Gateron Mountain Top vs. Everglide Rice Pudding
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the options available can greatly impact both your typing experience and overall satisfaction. The Gateron Mountain Top switch, a linear switch, is designed with office environments in mind, promoting discretion through a quiet but not entirely silent operation. Its light actuation and balanced sound profile make it an ideal choice for those who work in shared spaces yet still desire a comfortable and responsive feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch stands out with its unique hall effect technology, delivering a smooth typing experience paired with a satisfying depth of sound. This switch caters to enthusiasts looking for performance and versatility, especially since it's fully compatible with innovative keyboards like those from Wooting. While the Mountain Top excels in subtlety and ease of use, the Rice Pudding offers a more pronounced auditory experience along with enhanced functionality. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
38g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Custom stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, a significant distinction arises in their top housings. The Gateron Mountain Top features a nylon top housing, which is known for its softer composition that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. This characteristic contributes to a rounder sound profile, creating a more muted typing environment. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding boasts a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and therefore produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. This difference affects not only the acoustic feedback but also the overall tactile experience, highlighting how material choice can dramatically alter the nuances of keyboard sound.
However, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housings; both the Mountain Top and Rice Pudding utilize nylon for their lower segments. This choice is crucial, as nylon is known for enhancing the sound profile by contributing to a fuller bottom-out experience. The impact of the bottom housing on the key's sound and feel during a keystroke is profound, and since both models employ nylon here, users can expect a similar auditory dampening effect when bottoming out. This similarity ensures that regardless of the differing top materials, both switches will deliver a comparable depth and warmth to the overall typing experience.
The unique combination of materials utilized in each switch may ultimately lead to similar outcomes in terms of sound perception while typing, albeit through different mechanisms. The nylon bottom housing in both switches ensures a cohesive element in the sound produced when keys are fully pressed down, while the contrasting top housings influence the release sound differently. Users of the Mountain Top will find that the softer nylon top creates a more subdued auditory feedback during release, while the Rice Pudding will provide a crisper sound due to its polycarbonate top. Thus, the distinct pairings of nylon and polycarbonate create a diverse sound experience, highlighting the importance of material selection in keyboard switches while maintaining some consistency thanks to the shared bottom housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, both switches exhibit light weights that cater to users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. The Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Rice Pudding comes in slightly lighter with an actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Rice Pudding switch is marginally lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces, making it a more suitable option for those who favor less resistance. In contrast, the Mountain Top is heavier in comparison, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, while both switches are light, the Rice Pudding offers a lighter, more effortless experience, whereas the Mountain Top provides a slightly stronger push, catering to different preferences among typists and gamers.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, it's evident that there is a slight difference between the two. The Mountain Top has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Rice Pudding boasts a travel distance of 3.5 mm, positioning it as the longer switch. For gamers or users seeking faster response times, the Mountain Top may provide a more responsive feel due to its shorter travel distance. Conversely, those who appreciate a bit more depth in their keystrokes might find the Rice Pudding's travel more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches can impact the typing experience significantly, depending on individual preferences for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Rice Pudding has an MSRP of $8.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rice Pudding for $6.79.
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 comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Mountain Top and Everglide Rice Pudding switches, the Mountain Top is designed to deliver a quiet typing experience that is particularly suitable for office environments. Its neutral sound signature ensures that the key presses are not disruptive, providing a moderate auditory feedback that makes it acceptable for both home and workplace settings. In contrast, details about the Rice Pudding switch's sound profile are not provided. However, it is specifically noted that the Rice Pudding offers a deeper sound that contributes to a satisfying acoustic experience, suggesting that while it may not be as discreet as the Mountain Top, it offers a robust audio character that many enthusiasts may find appealing.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switches stand out with a bouncy, snappy quality that provides lively feedback with each key press. The light actuation force contributes to an effortless typing experience, making them easy to press and comfortable for extended use. Its mild and subtle characteristics make it a versatile choice that caters to most typists, ensuring that the overall typing experience is approachable and satisfying. Unfortunately, specific details regarding the feel of the Everglide Rice Pudding switch are not mentioned, leaving its textural qualities open to interpretation. Given its reputation for smooth operation, it's likely that the Rice Pudding also offers a pleasant typing experience, albeit perhaps with a different tactile response.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Mountain Top switch excels in its discreet sound and engaging feel ideal for office use, the Everglide Rice Pudding switch likely presents a more pronounced auditory quality with smooth operation, though more detailed characteristics of its sound and feel are unknown. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Mountain Top emphasizing quietness and ease of use, making it suited for professional environments, while the Rice Pudding seems aimed at those who value sound quality and a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct benefits, and the choice will largely depend on your specific typing needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, your choice largely depends on your specific needs and environment. If you’re primarily typing in an office setting or shared workspace, the Mountain Top switch's discreet and mild sound profile makes it an ideal option, ensuring that your typing won't disturb others. Its light actuation force combined with a bouncy feel allows for comfortable and extended typing sessions, perfect for professionals who value efficiency without sacrificing comfort. On the other hand, if you are a keyboard enthusiast looking for a smoother typing experience with a satisfying sound, the Rice Pudding switch is your go-to. Known for its precision and versatility, it not only delivers a rich tactile feedback but is also compatible with innovative keyboards like Wooting’s, offering you a blend of performance and customization. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches should reflect your typing environment and personal preference for sound and tactile feedback.
Mentioned in this article
