Gateron Aliaz vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Gateron Aliaz and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to explore are the Gateron Aliaz and the Gateron Mountain Top. The Aliaz switch is a tactile switch, renowned for its quiet design ideal for office settings. With a medium-heavy weight, it offers a substantial feel to each keystroke, appealing to those who prioritize pronounced typing feedback without the noise. In contrast, the Mountain Top switch is a linear switch specifically tailored for office environments. It provides a quiet typing experience with a light actuation, perfect for discreet and continuous typing in professional settings. The Aliaz is characterized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished', while the Mountain Top is described as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Each switch offers unique benefits, but diving deeper into their individual characteristics can help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
75g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Aliaz and Gateron Mountain Top switches both utilize different housing materials for both the top and bottom components, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Aliaz features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Mountain Top switch uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
While the Aliaz and Mountain Top switches differ in their housing materials, both achieve unique sound profiles based on the characteristics of their respective materials. The polycarbonate top housing of the Aliaz provides a sharper and more resonant sound, especially beneficial for users planning to utilize RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a different typing experience compared to the Aliaz. Despite their differences, both switches showcase the impact that housing materials can have on the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Aliaz and Gateron Mountain Top switches comes down to personal preference in sound profiles. The split between different housing materials for the top and bottom components of each switch allows users to experience a combination of qualities during typing. The bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Whether you prefer the sharper, crisper sound of the Aliaz's polycarbonate housing or the deeper, fuller sound of the Mountain Top's nylon housing, both switches offer a unique typing experience that can enhance your overall keyboard setup.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, there are noticeable differences between the two. The Gateron Aliaz has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 75 grams, making it a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. The Aliaz switch provides a heavier typing experience overall, while the Mountain Top switch offers a lighter touch. If looking for a similar typing experience, one could expect comparable results from both switches.
Travel distance
The Gateron Aliaz tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Mountain Top switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Aliaz switch. The shorter travel distance of the Mountain Top switch may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Aliaz switch with the longer travel distance may provide a more substantial and satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper actuation feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Aliaz has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aliaz for $5.50.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Aliaz switch is known for its muted sound profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for quiet environments like the office. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a more neutral sound, striking a balance between actuation force requirement and sound profile that suits a variety of users and purposes. Both switches can provide a relatively quiet typing experience, but the Aliaz leans towards a more subdued sound, while the Mountain Top offers a moderate sound profile suitable for most settings.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Aliaz switch is described as silky and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is characterized by a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle feel, providing a spring-like feedback sensation, gentle resistance, and a responsive typing experience. While the Aliaz focuses on delivering a refined and smooth typing feel, the Mountain Top offers a lively and responsive typing experience that is comfortable and low-impact.
Overall, the Gateron Aliaz and Mountain Top switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Aliaz excels in providing a substantial and muted typing experience for those who prefer a more pronounced feedback without noise, while the Mountain Top offers a balanced typing experience suitable for discreet and continuous typing in professional settings. Both switches prioritize comfort and usability, ensuring a satisfying typing experience tailored to individual preferences. Ultimately, whether you choose the Aliaz or Mountain Top, you can expect a high-quality switch that meets your specific typing needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Aliaz tactile switch or the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a more substantial feel and pronounced typing feedback in a quiet environment, the Aliaz switch with its heavier bottom out force may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a quieter yet still discernible typing experience in an office setting, the Mountain Top switch could be the ideal option. Whether you prioritize a smooth and polished typing feel or a bouncy and easy-to-press sensation, both switches offer unique characteristics to cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the decision rests on what specific typing experience and sound profile you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
