TTC Brother vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the TTC Brother and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch are two excellent options to consider. The TTC Brother stands out for its lightweight nature, offering a breezy actuation of just 37g, making typing a tactile experience without being burdensome. It produces a satisfyingly crunchy sound that will surely please clicky switch enthusiasts, while its tactile bump strikes the perfect balance between being noticeable and not overpowering. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience with its lengthened single-stage spring. With a standard spring weight, it offers a bouncy feel that is enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. 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
37g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17.5mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the TTC Brother and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic that creates a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Brother features a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile when typing.
Despite both switches having polycarbonate top housing, the difference lies in their respective bottom housing materials. The TTC Brother's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. This shows how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a switch. While the Brother's nylon housing excels in producing a richer typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing focuses more on clarity and precision in sound.
In terms of functionality, the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials in a switch are divided between the two parts. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. This distinction highlights the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in creating a balanced and satisfying typing experience. Whether it be the deep and full sound of nylon in the Brother or the sharp and clear sound of polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue, the housing materials play a crucial role in defining the overall sound profile of the switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that they offer different experiences in terms of weight. The Brother switch has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue switch has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams. The Brother switch does not have a specified bottom out force, whereas the Tourmaline Blue switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Brother switch for longer typing sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Tourmaline Blue switch. In both cases, the actuation force plays a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience, with a lighter force allowing for extended typing sessions and a heavier force providing a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Brother clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Brother switch. A 0.5 mm might not seem like much, but it can make a difference in the overall feel and performance of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Brother switch, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may opt for the Tourmaline Blue switch. Both switches will provide a smooth and consistent typing experience, but the slight difference in travel distance could impact the overall feel of the switch for the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Brother has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Brother for $3.30.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Brother clicky switch is known for its crunchy sound signature, which is beloved by clicky switch enthusiasts for its clear and precise tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile that provides a satisfying typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound qualities that cater to different preferences, with the Brother being more distinctive and pronounced, while the Tourmaline Blue is more neutral and accessible to a wider range of users.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Brother clicky switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force for activation and offering a gentle typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, it features a stepped design that provides a nuanced tactile bump, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience that is seamless and effortless. It also falls under the category of easy-to-press switches, offering a low-impact typing feel that is comfortable for extended use. The mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue make it approachable to most users, providing a safe and balanced typing experience.
In conclusion, while the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer different sound and feel qualities, both switches excel in their unique ways. The Brother provides a crunchy and distinct sound with a stepped feel that caters to clicky switch enthusiasts, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep thocky sound and a buttery smooth feel that is accessible to a wider range of users. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the type of typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Conclusion
Therefore, when deciding between the TTC Brother clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should consider the following factors. If you are looking for a satisfyingly crunchy sound and a lightweight, easy-to-press typing experience, the Brother switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep thocky sound and a bouncy, buttery feel with a slightly heavier actuation force, the Tourmaline Blue switch may be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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