Gateron Mountain Top vs. Outemu Phoenix
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Outemu Phoenix switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed with office environments in mind, offering a quiet typing experience perfect for professional settings. In contrast, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch stands out for its unique under-skirt click mechanism, providing a crisp and sparkling typing experience. While the Mountain Top switch is known for its subdued sound signature and light actuation, the Phoenix switch offers a more unique and tactile typing feel. Both switches have their own distinct qualities, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Mountain Top and Outemu Phoenix both feature unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Mountain Top utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer and more sound-absorbent nature. The Phoenix, on the other hand, incorporates polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile thanks to polycarbonate's stiffness and clarity. While the Mountain Top offers a more subdued and round sound, the Phoenix provides a clearer and more resonant tone, showcasing the impact of different housing materials on switch performance.
Despite their differences in housing materials, the Gateron Mountain Top and Outemu Phoenix both aim to enhance the typing experience through unique sound profiles. The Mountain Top's nylon housing creates a softer and duller sound, giving typists a deeper and more tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Phoenix's polycarbonate housing delivers a sharper and more defined sound, providing users with a crisper and more precise typing feedback. While the Mountain Top prioritizes a fuller sound with its nylon housing, the Phoenix focuses on a clearer and more resonant tone with its polycarbonate construction, catering to individual preferences for typing aesthetics and acoustics.
The choice between the Gateron Mountain Top and Outemu Phoenix ultimately comes down to personal preference in typing sound and feel. The split between the top and bottom housing materials in these switches allows users to experience different qualities depending on whether they are pressing down or releasing a key. The bottom housing material influences the impact and bottom-out sound, while the top housing material determines the sound when a key is released. Whether you prefer the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the Mountain Top or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the Phoenix, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to varying typing preferences and styles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, it is evident that there are notable differences between the two. The Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Phoenix switch has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. While the actuation force of the Phoenix switch is not specified, the heavier bottom out force indicates that it would require more pressure to trigger a keystroke compared to the Mountain Top switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Mountain Top being the lighter option and the Phoenix offering a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is slightly longer at 3.4 mm compared to the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch at 3.3 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for quicker response times, the slight variation may still impact the feel of the key press for some users. Gamers looking for a slightly more responsive key press may prefer the Gateron Mountain Top with its longer travel distance, while those who find shorter travel distances too abrupt may opt for the Outemu Phoenix. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, so users can expect similar results in terms of key press feel and performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00, whereas the Outemu Phoenix comes in at $4.15.
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 Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offers a neutral profile that is suitable for most users in various settings. It provides a moderate actuation force requirement along with a moderate sound level, making it versatile for both beginners and advanced users. On the other hand, the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch has a crunchy sound profile that resembles stepping on crisp autumn leaves, thanks to its under-skirt click mechanism. Both switches offer distinct sound characteristics that can enhance the typing experience based on personal preference and the setup of the keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press sensation, providing a responsive and low-impact typing experience. Additionally, it has a mild and subtle feel that is approachable to most users, with a snappy response from the switch's design. On the contrary, the Outemu Phoenix switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience due to the materials used and potential factory lubing. These qualities contribute to reduced friction and seamless key travel, enhancing the overall typing feel for users who prioritize a polished sensation.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on providing a quiet yet light actuation experience suitable for office environments, the Phoenix switch stands out for its crystalline and sparkling sound profile alongside a polished and smooth typing feel. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and the specific typing environment in which they will be used.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you are looking for a switch that is quiet and suitable for professional settings, the Mountain Top may be the better choice with its light actuation force and subdued sound profile. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more unique and clicky typing experience, the Phoenix switch with its under-skirt click mechanism and medium actuation force may be more appealing. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound, so consider your needs and preferences carefully before making a choice.
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