Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) vs. Haimu Neo White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Haimu Neo White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Haimu Neo White both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Milky Yellow Pro is praised for its smooth and buttery feel, accompanied by a low, "thocky" sound that is perfect for both gaming and typing tasks. On the other hand, the Neo White stands out for its medium weight and smooth actuation, providing a satisfying typing experience with its slightly reduced total travel. While the Milky Yellow Pro excels in all-round performance and budget-friendly appeal, the Neo White offers a unique typing feel with its Ly stem. 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
62g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Haimu Neo White, one can see a clear distinction between the nylon top housing of the Milky Yellow Pro and the polycarbonate top housing of the Neo White. The nylon top housing of the Milky Yellow Pro provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller, rounder tone. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Neo White produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile with greater clarity and resonance. While both materials are suitable for switch housings, they offer different auditory experiences for users.
On the other hand, when examining the bottom housing materials of the Milky Yellow Pro and the Neo White, both switches utilize nylon material. This commonality suggests that both switches will offer a similar deep and full sound profile during typing. The nylon bottom housing's softer plastic composition absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Despite having different top housing materials, the shared bottom housing material ensures a consistent sound experience across both switches.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Haimu Neo White may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. The difference between the nylon and polycarbonate top housings will determine whether the user prefers a deeper, fuller sound (Milky Yellow Pro) or a sharper, more resonant sound (Neo White). However, with both switches utilizing nylon bottom housings, users can expect a similar sound experience when it comes to key presses. Ultimately, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the acoustic characteristics of mechanical switches and can greatly impact the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch show some differences. The Milky Yellow Pro has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Neo White, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar medium bottom out force – 62 grams for the Milky Yellow Pro and 58 grams for the Neo White. The Milky Yellow Pro may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Neo White may appeal to those who prefer a slightly heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Haimu Neo White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In this case, the Neo White has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Milky Yellow Pro. The Milky Yellow Pro offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a bit more depth when pressing down on the key. This difference in travel distance may affect the typing experience, with the Neo White potentially feeling more responsive for quick keystrokes, and the Milky Yellow Pro offering a slightly more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and what type of typing experience you prefer.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Haimu Neo White comes in at $2.70 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 Yellow Pro (KS-3) is characterized by its deep, bassy, and thocky sound profile, offering a satisfyingly rich auditory experience during key presses. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White switch is described as having a neutral sound, providing a moderate and versatile sound profile suitable for various typing environments. When comparing the two, the Milky Yellow Pro will produce a deeper and bassier sound compared to the more neutral sound of the Neo White, providing a different auditory experience depending on personal preference and setup.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) switch is lauded for its buttery and textured keystrokes, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience with noticeable friction that some users may enjoy. In contrast, the Haimu Neo White switch provides a mild typing experience, offering a gentle and approachable feel that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of keypress feedback. The differing textures and resistance levels between the Milky Yellow Pro and the Neo White switches offer users a choice between a more textured and frictional typing experience or a smoother and milder feel depending on personal preference.
Considering both sound and feel characteristics, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch excels in providing a deep, bassy, and thocky sound profile with buttery and textured keystrokes, making it a go-to budget switch for users seeking a satisfying typing and gaming experience. On the other hand, the Haimu Neo White switch offers a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience characterized by a smooth actuation and moderate sound, providing a versatile and approachable option for those looking for a comfortable typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when deciding between the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the Haimu Neo White linear switch, you should consider your preference for sound and feel. If you prefer a deeper, bass-heavy sound profile with a buttery and textured typing experience, then the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more neutral sound profile with a mild and approachable typing experience, then the Haimu Neo White switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences and what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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