Gateron G Pro 3.0 White vs. Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie present two intriguing options for typists and gamers alike, each offering unique characteristics tailored to different preferences. The G Pro 3.0 White is celebrated for its incredibly light actuation force of just 38g, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a feather-light touch and a highly responsive typing experience. Its frosted light diffuser is especially advantageous for RGB enthusiasts, illuminating your keyboard with vibrant colors while providing a satisfying auditory feedback that typists crave. In contrast, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie provides a medium-weight feel with its POM construction, delivering a "thocky" sound profile that many users find appealing. This switch combines quality and performance while ensuring a smooth keystroke experience. While one might favor the G Pro 3.0 White for its lightweight and glowing aesthetics, another might gravitate towards the Sea Salt Smoothie for its rich audio feedback and solid performance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, one can observe a distinct contrast in the materials used for their top housings. The G Pro 3.0 White features a polycarbonate top housing which is known for its stiffer composition. This results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, especially beneficial when using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes a POM top housing, which offers a deeper and more muted sound. The difference in these materials directly influences the acoustics produced when typing; while the G Pro 3.0 White generates a clear and resonant sound, the Sea Salt Smoothie provides a softer and more subtle auditory experience. Therefore, users looking for pronounced audio feedback may prefer the G Pro 3.0 White, while those seeking a more subdued atmosphere might lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie.
The bottom housings of the two switches also differ significantly, with the G Pro 3.0 White being made of nylon, while the Sea Salt Smoothie employs POM material. Nylon, being a softer plastic, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a rounder auditory experience upon bottoming out. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing in the Sea Salt Smoothie adds to the switch's already muted acoustic quality, ensuring a pleasant typing sound that leans toward a deeper tone. Even though both switches aim for richness in sound, the G Pro 3.0 White’s nylon bottom may deliver a more pronounced bottom-out feedback compared to the softness of the Sea Salt Smoothie's POM. For typists who appreciate a less focused hit, the Sea Salt Smoothie may be the preferable choice.
Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in these switches plays a crucial role in their overall sound profiles. For the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White, the sharp clarity of the polycarbonate top paired with the fullness of the nylon bottom creates a balanced auditory experience that is both pronounced and pleasing. Conversely, the Sea Salt Smoothie's distinct sound signature, predominantly shaped by its POM top and bottom housings, provides a unique, deeper sound profile that leans towards a more muted typographical experience. Both switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel, and enthusiasts can expect similar outcomes in terms of sound richness across both models, albeit with contrasting auditory characteristics.
Weight
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation forces, impacting user experience. The G Pro 3.0 White features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams, while the Sea Salt Smoothie requires a heavier 48 grams to trigger a keystroke, making it more demanding for typists and gamers. Furthermore, the G Pro 3.0 White has a bottom out force of 45 grams, which indicates a soft landing when fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, leaving some uncertainty regarding its overall feel during vigorous typing sessions. Users seeking a lighter touch for extended use may favor the G Pro 3.0 White, while those who prefer a more substantial feel will likely gravitate toward the Sea Salt Smoothie due to its greater actuation force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch, we find notable differences that cater to varying preferences in typing feel. The G Pro 3.0 White features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option and suited for users who enjoy a more pronounced keypress. In contrast, the Sea Salt Smoothie has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, which is shorter and may appeal to those who prefer a quicker, more responsive typing experience. While both switches are linear, the shorter distance of the Sea Salt Smoothie may provide gamers with a slight edge in speed, though some users might find this abruptness less satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for depth versus responsiveness, with the G Pro 3.0 White offering a more traditional and deeper travel feel compared to the quicker response of the Sea Salt Smoothie.
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 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 it comes to sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White switch offers a medium-high pitch that strikes a satisfying auditory balance. Its sound characteristic can be described as a mix of clacky and neutral, providing a sharp and snappy response while still being moderately appropriate for various settings like work or home use. This versatility makes it appealing to both beginners and advanced typists alike. The sound can be influenced by your keyboard setup, including the board and keycaps you choose. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie is noted for its thocky quality, delivering a rich, dampened sound that enhances the typing experience while potentially minimizing noise for shared environments. Unfortunately, specific descriptors for the Sea Salt Smoothie’s sound profile are not provided, making a direct comparison challenging.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 White excels with its creamy and silky typing experience, ensuring that each keystroke feels effortless and smooth. This switch boasts an incredibly light actuation force of only 38g, making it easy to press and reducing the risk of finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Its features cater well to those who favor a gentle yet responsive typing feel. The Sea Salt Smoothie, being a medium-weight switch, is likely to deliver a distinct feel as well, but specific descriptors regarding its tactile feedback and overall typing sensation are not available. This makes it less straightforward to pinpoint how it compares against the G Pro 3.0 White in terms of tactile experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switches offer unique auditory and tactile qualities that cater to different preferences. The G Pro 3.0 White focuses on a light actuation force with a balanced sound profile, while the Sea Salt Smoothie leans towards a thocky sound, although specifics about its feel remain unclear. If you're seeking a switch that provides a premium experience without a high cost, the G Pro 3.0 White might be the more evident choice, while the Sea Salt Smoothie appeals if you're looking for something with a thicker sound. Ultimately, personal testing and experimentation with both types on your specific keyboard setup will yield the best insight into their suitability for your typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 White linear switch and the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch should hinge on your typing preferences and environments. If you prioritize a light actuation force and enjoy a satisfying auditory feedback, the G Pro 3.0 White is a superb option. Its effortless actuation at just 38 grams makes it ideal for delicate or extended typing sessions where ease of use is paramount, especially if you appreciate a clacky sound profile. On the other hand, if you're looking for a premium yet budget-friendly option that focuses on smoothness and a desirable thocky sound with a more neutral appeal, then the Sea Salt Smoothie might be more appealing. This switch excels in providing a smooth typing experience and excels at minimizing resistance, making it great for both casual and competitive gaming, or if you work in a quieter environment where you still want feedback without disturbing others. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value a lighter touch with a sharper sound or a smooth, balanced feel with a richer acoustics.
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