Akko Fairy vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko Fairy and the Gateron Mountain Top are both linear switches ideal for office settings, each offering unique features that cater to different preferences. The Fairy switches from Akko are well-regarded for their factory-applied lubrication, ensuring a smooth and satisfying typing experience while maintaining a quiet workspace. With a medium weight that strikes a perfect balance between resistance and comfort, the Fairy switches are perfect for extended use during daily professional tasks. On the other hand, Gateron's Mountain Top switches are designed for discretion in office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a light actuation. These switches provide a bouncy and snappy feel, making them easy to press for 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
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing material used in both the Akko Fairy and the Gateron Mountain Top switches is nylon, a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. This similarity in housing material suggests that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile and overall feel when using either switch.
While both the Fairy and Mountain Top switches share the same nylon housing material for both the top and bottom parts, the impact of each housing on the typing experience differs. The bottom housing of a switch typically influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing the key. Despite these differences in influence, the shared nylon housing material in both switches suggests that users can expect a consistent and familiar typing experience across the two models, with slight variations in sound profile based on the housing design.
In conclusion, the nylon housing materials used in the Akko Fairy and Gateron Mountain Top switches offer similar benefits in terms of sound absorption and overall typing experience. While the specific design of the housing may influence certain aspects of the typing feel, such as bottom-out sound and key release sound, the use of nylon in both switches ensures a consistent and high-quality typing experience. Whether using the Fairy or the Mountain Top, users can anticipate a deep and full sound profile that is characteristic of switches with nylon housing materials.
Weight
The Akko Fairy linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both offer a smooth typing experience with their linear design. When comparing the actuation force, the Fairy requires 50 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Mountain Top only needs 40 grams, making it the lighter option. In terms of bottom out force, the Fairy has a slightly higher requirement at 60 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 50 grams. This means that the Fairy switch may offer a bit more resistance when fully pressing down on the key. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Mountain Top switch, as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. On the other hand, users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Akko Fairy switch with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Akko Fairy linear switch is 3.3 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Fairy is slightly shorter in travel distance compared to the Mountain Top switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Those who prefer a more responsive feel may lean towards the shorter travel distance of the Akko Fairy switch. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more substantial key press may prefer the slightly longer travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively similar travel distance that may provide comparable results depending on individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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, both the Akko Fairy and Gateron Mountain Top switches are described as having a neutral profile, offering a moderate sound level that is suitable for various environments. This means that you can expect a pleasant typing experience without causing disruption to those around you. The muted quality of the Fairy switch may provide a slightly softer sound compared to the Mountain Top, but both switches are geared towards maintaining a professional and unobtrusive typing environment.
In terms of feel, the Akko Fairy switch is known for its polished, mild, and subtle characteristics, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a gentle resistance that is comfortable for extended use. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle feel, giving a lively and responsive typing sensation with minimal force required for activation. While the Fairy switch focuses on a more polished and mild typing feel, the Mountain Top switch offers a more dynamic and responsive typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Overall, both the Akko Fairy and Gateron Mountain Top switches are suitable for office settings, offering a comfortable typing experience with a focus on maintaining a quiet environment. The Fairy switch provides a smoother and more refined typing feel, while the Mountain Top switch offers a bouncier and more responsive typing experience. Depending on your personal preference for sound and feel, you can confidently choose either switch knowing that they both prioritize comfort, convenience, and efficiency in a professional setting.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the specific needs of your workspace. If you prioritize a smooth typing experience with a medium weight that strikes a balance between satisfying press and comfort for extended use, the Akko Fairy switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you require a light actuation force for effortless typing in a quiet office environment, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is the ideal choice. Both switches offer unique advantages tailored to different preferences and work settings, so make your selection based on your individual typing style and requirements.
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