Dareu Dream vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Dareu Dream and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and needs. The Dareu Dream is praised for its light linear feel and affordability, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on quality. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switches are designed with office environments in mind, providing a quiet yet responsive typing experience perfect for professional settings. While the Dream is known for being easy-to-press and clacky, the Mountain Top offers a bouncy and 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
40g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Dareu Dream and Gateron Mountain Top switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switch. The Dream features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. This is in contrast to the Mountain Top's nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the Dream's top housing is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Mountain Top offers a classic switch housing material that enhances the typing experience with its rich sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Dareu Dream and Gateron Mountain Top switches utilize nylon for a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of each switch absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing. This consistency in housing material between the two switches ensures a uniform sound experience throughout the keystrokes. Despite the difference in top housing materials, the nylon bottom housing maintains a similar sound profile that emphasizes a more tactile typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the Dareu Dream and Gateron Mountain Top switches comes down to individual preferences in sound profile and typing experience. The polycarbonate top housing of the Dream offers a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those who prefer a brighter typing experience. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top provides a deeper and fuller sound, appealing to users who enjoy a more mellow sound profile. Both switches, however, share the benefits of a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a consistent and tactile typing experience across the board. Whether you prefer a sharper sound with the Dream or a deeper sound with the Mountain Top, both switches offer quality housing materials that enhance the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both have the same actuation force of 40 grams, making them equally sensitive in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Dream has an unknown measurement while the Mountain Top requires a lighter 50 grams for full depression. This means that the Mountain Top switch is lighter to press all the way down compared to the Dream switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Mountain Top may be the preferred choice. Conversely, if a more substantial typing feel is desired, the Dream switch's unknown bottom out force could potentially provide that. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing force and sensitivity.
Travel distance
The Dareu Dream linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Dream switch offers a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top switch. Generally, a longer travel distance may provide a more substantial and tactile feel when typing or gaming, making it preferred by some users. On the other hand, a shorter travel distance can result in faster response times, which is beneficial for gamers seeking quick reactions. Both switches offer a balance between traditional and shallow travel distances, catering to different preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether you prioritize a longer, more tactile experience or a quicker, more responsive one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
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 Dareu Dream linear switch offers a clacky typing experience with sharp and snappy sounds that are crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most environments, striking a balance between actuation force and sound level, making it ideal for office use where discretion is key.
In terms of feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by an easy-to-press sensation with minimal force required for key activation, enhancing typing comfort and reducing finger fatigue. The switch also falls into the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience suitable for a wide range of users. Conversely, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is described as bouncy, providing a lively, spring-like feedback when typing. It also falls into the easy-to-press and mild categories, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for extended periods.
Taking into account the sound and feel qualities of both switches, it is evident that the Dareu Dream linear switch excels in providing a clacky typing sound and an easy-to-press typing feel, making it a great choice for enthusiasts seeking affordability and quality. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is tailored for office environments, offering a neutral sound profile and a bouncy typing feel that is ideal for discreet and comfortable typing in professional settings. Overall, while each switch has its own unique characteristics, users can expect similar results in terms of feel and sound level when using either option, depending on their preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your priorities. If you are looking for a very light linear option that is affordable and offers a clacky typing sound, the Dareu Dream switch is a great choice. On the other hand, if you need a switch that caters to professional environments with a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your specific needs and preferences when it comes to typing experience and sound.
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