HMX Jammy vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the HMX Jammy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue mechanical keyboard switches, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Jammy, a linear switch, is best known for its softer nylon housings and medium-weight build, providing a muted yet deeply satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, also a linear switch, stands out for its deep and thocky sound profile and lengthened single-stage spring, offering a bouncy feel with each keystroke. While the Jammy excels in providing a smooth typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue offers a balance between spring weight and accessibility, making it enjoyable for a wide range of users. 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
57g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue present clear differences in terms of sound profile and material properties. The Jammy's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and results in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top and bottom housing offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and clearer sound profile because of the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, enhancing resonance. While the Jammy's nylon housing provides a classic typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing is better suited for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Despite their differences, both the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue share similarities in their housing material's impact on sound profiles. Both nylon and polycarbonate housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall sound signature of the switches. While nylon tends to produce a deeper and fuller sound, polycarbonate generates a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, a feature not present in the Jammy's nylon housing. Overall, the choice between these two housing materials ultimately depends on personal preference and typing experience desired by the user.
In terms of functionality and typing experience, the housing materials of the HMX Jammy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue have distinct impacts. The qualities of the bottom housing material influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed down, while the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. The softer nylon housing of the Jammy results in a more subdued sound upon bottom-out, creating a rounder typing experience. Conversely, the stiffer polycarbonate housing of the Tourmaline Blue produces a clear and resonant sound upon bottom-out, enhancing the tactile typing feedback. These differences in housing materials contribute to the overall typing experience and sound profile of each switch, catering to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. The HMX Jammy has an actuation force of 57 grams, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams, making the Tourmaline Blue slightly heavier. In terms of bottom out force, the Jammy requires 63 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 67 grams, again making the Tourmaline Blue the heavier option. These differences in force may result in a slightly different typing experience for users, with the Jammy providing a lighter touch for longer typing sessions and the Tourmaline Blue offering a more substantial feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, users looking for a switch with similar forces and typing experiences between the two options may find that either switch can deliver comparable results.
Travel distance
The HMX Jammy linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prioritize faster response times. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the HMX Jammy for quick and precise key presses. On the other hand, the slightly longer travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue may provide a more substantial and satisfying key feel for those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes. Overall, while the Jammy offers a shorter travel distance and the Tourmaline Blue offers a longer travel distance, both switches provide a good balance of responsiveness and key feel for different preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Jammy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jammy for $2.99.
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 HMX Jammy linear switch offers a muted and deeply satisfying typing experience, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience. The Jammy switch may have a softer sound profile compared to the neutral sound profile of the Tourmaline Blue switch, but ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Jammy linear switch does not have specific descriptors provided, but it's known for offering a typing experience that is both muted and deeply satisfying. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. This implies that the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with gentle resistance, minimal force required to activate, and a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Overall, while the HMX Jammy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer different sound and feel experiences, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience for users. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can choose either of these switches to achieve similar results in terms of performance and satisfaction. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when choosing between the HMX Jammy linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider the bottom out force and the typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a typing experience that is muted and deeply satisfying, the Jammy switch with its softer nylon housings may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom out force and a bouncy, thocky sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch with its lengthened single-stage spring could be the perfect fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the type of typing experience you are seeking.
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