HMX Lotus vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the realm of mechanical keyboards, the HMX Lotus and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches stand out as popular choices among enthusiasts. The HMX Lotus, a linear switch, offers a medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bright, resonant sound, providing a super bouncy feeling that enhances every keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, also a linear switch, boasts a deep and thocky sound profile with a lengthened single-stage spring for a satisfying typing experience. While the Lotus excels in its lively and vibrant typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, catering to a wider range of users. 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
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue differ significantly in terms of the sound profile they produce. The Lotus, with its nylon top and bottom housing, offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softness of nylon, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top and bottom housing produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. While the Lotus offers a more subdued typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue provides a more vibrant and lively sound with each key press.
In addition to sound differences, the aesthetic appeal of the housing materials also sets the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue apart. The Lotus's nylon housing, though not transparent like the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate, offers a classic look and feel to the switches. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing allows for a clearer and more vibrant RGB lighting effect, making it a popular choice for those who prioritize visual aesthetics in their mechanical keyboards. While the Lotus may appeal to purists who appreciate a traditional and understated look, the Tourmaline Blue caters to those who seek a more modern and visually striking appearance.
Despite their differences, both the HMX Lotus and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue ultimately aim to enhance the overall typing experience for users. While the Lotus's nylon housing creates a softer and more muffled sound, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing delivers a sharper and clearer sound. Whether one prefers a more subdued or vibrant sound profile, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences and tastes. In the end, choosing between these two housing materials boils down to personal preference and the specific typing experience each individual seeks in their mechanical keyboard.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch reveals some interesting differences. The Lotus has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's heavier 59 grams. Similarly, the Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams while the Tourmaline Blue has a medium-heavy 67 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Lotus make it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch and potentially longer typing sessions, while the heavier forces of the Tourmaline Blue provide a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing force and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lotus offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for fast feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a deeper key press with its longer travel distance, which may be more comfortable for those who prefer a more substantial feeling when typing. Both switches offer unique benefits based on their travel distances, so choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
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
The HMX Lotus linear switch is best known for its bright and resonant sound profile, providing a super bouncy feeling with a medium weight of 50g bottom out. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses users in a satisfying typing experience, with a lengthened single-stage spring for a bouncy feel and a standard spring weight for accessibility. While the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, both switches offer unique auditory experiences that cater to different preferences.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Lotus linear switch provides a delightful and bouncy typing sensation, although specific descriptors are currently unknown. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a buttery and easy-to-press feel, with a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. The smooth and fluid keystroke experience of the Tourmaline Blue switch enhances typing comfort and minimizes finger fatigue during extended typing sessions, making it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the HMX Lotus and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer distinctive sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles. While the Lotus switch boasts a bright and resonant sound with a bouncy feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a deep and thocky sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and typing experience. However, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience and deliver optimal performance for users seeking high-quality mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should consider the weight of the bottom out force and the typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a lighter switch with a bouncy feel and bright sound, the Lotus may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a medium-heavy switch with a deep, thocky sound profile and a balanced typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it boils down to personal preference and what kind of typing experience you value most.
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