Gateron Mountain Top vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear mechanical keyboard switches, you will find yourself faced with two unique options. The Mountain Top switch from Gateron is designed for office environments, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation force. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch by KTT is known for its smooth and creamy feel, coupled with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile. While the Mountain Top switch is ideal for professional settings with its subtle and easy-to-press nature, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out for its buttery feel and resonant sound. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
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
POK
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches, we see that the Mountain Top utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switches feature a proprietary blend for the top housing, offering a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. This difference in sound profile may be attributed to the different materials used for the top housing of each switch.
Moving on to the bottom housing of these switches, the Gateron Mountain Top continues to utilize nylon, maintaining the deep and full sound profile associated with this classic material. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches utilize POK material for the bottom housing. This material boasts exceptional durability, smoothness, and shock resistance, contributing to the smooth, clacky, and durable nature of the Vanilla Ice Cream switches. The difference in bottom housing materials can significantly impact the overall feel and sound of the switches, with nylon providing a softer and fuller sound compared to the POK material's smooth and robust characteristics.
Although the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches differ in both the top and bottom housing, they both aim to enhance the typing experience by offering unique sound profiles. While the nylon housing of the Mountain Top provides a deep and full sound, the proprietary blend of the Vanilla Ice Cream's top housing creates a distinct high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Additionally, the POK bottom housing of the Vanilla Ice Cream contributes to its durability, smoothness, and shock resistance, setting it apart from the nylon bottom housing of the Mountain Top. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, the actuation force of the Mountain Top is 40 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream requires 43 grams to actuate. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Mountain Top is 50 grams, slightly heavier than the Vanilla Ice Cream's 48 grams. Both switches fall on the lighter side of the force spectrum, making them suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Those who prefer a lighter touch may find the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches to be suitable for their needs. Overall, while the Mountain Top may have a slightly lighter actuation force and heavier bottom out force compared to the Vanilla Ice Cream, both switches offer a similar experience for users looking for a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances compared to the more traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers may prefer the Gateron Mountain Top for its slightly shorter travel distance, allowing for faster response times during intense gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a bit more depth to their keystrokes may lean towards the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preferences for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a neutral and subdued sound profile, ideal for professional settings where discretion is key. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound, standing out with its unique acoustics that provide a sharp and crisp typing experience. Depending on personal preference, typists can choose between the neutral and quiet sound of the Mountain Top or the distinctive and lively sound of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, and subtle, offering a gentle typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use. In comparison, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is known for its buttery and creamy feel, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that feels like effortlessly gliding fingers across the keys. Typists can choose between the lively and responsive feel of the Mountain Top switch or the smooth and uniform sensation of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch, depending on their typing style and preferences.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of both sound and feel. While the Mountain Top switch provides a neutral sound and a bouncy, easy-to-press feel ideal for professional environments, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch stands out with its high-pitched and clacky sound and buttery, creamy feel that offers a unique typing experience. Depending on individual preferences and the desired typing experience, typists can choose between the two switches to achieve similar or different results based on their specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you require a quiet typing experience for professional settings, the Mountain Top switch with its light actuation and subdued sound signature may be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and creamy feel with a high-pitched and clacky sound profile, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch could be more suitable, especially if you appreciate a more resonant and marbly typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel and sound, as both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
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