SP-Star Ayara vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs, two popular options stand out: the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Ayara is known for providing a hearty typing experience, making it ideal for those who appreciate a medium heftness while typing. Its soft bottom-out feel and clacky sound profile give it a distinct character. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Both switches bring something unique to the table, offering a variety of desirable traits. 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
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the SP-Star Ayara and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ significantly, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Ayara utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, producing a rounder and duller tone. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Its clarity and resonance make it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting due to its translucent properties.
When it comes to typing experience, the top and bottom housing materials play a crucial role in the overall sound and feel of the switches. The use of nylon in the Ayara affects both the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. The relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile upon pressing the keys. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing delivers a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound and impact, thanks to its stiffer nature.
The impact of the housing materials is also evident when releasing a key. Through the different materials used in their respective top housings, the Ayara and the Tourmaline Blue produce contrasting sound profiles upon key release. The Ayara's nylon top housing, with its softer plastic, contributes to a duller and rounder sound as the key is let go. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing creates a clearer and more resonant sound when releasing a key.
In summary, the SP-Star Ayara and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in their choice of housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Ayara's nylon housing materials generate a deeper and fuller sound both upon pressing and releasing keys, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing materials create a sharper and crisper tone. However, if the top and bottom housings of a switch are the same, such as in the Ayara, the overall sound profile will be consistently deep and full throughout. Similarly, if the top and bottom housings are both polycarbonate, like in the Tourmaline Blue, the switch will consistently produce a sharp and clear sound.
Weight
When comparing the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we can see some differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. Starting with the actuation force, the Ayara's exact measurement is unknown, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 59 grams of force for activation. In terms of bottom out force, the Ayara has a medium 62 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier at 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch.
Considering weight as a factor, the Ayara's actuation force is not specified, but assuming it is similar to the Tourmaline Blue or falls within a similar range, users can expect a comparable light or medium-light touch when typing. This lighter actuation force may be preferable for individuals who desire longer typing sessions or engage in extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue requires a slightly higher actuation force, providing a stronger push feel and potentially a more substantial typing experience.
When it comes to bottoming out, or pressing the key all the way down, both switches have similar forces within the medium to medium-heavy range. This means that both switches offer a satisfying tactile feedback when fully pressed, ensuring that users can feel the keystroke's completion.
In summary, while the specifics of the Ayara's actuation force remain unknown, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly lighter actuation force. Both switches boast similar bottom out forces, providing a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier actuation force and the specific typing experience they seek.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch can be compared and contrasted based on their specifications. Both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that pressing down on the keys of either switch would result in a similar distance traveled. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, the two switches offer comparable results. Whether it is the shorter or longer switch cannot be determined as both switches have the same travel distance. However, it is worth noting that both switches offer a consistent and comfortable amount of travel distance, allowing users to enjoy a satisfying typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The SP-Star Ayara has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ayara for $5.40.
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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
The SP-Star Ayara linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have different subjective qualities when it comes to sound and feel. In terms of sound, the Ayara is a neutral switch with a clacky sound profile, providing a moderate and sharp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is also a neutral switch, but it offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. Both switches are suitable for most intents and purposes, making them accessible to beginners and advanced users alike.
When it comes to feel, the Ayara is described as having a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. It offers a soft bottom-out feel, providing a hearty typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a buttery keystroke experience, with a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It is easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate, thus reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, it falls under the category of mild switches, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, the Ayara and Tourmaline Blue switches have their own unique qualities. The Ayara offers a clacky sound profile and a polished feel, providing a hearty and sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile and a buttery feel, providing a satisfying and effortless typing experience. Both switches are neutral in terms of sound and are suitable for most users. If you are looking for a similar sound profile, the Ayara is a good choice, while if you prefer a buttery feel, the Tourmaline Blue will provide a similar typing experience. It is important to note that the sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are someone who prefers a hearty typing experience and enjoys a soft bottom-out feel with a clacky sound profile, the SP-Star Ayara linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. Its medium bottom out force of 62 grams provides a satisfying typing experience without being too heavy. Additionally, the Ayara switch offers a polished feel, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be a great option. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance between being enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. The lengthened single-stage spring in these switches provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke.
Both switches offer a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. In terms of feel, while the Ayara switch is described as polished and offers a sleek typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue switch is characterized as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience.
Ultimately, whether you choose the Ayara or the Tourmaline Blue switch will depend on your personal preference for typing experience, including bottom-out force, sound profile, and feel. Consider the characteristics that align with your preferences and typing style to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.
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