Akko Fairy vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Akko Fairy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Akko Fairy, with its linear switch design, stands out for its refined lubrication system that ensures a smooth typing experience ideal for office settings. The medium weight of the Fairy switch strikes a perfect balance, offering enough resistance for a satisfying press without causing fatigue, making it a great choice for those who need comfort during extended use. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also features a linear switch design but offers a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses users in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. While the Akko Fairy focuses on comfort and quiet operation for professional tasks, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue emphasizes a satisfying sound profile and enjoyable typing experience. 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
50g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
17mm stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Akko Fairy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different compositions. The Fairy's nylon top and bottom housings create a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top and bottom housings produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, given the stiffer nature of polycarbonate that leads to a clearer and resonant sound profile. The choice between nylon and polycarbonate affects not only the sound but also the aesthetics, with the translucent polycarbonate being ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting.
While the Akko Fairy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have different housing materials for their top and bottom components, the impact each material has on the overall sound and feel of the switch is split between the two. Typing on the Fairy switch, for example, will bring out the qualities of the nylon bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In comparison, releasing a key on the Fairy switch will showcase the characteristics of the nylon top housing. Similarly, the Tourmaline Blue switch will have its sound profile influenced by the polycarbonate bottom housing upon bottoming out and by the polycarbonate top housing upon key release.
In a nutshell, while the Akko Fairy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches may have different housing materials in their top and bottom components, the overall typing experience can be similar if comparing the same materials across the switches. Typing on switches with nylon top and bottom housings, such as the Fairy, will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, with a softer plastic absorbing more sound for a rounder sound. Similarly, switches with polycarbonate top and bottom housings, like the Tourmaline Blue, will offer a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to the stiffer plastic creating a more clear and resonant sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between nylon and polycarbonate housing materials will affect the sound and feel of the switches, providing users with options to tailor their typing experience to their preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we can see that the Fairy is lighter in terms of actuation force at 50 grams, compared to the Tourmaline Blue at 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Fairy requires 60 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue is heavier at 67 grams. Both switches fall in the medium range for actuation force, but the Tourmaline Blue leans towards the medium-heavy side for bottom out force. The Fairy may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Tourmaline Blue could appeal to those who desire a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Akko Fairy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Fairy has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both falls within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Fairy being on the shallower end and the Tourmaline Blue being slightly longer. Gamers looking for faster response times might prefer the shorter travel distance of the Fairy, while those seeking a more substantial key press might opt for the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience, catering to individual preferences for key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Fairy has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Fairy for $3.10.
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
When it comes to sound, both the Akko Fairy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as having a neutral profile, making them suitable for a variety of environments and users. The Fairy switch produces a muted sound, providing a softer and quieter typing experience ideal for office settings, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deep and thocky sound that immerses users in a satisfying typing session. Ultimately, the sound produced by these switches will also depend on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Akko Fairy switch is praised for its polished and mild characteristics, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance. This results in reduced friction, smooth key travel, and a comfortable typing feel that is suitable for extended use. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery and easy-to-press, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation with minimal force required to activate the keys. Despite these differences in feel, both switches fall within the mild category, offering a comfortable and approachable typing experience for most users.
Overall, both the Akko Fairy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Fairy switch excels in providing a quieter typing experience suitable for professional environments, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a satisfying sound profile and easy-to-press feel that enhances the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific needs of the user. Regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a quality typing experience that aligns with your preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Akko Fairy linear switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should take into account your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a smooth and comfortable typing experience in an office setting, the Fairy switch may be the better option with its medium actuation force and refined lubrication. On the other hand, if you are seeking a more immersive typing experience with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue switch with its bouncy feel and standard spring weight could be the right choice. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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