HMX Jelly vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Jelly and Everglide Tourmaline Blue present two intriguing options, both classified as linear switches. The Jelly is celebrated for its low-pitched, deep, thocky sound signature and super smooth keystrokes, thanks in part to its excellent factory lubrication and a lightweight 42g actuation force. This makes the Jelly an excellent choice for users seeking a quiet yet enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also delivers a deep, thocky sound profile but further enhances the typing experience with a lengthened single-stage spring that adds a delightful bounce to each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blues are designed with a standard spring weight, making them both buttery smooth and accessible to a wider range of typists. While both switches offer a satisfying experience, their unique characteristics cater 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

HMX Jelly Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Jelly and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, several key differences emerge, particularly in the composition of their top housings. The Jelly features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer and more absorbent nature, which helps to mute higher frequencies and create a rounder sound. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue employs a polycarbonate top housing, a stiffer material that enhances clarity and resonance. The result is a sharper and crisper sound, making each keystroke more pronounced. The aesthetic differences are evident as well, with the clear polycarbonate allowing RGB lighting to shine through, creating an appealing visual effect that nylon's more opaque housing cannot replicate.

Both switches have nylon and polycarbonate as their respective bottom housing materials. The Jelly utilizes nylon for the bottom as well, which retains the deep sound qualities established by the top. Similar to its use in the top housing, the nylon bottom helps absorb sound, further emphasizing a muted acoustical response. On the contrary, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom contributes to a tighter and more resonant sound. Thus, when typing on such switches, the bottom-out sound and feel can drastically differ: the Jelly's nylon bottom will yield a fuller thud, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom will produce a higher-pitched click, reinforcing the differences initiated by their top housings.

Moreover, the overall typing experience offered by these switches results from the interplay between the top and bottom housing materials. With the Jelly's dual nylon set-up, users can expect consistent sound characteristics that favor warmth and richness, whether they are bottoming out or releasing a key. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, with its mixed polycarbonate configuration, delivers a distinctly clearer sound profile throughout the typing process. Therefore, while both switches may utilize nylon in the Jelly and polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue, reflectively considering the sound qualities produced by each material reveals their unique identities. Nevertheless, for those aiming for specific auditory experiences, it's essential to highlight that users will notice more pronounced differences when engaging either switch, emphasizing the significance of material choice in achieving desired sound profiles.

Weight

The HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch present a notable contrast in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Jelly features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it a suitable choice for users seeking comfort during extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. While both switches fulfill similar functional roles, the difference in force requirements highlights the Jelly's softer touch compared to the more resistant feel of the Tourmaline Blue. Consequently, users who desire a lighter, less fatiguing experience may gravitate towards the Jelly, whereas those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback will likely opt for the heavier Tourmaline Blue.

Travel distance

The HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Jelly measuring 3.8 mm and the Tourmaline Blue measuring 4 mm. This makes the Jelly the shorter option by 0.2 mm, catering to users who prefer a more responsive feel, particularly favored by gamers for faster key presses. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue's longer travel distance may appeal to those who enjoy a deeper, more deliberate typing experience, as it allows for a greater tactile feedback and less abrupt actuation. While both switches provide a satisfying keystroke, the Jelly's shorter travel distance could result in quicker response times, making it a better choice for fast-paced gaming scenarios, while the Tourmaline Blue may be more suited for general typing or users who value a more traditional feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, both the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch exhibit a low-pitched, deep, thocky signature, creating a satisfying auditory experience. The Jelly switch is characterized by its excellent factory lube, which contributes to a smooth actuation, while the Tourmaline Blue is designed to immerse users in a comparable deep and thocky sound profile. Despite both switches producing a similar sound, the overall auditory experience can be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the choice of keycaps, which may alter the nuances of each switch's sound.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Jelly switch is particularly noted for its smooth keystrokes, attributed to its lightweight actuation force of 42g. This makes it easy on the fingers, offering a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provides a bouncy feel due to its lengthened single-stage spring. Users can expect a buttery, seamless typing sensation with easy-to-press characteristics that greatly minimize finger fatigue. The mild resistance of the Tourmaline Blue makes it approachable for a wide range of users, ensuring both switches deliver an intuitive and enjoyable typing feel yet manifest in distinct tactile dynamics.

In conclusion, both the HMX Jelly and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer a rewarding experience for typists, with similar sound profiles but differing tactile qualities. The Jelly’s smooth actuation combined with a lightweight force creates a fluid feel, while the Tourmaline Blue's bounciness and easy activation create a more dynamic typing experience. Deciding between the two will largely depend on personal preference related to tactile sensation, as both deliver satisfying performance while retaining their unique nuances.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Jelly linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a lightweight feel and smooth keystrokes coupled with a deep, thocky sound, the Jelly switch may be the ideal choice for you. Its lighter actuation force (42g) and lower bottom-out force (48g) make it especially suitable for fast typists or gamers who appreciate quick response times and reduced finger fatigue during long sessions. Conversely, if you prefer a switch with a more pronounced tactile feedback and a satisfying bouncy feel, the Tourmaline Blue is the way to go. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force (67g) and a slightly higher actuation force, it strikes a balance that offers a more engaging typing experience while still being manageable for most users. The buttery smoothness of the Tourmaline Blue also appeals to those who appreciate a gradual tactile response in their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize a lightweight, effortless typing experience with the Jelly or desire a more robust, bouncy feedback that the Tourmaline Blue provides.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Jelly Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more