Aflion Cloudy Shadow vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Cloudy Shadow, a linear switch, is praised for its neutral sound signature and bouncy feel, thanks to extended springs that provide a balanced typing experience with a 63.5g bottom-out force. On the other hand, the Mountain Top, also a linear switch, is designed specifically for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation. While the Cloudy Shadow is categorized as 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Mountain Top is labeled as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. Each switch has its own strengths and considerations, but diving deeper into their specific qualities will help you make the best decision for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Gateron Mountain Top both use different materials for their housing components, with the Cloudy Shadow featuring a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the Mountain Top uses nylon for both its top and bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Cloudy Shadow's top housing creates a brighter and sharper sound profile, perfect for showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the nylon housing of the Mountain Top produces a deeper and fuller sound, absorbing more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a rounder and more muted sound profile.
While both switches utilize nylon in their bottom housing, the Cloudy Shadow's bottom housing elicits a duller and rounder sound, emphasizing the qualities of the softer plastic material. On the other hand, the Mountain Top's nylon bottom housing also contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, creating a similar effect to the Cloudy Shadow. When comparing the top housing of the two switches, the Cloudy Shadow's polycarbonate top housing creates a crisper and clear sound when releasing a key, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing adds to the overall deeper and fuller sound profile of the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing material for a switch plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and feel of the typing experience. The differences between the polycarbonate and nylon housing materials result in distinct sound qualities, with polycarbonate offering a sharper and higher-pitched sound compared to the deeper and fuller sound produced by nylon. Whether it be the Cloudy Shadow's mix of polycarbonate and nylon or the Mountain Top's all-nylon construction, the housing materials chosen for a switch impact the overall typing experience by influencing the sound profile and feel of the switch when pressed and released.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that they differ significantly in terms of weight. The Cloudy Shadow has an actuation force of None grams, making it unable to determine, while the Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams, making it a lighter option. In terms of bottom out force, the Cloudy Shadow requires 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy weight, whereas the Mountain Top only requires 50 grams, making it a lighter option. The lighter weight of the Mountain Top may be more suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the heavier weight of the Cloudy Shadow may provide a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches have relatively short travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0mm distance. Gamers may prefer the slightly shorter travel distance of the Mountain Top for quicker response times, while others may enjoy the slightly longer travel distance of the Cloudy Shadow for a more substantial key press feel. Ultimately, the difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant for most users, and either option would provide a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Cloudy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloudy Shadow for $3.91.
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, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Gateron Mountain Top switches are described as having a neutral sound profile. The Cloudy Shadow offers a low-pitched sound, which tends to be more bass-heavy and mellow, while the Mountain Top provides a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a balanced sound signature suitable for various environments.
In terms of feel, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow is described as providing a mild typing experience, offering a safe middle-ground zone where the sound and feel will be approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switches are characterized as bouncy and easy-to-press, providing a lively and responsive typing feel that is gentle on the fingers. Both switches offer qualities that enhance the overall typing experience, catering to different preferences in key feel.
Overall, both the Aflion Cloudy Shadow and the Gateron Mountain Top switches bring unique characteristics to the table while still offering a neutral sound profile. The Cloudy Shadow excels in providing a bouncy feel with extended springs and a 63.5g bottom-out force, while the Mountain Top focuses on discretion and light actuation for professional settings. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can expect similar results in terms of quality and innovation from both of these linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a balanced typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom-out force, the Aflion Cloudy Shadow linear switch would be a good choice. Its neutral sound signature and bouncy feel make it suitable for a variety of settings. On the other hand, if you need a light actuation force and a quiet typing experience, especially in office environments, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your specific preferences and needs in terms of typing feel and sound profile.
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