Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, both of which are linear switches. While they both offer a smooth typing experience, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is best known for its budget-friendly yet excellent performance. With a higher pitched clacky sound profile and a fairly bouncy type feel, it offers a polished and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon stands out with its progressive spring and KTT's dry-lube design, resulting in a buttery smooth typing experience. With a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, it provides a mild and pleasant feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
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
No
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon, we find that they both use polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice enhances the sound profile of the switches, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it a great option for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound and aesthetics, both switches will provide similar results.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Sea Salt Lemon utilize nylon. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer nature. By absorbing more sound than harder plastics, nylon creates a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, in terms of sound quality, both switches will offer a similar typing experience, eliciting a deeper and more satisfying sound when pressed.
It's important to note that while both switches have different materials for their top and bottom housing, the qualities each material brings are split between the two parts. The bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. This distinction allows for a nuanced typing experience, providing a range of sound profiles throughout the typing process. Overall, both the G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Sea Salt Lemon offer comparable performance and sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon only requires 45 grams. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon is lighter in terms of actuation force.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams compared to the Sea Salt Lemon's 53 grams. This indicates that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lighter bottom out force.
Considering weight, if one prefers a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Sea Salt Lemon would be a suitable choice as it has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force. This would be ideal for those who bring their keyboards to work or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. However, if a more solid and robust typing experience is desired, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow would be more suitable with its heavier actuation and bottom out force.
In summary, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow has heavier actuation and bottom out forces, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon provides a lighter touch. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience. Both switches offer their own advantages, and it is up to the user to decide which better suits their needs.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch refers to the distance it travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. In the case of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same 4 mm travel distance. Therefore, both switches provide a similar tactile feedback and overall typing experience in terms of travel distance.
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 Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 switch is known for its high-pitched clacky sound profile. When typing on these switches, you can expect a sharp and crisp sound that is immersive and resonant. The sound profile is clean and sharp, providing an auditory experience that is distinct and satisfying. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a low-pitched sound profile. These switches have a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, which creates a soothing and relaxing auditory experience. They are described as having a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for various purposes.
When it comes to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is polished and offers a sleek typing experience. The smooth and refined finish of the switch results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. These switches are often factory lubed, further enhancing the creamy and buttery typing sensation. Typing on these switches feels like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys, with each keystroke melting into a silky sensation. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a mild typing experience. These switches offer a gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. They provide a safe and approachable middle-ground zone, ensuring that most users will find the feel of these switches comfortable and enjoyable.
Based on the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Sea Salt Lemon switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow produces a higher-pitched clacky sound and provides a polished and creamy typing experience. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon has a low-pitched and mellow sound profile and offers a mild and gentle typing feel. Depending on your preferences, both switches can provide satisfying typing experiences. It is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, these switches offer different options for users seeking different sound and feel profiles.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly linear switch that offers a medium-heavy bottom out force and a higher-pitched, resonant sound profile, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is the perfect choice for you. It provides a fairly bouncy typing experience with a sleek and polished feel, thanks to its smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force and a low-pitched, neutral sound profile, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon is the ideal option. Its progressive spring and dry-lube design contribute to a buttery smooth typing experience. The Sea Salt Lemon offers a mild typing experience that will be approachable to most users. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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