Bsun Light Sakura vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, the Bsun Light Sakura and Gateron Mountain Top are two options worth considering, both falling under the category of linear switches. The Bsun Light Sakura stands out for its ultra-light feel and silent operation, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize comfort and discretion during extended typing sessions, especially in shared spaces or office environments. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top offers a slightly different experience, featuring a quiet yet not entirely silent typing feel that balances a mild sound signature with a comfortably light actuation. This makes it especially appealing for professionals who require unobtrusive, efficient typing without sacrificing tactile feedback. While each switch caters to a similar audience, their unique attributes cater to slightly different preferences in typing experience and sound levels. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Light Sakura and the Gateron Mountain Top offer distinct differences in housing materials, with the Light Sakura featuring polycarbonate and the Mountain Top utilizing nylon. The choice of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Light Sakura contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, appealing to those seeking clarity in their typing experience. This material's rigidity allows it to resonate well, making it a popular choice among users who appreciate enhanced auditory feedback. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an attractive option for RGB lighting, as it permits light to shine through vividly, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the keyboard.
In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer properties. This material absorbs sound more effectively than polycarbonate, resulting in a more muted and rounder auditory experience. While some users may prefer the warmth and depth that nylon provides, others drawn to sharper sounds might find this softer material less satisfying. Notably, the choice of nylon over polycarbonate indicates a shift in design philosophy, where the emphasis is placed on a muted experience rather than the clarity sought after in the Light Sakura.
Interestingly, the respective bottom housings of the two switches mirror their top housings in material choice, with polycarbonate on the Light Sakura's bottom and nylon on the Mountain Top’s bottom housing. This means that the Light Sakura will have a consistent sound profile characterized by clarity throughout the entire switch, whereas the Mountain Top would provide a fuller sound that is predominantly affected by its nylon material. The differentiation between the two swatches plays a significant role in determining the overall typing experience; however, this contrast also allows players to choose a switch that aligns with their personal preferences, whether they favor a responsive, clean sound or a more subdued, rich auditory feedback. In both cases, the varying materials serve to create a unique typing experience, demonstrating how meticulously chosen materials can markedly influence the performance and user satisfaction of mechanical switches.
Weight
The Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both feature relatively light forces, but they differ in specifics. The Light Sakura has an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it the lighter option among the two. In contrast, the Mountain Top switch requires a slightly higher actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that while both switches are on the lighter end of the spectrum, users will experience a heavier push feel with the Gateron Mountain Top. Consequently, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Mountain Top, while users who value extended typing without fatigue might find the Light Sakura more appealing due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, the Light Sakura has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Mountain Top features a slightly shorter distance of 3.4 mm. This means that if you're looking for quicker response times, the Mountain Top might be more suitable due to its reduced travel distance. However, for those who appreciate a bit more depth in their keystrokes, the Light Sakura provides a more pronounced feel. Both switches cater to different preferences in keystroke responsiveness, with gamers often leaning towards the shorter Mountain Top for its rapid actuation, whereas typists may prefer the tactile feedback of the longer Light Sakura switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
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
The sound profile of the Bsun Light Sakura switch is notably designed for silence, making it an excellent choice for environments where noise is a concern. Its operation is understated, enabling a typing experience that minimizes disturbances in shared spaces. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral sound signature. Although it is engineered for discretion, it does produce a quiet but not completely silent typing experience. This makes it versatile for various environments, whether for home or professional use, yet still ideal for maintaining a low noise level.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Light Sakura provides an ultra-light typing experience that prioritizes comfort, making it well-suited for prolonged typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch delivers a bouncy and snappy feel, providing lively feedback with each keystroke. It also emphasizes ease of activation, requiring minimal force to engage, thus facilitating a relaxed, low-impact typing experience. This variety allows the Mountain Top to cater to both casual and more intensive typing tasks while still remaining approachable.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Light Sakura and Gateron Mountain Top switches excel in creating quiet and comfortable typing environments, though they offer different sensations. The Light Sakura is focused solely on providing a silent, gentle feel, ideal for extended use in sensitive environments. The Mountain Top, while also discreet, adds a bit more playfulness and responsiveness with its bouncy characteristics. Ultimately, each switch brings unique qualities that suit different preferences, and users may find similarly satisfying results in terms of noise reduction and typing comfort, even with their varying tactile experiences.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and environment. If you value an ultra-light feel and truly silent operation, especially for long typing sessions, the Light Sakura is your best bet. It caters well to those who prioritize comfort and discretion, making it ideal for extensive use in shared spaces like offices. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a balance between quietness and some tactile feedback, the Mountain Top could be the better choice. With its bouncy feel and mild sound profile, it strikes a harmonious balance between performance and discretion, making it suitable for professional settings where you may need to type continuously without drawing too much attention. Overall, your decision should align with whether you want a completely silent typing experience or a slightly more lively yet still discreet option.
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