TTC Honey vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Honey is known for its smooth and creamy feel, while the Mountain Top is designed for a quiet and subtle typing experience, perfect for office environments. The Honey is categorized as 'Subdued', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Buttery', 'Subtle', 'Polished', whereas the Mountain Top is categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', 'Subtle'. Choosing between these two switches really comes down to personal preference and specific needs - whether you prioritize a smooth feel and deep sound profile, or a quiet typing experience suitable for professional settings. 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
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Gateron Mountain Top, both switches feature different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Honey utilizes a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing. On the other hand, the Mountain Top features a nylon top and bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. Despite both switches using different materials, they each offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials.
While the Honey's polycarbonate housing material results in a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, the Mountain Top's nylon housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The use of polycarbonate in the Honey provides a more resonant sound, while the nylon in the Mountain Top absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder tone. Both materials have their unique benefits, with polycarbonate offering a clearer sound profile and nylon providing a more muted sound experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound while typing, users may prefer one material over the other for their switch housing.
In terms of aesthetics, the Honey's polycarbonate housing is translucent, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Mountain Top's nylon housing material does not offer the same transparency. While the sound profiles may differ between the two switches, their housing materials cater to different preferences in terms of sound clarity and depth. Both switches provide distinct typing experiences based on the attributes of their housing materials, catering to a variety of user preferences for sound and feel while typing.
Weight
The TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both have relatively light actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams, while the Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams, making the Mountain Top slightly lighter in this aspect. Both switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, so they will feel equally heavy when fully pressed. Lighter switches like these are ideal for those who type for extended periods of time or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. Some users may prefer a heavier actuation force for a more pronounced typing experience, in which case they would need to explore switches with higher force requirements. Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Honey and the Gateron Mountain Top will come down to personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for each keystroke.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Mountain Top has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey. The Honey falls into the category of a shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. On the other hand, the Mountain Top provides a slightly deeper key press, which some may find more satisfying for typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing or gaming experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Honey linear switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened sound when pressed. This results in a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches, enhancing the typing experience with a quieter operation. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch features a neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level. This makes it suitable for various settings, whether at home or in an office environment where discretion is preferred.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Honey linear switch is known for its creamy and frictionless typing experience. The smooth and buttery sensation of these switches, along with their buttery and polished characteristics, allows for effortless keystrokes with minimal resistance. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a bouncy and easy-to-press typing feel. These switches offer gentle resistance and spring-like feedback, making typing responsive and comfortable, especially during extended typing sessions.
Overall, while the TTC Honey and Gateron Mountain Top linear switches differ in their sound and feel characteristics, both offer unique typing experiences tailored to different preferences. Whether you prefer a subdued sound with a creamy and frictionless feel like the TTC Honey, or a neutral sound with a bouncy and easy-to-press feel like the Gateron Mountain Top, both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the specific typing environment in which they will be used.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the typing environment and your personal preferences. If you prefer a smooth and creamy typing experience with a deep sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quiet and discreet switch engineered for office settings, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch would be a suitable option. Ultimately, both switches offer a light bottom out force of 50 grams, so the decision should be based on your desired sound and feel preferences. Happy typing!
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