Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. SP-Star Meteor White
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the SP-Star Meteor White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the SP-Star Meteor White are two excellent options for those in search of a linear mechanical keyboard switch. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is praised for its budget-friendly nature and overall excellence. Typing on these switches provides a higher pitched clacky sound profile, accompanied by a bouncy type feel. On the other hand, the Meteor White offers a more subdued experience. This switch is incredibly easy to push, creating a gentle and pitter-patter sound. Both switches boast their unique qualities, with the G Pro 3.0 Yellow falling into the categories of 'Polished', 'High-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Resonant', while the Meteor White is classified as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished'. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make an informed decision and choose the best switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the SP-Star Meteor White differ in their housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a polycarbonate top housing, while the Meteor White features a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic. It is also more aesthetically pleasing for those using RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Meteor White's nylon top housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound.
Both the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Meteor White have a nylon bottom housing. The nylon material in the bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for its ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of the sound when the keys are pressed down. However, the overall sound experience might differ slightly due to the contrasting top housing materials.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housing materials of a switch play different roles in the overall sound and feel. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have more impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction means that while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and Meteor White share a nylon bottom housing, the sound and feel of the switches may still vary slightly depending on their respective top housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch, we can observe some notable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, indicating that it requires a medium-heavy amount of force to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force for the Meteor White switch is unknown, which makes it difficult to determine how it compares in this aspect. However, in terms of bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow requires 67 grams of force, classifying it as medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Meteor White switch has a bottom out force of 57 grams, which places it in the medium-light category. Therefore, in terms of weight, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Meteor White switch, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. However, the exact actuation force for the Meteor White switch is unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an MSRP of $3.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Yellow for $2.78.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch offers a higher pitched clacky sound profile that is sharp and crisp when pressed. This switch produces a resonant and immersive auditory experience, with a clean and sharp sound profile. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch provides a gentle and subdued sound profile. It offers a pitter-patter sound that is soft and soothing to the ears. Both switches have their own unique sound characteristics, with the G Pro 3.0 Yellow being more high-pitched and resonant, while the Meteor White is more neutral and thocky. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch is described as polished and creamy. It provides a smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The smooth finish of this switch gives a sleek sensation, allowing your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys with ease. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch offers a mild typing experience. It has a more gentle characteristic compared to other switches, making it approachable and comfortable for most users. Similar to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow, the Meteor White also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch is known for its budget-friendly excellence. It offers a higher pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy type feel. This switch provides a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, creating an immersive auditory experience. The polished and creamy feel of the switch adds to the sleek typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is known for its gentle and subdued characteristics. It offers an easy and gentle typing experience, with a pitter-patter sound profile. The switch has a mild feel and a polished finish, ensuring smooth and comfortable key travel. Both switches have their own unique qualities, providing different sound and feel experiences. However, if you prefer a softer sound and feel, choosing the Meteor White switch will give you similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch is the way to go. This switch offers a higher-pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy type feel when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, the SP-Star Meteor White linear switch is the better choice. This switch provides a subtle and soft sound profile with easy-to-push keys. When it comes to sound, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a high-pitched and resonant profile, while the Meteor White has a neutral and thocky profile. In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a polished and creamy typing experience, while the Meteor White provides a mild and polished feel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your preference for sound, feel, bottom out force, and budget considerations.
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