Bsun Cliff vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between tactile and linear can significantly influence your typing experience. The Bsun Cliff, known for its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, offers a satisfying feedback that many find enhances their typing accuracy and enjoyment—perfect for those who appreciate a tactile bump as they engage each key. In contrast, Gateron's Mountain Top switches are designed with office environments in mind, providing a quieter experience that strikes a balance between discretion and comfort. With a comfortably light actuation, these linear switches relegate noise while ensuring a smooth typing flow, making them ideal for extended sessions in shared workspaces. Each switch presents unique advantages: the Cliff appeals to enthusiasts who value tactile feedback, while the Mountain Top is favored by professionals seeking a subtle typing experience. 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
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Bsun Cliff and Gateron Mountain Top switches present a clear distinction that shapes their respective sound profiles and user experiences. The Bsun Cliff employs a polycarbonate top housing, a material known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic not only enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound but also complements RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, which is softer and thus results in a deeper, fuller sound profile. Because nylon absorbs more sound than harder materials, the overall auditory experience of the Mountain Top switch leans toward being duller and rounder. Thus, users seeking a bright, percussive sound might prefer the Cliff, while those who desire a warmer, more subdued sound might gravitate toward the Mountain Top.
Despite the differing materials in their top housings, both switches share the same bottom housing material—nylon—which contributes to a consistent underlying sound profile. The use of nylon in the Bsun Cliff's bottom housing means that the typing experience will retain that signature depth and fullness associated with the material, mirroring much of what is felt in the Gateron Mountain Top. Since both switches use nylon at the bottom, they will provide a comparable tactile feel when bottoming out, with a softer landing that absorbs sound and minimizes clanking. Hence, while the top housings introduce unique auditory elements, the commonality in bottom housing strikes a balance that retains a similar foundation in both switches.
Overall, the dual-material nature of the Bsun Cliff and Gateron Mountain Top allows for a rich spectrum of auditory experiences that cater to different preferences. The emphasis on harsher sounds in the Cliff due to its polycarbonate top contrasts significantly with the Mountain Top’s focus on deeper tones attributed to its nylon top housing. However, their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that, irrespective of the top housing's influence, users will encounter a consistent and familiar feel and sound when bottoming out. Thus, the variances in upper housing materials create distinct sound signatures, while the shared characteristics from their bottoms link the two families of switches in a notable way.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Cliff tactile switch to the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, both switches exhibit relatively light actuation and bottom out forces, though they differ slightly in their specifications. The Cliff has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Mountain Top features a slightly higher actuation force at 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Cliff switch is the lighter option, making it more suitable for users who prefer a gentler touch for prolonged typing or gaming sessions, whereas the Mountain Top provides a slightly heavier feel, which may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while both switches are classified as light, the Cliff is the lighter choice, offering a more delicate actuation compared to the Mountain Top.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, we find distinct differences that cater to varying preferences. The Cliff switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Mountain Top switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Cliff, with its 3.6 mm distance, allows for a more pronounced feel with a deeper actuation, which may appeal to users who enjoy a hearty depth in their keystrokes. Conversely, the Mountain Top's 3.4 mm travel distance may provide a quicker response time, making it more suitable for gamers and those who prefer a more immediate feedback during typing. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that delivers a more substantial keystroke, the Bsun Cliff would be the better choice, while the Gateron Mountain Top may be more aligned with users seeking efficiency and speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
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 Bsun Cliff tactile switch features a crisp sound signature, which can create a pleasant auditory feedback when typing. This quality makes it more pronounced compared to Gateron's Mountain Top linear switch, which is designed for office environments and delivers a neutral sound profile. The Mountain Top's sound is described as subdued yet not entirely silent, balancing discretion with a noticeable typing noise. Ultimately, both switches deliver sound signatures that can suit a variety of environments, but the Cliff offers a more crisp and communicative auditory experience, while the Mountain Top excels in quieter settings.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch is acknowledged for its medium tactility, providing a distinct resistance that gives typists feedback with each keypress. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is characterized by various descriptors such as "bouncy," "easy-to-press," and "snappy," which culminate in an overall lively typing experience. The Mountain Top's construction allows for a gentle resistance and minimal force to activate, making it an effortless typing option that reduces finger fatigue during long sessions. While the Cliff's tactility offers clear feedback, the Mountain Top's focus on light and responsive key presses allows for a more relaxed and comfortable typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Bsun Cliff tactile switch provides a crisp auditory feedback and medium tactility ideal for typists who appreciate pronounced key presses, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch caters to those in more subdued environments with its quiet operation and responsive feel. The Cliff offers a different experience with its more tactile nature, while the Mountain Top emphasizes ease of use and comfort, particularly suited for extended typing tasks. Both switches are tailored for different preferences, ensuring that users can find a satisfying typing experience, but each caters to distinct needs in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you enjoy a medium tactility combined with a crisp sound that adds a lively dimension to your typing experience, the Cliff is an excellent choice. Its lighter bottom-out force of 45 grams makes it feel effortless to type on, which is ideal for long sessions where comfort and feedback are paramount. On the other hand, if you are primarily working in an office or shared space where discretion is key, the Mountain Top switches shine with their quiet operation and subtle sound profile. They provide a slightly firmer feel with a 50-gram actuation force, resulting in a bouncy and responsive feedback that ensures a lively typing experience without disturbing those around you. Ultimately, if your priority is a tactile and engaging typing experience, go for the Cliff; but if you seek a more neutral, quiet switch that excels in collaborative environments, the Mountain Top is the way to go.
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