Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Piano are two popular mechanical keyboard switches, both falling under the linear switch category. On one hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow stands out as a budget-friendly option that delivers excellent performance. This switch offers a higher pitched and clacky sound profile, coupled with a bouncy typing feel. On the other hand, the Durock Piano provides a truly pleasant typing experience due to its proprietary material blend. With a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, this switch is known for its smoothness. While both switches have their own unique characteristics, it is important to delve deeper into their individual qualities to ensure you select the one that best suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
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 Durock Piano differ in terms of their housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a polycarbonate top housing, while the Piano features a proprietary POM blend top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the POM blend top housing of the Piano offers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. Although the exact details of the blend are unknown, it produces a distinct sound experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow utilizes a nylon material, while the Piano incorporates a proprietary POM blend. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the POM blend bottom housing of the Piano delivers a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile. While the specific composition of the blend is undisclosed, it contributes to the overall sound experience of the switch.
It's worth noting that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when you release a key. In this case, both the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Piano offer distinct experiences based on their respective top and bottom housing materials, providing users with a variety of sound profiles to choose from.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, there are some notable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, which is the force required to trigger a keystroke, while the actuation force of the Piano switch is unknown. However, both switches have a bottom out force of medium-heavy, with the G Pro 3.0 Yellow having a bottom out force of 67 grams and the Piano switch having a bottom out force of 63.5 grams.
In terms of weight, the lighter option would be the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow with its lower actuation force. This lighter feel can be advantageous for those who type for extended periods of time or engage in long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch offers a slightly heavier push feel for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. The medium-heavy bottom out forces for both switches indicate that they provide a satisfying feedback when fully pressed.
While the actuation force for the Piano switch is unavailable in the given information, it is likely that both switches will provide similar results in terms of bottoming out. However, it is worth noting that the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a slightly higher bottom out force compared to the Piano switch. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the Durock Piano linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. When you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel, ensuring a consistent typing or gaming experience. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches offer identical results.
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 Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano for $5.57.
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 produces a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. When typing on these switches, users can expect a sharp and crisp sound that is clean and immersive. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound signature that is characterized by a lower frequency range, resembling the richness and depth associated with bass tones. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow leans towards a higher-pitched sound, the Piano switch provides a more bassy and creamy sound experience.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is known for its polished and creamy typing experience. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This could be attributed to the materials used or factory lubing, providing a sleek typing experience. Typing on these switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly, as each keystroke seamlessly melts into each other, delivering a silky sensation. On the other hand, the Durock Piano switch offers a frictionless and silky typing experience. These switches are designed to minimize resistance and friction when pressing the keys, resulting in an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. The Piano switches enhance the overall smoothness of the typing feel, providing a satisfying sensation when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and Durock Piano linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, accompanied by a polished and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Piano switch delivers a deep and creamy sound signature, along with a frictionless and silky typing experience. Both switches offer unique characteristics that appeal to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience. While the G Pro 3.0 Yellow leans towards a higher-pitched sound and a polished feel, the Piano switch provides a more bassy sound and a frictionless feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, when it comes to choosing between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Piano linear switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a higher-pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy typing feel, then the G Pro 3.0 Yellow would be a great option. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep, creamy sound signature and a gliding push feel, the Piano switches would be more suitable for you.
In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Piano switches provide a bassy sound. If you enjoy a sharper and crisper sound with an immersive auditory experience, then the G Pro 3.0 Yellow would be a good choice. However, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound resembling bass tones, then the Piano switches would be more appealing.
When it comes to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is described as polished and creamy, offering a smooth and refined typing experience. With reduced friction and smooth key travel, typing on these switches feels sleek and effortless. Conversely, the Piano switches are described as frictionless and silky, providing an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance.
Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Durock Piano linear switches boils down to your personal preferences for sound and feel. Consider whether you prefer a higher-pitched clacky sound with a bouncy type feel (G Pro 3.0 Yellow) or a deep, creamy sound with a gliding push feel (Piano). Additionally, think about whether you prioritize a polished and creamy typing experience (G Pro 3.0 Yellow) or a frictionless and silky typing experience (Piano). By considering these factors, you can choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences and typing style.
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