Use Airmail personally. Works great w/Gmail and almost always receives mail faster than Mail app. You have to pay for their regular version, but can use the beta for free:

https://rink.hockeyapp.net/apps/84be85c3331ee1d222fd7f0b59e41b04

Edit: just read the entirety of the first post and realize you aren't interested in Airmail, so nevermind!