Durock Black Lotus vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer unique features and satisfying typing experiences are the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Black Lotus is well-known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, ensuring minimal housing and stem wobble for a truly enjoyable typing experience. With a 55g actuation weight, it strikes a balance between substantial and comfortable. Additionally, its unique removable light column provides in-switch lighting for added customization. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue stands out with its deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience. It features a lengthened single-stage spring, resulting in a bouncy feel with each keystroke. With a standard spring weight, it is accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have both similarities and differences. In terms of the top housing, the Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE blend material, providing a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, offering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both materials have their advantages, but if you prioritize a clear housing for RGB lighting, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing would be more suitable.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Black Lotus employs a nylon material, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue's bottom housing is also made of polycarbonate. As with the top housing, this contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, polycarbonate's stiffness enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. If you prioritize these sound qualities, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing would be preferable.

When comparing the two switches, it is clear that the housing materials play a significant role in the overall sound and feel. While the Black Lotus incorporates a modified PC and UPE blend for its top housing and nylon for its bottom housing, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. This means that the Tourmaline Blue would deliver a more consistent sound profile throughout, with sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper tones. However, it is important to note that the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down, while the top housing largely influences the sound when the key is released. Therefore, while both switches offer unique qualities, the Tourmaline Blue may provide more consistent results in terms of sound.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces. The Black Lotus has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams.

In terms of weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch for prolonged typing sessions or extended gaming periods. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Black Lotus make it a suitable option for those who prioritize longer typing endurance. However, others may prefer a more robust and substantial typing experience, opting for switches with heavier forces. In this case, the Tourmaline Blue's slightly higher actuation and bottom out forces provide a stronger push feel, making it a suitable choice for individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience.

Although there are slight variations in their actuation and bottom out forces, both switches fall within the medium-heavy category, offering a similar level of resistance. Therefore, regardless of the specific force measurements, individuals can expect comparable results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces when using either the Durock Black Lotus or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.

Travel distance

The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard. In the case of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both the Durock Black Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch does not have a specific descriptor provided. However, based on its features such as reduced housing and stem wobble, it is likely to produce a fairly neutral sound profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as having a deep and thocky sound profile, which creates an immersive typing experience.

In terms of feel, the Durock Black Lotus is described with descriptors such as silky, buttery, mild, and polished. These qualities indicate that the switch offers an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience, with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue also shares the descriptor of being buttery, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, it is described as easy-to-press, offering minimal resistance and requiring light actuation force, enhancing the typing experience.

Considering all the available information, it is clear that both switches have their own unique qualities. The Durock Black Lotus is known for its smooth feel and precision, with a focus on reducing wobble. It is likely to produce a fairly neutral sound profile. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue, on the other hand, provides a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy feel and easy-to-press action. While the exact sound qualities of the Black Lotus are unknown, it is safe to assume that it will provide a smooth and refined typing experience similar to the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, catering to different preferences and typing styles.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you value a silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, along with the convenience of customizable in-switch lighting, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is the one for you. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams provides a substantial and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the better choice. With its slightly higher bottom out force of 67 grams, it strikes a balance that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users. Both switches offer a buttery and mild typing experience, but the Tourmaline Blue also boasts an easy-to-press characteristic that reduces finger fatigue during longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the Black Lotus and the Tourmaline Blue comes down to personal preference and the specific qualities you prioritize in your keyboard switch.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more