Gateron Mountain Top vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Mountain Top and the Durock White Lotus are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features catered to different preferences. The Mountain Top switch from Gateron is designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet tactile typing experience with a light actuation. On the other hand, the White Lotus switch from Durock is a light tactile option perfect for extended typing sessions, offering a delicate tactility and removable light column for vibrant RGB lighting effects. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on subtlety and professionalism, the White Lotus switch emphasizes comfort and aesthetics. 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
46g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Mountain Top and the Durock White Lotus both feature nylon top housing materials, which give them a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. However, the Durock White Lotus sets itself apart with its modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which offers a unique and premium feel compared to the classic nylon housing of the Mountain Top. While both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, the White Lotus may offer a slightly more luxurious feel due to its different housing material.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Gateron Mountain Top and the Durock White Lotus feature nylon housing materials, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile while typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. Despite having the same bottom housing material, the slight differences in design and composition between the two switches may still lead to subtle variations in typing experience. However, overall, the similarities in their material choice should provide a comparable sound profile when pressing down on the keys.
While both switches utilize nylon housing materials for their bottom housing, the differences between their top housing materials could impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. The Gateron Mountain Top's nylon top housing may contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile when releasing a key, while the Durock White Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend top housing may offer a more premium feel in comparison. Despite these differences, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience of each switch, with the bottom housing affecting bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, the actuation force of the Mountain Top is 40 grams, while the White Lotus is slightly heavier at 46 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force, with the Mountain Top requiring 50 grams and the White Lotus needing 56 grams. This makes the Mountain Top lighter overall, with a lighter actuation and bottom out force, compared to the White Lotus which has a slightly heavier feel. The lighter actuation force of the Mountain Top may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the slightly heavier White Lotus may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, making it shorter than the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4mm. The Mountain Top's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the White Lotus may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper key press sensation. Both switches offer unique characteristics based on their travel distances, with the Mountain Top providing a quicker key press and the White Lotus offering a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and key press experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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, making it suitable for various settings and users, with a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch provides a low-pitched sound that is more bass-heavy and mellow, also falling into the neutral category in terms of actuation force. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing experience without being overly loud, ensuring a comfortable environment for extended typing sessions.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a lively and responsive typing experience with gentle resistance and a light feel. Similarly, the Durock White Lotus switch is also easy-to-press, mild, and subtle, providing a gentle and approachable typing feel that is responsive and low-impact. Both switches prioritize comfort and ease of use, allowing users to type effortlessly and comfortably for long periods without experiencing finger fatigue.
Overall, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have some differences in sound and feel characteristics, they both emphasize a comfortable and quiet typing experience suitable for office environments or extended use. Whether you choose the Mountain Top for its balanced sound profile and bouncy feel, or the White Lotus for its low-pitched sound and easy-to-press tactility, you can expect similar results in terms of providing a pleasant typing experience with minimal disruption to others around you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in sound, feel, and aesthetic considerations such as RGB lighting effects.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you work in an office setting where quiet typing is essential, the Mountain Top switch's discreet sound profile and light actuation force make it a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a delicate tactility and vibrant RGB lighting effects for work or extended typing sessions, the White Lotus switch offers a perfect balance of comfort and aesthetics. Ultimately, your decision should align with your typing preferences and the setting in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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