TKC Kiwi vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

The TKC Kiwi and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer distinct features and advantages. The Kiwi is a tactile switch known for its medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press, providing an enhanced typing experience. It also offers a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, immersing users in a truly immersive typing sensation. Additionally, the Kiwi switches come lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch that offers a deep and thocky sound profile, making typing a satisfying experience. These switches feature a lengthened single-stage spring, providing a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make the best decision for your specific typing needs.

By the numbers

TKC Kiwi Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$8.00 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The TKC Kiwi and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue have different housing materials for both the top and bottom of the switch. The Kiwi utilizes UHWMPE for its top housing, while the Tourmaline Blue uses polycarbonate. These materials have distinct characteristics that affect the sound and feel of typing. The UHWMPE top housing of the Kiwi creates a bright sound signature with resonant clacks, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. Both materials are advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as the transparency of polycarbonate enhances its visual appeal. Overall, while the top housing of the Kiwi and Tourmaline Blue differ, they both provide similar results in delivering satisfying auditory experiences during typing.

The bottom housings of the TKC Kiwi and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also differ in material. The Kiwi incorporates UHWMPE for its bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue features polycarbonate. These materials influence the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. The UHWMPE bottom housing of the Kiwi contributes to its bright sound signature and resonant clacks. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue creates a more clear and resonant sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. Interestingly, polycarbonate is often used in switches with clear housings, making it visually appealing for those who prioritize aesthetics and RGB lighting. Although the bottom housing materials differ, they both add unique qualities to the typing experience.

When it comes to the sound upon releasing a key, the top housing material plays a more significant role. The Kiwi's UHWMPE top housing provides a distinctive sound when letting go of a key, contributing to the overall experience of using the switch. Similarly, the polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue impacts the sound profile when releasing a key, emphasizing the sharpness and clarity in the auditory response. While the top housing materials may vary, their influence on the sound when releasing a key remains consistent. Whether it is the Kiwi's UHWMPE or the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate, users can expect a satisfying sound when lifting their fingers off the keys.

Weight

When comparing the TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a noticeable difference in their actuation forces. The TKC Kiwi has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a higher force of 59 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that the Kiwi provides a lighter touch, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience or need to type for extended periods of time without experiencing fatigue. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue offers a stronger push feel due to its higher actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience. However, both switches have the same bottom out force of 67 grams, which indicates that once the keys are pressed all the way down, the resistance offered by both switches is equal. So, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a heavier force to activate, users can achieve similar results in terms of bottoming out. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences; those seeking a lighter touch may opt for the Kiwi, while those looking for a more robust typing experience might prefer the Tourmaline Blue.

Travel distance

The TKC Kiwi tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm travel distance from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a satisfactory tactile experience with their equal travel distances.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TKC Kiwi tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. Low-pitched switches tend to have a bass-heavy and mellow tone, creating a soothing typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue also has a neutral sound profile, providing a moderate sound that is suitable for various uses. It's important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps you choose.

In terms of feel, the TKC Kiwi switch offers a stepped, accented, and polished experience. Stepped switches provide a two-stage tactile feel, offering some pre-travel and post-travel sensation. Accented switches, on the other hand, provide a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The polished nature of the Kiwi switch ensures smooth and refined key travel, minimizing friction and resulting in a sleek typing experience.

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, in comparison, has a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel. Butter switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, ensuring effortless and uniform typing. Easy-to-press switches require minimal force to activate, reducing finger fatigue and providing comfort during extended typing sessions. With a mild feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.

Overall, both switches have their unique qualities. The TKC Kiwi tactile switch offers a medium-strong bump, a satisfyingly snappy sound profile, and a smooth typing experience thanks to factory lubing. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile, a bouncy feel with each keystroke, and a standard spring weight suitable for a wide range of users.

If you're looking for a tactile switch with a soothing and mellow sound, as well as a stepped and polished feel, the TKC Kiwi would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound, a buttery and easy-to-press feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue would be a suitable option. Both switches provide an immersive typing experience, and depending on your preference, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking for a tactile switch that enhances your typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump, the TKC Kiwi switch would be a great choice. It offers a satisfyingly snappy sound profile and a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Kiwi switch is also described as having a low-pitched sound profile, which gives it a bass-heavy and mellow tone.

On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch would be a better option. It has a lengthened single-stage spring, which provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users.

Both switches have a bottom out force of 67 grams, making them medium-heavy switches. They also both have a neutral sound profile, which means they are suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work.

In terms of feel, the TKC Kiwi switch is described as having a stepped and accented feel, with a polished finish that results in a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal force required for activation.

Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer a tactile switch with a more pronounced bump and a low-pitched sound profile, the TKC Kiwi switch would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep and thocky sound profile and a smooth and effortless typing feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch would be the ideal option. Both switches offer unique typing experiences and can enhance your overall typing performance.

Mentioned in this article

TKC Kiwi Tactile

$8.00 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more