TTC Gold Red vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the TTC Gold Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Gold Red is known for providing a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Its snappy sound profile adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Both switches have their own unique features and advantages, catering to different preferences and typing styles. 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
43g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue feature similar housing materials in their polycarbonate top housings. Both switches utilize the translucent nature of polycarbonate to enhance the use of RGB lighting, offering a visually appealing option for those who enjoy customizable lighting effects. Additionally, the stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience for users of both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Gold Red and the Tourmaline Blue differ in their material choices. The Gold Red employs a nylon bottom housing, which brings a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, mirroring the qualities of the top housing. This means that the crisp and clear sound profile associated with polycarbonate will also extend to the bottom-out sound and feel of the Tourmaline Blue switch.
In summary, while the Gold Red and the Tourmaline Blue share the use of polycarbonate in their top housing, they differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Gold Red utilizes nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when typing, while the Tourmaline Blue maintains the sharper and crisper sound profile associated with polycarbonate throughout the switch. Despite these discrepancies, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials, providing options for users seeking different sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that there are significant differences. The Gold Red has a relatively light actuation force of 43 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue requires a stronger push to trigger a keystroke compared to the Gold Red.
Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Gold Red has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is still relatively light. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams. This indicates that the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a more substantial typing experience as it requires more force to fully depress the key compared to the Gold Red.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Gold Red switch more suitable for their needs. Its lighter actuation and bottom out forces allow for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a stronger and more substantial typing feel may opt for the Tourmaline Blue switch. With its higher actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a tactile feedback that some users seek.
Overall, the Gold Red switch is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, while the Tourmaline Blue switch is heavier. Depending on personal preference and typing style, users can choose the switch that best suits their needs for comfortable and efficient typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Both switches offer a consistent and satisfying key press experience for users. Whether you choose the TTC Gold Red or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
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 Gold Red linear switches have a thocky and low-pitched sound profile. When pressed and released, they produce a deep and satisfying "thud" or "knock" sound. This adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too loud or obtrusive. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches have a more neutral sound profile. They offer a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Gold Red linear switches provide a mild and subtle typing experience. These switches offer a gentle resistance that is not too heavy but still maintains a light typing feel. Additionally, the switches have a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches, on the other hand, have a buttery and easy-to-press feel. They offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The switches have a light actuation force, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Based on the available information, it is clear that the TTC Gold Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have distinct subjective qualities. The Gold Red switches have a snappy sound profile and a mild, silky, subtle, and polished feel. They provide a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches have a deep and thocky sound profile and a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel. They offer a bouncy typing experience with a standard spring weight that makes them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. While both switches have a neutral sound profile, they offer different sound and feel experiences. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is the way to go. These switches offer a subtle and polished feel, with a sound profile that is described as low-pitched and neutral. They strike a middle ground in terms of actuation force and sound, making them suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced typists, and for both work and home environments.
On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky typing experience, with a bouncy feel and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the better choice. These switches provide a satisfying and immersive typing experience, with a sound profile that is also described as neutral. They are easy-to-press and offer a mild typing experience, enhancing the overall typing feel and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Ultimately, the decision between TTC Gold Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing experience. If you value smoothness, light-medium resistance, and a polished feel, go for the Gold Red switches. If you prioritize deep thocky sound, bouncy feel, and medium-heavy resistance, the Tourmaline Blue switches are the way to go. Both switches offer excellent options for different typing preferences, ensuring an enjoyable and satisfying typing experience.
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