Aflion Blush vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Aflion Blush, a linear switch, and the Gateron Mountain Top, also a linear switch. The Aflion Blush is highly praised for its smooth and snappy feel, thanks to its longer, two-stage spring and long pole that produces a distinct poppy sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is tailored for office environments, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation for professional settings. While the Blush is characterized as 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', and 'Buttery', the Mountain Top is described as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Each switch has its own strengths depending on your preferences and needs; 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
58g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Dual-stage stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Mountain Top switches offer distinct characteristics that affect the sound profile and feel of typing. The Blush features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. On the other hand, the Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the Blush's top housing is better suited for RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing offers a classic typing experience with a rounder sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Blush and the Mountain Top switches utilize nylon, which again 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. The use of nylon in the bottom housing further enhances the typing experience by providing a consistent feel and sound throughout the keystroke. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with a focus on sound quality.
Overall, while the top housing materials of the Aflion Blush and the Gateron Mountain Top switches differ in terms of polycarbonate and nylon, respectively, both switches offer a unique typing experience. The Blush's polycarbonate top housing emphasizes a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for those who prefer a higher-pitched typing sound. In contrast, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, catering to users who enjoy a more mellow typing experience. Despite these differences, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a consistent and satisfying feel with a focus on sound quality. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that they differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Aflion Blush has an actuation force of None grams, making it easier to initiate keystrokes, while its bottom out force of 58 grams provides a medium level of resistance for a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top offers a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, allowing for quicker keystrokes, and a slightly lighter bottom out force of 50 grams. In terms of weight, the Mountain Top is lighter and may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Blush provides a more solid and tactile typing experience with its heavier forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Aflion Blush linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for quicker response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - if you prefer a slightly shorter and more responsive feel, the Blush may be the better choice. However, if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth and cushion in the key press, the Mountain Top may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to standard switches, so the difference in feel may be subtle.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Blush has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blush for $4.07.
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
Overall, when comparing the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, the two switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Blush switch provides a low-pitched sound with a creamy, silky, and buttery feel, contributing to a smooth and luxurious typing experience. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch offers a neutral sound profile with a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle feel, focusing on providing a comfortable and responsive typing experience in office environments.
While the Blush switch caters to users looking for a richer sound and a luxurious typing feel, the Mountain Top switch targets users who value a quiet typing experience with an emphasis on comfort and responsiveness. Both switches may appeal to different preferences, and choosing between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific use case. Whether you prioritize a buttery smooth feel of the Blush switch or the bouncy and easy-to-press feel of the Mountain Top switch, you can expect similar levels of quality and performance from both switches in their respective categories.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Aflion Blush linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing environment and preferences. If you value a smooth, snappy typing experience with a slightly higher actuation force and a low-pitched sound, the Aflion Blush switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a lighter actuation force and a more subtle sound, the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be a great choice, especially for office settings. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what feels most comfortable and efficient for your typing needs.
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