Gateron G Pro 3.0 White vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Cherry MX Silent Red are both excellent options to consider. The G Pro 3.0 White is perfect for those who prefer a budget-friendly switch with a light actuation force of 38g, making it ideal for delicate typists. Its frosted light diffuser allows for bright RGB lighting, while the medium-high pitch provides a satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red offers a slightly heftier feel compared to the MX Red, but operates silently, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. While both switches offer a premium typing experience, the G Pro 3.0 White is more geared towards a lighter touch typist, while the MX Silent Red caters to those who prioritize a quieter typing experience. 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
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Cherry MX Silent Red both have similar nylon bottom housings, which lead to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. However, the G Pro 3.0 White stands out with its polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the MX Silent Red's nylon top housing absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile.
In terms of aesthetics, the G Pro 3.0 White's polycarbonate top housing is translucent, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting. This allows for a visually appealing experience with customizable lighting options. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red's nylon top housing may not offer the same level of visual customization due to its opaque nature. However, both switches offer a classic look and feel with their nylon bottom housings, providing a reliable typing experience with a deep and full sound profile.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Cherry MX Silent Red may come down to personal preference. While both switches have similar nylon bottom housings that create a deep and full sound profile, the G Pro 3.0 White's use of polycarbonate in the top housing sets it apart with a sharper and crisper sound. This difference in housing materials can affect the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches, with the G Pro 3.0 White likely to provide a more distinct and resonant typing experience compared to the MX Silent Red. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may depend on whether you prioritize sound profile, aesthetics, or both in your typing setup.
Weight
In comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, we see that the G Pro 3.0 White has a lighter actuation force of 38 grams compared to the MX Silent Red's 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 White requires 45 grams while the MX Silent Red's bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the G Pro 3.0 White may be the preferred choice due to its lower actuation force. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red may appeal to those who enjoy a slightly heavier push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style, with weight being a key factor to consider for optimal typing performance.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0mm, which is longer than the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch's 3.7mm travel distance. The G Pro 3.0 White offers a more traditional typing experience with a slightly deeper travel distance, while the MX Silent Red provides a shallower and quicker typing response. Gamers looking for faster response times may lean towards the Cherry MX Silent Red, while those who prefer a more deliberate keypress may prefer the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White. Both switches offer different typing experiences due to their varying travel distances, but ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 provides a clacky and medium-high pitch sound, giving typists a sharp and satisfying auditory feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch offers a muted and low-pitched sound profile, significantly reducing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. While the G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a more pronounced and bright sound, the MX Silent Red switch delivers a softer and quieter typing experience, ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch is known for its creamy and easy-to-press qualities, offering typists a smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal finger fatigue. On the contrary, the Cherry MX Silent Red switch is described as having a textured feel, which may imply a slight frictional sensation when typing. Overall, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 White switch emphasizing smoothness and lightness, while the MX Silent Red switch potentially offering a slightly different tactile feedback due to its textured characteristic.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and Cherry MX Silent Red switches both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the G Pro 3.0 White switch provides a brighter and clacky sound with a creamy and easy-to-press feel, the MX Silent Red switch delivers a quieter typing experience with a textured feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference in sound profile, typing feel, and the specific environment where the keyboard will be used. If a typist enjoys a light and smooth typing experience with a bright sound, the G Pro 3.0 White switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if a quieter typing experience with a textured feel is desired, the MX Silent Red switch would be the ideal option.
Conclusion
To summarize, when it comes to choosing between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, consider the following factors: If you are looking for a budget-friendly option with an incredibly light actuation force and medium-high pitch sound profile, the G Pro 3.0 White may be the perfect choice for you. Additionally, if you prefer a clacky sound and a creamy, easy-to-press typing experience, the G Pro 3.0 White switch is an excellent option. On the other hand, if you are in need of a switch that operates silently and offers a significantly quieter sound profile, the MX Silent Red switch may be more suitable for noise-sensitive environments. The MX Silent Red provides a slightly heftier feel and a muted sound, perfect for those who prefer a thocky, low-pitched typing experience. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and budget.
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