Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Gazzew U4T are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a linear switch, known for its budget-friendly excellence. When typing on this switch, you'll notice a higher pitched clacky sound and a fairly bouncy feel. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T is a tactile switch that combines thockiness with sharp tactility. With its bassy thock sound profile and assertive tactile feedback, every keystroke provides both auditory and tactile satisfaction. Both switches have their own strengths and choosing the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Gazzew U4T differ in their housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow features a polycarbonate top housing, while the U4T utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the U4T's proprietary plastic blend top housing, known as "boba plastic," delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. While both materials offer distinct sound profiles, they provide different characteristics to the typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow utilizes a nylon material, while the U4T features a proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This can be attributed to nylon's softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the U4T's bottom housing made of the proprietary Gazzew blend adds to the switch's rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Both housing materials contribute to the auditory experience of typing, providing their unique qualities.
When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switch, the qualities of the top and bottom housings are divided. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel experienced when pressing down on a key. With the G Pro 3.0 Yellow's nylon bottom housing, typists can expect a deeper and fuller sound upon key press. Similarly, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing adds to the switch's rich and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. The polycarbonate top housing of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound upon key release, while the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing delivers a rich and deep sound profile. Both housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience, highlighting different aspects of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has an actuation force of 50 grams, which means that a relatively light touch is needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the U4T is unavailable, so it is unclear how much force is required to activate this switch. Moving on to bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a higher bottom out force of 67 grams, giving typists a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the U4T has a lower bottom out force of 62 grams, making it slightly lighter in comparison.
Considering the weight of the switches, some people may prefer the lighter G Pro 3.0 Yellow for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force allows for a more effortless keystroke, reducing fatigue during prolonged use. However, for those who enjoy a more robust typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel, the heavier bottom out force of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow may be more appealing.
As for the U4T, since the actuation force is not provided, it is unclear how it compares in terms of lightness or heaviness. However, its bottom out force of 62 grams suggests a medium weight switch, providing a balance between ease of typing and a more substantial typing experience.
In summary, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a lighter actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, while the specific actuation force of the Gazzew U4T is unknown, but it has a slightly lighter bottom out force. The choice between these switches will ultimately depend on personal preference, with the G Pro 3.0 Yellow providing a more effortless keystroke and a more substantial typing experience, while the U4T offers a balance between the two.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom will be identical. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance when using either of these 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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a bassy 'thock' sound profile combined with assertive tactile feedback. The sound produced by U4T switches is characterized by a deeper and richer tone, resembling a deep "thud" or a soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. While both switches offer different sound profiles, they provide their own auditory satisfaction.
When it comes to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches are described as polished and creamy. This means that they offer a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Typing on these switches provides a silky sensation, similar to effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switches are known for their sharp tactile feedback. They have a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each and every keypress. While the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches focus on a smooth and buttery typing experience, the U4T switches excel in providing intense tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and Gazzew U4T switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a higher-pitched and clacky sound profile with a polished and creamy typing experience, while the U4T switches offer a bassy 'thock' sound profile with sharp tactile feedback. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow switches prioritize auditory satisfaction and smooth key travel, while the U4T switches excel in providing a deep and rich sound profile combined with intense tactile feedback. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose between the more budget-friendly excellence of the G Pro 3.0 Yellow or the harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility of the U4T switches. However, please note that the sound and feel of the switches may also vary based on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a great choice. It offers a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, which can be appealing if you prefer sharper and crisper sound profiles. In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a polished and creamy typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, if you prioritize a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force, the Gazzew U4T is worth considering. It excels in providing a bassy and thocky sound profile, coupled with an assertive tactile feedback. The U4T delivers a sharp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with every keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the Gazzew U4T depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as the specific sound and feel characteristics that you find most appealing.
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