Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer unique characteristics catering to different preferences. The Jupiter Banana stands out with its tactile feedback and softer backlight effects, thanks to its high-precision molds and two-stage springs, providing a strong return and consistent feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a linear typing experience with a deep and thocky sound profile, achieved through a lengthened single-stage spring. With a balanced standard spring weight, the Tourmaline Blue ensures an enjoyable and accessible typing experience. 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
59g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
69g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing provides a consistent aesthetic and sound experience for both switches.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Jupiter Banana utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which also contributes to a sharper and crisper sound, similar to its top housing. This difference in bottom housing material allows each switch to deliver a unique tactile experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in both switches plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and tactile feedback of the switches. While both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing for consistent sound characteristics, the differing bottom housing materials in the Jupiter Banana and Tourmaline Blue offer distinct typing experiences. Whether you prefer a deeper sound profile from a nylon bottom housing or a sharper sound from a polycarbonate bottom housing, each switch provides a unique feel when typing.
Weight
The Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have similar actuation forces of 59 grams, making them light and suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions. However, when comparing their bottom out forces, the Jupiter Banana requires 69 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 67 grams, making the Tourmaline Blue slightly lighter in terms of bottoming out. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of overall force required for typing. Some users may prefer the slightly lighter bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue for a smoother typing experience, while others may appreciate the heavier bottom out force of the Jupiter Banana for a more substantial feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. While both switches fall within the range of most traditional travel distances, the Jupiter Banana offers a slightly quicker tactile response due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers may prefer the Jupiter Banana for its faster response times, while those who prefer a more pronounced key press may opt for the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of desired key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 per 10 switches.
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 Jupiter Banana tactile switch is known for its high-pitched and resonant sound profile, which provides a sharp and clean auditory experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a neutral sound profile that is moderate and suitable for a wide range of users. It's important to consider that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch is described as polished and creamy, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, on the other hand, is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a seamless, effortless, and gentle typing sensation that is approachable to most users. Both switches prioritize comfort and smoothness in their key feel, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience.
Overall, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Jupiter Banana switch leans towards a high-pitched and polished feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a more neutral and buttery experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, both switches can provide a satisfying and comfortable typing experience for users.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, along with a polished and creamy typing experience, the Jupiter Banana may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral sound profile with a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on which characteristics align more closely with your personal typing preferences and needs.
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