Gateron Mountain Top vs. Sarokeys Purple Sakura
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Mountain Top and Sarokeys Purple Sakura stand out as excellent options, each offering unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Gateron Mountain Top is a linear switch designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet satisfying typing experience with a light actuation. On the other hand, the Sarokeys Purple Sakura is a tactile switch known for its snappy response and buttery downstroke, striking a perfect balance of tactility without being overwhelming. While the Mountain Top is bouncy and easy to press with a subtle sound signature, the Purple Sakura is buttery and snappy, with a mild and neutral sound. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal depending on your preference, 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
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura, we can see a stark difference in the materials used. The Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound profile, giving a deep and full typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura features a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials have their unique qualities, the Mountain Top's nylon housing is more geared towards a softer and deeper typing experience, while the Purple Sakura's polycarbonate housing offers a clearer and more resonant sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Mountain Top and the Purple Sakura use nylon material. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of sound when bottoming out keys. The nylon bottom housing in both switches absorbs sound and creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a similarly dull and round typing experience. While the top housings of these switches may differ, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound when pressing down on the keys. This similarity in bottom housing material allows for a more uniform typing experience between the two switches.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Mountain Top and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura will come down to personal preference in sound profile. The nylon top housing in the Mountain Top offers a softer and deeper sound, while the polycarbonate top housing in the Purple Sakura provides a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches feature a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a similar typing experience in terms of sound when bottoming out keys. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound profile or a sharper, more resonant sound when typing.
Weight
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and bottom out force of 60 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Mountain Top switch make it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura switch offers a slightly more substantial typing feel with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches provide a different typing experience based on the actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is slightly longer than the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch's 3.2 mm travel distance. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular for their quick response times, especially among gamers. However, the difference of 0.2 mm between the two switches may be noticeable to users who prefer a slightly deeper key press. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Sarokeys Purple 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 Purple Sakura for $3.15.
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 Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch both offer a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various settings and preferences. The Mountain Top switch provides a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience, ideal for office environments, while the Purple Sakura switch embodies a mild and neutral sound signature, ensuring a pleasant sound when typing. When it comes to feel, the Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel that reduces finger fatigue. On the other hand, the Purple Sakura switch is characterized as buttery, mild, and snappy, providing a smooth and fluid typing sensation with a gentle resistance. Both switches cater to a wide range of users with their balanced characteristics, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, whether you choose the Gateron Mountain Top or the Sarokeys Purple Sakura switch, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel that meet the demands of different typing preferences and environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch or the Sarokeys Purple Sakura tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and intended use. If you are looking for a switch that is ideal for office environments, providing a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a light actuation force, then the Gateron Mountain Top may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a snappy response and a decadently buttery downstroke, striking a delicate balance of tactility that is pronounced without being overpowering, then the Sarokeys Purple Sakura may suit your typing style better. Consider the differences in bottom out force, sound, and feel described for each switch to determine which one aligns more closely with your preferences and needs. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Mountain Top and Sarokeys Purple Sakura switches depends on what you value most in a keyboard switch - whether it be a light and bouncy typing experience or a tactile and buttery feel.
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