Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) and the KTT Strawberry mechanical keyboard switches, you are faced with two excellent options that offer unique features. The Milky Red Pro switches are lauded for their smooth and budget-friendly linear design, providing a buttery smooth typing experience with a satisfying low-pitched "thock" sound. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switches are known for their smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance, housed in an attractive pink and clear casing. If you prioritize a bassy, thocky feel, the Milky Red Pro switches may be the way to go, while the Strawberry switches offer a silky, polished typing experience. 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
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
52g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) and the KTT Strawberry, one major difference lies in the material used for the top housing. The Milky Red Pro features a nylon top housing known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Strawberry utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This difference in material directly affects the sound produced by these switches, with nylon offering a softer sound and polycarbonate providing a clearer and more resonant sound experience.
Another point of comparison between the two switches is their choice of bottom housing material. The Milky Red Pro utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which, like the top housing, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Strawberry features a polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is clear and resonant. The choice of bottom housing material plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel of these switches, with nylon offering a softer sound experience and polycarbonate delivering a crisper sound with more clarity.
Ultimately, while the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) and the KTT Strawberry differ in their choice of housing materials, both switches are designed to provide a unique and satisfying typing experience. The contrasting properties of nylon and polycarbonate result in distinct sound profiles, with nylon offering a deeper and fuller sound while polycarbonate delivers a sharper and crisper sound. However, if both switches were to use the same housing material for both the top and bottom housings, such as nylon or polycarbonate, users can expect to achieve similar sound profiles and tactile experiences across the board.
Weight
The Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the KTT Strawberry linear switch's actuation force of 43 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force that is heavier than their actuation force, with the Milky Red Pro bottoming out at 52 grams and the Strawberry at 62 grams. The Milky Red Pro offers a medium-light feel overall, while the Strawberry provides a medium feel. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Milky Red Pro, as it requires less force for actuation. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Overall, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on keys with either of these switches, users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance. With both switches offering the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and actuation, providing a uniform typing experience regardless of which switch they choose to use. The identical travel distance of 4 mm in both switches ensures that users will not notice a difference in key travel when switching between the two, offering a seamless typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) has an MSRP of $2.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) for $2.30.
The KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91 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 Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch is best known for its bassy and thocky sound profile, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying tone during key presses. The low-pitched nature of these switches adds a mellow and bass-heavy quality to the sound, resulting in a pleasing auditory experience. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is noted for its low-pitched sound, providing a similar bass-heavy and mellow tone during typing sessions. Both switches offer a satisfying and pleasant auditory experience, making them suitable choices for those who value sound quality in their mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to feel, the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) switch is renowned for its buttery smooth keystroke experience, offering seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry switch boasts a frictionless and silky smooth typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction when pressing the keys. The polished finish of the Strawberry switch enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel, further reducing friction and providing a sleek typing experience. Both switches excel in providing a smooth and comfortable typing experience, ensuring that users can enjoy extended typing sessions without fatigue.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer exceptional qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Milky Red Pro switch is known for its bassy and thocky sound profile, paired with a buttery smooth keystroke experience, the KTT Strawberry switch showcases a low-pitched sound and a frictionless, silky typing feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing sensation. However, users can expect similar results in terms of overall quality and satisfaction with either switch.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a bassy, thocky, and low-pitched sound profile, the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and prioritize a low-pitched sound with a variety of smooth and frictionless feel descriptors like silky, buttery, and polished, then the KTT Strawberry linear switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal typing style and the type of typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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