HMX Hibiscus vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, finding the right one to fit your typing style and preferences can significantly enhance your overall experience. The HMX Hibiscus, a linear switch celebrated for its ultra-light actuation force, promises an exceptionally smooth and pristine typing session, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize effortless keystrokes and a satisfying, clacky sound signature. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also boasts a linear profile but brings a unique bouncy feel with its lengthened single-stage spring. Renowned for its deep and thocky sound, it strikes a balance between accessibility and enjoyment, catering to a diverse range of users. While the Hibiscus focuses on extreme smoothness and responsiveness, the Tourmaline Blue offers a more varied auditory and tactile experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.

By the numbers

HMX Hibiscus Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Hibiscus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both utilize different materials for their housing—nylon for the Hibiscus and polycarbonate for the Tourmaline Blue. These materials distinctly influence the auditory and tactile experiences of the keys. The Hibiscus’s nylon top and bottom housings contribute to a deeper, fuller sound profile and a softer typing experience. This softer material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller, rounder tonal quality. Users aiming for a muted acoustical feedback will find the Hibiscus appealing, as it provides a comfortable, cushioned feel when typing, coupled with a more subdued auditory response.

In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, with its polycarbonate top and bottom housing, offers a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile characterized by clarity and resonance. The stiffness of polycarbonate results in a crisper auditory feedback, which can be more satisfying for users who prefer a pronounced acoustic experience. This material is particularly advantageous for those who utilize RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal and vibrancy of the lighting effects during use. The Tourmaline Blue effectively delivers a brighter, more lively experience compared to the Hibiscus.

Despite these differences, it's important to note that the impact of each material can vary depending on the housing arrangement in each switch. When pressing a key, the properties of both housing materials combine to create a unique typing experience. For instance, while the Hibiscus provides a rounded acoustic profile, the combination of the Tourmaline Blue’s stiffer polycarbonate materials creates a more profound crispness that enhances the overall feedback during typing. Thus, while these switches yield different results due to their housing materials, the interaction between the top and bottom sections creates a cohesive sound and feel, allowing users to enjoy distinct auditory experiences even from materials with vastly different acoustic properties.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Hibiscus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Hibiscus features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it more suitable for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue exhibits a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, catering to those who enjoy a more substantial push feel in their typing experience. Consequently, while the Hibiscus is ideal for long durations of use, the Tourmaline Blue may appeal to users seeking a firmer resistance. Overall, the Hibiscus is the lighter option, whereas the Tourmaline Blue is heavier, promising distinct tactile experiences for different preferences.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Hibiscus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it's clear that they cater to different preferences in feel and performance. The Hibiscus has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Tourmaline Blue features a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the longer switch. For those who favor quicker response times, the Hibiscus may be a better fit due to its shorter travel distance, which can enhance performance in fast-paced gaming scenarios. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue provides a more traditional travel distance, appealing to users who appreciate a deeper, more substantial keypress that feels less abrupt. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or prefer a more pronounced tactile experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the HMX Hibiscus linear switch delivers a satisfyingly clacky, poppy, and crispy sound signature that is distinct and engaging, making it a pleasure for typists who appreciate auditory feedback while they type. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is characterized by a deep, thocky sound profile that provides a more subdued yet solid auditory experience. While the Hibiscus focuses on a more playful and crisp sound, the Tourmaline Blue offers a richer, deeper tone. Both switches cater to different listening preferences and might require experimentation with board and keycap combinations to achieve the desired sound experience.

Regarding feel, the HMX Hibiscus switches are renowned for their ultra-light actuation force, which surpasses 80% of all switches, resulting in an extremely smooth typing experience that glides effortlessly as each key is pressed. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy a light touch when typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery and easy-to-press, thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring. This design creates a bouncy and fluid keystroke that demands minimal effort, making it comfortable for longer typing sessions. Both switches prioritize a user-friendly experience, though the Hibiscus leans more toward an exceptionally light touch, while the Tourmaline Blue emphasizes a slight bounce in key presses.

In summary, both the HMX Hibiscus and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique auditory and tactile experiences, catering to different preferences among typists. The Hibiscus provides a playful and crisp sound with a remarkably smooth feel, whereas the Tourmaline Blue balances a deep, thocky sound with a buttery and responsive touch. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prefer a lighter actuation with playful sound effects or a deeper sound profile with a comfortable, bouncy feel. Each switch can deliver satisfaction, so it's worthwhile to try both and see which aligns best with your personal typing style.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Hibiscus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and needs. If you prioritize an ultra-light typing experience with a unique auditory feedback—characterized by a satisfying pop and crispness—then the Hibiscus is your go-to option. Its lighter actuation force of 48 grams makes it an excellent choice for those who may be typing for long hours and want to minimize finger fatigue, especially in fast-paced environments. Conversely, if you prefer a more controlled and bouncy keystroke with a deep, thocky sound signature, the Tourmaline Blue is ideal for you. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams appeals to users who enjoy a bit of resistance, making each keystroke feel more deliberate and satisfying. The neutral and buttery characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue also make it versatile, suitable for both beginners and experienced typists, whether for work or leisure. At the end of the day, your decision should reflect the typing experience you seek—be it the lightweight feel and sound of the Hibiscus or the balanced and rhythmic nature of the Tourmaline Blue.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Hibiscus Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more