Gateron Mountain Top vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Mountain Top and Gateron Smoothie are both linear switches known for their unique characteristics and optimal typing experiences. The Mountain Top switch is perfect for office environments, providing a quiet yet satisfying typing experience with a light actuation force. On the other hand, the Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound signature and remarkable smoothness, making it an affordable choice without compromising on quality. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on discretion and professionalism, the Smoothie switch emphasizes a buttery smooth feel and a low-pitched sound. Both switches have their own set of advantages, but in order to make the best choice for your needs, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and Gateron Smoothie switches both offer unique characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a rounder sound. In contrast, the Smoothie's POM top housing generates a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and relatively more muted. While both housing materials offer a deep sound profile, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing may produce a duller sound compared to the smoother sound of the POM top housing in the Smoothie.
Similarly, when comparing the bottom housing materials of the two switches, the characteristics of the nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top and the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie also play a significant role in the overall typing experience. The nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, resulting in a rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie creates a unique sound profile that is deep and relatively more muted. Both bottom housing materials impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, with the nylon bottom housing potentially providing a softer feel compared to the POM bottom housing.
In summary, while the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and Gateron Smoothie switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound profile and typing feel, both materials excel in providing a unique typing experience. Whether it's the nylon top and bottom housing of the Mountain Top or the POM top and bottom housing of the Smoothie, each material contributes to a deeper sound profile with its own nuances. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, we can see that they have the same actuation force of 40 grams. However, the Mountain Top has a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force for the Smoothie is unknown. The Mountain Top is lighter overall compared to the Smoothie, making it a better choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. The actuation force of 40 grams on both switches ensures that users will get a consistent typing feel, although the bottom out force may vary between the two switches. Ultimately, the decision between the Mountain Top and Smoothie will depend on whether a user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, while the Gateron Smoothie linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Smoothie being slightly longer than the Mountain Top. Gamers looking for faster response times may lean towards the Mountain Top with its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a bit more depth in their key presses may prefer the Smoothie. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, providing a quicker and more responsive typing experience for users.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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 it comes to sound, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral typing experience with a moderate sound profile, suitable for a variety of typing environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch provides a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature, giving a deep and satisfying typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Mountain Top being more versatile for various settings, while the Smoothie delivers a rich and bass-heavy sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy, easy-to-press, and mild typing experience, providing a comfortable and responsive feel with subtle resistance. In comparison, the Gateron Smoothie switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, offering an exceptionally smooth and fluid typing sensation. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on providing a lively and low-impact typing experience, the Smoothie switch prioritizes a seamless and effortless keystroke feel, ideal for users seeking a silky and uniform typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top and Smoothie switches each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Mountain Top switch is best suited for professional environments with its neutral sound and bouncy typing feel, while the Smoothie switch excels in delivering a thocky sound and buttery-smooth typing experience. Both switches provide different typing experiences that cater to a variety of preferences and settings, ensuring that users can find the perfect fit for their mechanical keyboard needs. Whether choosing the Mountain Top or Smoothie switch, users can expect quality and satisfaction in their typing experience with Gateron switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you work in an office setting where a quiet typing experience is essential, the Mountain Top switch may be the better choice with its light actuation and subdued sound signature. On the other hand, if you're looking for a budget-friendly switch that offers a thocky, low-pitched, and smooth typing experience, the Smoothie switch could be the ideal option for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as well as the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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