Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that often come up are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Bamboo Green switch stands out for its clacky sound signature and satisfying tactility, offering a crisp and sparkling typing experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a gratifying typing sensation. It accomplishes this with a lengthened single-stage spring, resulting in a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision regarding the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top and bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue uses a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. In terms of sound profile, the Bamboo Green's PBT housing offers a neutral sound with neither crispness nor dullness. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate plastic, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, if you plan to use RGB lighting, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful in the top housing. Thus, the Tourmaline Blue switch may provide a more vibrant and distinctive sound experience compared to the Bamboo Green.

While the top housing materials differ between the two switches, the impact on the overall sound experience can be divided. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing come into play, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In the case of the Bamboo Green, the PBT bottom housing contributes to a neutral sound profile, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue adds a sharper and crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green maintains a neutral sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue further enhances the sharp and resonant sound. Therefore, the choice between these two switches depends on the specific sound profile desired during both keystrokes and key releases.

Despite their differences, both the Bamboo Green and the Tourmaline Blue housing materials provide quality options for switch customization. If one desires a neutral sound profile without the need for RGB lighting, the Bamboo Green with its PBT housing is a suitable choice. On the other hand, if a more vibrant and distinctive sound profile is desired, accompanied by the integration of RGB lighting, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing would be ideal. Both switches cater to individual preferences, allowing users to achieve their desired sound experience depending on their needs and preferences.

Weight

When considering the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable differences between the two. The Bamboo Green has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's higher actuation force of 59 grams. This means that users might find it easier to trigger a keystroke on the Bamboo Green switch, requiring less force. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Bamboo Green requiring 62 grams and the Tourmaline Blue slightly higher at 67 grams. This means that when fully pressing down on the keys, users will experience a similar level of resistance and a more substantial typing experience compared to lighter switches. So, while the actuation force differs between the two switches, the bottom out force provides a similar level of feedback. The Bamboo Green can be considered lighter overall compared to the Tourmaline Blue, making it suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions, whereas the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly heavier push feel for those seeking a more substantial typing experience.

Travel distance

The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of the distance traveled when pressing down on a key. Whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Bamboo Green or the smooth linear feel of the Tourmaline Blue, you can expect the same travel distance for both switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a notable difference between the two. Typing on the Bamboo Green switches produces a clacky and crisp sound signature with a high-pitched and resonant tone. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues offer a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses the user in a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue's sound is described as neutral, meaning it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. However, if you are looking for a high-pitched and resonant sound, the Bamboo Green switches would be the better option, while the Tourmaline Blues provide a neutral sound experience.

When it comes to feel, the Bamboo Green switches offer a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile experience. Stepped switches have two stages, providing some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. Accented switches, in the case of tactile switches, offer a medium amount of tactility without overwhelming the user. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches have a sharp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. These switches are also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue switches are known for their buttery and easy-to-press feel. The buttery sensation implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing seamless and effortless typing. These switches offer gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. The low actuation force makes typing comfortable and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The Tourmaline Blues are characterized as mild switches, offering a gentle typing experience without extreme characteristics. Overall, the Tourmaline Blue switches provide an easy-to-use, smooth, and approachable typing feel.

In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switches and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches have a clacky sound signature with a high-pitched and resonant tone, while the Tourmaline Blues offer a deep and thocky sound profile that is neutral. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches provide a stepped, accented, sharp tactile experience with a polished finish, while the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing feel. It is important to consider personal preference and individual typing style when choosing between these switches. If you are looking for a unique sound experience with distinct tactility, the Bamboo Green switches will be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a smoother and effortless typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue switches would be a better fit.

Conclusion

In closing, when choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are a few factors to consider.

If you prioritize a clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Bamboo Green switch would be the ideal choice for you. The high-pitched and resonant sound profile of these switches adds an immersive auditory experience to your typing sessions. Additionally, the stepped and accented feel of the Bamboo Green switches provides a medium tactile feedback that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, offering a distinct and polished typing experience.

On the other hand, if you are seeking a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue switch would be more suitable for your needs. These switches strike a balance with their neutral sound profile, making them accessible to a wide range of users. The buttery and easy-to-press feel of the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a smooth and effortless typing sensation, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.

Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound and feel. Whether you prioritize the clacky sound and crisp tactility of the Bamboo Green switches or the deep thocky sound and bouncy feel of the Tourmaline Blue switches, both options provide unique and enjoyable typing experiences.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more