Gateron Mountain Top vs. Dareu Snow
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Dareu Snow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top and Dareu Snow mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that both are linear switches designed to provide a smooth typing experience. The Mountain Top switch by Gateron is tailored for office use, emphasizing discretion and quietness while maintaining a light actuation force. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow switch features innovative POK material in its construction, resulting in a deeper sound profile during typing. While the Mountain Top switch is praised for its subtlety and bounciness, the Snow switch is recognized for its thocky feel and low-pitched sound. Both switches offer unique advantages depending on the user's preferences and environment. 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
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Overall, the Gateron Mountain Top and the Dareu Snow both use nylon for their top housing material, which results in a similar typing experience with a deep and fuller sound profile. The nylon material's softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound for both switches. However, the Snow's POK material for the top housing offers enhanced durability and smoother typing experience compared to the Mountain Top's nylon material, making it a top choice for those looking for a long-lasting and clacky switch.
In terms of bottom housing material, both the Mountain Top and the Snow use nylon for their bottom housings, resulting in a consistent typing experience across both switches. The nylon material's softer plastic and sound-absorbing properties contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. This consistency in bottom housing material ensures that users will feel similar qualities when bottoming out keys on either switch, maintaining a cohesive typing experience overall.
Although the Gateron Mountain Top and Dareu Snow share similar top and bottom housing materials, the Snow's POK material offers superior durability and smoothness compared to the Mountain Top's nylon material. The POK material's high coefficient of friction and exceptional strength make it one of the smoothest and most durable materials available for switch housings, while also providing a clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon material used in the Mountain Top's housing provides a traditional typing experience with a deep and full sound profile, but may not offer the same level of durability and smoothness as the POK material found in the Snow.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch to the Dareu Snow linear switch, we can see that the actuation force of the Mountain Top is lighter at 40 grams compared to the Snow's 50 grams. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Mountain Top is also lighter at 50 grams compared to the Snow's 60 grams. This means that overall, the Mountain Top offers a lighter typing experience compared to the Snow. For those who prefer a light keypress, the Mountain Top would be the better option. However, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Snow would be the preferable choice. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, so users can expect a consistent typing experience with either option. Ultimately, the choice between the two would come down to individual preferences for keypress weight.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, slightly longer than the Dareu Snow linear switch with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them popular among gamers for their quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to users who prefer a more substantial key press. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Dareu Snow switch may be the better choice due to its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Snow has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Snow for $5.76.
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 offers a neutral sound profile, ideal for a quiet office environment where discretion is valued. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound, which may be more satisfying for those looking for a deeper and richer typing experience. Both switches offer different sound profiles that cater to specific preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the environment in which the keyboard will be used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a versatile typing experience that is responsive and comfortable. In comparison, the Dareu Snow switch is also described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation. Both switches deliver a lively feel that enhances the typing experience, but the specific characteristics may differ slightly. Again, the choice between these switches would depend on the individual's preference for typing feel.
Overall, both the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mountain Top switch caters more towards an office environment with its quiet and light actuation, the Snow switch provides a deeper and more satisfying sound experience. Similarly, both switches offer a bouncy feel that adds liveliness to typing. Ultimately, the decision between these switches would come down to personal preference in sound and feel preferences, as they are designed to cater to different preferences and environments.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch or the Dareu Snow linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your specific preferences and needs. If you are looking for a switch that is engineered for discreet typing in a professional environment with a light actuation force and a balanced sound profile, then the Mountain Top may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers a deeper sound signature and innovative material usage for a smooth typing experience, the Snow switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you in a keyboard switch before making a decision.
Mentioned in this article
