Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both offer unique experiences for typists. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a budget-friendly option known for its polished, high-pitched sound profile and bouncy feel, appealing to those who prefer a more resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch by KTT stands out with its smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the innovative use of POK material in both the stem and bottom housing. Typists who enjoy a buttery and marbly feel, accompanied by a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, may find the Vanilla Ice Cream switch to be their ideal choice. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15.4mm long spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, we can see some distinct differences. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, especially ideal for RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a proprietary KTT blend top housing that offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. These differences in sound profiles suggest that the G Pro 3.0 Yellow may provide a crisper and clearer typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream may offer a more distinct and unique sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow features a nylon bottom housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic nature. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream's POK bottom housing is known for its smoothness, clacky sound, and exceptional durability. While both bottom housings contribute to the overall typing experience, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow may offer a more muffled and rounder sound due to the nylon material, while the Vanilla Ice Cream is likely to provide a smoother and more robust typing sensation.
Overall, the housing materials of these two switches play a significant role in determining the typing experience for users. The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing creates a unique blend of sharpness and depth in sound, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream's proprietary blend top housing and POK bottom housing offer a distinct high-pitched and clacky typing sensation with added durability and smoothness. Despite these differences, both switches are likely to provide a satisfying and premium typing experience for users seeking unique sound profiles and durable materials.
Weight
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch have notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The G Pro 3.0 Yellow has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the Vanilla Ice Cream switch more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the heavier G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch. The actuation force influences how easily a keystroke is triggered, while the bottom out force measures the amount of force needed to press a key all the way down. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and weight considerations.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch. For those looking for a more responsive typing experience, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may be the better option due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper key press sensation. Both switches offer different typing experiences, with the Vanilla Ice Cream providing a quicker response time, while the G Pro 3.0 Yellow offers a more satisfying depth to the key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and response time.
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 Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer a high-pitched and clacky sound profile. While the G Pro 3.0 Yellow is described as resonant and provides a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch adds a marbly quality to the mix, creating a unique auditory experience akin to tapping on marble or billiard balls colliding. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard board and keycaps used, so keep that in mind when choosing between the two.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Yellow switch is polished and offers a refined and smooth typing experience. It has a bouncy feel that adds an extra layer of feedback while typing. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as buttery and creamy, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. The use of POK material in the stem and bottom housing contributes to its smooth and creamy feel, making typing a delight for users who appreciate a buttery typing experience.
Overall, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the G Pro 3.0 Yellow provides a more resonant and bouncy feel with a high-pitched sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a smooth and creamy feel with a marbly sound to enhance the typing experience. Depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, either of these switches can provide a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, you can expect similar results in terms of performance and quality from both switches, with the main difference lying in the nuances of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a higher pitched clacky sound profile with a bouncy feel, then the G Pro 3.0 Yellow may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a smooth and creamy typing experience with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, then the Vanilla Ice Cream switch may better suit your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so make sure to consider what factors are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on what features you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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