Gateron Glory Yellow vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice can greatly influence your typing experience, and two popular options are the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The Glory Yellow switch is celebrated for its heavier feel, offering a smooth keystroke and a comfortable travel distance that appeals to serious typists looking for a reliable, satisfying experience. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue excels in delivering a unique sound profile that is both deep and thocky, creating an immersive typing experience that many find enjoyable. Additionally, with its lengthened single-stage spring, the Tourmaline Blue provides a bouncy sensation with each keystroke, striking a balance that caters to a diverse range of users. While the Glory Yellow leans toward a more substantial typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue entices with its auditory feedback and a more playful spring action. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
15mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, it's clear that each switch employs distinct materials that contribute differently to their overall sound profiles. The Glory Yellow features a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to absorb sound and create a deeper, fuller auditory experience. This soft plastic allows for a rounder sound that meshes well with typing, making it ideal for users seeking a muted and warm typing experience. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. As a stiffer plastic, polycarbonate is less absorbent than nylon, yielding a clearer resonance that might appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke feedback.
Both switches utilize nylon and polycarbonate for their bottom housings, mirroring the differences in their top counterparts. The nylon bottom housing of the Glory Yellow reinforces the full-bodied sound by dampening vibrations and softening the typing noise, thereby deepening the sound profile. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing, creating a cohesive soundscape with a brighter and higher-pitched output. The interplay between the materials adds an additional layer to their functionalities, allowing each switch to deliver a unique typing sensation depending on the user's preferences.
Ultimately, the variations in housing materials between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue highlight the importance of both the top and bottom housings in shaping the keystroke experience. While the Glory Yellow leans towards a warmer auditory experience with its nylon components, the Tourmaline Blue sharpens the sound with the clarity offered by its polycarbonate. However, both switches can achieve satisfying results depending on the user's desired outcome: users looking for a warm and muted feel will resonate with the Glory Yellow, whereas those craving a high-pitched, clear sound will thrive with the Tourmaline Blue. Thus, even though the switches differ in material, they can serve distinct yet equally enjoyable typing experiences when paired thoughtfully with compatible keyboard builds.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we see a notable difference in actuation force. The Glory Yellow requires a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams, making it better suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue is 67 grams, indicating that it provides a more pronounced tactile feedback when the key is fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow is unknown, implying that we can't determine its feel upon bottoming out. Consequently, if you favor a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Glory Yellow would be your best choice, whereas if you enjoy a stronger push, the Tourmaline Blue would be preferable.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch feature a travel distance of 4 mm, indicating that they share the same keypress distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity means that users of both switches can expect a consistent tactile experience, resulting in a comparable feel when typing or gaming. Since both switches have the same travel distance, achieving similar typing results and responsiveness is likely. Whether one prefers the Gateron or Everglide brand, the 4 mm travel distance ensures a unified experience across both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
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, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches are characterized by a relatively muted profile, which contributes to a discreet typing experience. This makes them suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept in check, such as offices or shared spaces. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches deliver a deep and thocky sound that is highly satisfying and pronounced, adding an auditory richness to each keystroke. This contrast in sound profiles means that while the Glory Yellow offers subtlety, the Tourmaline Blue caters to those who appreciate pronounced audio feedback during typing.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Glory Yellow switches provide a smooth keystroke with a heavier touch, allowing for a satisfying, weighty typing experience that can particularly appeal to users who enjoy more resistance in their switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer exceptionally buttery movement, marked by a very fluid keystroke that feels effortless to press. This ease of actuation reduces finger fatigue and ensures a comfortable experience during long typing sessions. While both switches aim for a pleasurable typing experience, the Glory Yellow leans towards a heavier feel, whereas the Tourmaline Blue is designed for lightness and fluidity.
In conclusion, the Gateron Glory Yellow and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches cater to different preferences, particularly in sound and feel. Glory Yellow switches deliver a more muted sound and a heavier keystroke, providing discretion and a weightier typing experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a distinct auditory satisfaction alongside a light, fluid typing feel, appealing to users who prioritize effortless engagement. Each switch provides a unique typing experience; therefore, your choice should align with your sound preference and typing style, yet both options promise an enjoyable and satisfying interaction.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a smooth and linear keystroke with minimal resistance, the Glory Yellow is an excellent choice. It caters to typists who enjoy a fluid movement and prefer a lighter touch, making it ideal for long typing sessions where you want to minimize finger fatigue. This switch also pairs well with fast-paced gaming, giving you the responsiveness needed to execute quick keystrokes. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more tactile experience with a satisfying sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is the way to go. With its medium-heavy actuation force, this switch offers a bouncy feel that not only adds a depth to your keystrokes but also strikes a balance that appeals to a wide range of users, from beginners to seasoned typists alike. Its buttery smoothness and mild resistance create a comfortable typing experience that’s enjoyable for both work and casual use. Ultimately, your decision should reflect what you prioritize in a switch—whether it’s the effortless glide of the Glory Yellow or the tactile, thocky sensation of the Tourmaline Blue.
Mentioned in this article
