Gateron Mountain Top vs. Akko Rosewood
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Akko Rosewood switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch that fits your typing needs, two popular linear options stand out: the Gateron Mountain Top and the Akko Rosewood. The Mountain Top switches are particularly designed for office environments, offering a discreet yet responsive typing experience. Their quiet sound profile and light actuation make them ideal for those who need to type for extended periods without disturbing colleagues. In contrast, Akko Rosewood switches generate a deep, satisfying thocky sound, enhanced by a factory-applied lubricant that elevates the tactile experience. While both switches fall under the linear category, appealing to users seeking smooth keypresses, their contrasting sound profiles and targeted functionalities make them suitable for different typing scenarios. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Mountain Top’s subtlety and the Akko Rosewood’s auditory feedback will depend on your specific needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Mountain Top and the Akko Rosewood switches share a remarkable similarity in their housing materials, as both utilize nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This choice of nylon as a classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The inherent properties of nylon as a softer plastic allow it to absorb sound waves more effectively compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Consequently, users of both switch types can expect a consistent auditory experience characterized by warmth and richness, regardless of the specific brand.
While the Gateron Mountain Top and Akko Rosewood switches use identical nylon materials for their housings, they can still offer varied experiences based on their specific designs or internal components. The nylon top housing in both switches will predominantly influence the sound produced when releasing a key, while the bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down. Thus, while the sound profiles generated by both switches may be based on similar nylon characteristics, the overall tactile and auditory experience may still differ slightly due to variations in design or construction.
In conclusion, the similarity in housing materials between the Gateron Mountain Top and Akko Rosewood serves as a strong foundation for their acoustic performance, but other factors such as switch design and feel can lead to nuanced differences. Since both utilize nylon for their top and bottom housings, users can expect a reliable sound profile that emphasizes depth and fullness. Nonetheless, enthusiasts might find the unique nuances in the typing experience that stem from the specifics of each switch's construction, despite the shared material base. Such contrasts can enrich the overall keyboard experience, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch offer very similar specifications in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. Both switches feature an actuation force of 40 grams, requiring the same amount of force to register a keystroke. Additionally, both have a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that they also bottom out at the same level. Given these statistics, users can expect similar performance in terms of typing feel and experience, making either switch suitable for prolonged typing or gaming sessions due to their lighter weights. This similarity in forces implies that whether you choose the Mountain Top or the Rosewood, you'll likely enjoy a comparable tactile experience, providing a good balance for those who appreciate a lighter switch while typing or gaming.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, the Gateron Mountain Top features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Akko Rosewood measures 4 mm. This makes the Mountain Top the shorter option of the two, appealing to users who appreciate a more responsive keystroke, particularly gamers who benefit from faster response times. In contrast, the Rosewood's longer travel distance provides a more substantial feel, catering to those who favor a deeper keystroke that may contribute to a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference regarding keystroke depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Rosewood has an MSRP of $3.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Rosewood for $3.11.
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 Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed for discretion, producing a neutral sound profile that is quiet yet not entirely silent. This makes it ideal for office environments where noisy typing can be distracting. The switch strikes a balance between an unobtrusive typing experience and providing enough auditory feedback to assure the user of actuation. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood linear switch features a deep, satisfying thocky sound that is enhanced by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant. While the Rosewood's sound is more pronounced and lively, both switches cater to different environments: the Mountain Top for discreet office use and the Rosewood for those who appreciate a more resonant auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Mountain Top switch stands out with its bouncy, easy-to-press characteristics, making it responsive and reducing finger fatigue, particularly during long typing sessions. This switch provides a lively typing experience with gentle yet snappy feedback, allowing for effortless actuation in various typing scenarios. Although the specific feel characteristics of the Rosewood switch are not provided, the inherent qualities of a linear switch suggest it would have a smooth keystroke with steady resistance. If it embodies any tactile enhancements similar to the Mountain Top, it could offer an equally comfortable typing experience—though its deep thocky sound may impact the overall sensation during use.
In conclusion, while the Gateron Mountain Top and Akko Rosewood linear switches differ significantly in sound, with the Mountain Top prioritizing a quiet office-friendly profile and the Rosewood providing a rich auditory depth, their feel characteristics may lead to complementary typing experiences. The Mountain Top's bouncy and responsive nature offers a comfortable experience for intensive typing, while the Rosewood's feel remains less defined but promises a smooth performance. Ultimately, both switches will excel in their respective environments, making the choice largely dependent on the user's sound preference and the setting in which they will be used.
Conclusion
To conclude, when selecting between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, consider your specific typing environment and preferences. If you’re primarily using your keyboard in an office setting or shared space, the Mountain Top switch would be an excellent choice due to its quiet, neutral sound profile and bouncy, easy-to-press feel. These characteristics help maintain a discreet yet enjoyable typing experience, allowing you to work efficiently without disturbing others around you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile and acoustic feedback while typing, the Akko Rosewood switches are designed to deliver a deep, satisfying thocky sound thanks to their lubricated components. These switches provide a more engaging auditory experience, making them particularly appealing for those who enjoy a richer typing sensation, whether at home or in a less formal setting. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on balancing the need for a quiet working environment with the desire for a more pronounced auditory feedback during your typing sessions.
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