Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two popular options to consider. The Baby Raccoon is best known for its bright sound signature and refreshingly crisp type feel, attributed to its longer switch stems. This unique feature gives it a somewhat "marbley" sensation, making every keystroke feel distinctive and satisfying. 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. It strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, catering to a wide range of users. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and advantages, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$5.50 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue share many similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which enhances clarity and resonance in the sound produced. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, allowing for a visually appealing and customizable experience.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Baby Raccoon utilizes nylon while the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon bottom housing of the Baby Raccoon contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound overall. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue maintains the same characteristics as its top housing, delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile throughout.

When using switches with different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch allows you to feel the impact and experience the sound characteristics of the bottom housing. Conversely, the top housing plays a greater role in the sound produced when you release a key. Therefore, the housing materials of the Baby Raccoon and the Tourmaline Blue will result in slightly different experiences when it comes to the bottom-out sound and the sound upon key release, respectively.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Starting with the actuation force, the Baby Raccoon requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Tourmaline Blue requires slightly more at 59 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, offering a responsive typing experience without being too heavy. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Baby Raccoon has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 63 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, which can be preferred by some users. However, both switches still offer a medium to medium-heavy feel overall. Therefore, if you prefer a lighter typing experience, the Baby Raccoon might be a better choice, while those who prefer a more substantial feel may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue.

Travel distance

The Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have different travel distances. The Baby Raccoon has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Baby Raccoon offers a slightly shorter travel distance than the Tourmaline Blue. In general, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered to be the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, shorter travel distances have become increasingly popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you are looking for a more responsive typing experience, the Gateron Baby Raccoon with its shorter travel distance might be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's longer travel distance might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch is characterized by a resonant and high-pitched sound profile. This results in a clean and sharp sound when typing, providing an immersive auditory experience. The switch can be best described as "marbly," which refers to its resonant, high-pitched, and clean sound, similar to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the sound of two billiard balls colliding. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile. It has a moderate sound that strikes a balance suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced and for use at home or work. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps. Therefore, with the Baby Raccoon's resonant and high-pitched sound and the Tourmaline Blue's neutral sound, users can expect different sound experiences from these two switches, catering to personal preferences for sound.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch offers a creamy and invigorating typing experience. The switch feels smooth and buttery due to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials, resulting in a silky sensation while typing. It also provides a bouncy feedback, like a spring-like or elastic sensation, offering a lively feel and rebound when pressed. The switch delivers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel, creating an immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless and effortless typing sensation with uniform feedback. It is also easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate, enhancing the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch falls into the category of mild switches, providing a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics. With its easy-to-press nature and mild qualities, it offers a safe and approachable typing feel. Users can expect different feels from the Baby Raccoon's creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished characteristics and the Tourmaline Blue's buttery, easy-to-press, and mild qualities.

Considering all the available information, the Gateron Baby Raccoon and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Baby Raccoon presents a resonant and high-pitched sound profile reminiscent of marble or billiard balls colliding, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a more neutral sound that balances actuation force and sound. In terms of feel, the Baby Raccoon offers a creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue delivers a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel. Both switches cater to different preferences and typing styles. If a user desires a bright and crisp sound with a marbley feel, the Baby Raccoon would be the suitable choice. However, if a user prefers a deep and thocky sound with a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, the Tourmaline Blue would be a great option. It's important to consider personal preferences, the intended use of the keyboard, and the desired typing experience when choosing between these two switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a bright sound signature and a refreshingly crisp typing feel, the Gateron Baby Raccoon linear switch would be a great choice for you. With its lengthened switch stems, these switches provide a marbly tactile experience that is reminiscent of tapping on a solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding. The Baby Raccoon has a medium bottom out force of 63 grams, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile along with a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the one for you. These switches offer a balanced typing experience with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to users of different preferences and typing styles. The Tourmaline Blue has a slightly higher bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience.

In terms of sound, the Baby Raccoon delivers a resonant, marbly, and high-pitched experience, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a neutral sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes.

When it comes to feel, the Baby Raccoon provides a creamy, bouncy, invigorating, and polished typing experience, whereas the Tourmaline Blue offers a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Baby Raccoon and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches depends on your personal preference for sound and feel. Consider whether you prioritize a bright and crisp typing experience or a deep and thocky one, as well as whether you prefer a medium or medium-heavy typing force. Both switches have their unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that matches your preferences and enjoy a satisfying keyboard switch experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Baby Raccoon (V2) Linear

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more