Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stand out as noteworthy options. The Lightning Silver V3 displays a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a unique typing experience that is smooth and seamless. Its light diffuser adds a vibrant touch to any keyboard setup, making it visually appealing as well. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, giving users a satisfying and immersive typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches provide a bouncy feel with each keystroke. While the Lightning Silver V3 is categorized as clacky, high-pitched, silky and the Tourmaline Blue as buttery, easy-to-press, mild, and neutral, both switches have qualities that make them appealing choices for different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

Both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Everglide Tourmaline Blue feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings, which means that they will offer similar sound profiles and aesthetics. Polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, creates a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile that is resonant and clear. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through for a visually appealing effect.

While the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Everglide Tourmaline Blue share the same polycarbonate housing materials, the impact of each housing on the switch's overall sound profile can differ. The bottom housing of a switch, in this case, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3, will have more of an influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. Conversely, the top housing of a switch, such as the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, will have a greater impact on the sound produced when a key is released, providing a unique tactile experience for users.

In conclusion, the similarity in housing materials between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Everglide Tourmaline Blue ensures that both switches will deliver comparable sound profiles and aesthetics. The choice of polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings enables a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound that is clear and resonant. Whether it's the impact of the top or bottom housing on key press and release sounds, users can expect a consistent and satisfying experience with either of these switches.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that there are differences in both their actuation force and bottom out force. The Lightning Silver V3 has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams and a slightly lighter bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue provides a slightly more substantial typing experience compared to the Lightning Silver V3. Those who prefer a lighter typing feel may opt for the Lightning Silver V3, which is suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those who enjoy a more forceful push when typing may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. Both switches fall into the medium to medium-heavy category, ensuring that users will get consistent results regardless of which option they choose.

Travel distance

The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, which is shorter compared to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lightning Silver V3 offers a quicker response due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers seeking faster reactions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a more substantial depth when pressing down on the key, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is best described as clacky and high-pitched, offering a sharp and snappy sound that can be crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a deep and thocky sound profile which is immersive and satisfying. The Tourmaline Blue is more neutral in sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users, while the Lightning Silver V3 leans towards a more specific sharp and high-pitched sound preference. Depending on your preference for sound, the Lightning Silver V3 may appeal to those who enjoy a distinct typing sound, while the Tourmaline Blue may cater to those who prefer a more neutral and balanced sound experience.

In terms of feel, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a buttery and easy-to-press typing sensation, offering a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. The Tourmaline Blue switch also falls into a mild category, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. While the Lightning Silver V3 excels in providing a smooth and silky typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue offers a more fluid and easy-to-press experience, catering to those who prefer a lighter keypress and a buttery feel.

In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. Choosing between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound and typing feel, with the Lightning Silver V3 being ideal for those who enjoy a sharp and high-pitched sound with a silky feel, and the Tourmaline Blue being suitable for users who prefer a more neutral sound profile with a buttery and easy typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences in terms of sound and feel. If you are looking for a switch with a clacky, high-pitched sound and a silky smooth typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a deep, thocky sound profile and a bouncy, buttery feel, then the Tourmaline Blue could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what kind of typing experience you are seeking and what sounds and feels most appealing to you.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more