Durock Medium Tactile vs. Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3)
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices are the Durock Medium Tactile, a tactile switch, and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3), a linear switch. The Medium Tactile from Durock is loved for its unique flavor, offering a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is known as the epitome of a classic budget switch. It offers smoothness and buttery goodness, excelling in both gaming and typing with its low, thocky sound and satisfyingly thick resistance. These switches are categorized as accented, stepped, mild, and polished for the Medium Tactile, and bassy, buttery, low-pitched, textured, and thocky for the Milky Yellow Pro. While these are general pointers for choosing each switch, 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) differ in terms of their housing materials. The Medium Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Milky Yellow Pro has a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile, making it ideal for those who want a clear and resonant sound when typing. On the other hand, nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This means that the Milky Yellow Pro will provide a slightly duller and rounder sound compared to the Medium Tactile.
In terms of aesthetics, the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate top housing offers the advantage of translucency, making it a great choice for those who use RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Milky Yellow Pro's nylon top housing does not provide the same translucency. Therefore, if you want to showcase RGB lighting in your keyboard, the Medium Tactile would be the better option.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon as the housing material. This means that they share similar qualities in terms of sound profile. Both the Medium Tactile and the Milky Yellow Pro offer a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the nylon bottom housing. The softness of the nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a slightly duller and rounder sound when typing on either switch.
It is important to note that the top and bottom housings play different roles in the overall sound profile of a switch. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when you release a key. Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro will provide satisfying typing experiences with their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Durock switch is unavailable, while the actuation force of the Gateron switch is 50 grams. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Durock switch measuring 65 grams and the Gateron switch measuring 62 grams.
In terms of weight, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the Durock Medium Tactile, making it more suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. However, both switches offer a medium bottom out force, providing a satisfactory typing experience.
For those who prefer a lighter keystroke, the Gateron switch would be a better choice. On the other hand, for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Durock switch with its heavier bottom out force would be the preferred option. Overall, both switches provide options for different preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Both switches provide a satisfying amount of tactile feedback and offer a similar typing experience in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on the keys. Therefore, whether you choose the Durock Medium Tactile or the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) has an MSRP of $2.33 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) for $2.30.
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, the Durock Medium Tactile is best described as having a jelly-like sound signature. While the specific details of this sound profile are not provided, it can be inferred that the sound produced by this switch is likely to be softer and possibly more muffled compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is characterized as having a low-pitched and thocky sound. This means that the switch produces a deeper and richer sound akin to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. The low-pitched nature of this switch further enhances its sound profile, making it bass-heavy and mellow. However, it is important to note that the overall sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen by the user.
Moving on to the feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as an accented, stepped, mild, and polished switch. This implies that it provides a noticeable yet balanced amount of tactility, striking a middle ground between overwhelming and subtle tactile feedback. Additionally, the stepped nature of this switch means that it feels milder compared to hypertactile switches, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel feedback. The mild characteristic of the Medium Tactile ensures a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Furthermore, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is described as buttery and textured. A buttery switch suggests a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. This implies that the Milky Yellow Pro offers a uniform and consistent feeling across key presses. The switch also has a textured characteristic, which means it has noticeable friction when pressed. Some users may prefer this subtle texture, while others may prefer a smoother and friction-free typing experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) differ in terms of sound and feel. The Durock Medium Tactile has a jelly-like sound signature, while the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) has a low-pitched and thocky sound. In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile provides a balanced and accented tactility with a stepped feel, mild characteristics, and a polished finish. On the other hand, the Milky Yellow Pro offers a buttery and textured typing experience. Depending on individual preferences, both switches can provide satisfying results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it provides a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery linear switch that excels in both gaming and typing, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is the go-to option. With a bottom out force of 62 grams, it offers a medium resistance that is satisfyingly thick. These Milky Yellows are particularly popular among budget enthusiasts. In terms of sound, the Medium Tactile has a unique sound signature, while the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) produces a low-pitched and thocky sound. When it comes to feel, the Medium Tactile is described as accented, stepped, mild, and polished, offering a balanced and approachable typing experience. On the other hand, the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is buttery and provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for tactility and sound, with the Durock Medium Tactile being the tactile option and the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) being the linear option.
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