Kailh Berry vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Kailh Berry and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Kailh Berry linear switch to the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it becomes evident that each offers a unique typing experience tailored to different needs. The Berry switch stands out for its hefty and springy feel, featuring a chalk-like texture and a deep sound profile, making it ideal for those seeking a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch from Gateron is designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience, perfect for professional settings that require discreet and continuous typing. 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
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Berry and Gateron Mountain Top switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Berry's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound with its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Berry allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visual element to the switch that the Mountain Top's nylon housing does not provide.
Both the Berry and Mountain Top switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound for both switches. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that the typing experience on both switches will have consistent sound qualities that enhance the overall user experience.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Berry and Gateron Mountain Top switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics. The Berry's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile with the added bonus of RGB lighting, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a consistent typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. Ultimately, users can select the switch that best aligns with their preferred sound profile and aesthetic preferences.
Weight
The Kailh Berry linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch have different actuation forces and bottom out forces. The Berry has a bottom out force of 70 grams, while the Mountain Top has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making the Mountain Top the lighter option. The actuation force of the Berry is None grams, while the Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams, indicating that the Mountain Top requires less force to trigger a keystroke. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Mountain Top, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Berry. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Kailh Berry linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal choices for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. Choosing between the two would come down to personal preference - those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may opt for the Kailh Berry, while those who prefer a slightly shallower key press may prefer the Gateron Mountain Top. Overall, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, allowing for a fast and responsive typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Berry comes in at $6.25, whereas the Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00.
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 Kailh Berry linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, giving off a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a neutral sound signature that is suitable for various purposes and settings. While the Berry switch emphasizes a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, the Mountain Top switch aims for a more discreet and subdued sound experience, making it ideal for office environments.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Berry linear switch is known for its textured typing experience, providing noticeable friction when pressed. This adds a unique tactile feedback for users who prefer a bit of resistance while typing. Conversely, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press sensation, with a mild and subtle typing feel that is gentle on the fingers. The Mountain Top switch provides a comfortable and responsive typing experience, perfect for continuous and prolonged typing sessions.
Taking into consideration the sound and feel characteristics of both switches, it is clear that the Kailh Berry linear switch offers a more textured and springy typing experience with a deep and bassy sound profile, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a smoother and bouncier feel with a neutral and subtle sound signature. Depending on personal preference and intended use, users can choose between the two switches to achieve their desired typing experience, whether it be a more tactile and textured feel with the Berry switch or a quieter and smoother feel with the Mountain Top switch. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Kailh Berry linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a springy and textured typing feel with a deep and bassy sound profile, the Berry switch may be more suited to your preferences. On the other hand, if you value a quiet and easy-to-press typing experience that is bouncy and snappy, the Mountain Top switch could be the better choice for you, especially in professional or office settings where discretion is key. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile.
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