Durock Koala vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Koala tactile switch to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, distinct differences cater to different preferences. The Koalas are a tactile switch known for their stepped tactility, providing a satisfying bump without being too overwhelming. They are characterized by their polished, low-pitched, accented, neutral, stepped, and stiff qualities, offering a punchy keystroke with a bit of resonance. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue linear switch is praised for its deep and thocky sound profile, creating a smooth typing experience with a bouncy feel. They are described as buttery, easy to press, mild, and neutral, striking a balance with their standard spring weight. While both switches have their unique qualities, the Koala and Tourmaline Blue cater to different preferences in terms of tactility and sound. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can make the best decision on the switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Durock Koala and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue use polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal material for those looking for a more precise typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a touch of customization to the switches.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Koala features a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. This can provide a more muted and rounder sound compared to the crisper sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which maintains the sharp and clear sound profile associated with polycarbonate, ensuring consistency in sound throughout the switch.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Koala and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue will depend on personal preference for sound profile. The Koala offers a contrast between the deeper, fuller sound of its nylon bottom housing and the sharper sound of its polycarbonate top housing, providing a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue maintains a consistent crisp and clear sound profile throughout, with both the top and bottom housing contributing to this quality. Both switches offer high-quality materials that cater to different sound preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts.
Weight
The Durock Koala tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a bottom out force of 67 grams, making them both medium-heavy switches in terms of the force required to fully press the key. However, the Koala has an actuation force of None grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue requires a slightly lighter initial force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Koala. When it comes to weight preference, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue, while those who prefer a more substantial push feel may opt for the Koala. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar bottom out force, so regardless of the slight difference in actuation force, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of resistance when fully pressing the keys.
Travel distance
The Durock Koala tactile switch and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. This can result in a similar typing experience in terms of how deep the keys feel when actuated. Overall, both switches offer a consistent amount of travel distance, providing a satisfying typing feel for users who prefer a moderate key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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 Durock Koala offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, providing a mellower tone that is suitable for a wide range of users. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also offers a neutral sound profile that is moderate and enjoyable, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Both switches offer a balanced sound experience that is not overly loud, providing a satisfying typing experience without being disruptive.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Koala switch is described as polished, accented, stepped, and stiff, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with a moderate amount of tactility. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue, on the other hand, is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a gentle and effortless typing sensation with minimal resistance. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with their own unique characteristics, catering to different preferences.
In conclusion, the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Koala provides a more pronounced tactile feel with a low-pitched sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue offers a smooth and buttery typing experience with a gentle sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile feedback and sound preferences, but both switches promise a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your preference for keyboard feel and sound. If you enjoy a polished, accented, and stiff typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Koala may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing experience with a neutral sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to weigh your priorities in terms of typing feel and sound when making a decision between the two.
Mentioned in this article
