Bsun Kiki Red vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Kiki Red is known for its finely-tuned typing experience, delivering a high-pitched, clacky nuance without being excessively loud. With all-POM housings and smooth Ly stems, these switches provide a smooth actuation feel and a medium-light weighting for a subtle tactile experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switches are designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a light actuation force. While the Kiki Red excels in auditory feedback and performance finesse, the Mountain Top prioritizes discretion and professionalism. 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
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.4mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Kiki Red and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the sound profile of the switches. The Kiki Red uses POM for both its top and bottom housing, creating a deep and relatively muted sound when typing. On the other hand, the Mountain Top utilizes nylon for both top and bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound profile. Despite the difference in materials, both switches provide a pleasing sound experience, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
One key distinction between the two switches lies in the properties of the housing materials. POM, used in the Kiki Red, is known for creating a unique sound profile that is deeper and more muted. On the other hand, nylon, found in the Mountain Top, is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound. This difference in material properties translates to a variation in sound experience for users of each switch. While the Kiki Red offers a deeper sound with POM housing, the Mountain Top provides a fuller sound with nylon housing.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall typing experience, it is important to note that each contributes to different aspects of the sound profile. The bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, even if the top and bottom housings differ between the Kiki Red and the Mountain Top, users can still expect a unique and satisfying typing experience with each switch, albeit with slightly different nuances in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Both switches have a relatively light actuation force, with the Kiki Red requiring 42 grams and the Mountain Top needing 40 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, they both require 50 grams, indicating a heavier feel when pressing the keys all the way down. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, either of these switches would provide similar results. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel, they may lean towards the Mountain Top switch due to its slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired weight of key presses.
Travel distance
The Bsun Kiki Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are commonly preferred by gamers for faster response times. The slight difference of 0.2 mm may not be noticeable to some users, but for those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Mountain Top may be the better option. On the other hand, if you enjoy a bit more depth and tactility in your key presses, the Bsun Kiki Red with its longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel that you're looking for in a keyboard switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Kiki Red has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Kiki Red for $3.83.
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 Bsun Kiki Red linear switch is known for its clacky sound profile, offering a sharp and snappy typing experience without being excessively loud. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed to provide a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments, including office settings. Both switches offer different auditory experiences, with the Kiki Red being more distinct and the Mountain Top being more subtle and discreet. Ultimately, the sound produced by the switches will also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Bsun Kiki Red switch offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and ease of use. The switch is designed to minimize resistance and provide a polished feel with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch provides a bouncy, easy-to-press, and snappy feel, giving users a spring-like feedback sensation and responsive typing experience. While the Kiki Red focuses on smoothness and fluidity, the Mountain Top prioritizes responsiveness and rebound when pressed. Both switches offer different tactile experiences to suit individual preferences and typing styles.
In conclusion, the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Kiki Red excels in providing a clacky sound and a smooth, polished typing feel, catering to users who appreciate tactile feedback and finesse in performance. In contrast, the Mountain Top focuses on a neutral sound and a bouncy, easy-to-press feel, making it suitable for professional environments that require a quiet and responsive typing experience. Depending on personal preferences and intended use, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance the overall typing experience for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Bsun Kiki Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the specific qualities each switch offers. If you prioritize a finely-tuned typing experience with a high-pitched, clacky nuance and medium-light weighting, the Kiki Red may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience engineered for discretion in office environments, the Gateron Mountain Top switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for sound, feel, and intended usage to ensure you select the switch that best suits your typing style and environment.
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