Gateron Jupiter Brown vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers compelling qualities for different typing preferences. The Jupiter Brown, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its blend of traditional keystroke feel and modern design, characterized by a medium-heavy weight and a single-stage spring that delivers a responsive touch with each stroke. Users who appreciate a tactile bump will find the Jupiter Brown provides a satisfying typing experience, enhanced by high-precision molds and softer backlight effects. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, known for its linear characteristics, presents a distinct typing sensation with its lengthened spring and "thocky" sound profile, creating an engaging auditory backdrop as you type. The Tourmaline Blue is designed for a smooth, bouncy feel that appeals to users seeking both comfort and an enjoyable typing rhythm without the tactile feedback of its counterpart. Each switch caters to different user preferences: if you gravitate towards tactile feedback, the Jupiter Brown may be your ideal choice, while those who prefer a fluid and quiet experience might lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$2.80 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature polycarbonate top housings, lending each switch a similar sound profile characterized by a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper tone. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which resonates more clearly than softer plastics. Furthermore, both switches possess a translucent quality that makes them ideal for RGB lighting setups, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a keyboard. Therefore, using these switches in a backlit keyboard will yield a similar vibrant glow and visual effect, allowing users to enjoy the stunning interplay of light regardless of which switch they choose.

In stark contrast, the bottom housing materials differ significantly between the two switches. The Jupiter Brown utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a classic switch material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This quality allows the switch to absorb more sound, resulting in a "duller" and rounder bottom-out sound. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which, like its top housing, contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile. This discrepancy in bottom housing materials means that the Jupiter Brown will produce a more muted sound when bottomed out, while the Tourmaline Blue will maintain a bright and crisp sound consistent with its entire polycarbonate structure.

Ultimately, the differing sound characteristics of the top and bottom housings of each switch will yield unique typing experiences. The Jupiter Brown's nylon bottom housing provides a more subdued sound signature, which can be preferable for those seeking a quieter keystroke. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, with its fully polycarbonate construction, maintains a consistent clarity from top to bottom, enhancing its brightness during both keystrokes and release. When pressing and releasing these switches, the Jupiter Brown's softer bottom will lead to a more rounded auditory experience, while the Tourmaline Blue will provide an unyielding crispness throughout its operation. These contrasting materials illustrate how a switch's performance can be shaped by the nuanced effects of housing composition.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are notable differences and similarities in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Jupiter Brown requires an actuation force of 55 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue slightly exceeds this with an actuation force of 59 grams, making the Blue switch the heavier of the two in terms of actuation pressure. However, when it comes to bottom out forces, the Jupiter Brown has a higher value at 70 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 67 grams, indicating that the Blue switch bottoms out with less force than the Brown. For users who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Jupiter Brown may be the preferable choice due to its lower actuation force, while those who enjoy a firmer feel may appreciate the Tourmaline Blue's slightly higher actuation force, although it still boasts a forgiving bottom out pressure. Overall, while both switches are classified as medium-heavy, they cater to different tactile preferences based on actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both feature an identical travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that users will experience the same keypress depth when using either switch. This similarity in travel distance translates to comparable typing experiences, as both switches require the same amount of effort to bottom out. Since they share this characteristic, users can expect similar feedback and responsiveness when pressing down on keys equipped with these switches, making them suitable options for those who prefer a consistent tactile feel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Brown is positioned as a more traditional tactile switch, which likely produces a distinctive but not overly loud acoustics characteristic of tactile switches. This can create a pleasant typing experience suited for both casual and professional environments. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue, on the other hand, is renowned for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. This sound profile tends to be more immersive, creating a soundscape that many users find enjoyable. While the Jupiter Brown's sound is described as moderate, the Tourmaline Blue’s thockiness adds a layer of richness that may appeal to users who prioritize auditory satisfaction in their typing experience.

When it comes to feel, the Gateron Jupiter Brown features a mild, polished, and stepped design. The mildness offers a gentler keystroke experience, while the polished finish ensures smooth key travel, reducing friction. The stepped nature of the switch provides a two-stage feedback that is noticeable without being intrusive, allowing for a refined and classic typing motion. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue excels in delivering a buttery feel, characterized by an effortless and uniform typing experience. It is also noted for being easy to press with minimal resistance, making it suitable for extended typing sessions. Despite its linear nature, which typically lacks tactile feedback, the Tourmaline Blue still possesses a mild quality that aligns with the Jupiter Brown in terms of approachability.

In summary, the Gateron Jupiter Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches cater to slightly different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. While the Jupiter Brown focuses on a blend of tradition and tactile feedback with a polished feel, making it versatile and classic, the Tourmaline Blue shines with its deep sound profile and effortless typing sensation, appealing to those who enjoy a smooth and immersive experience. Both switches share a mild characteristic, ensuring they remain accessible and comfortable for a wide array of users, despite their distinct soundscapes and tactile qualities.

Conclusion

To sum up, selecting between the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch hinges on your personal preferences and typing style. If you appreciate a rich tactile feedback coupled with a more traditional keystroke experience, the Jupiter Brown may be your best choice. Its higher actuation force and unique stepped feel provide a mild yet polished typing environment, making it suitable for those who enjoy a more deliberate typing experience or who are often engaged in typing tasks that benefit from tactile confirmation. On the other hand, if you lean towards a smoother and more fluid feeling when typing, the Tourmaline Blue could be the right fit for you. Its buttery sound and easier keystroke activation make it an excellent choice for prolonged typing sessions, especially if you prioritize comfort and a somewhat softer touch. Ultimately, whether you decide on the tactile assurance of the Jupiter Browns or the seamless glide of the Tourmaline Blues comes down to your typing habits and the atmosphere you wish to create, whether it’s a classic feel or a modern user experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Jupiter Brown Tactile

$2.80 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more