, silky, and subtle. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White switch offers a neutral sound profile and is described as mild and polished in terms of its typing feel. Both switches have their own unique characteristics, providing options for users based on their preferences. However, it's important to consider that personal preferences and the overall keyboard setup, including the board and keycaps, can also influence the subjective experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a delicate typist looking for an incredibly light actuation force and bright RGB lighting, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch would be a great choice for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, it offers an easy-to-press and feathery typing experience, reducing finger fatigue and enhancing comfort during extended typing sessions. The clacky sound profile provides a crisp and percussive sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subdued and gentle typing experience, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch would be a better fit. With a bottom out force of 57 grams, it falls in the medium-light category, offering a mild and polished feel. The neutral sound profile ensures a moderate sound level suitable for both beginners and advanced typists. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound. In the end, both switches offer their own unique qualities, allowing you to find the perfect match for your mechanical keyboard.
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