Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. KTT Mint
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint are both linear keyboard switches, but they offer distinct features and experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is renowned for its budget-friendly excellence, providing a satisfyingly bouncy type feel and a higher pitched clacky sound profile. On the other hand, the Mint stands out for its smoothness, thanks to its long pole stem, which delivers a satisfying poppy thockiness. Additionally, it offers a light and fleeting type feel. While these general characteristics can be helpful in making a decision, it's essential to delve deeper into the specific qualities of each switch to determine which one suits your individual preferences best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Spring
15mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint both utilize polycarbonate as the material for their top housings. This choice of material results in similar benefits for both switches. Polycarbonate's stiffness creates a sharper and crisper sound profile during typing, enhancing the overall auditory experience. Its translucency allows for the efficient use of RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switches. Therefore, users can expect similar outcomes in terms of sound and lighting effects from both the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches employ nylon as the material of choice. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, users can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile while typing on switches with nylon bottom housing. This characteristic creates a duller and rounder sound, enhancing the overall tactile experience. Hence, whether using the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow or the KTT Mint, users can enjoy a similar typing experience with the benefits brought by the nylon bottom housing.
While the top and bottom housings have different materials for each switch, the impact of these materials is divided by the specific housing. Pressing down on either the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow or the KTT Mint will primarily showcase the qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the sound experienced when letting go of a key will be mainly influenced by the top housing. Therefore, although the switches may have slight differences in their materials, the overall typing and auditory experiences of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Mint are likely to be comparable.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Mint's 45 grams. Similarly, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow also has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, whereas the Mint has a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Mint offers a lighter touch. It is worth noting that even though the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is heavier in both actuation and bottom out force, the difference is not significant, so users may still achieve similar results with both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on individual preferences - those who prefer a lighter switch may lean towards the Mint, while those desiring a heavier feel may opt for the G Pro 3.0 Yellow.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard, as it determines the amount of force required and the tactile feedback received while typing. In the case of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Mint linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches will result in a similar experience in terms of the distance traveled. Therefore, whether you opt for the G Pro 3.0 Yellow or the Mint, you can expect a comparable travel distance and subsequently a similar typing experience.
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 KTT Mint comes in at $2.91 per 10 switches.
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
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint linear switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is best known for its higher-pitched clacky sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. This switch offers a resonant experience, providing an immersive auditory experience with clean and sharp sound. On the other hand, the Mint switch is described as having a low-pitched sound profile, offering a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. It is considered a neutral switch with a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. Please note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is known for its polished and creamy qualities. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved through either the materials used or factory lubing. Typing on the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers reduced friction and smooth key travel, providing a polished and buttery sensation. On the other hand, the Mint switch has a mild typing experience. It falls into a safe middle-ground zone, offering a more gentle and approachable feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Additionally, the Mint switch is also described as polished, providing reduced friction and smooth key travel for a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint both have their unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a higher-pitched clacky sound profile with a resonant experience, accompanied by a polished and creamy feel. On the other hand, the Mint switch has a low-pitched sound profile with a neutral sound and a mildly polished feel. While the two switches have their own distinct qualities, it is important to consider personal preferences and the specific use case when choosing between them. Whether you prefer a higher-pitched, resonant sound with a creamy feel, or a low-pitched, neutral sound with a mild feel, both switches can provide satisfying results depending on your preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. If you are someone who enjoys a medium-heavy bottom out force and prefers a higher-pitched clacky sound profile with a fairly bouncy type feel, then the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a smooth typing experience with a poppy thockiness sound profile and a light and fleeting type feel, then the Mint switch would be the better choice.
Sound-wise, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Mint offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. If you prefer a sharper and crisper sound, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow would be the suitable option. If you lean towards a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the Mint switch fits the bill.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a polished and creamy typing experience, with smooth and refined finishes that result in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Mint switch provides a mild and polished feel, which offers a gentle typing experience that falls within the safe middle-ground zone.
Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Mint switches boils down to your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. Consider your desired typing experience and choose the switch that aligns with your preferences and needs. Happy typing!
Mentioned in this article
