Bsun Bumblebee Linear vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two noteworthy contenders are the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Bumblebee Linear is celebrated for its exceptionally smooth typing experience coupled with a bright sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize silent, fluid keystrokes. This switch is perfect for users who enjoy a clean and direct feel with minimal tactile disruption, often appealing to gamers and typists alike. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a unique experience with its deep, thocky sound signature, immersing users in a satisfying auditory feedback with every press. Its lengthened single-stage spring creates a bouncy touch that many find enjoyable, catering to those who prefer a more pronounced engagement with each keystroke. While both switches are linear and designed for smooth operation, the Bumblebee focuses more on a bright and clean experience, while the Tourmaline Blue emphasizes auditory feedback and a bouncier feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.

By the numbers

Bsun Bumblebee Linear Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$2.99 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, the first striking difference lies in their top housings. The Bumblebee Linear features a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which is known for creating a sound that is deeper and more muted. This unique sound profile offers a pleasing auditory experience, allowing for a rounder and fuller sound when typing. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue boasts a polycarbonate top housing that generates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The inherent stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it particularly advantageous for users who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback. Aesthetically, polycarbonate's translucence also makes it an appealing choice for setups utilizing RGB lighting, as it allows for vibrant illumination effects.

Turning to the bottom housing, both models adopt different materials that further define their sound characteristics. The Bumblebee Linear utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is a classic choice that contributes to a more subdued acoustic environment. Nylon's softer nature absorbs sound better than harder plastics, ultimately providing a deeper, more rounded auditory experience. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing allows for a similar sharpness and clarity in sound as observed in its top housing. This consistency in material contributes to a cohesive sound profile—one that is bright and resonant. When considering sound quality, the distinction between the two becomes apparent, as the Bumblebee emphasizes depth, while the Tourmaline Blue leans towards a more crisp and articulate sound.

The differences in housing materials directly influence the overall typing experience, particularly with respect to how sound is perceived when pressing and releasing keys. For the Bumblebee Linear, the nylon bottom housing's dampening properties provide a softer bottom-out experience, while the POM top housing ensures that the sound upon key release remains deep and muted. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue blends the resonant qualities of polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings, resulting in a consistent sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience with sharpness and clarity throughout key presses. Ultimately, despite their differences, both switches can provide satisfying auditory results: the Bumblebee Linear with a more muted sound richness, and the Tourmaline Blue with bright, resonant clarity.

Weight

The Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch present a clear contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces, which can significantly influence user experience. The Bumblebee Linear features a light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This makes it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter touch, allowing for extended typing periods without fatigue. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a notably heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, catering to users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and a firmer push feel. As a result, the Bumblebee is the lighter option, while the Tourmaline Blue is medium-heavy. Consequently, users seeking comfort during long sessions may gravitate toward the Bumblebee, while those desiring a more tactile feedback might find the Tourmaline Blue better suited to their preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, a clear distinction emerges. The Bumblebee Linear features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Bumblebee Linear the shorter option, appealing to gamers or typists who favor faster response times due to its lesser depth. Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue, with its 4 mm travel distance, provides a more substantial feel which may be preferred by those who appreciate a more hearty depth in keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for responsiveness versus tactile depth, with the Bumblebee Linear providing a quicker actuation and the Tourmaline Blue offering a more traditional and satisfying travel experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to the sound profile, the Bsun Bumblebee Linear switch is known for its bright tonal quality, providing a distinctive auditory feedback during each keystroke. This contrasts with the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, which features a deep and thocky sound profile, creating a more immersive typing experience that many find satisfying. While the Bumblebee's brightness contributes to a lively auditory atmosphere, the Tourmaline Blue's deep tones resonate well, making each press feel substantial. Overall, sound is inherently subjective and can be influenced by various factors like the keyboard construction and keycap material, suggesting that users may find both switches appealing depending on their preferences.

In terms of feel, the Bumblebee Linear switch is recognized for delivering an exceptionally smooth typing experience, allowing for effortless key presses. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue offers a bouncy sensation with each keystroke, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. With descriptors such as "buttery" and "easy-to-press," the Tourmaline Blue provides a fluid and gentle typing feel, making it particularly user-friendly. Additionally, the mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue ensure that its typing experience is comfortable and approachable for various users. The Bumblebee's smoothness aligns with this ethos of comfort, although the distinct bounciness of the Tourmaline Blue sets it apart in providing a unique tactile dynamic.

Overall, both the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer different auditory and tactile experiences, catering to varied preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. The Bumblebee excels in bright sound and smoothness, while the Tourmaline Blue shines with its deep sound and bouncy feel. Ultimately, users can expect satisfactory results from both switches, whether they prioritize the lively auditory feedback of the Bumblebee or the thocky resonance and gentle touch of the Tourmaline Blue. Each switch has its unique charm, ensuring that there is an option for every type of typist to enjoy.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Bsun Bumblebee Linear and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches largely depends on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you appreciate a lighter touch and an exceptionally smooth keystroke, the Bumblebee Linear, with its 50-gram bottom-out force, is an excellent option. Its bright sound profile adds a delightful auditory dimension to your typing, making it particularly suitable if you type for long periods or prefer a more effortless experience. Conversely, if you enjoy a more substantial feedback with a deeper and more thocky sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is compelling with its 67-gram bottom-out force. This switch is designed to provide a bouncy feel and a valuable balance that appeals to a diverse range of typing styles — whether you are a beginner or an experienced typist. The Tourmaline Blue's moderate actuation force combined with its buttery and easy-to-press characteristics makes it a versatile choice for various environments, including both work and home settings. Ultimately, your decision should reflect the type of sound, feel, and resistance that best enhances your typing pleasure.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Bumblebee Linear Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more