PH Studio Aniya vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Aniya and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the PH Studio Aniya and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Aniya, a linear switch, is renowned for its harmoniously balanced sound profile, leaning towards a clacky sound without being overwhelmingly loud. With a smooth feel and medium-light actuation, every keystroke on the Aniya is a delightful experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top, also a linear switch, is designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet subtly satisfying typing experience. With a subdued sound signature and comfortable light actuation, these switches are ideal for professional settings that require quiet and continuous typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these general descriptions to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The PH Studio Aniya and the Gateron Mountain Top both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housing components. While the Aniya features a POM top and bottom housing, the Mountain Top opts for a nylon top and bottom housing. The POM housing of the Aniya creates a unique and pleasing sound profile that is deep and relatively muted, whereas the nylon housing of the Mountain Top elicits a fuller and deeper sound due to its softer and more sound-absorbent nature. Despite their differences, both housings contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches, with the top housing influencing the sound upon key release and the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel.
When comparing the top housings of the Aniya and the Mountain Top, it is evident that the choice of material plays a significant role in shaping the sound profile of the switches. The POM top housing of the Aniya creates a deep and unique sound that is relatively muted, while the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top elicits a fuller and deeper sound profile. Additionally, the softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM housing. Despite these differences, both top housings contribute to the overall typing experience and influence the sound produced by the switches.
In terms of the bottom housings, the POM bottom housing of the Aniya and the nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top also play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and feel of the switches. The bottom housing material has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, with the POM housing of the Aniya creating a deeper sound profile and the nylon housing of the Mountain Top producing a fuller and deeper sound. While the bottom housing material may not be as noticeable as the top housing during typing, it still contributes to the overall typing experience and influences the overall sound profile of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, we can see that both switches have relatively light actuation forces, with the Aniya at 42 grams and the Mountain Top at 40 grams. However, the bottom out force for both switches is the same, at 50 grams. This means that while both switches provide a light typing experience, the Mountain Top switch requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Mountain Top may be the better option. On the other hand, the Aniya may be more suitable for those who enjoy a slightly more substantial typing experience. Overall, if weight is a significant factor in your decision-making process, both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch differ in their travel distances. The Aniya has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm compared to the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm. Both switches fall into the category of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference - whether one prefers a slightly shorter and quicker actuation like the Aniya or a slightly longer and more depth like the Mountain Top. Both switches offer a good balance between speed and feel, making them suitable options for different typing or gaming styles.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Aniya has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aniya for $4.20.
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
In terms of sound, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is characterized by its clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of environments, especially in office settings where discretion is key. Both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, with the Aniya leaning towards a more pronounced clacky sound and the Mountain Top focusing on providing a quiet yet tactile typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Aniya switch is praised for its creamy and silky typing experience, offering smooth and buttery key presses that make typing a delight. Meanwhile, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy and easy-to-press, providing a spring-like sensation and requiring minimal force to activate. The Aniya switch focuses on a refined and polished feel, while the Mountain Top switch offers a responsive and low-impact typing experience ideal for prolonged use in professional settings.
Overall, choosing between the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch depends on personal preference and the intended use case. If you value a more pronounced and clacky sound profile paired with a smooth and buttery typing experience, the Aniya switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and discreet typing experience with responsive and easy-to-press keys, the Mountain Top switch could better suit your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer quality performance and a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your sound and feel preferences. If you value a slightly clacky and high-pitched sound profile with a creamy and polished typing experience, the Aniya switch might be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a bouncy and easy-to-press typing feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the specific sound and feel characteristics that align with your typing preferences and environment.
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