HMX Macchiato vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the HMX Macchiato and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two intriguing options to consider are the HMX Macchiato and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both of which offer distinct characteristics catered to different typing preferences. The HMX Macchiato, crafted by YG Studio, stands out for its silky smooth keystrokes and bright sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize a fluid typing experience with a notable auditory feedback. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue delivers a deep and thocky sound, complemented by a lengthened single-stage spring that provides a bouncy feel with each press. This switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it approachable and enjoyable for a broad audience. While the Macchiato emphasizes a smooth and sharp feedback, the Tourmaline Blue offers a more textured auditory experience, appealing to different preferences in typing sensation. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
POK
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
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Macchiato and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, the differences in sound profiles generated by their respective materials are evident. The Macchiato utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, a classic choice that offers a deeper, fuller sound. Nylon’s softer nature helps absorb sound, leading to a more muted auditory experience that is cozy and warm. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue employs polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing, known for its rigidity and translucence. This choice creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, allowing for a more resonant typing experience. Thus, users can expect to hear a notable contrast between the mellow tones of the Macchiato and the bright clarity of the Tourmaline Blue when typing.
A deeper exploration of the bottom housing reveals that the materials play a significant role in the overall feel and sound of each switch. The Macchiato’s nylon bottom housing continues the theme of producing a fuller sound that is consistent with its top housing, creating a cohesive auditory signature. This allows for a sound experience that is smooth and consistent across keystrokes. In stark contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing reinforces that higher-pitched resonance, leading to a typing experience that feels more pronounced and dynamic. The differing compositions here suggest that while the Macchiato creates a unified warmth, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue thrives on crispness and clarity, providing distinct sound experiences based on their housing materials.
Despite the differences, the presence of nylon in the Macchiato and polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue emphasizes how switching between these materials impacts the overall typing experience. If you were to hypothetically hybridize these materials—balancing nylon’s sound absorption with polycarbonate’s clarity—you could achieve a versatile auditory profile that taps into the strengths of both plastics. This mix could potentially result in a switch that delivers a sound experience that is both warm and bright, echoing the characteristics of both the Macchiato and the Tourmaline Blue while also enabling similar results in terms of functionality and user experience. Ultimately, the choice of materials significantly influences the typing dynamics, which is foundational in determining user preference for either switch.
Weight
The HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct experiences in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Macchiato features a light actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it reduces fatigue for users who prefer a lighter touch. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, appealing to those who favor a more substantial typing experience. This difference indicates that the Macchiato is the lighter option, while the Tourmaline Blue is the heavier switch. Ultimately, users looking for a comfortable and less strenuous typing experience should lean towards the Macchiato, whereas those who appreciate a firmer push might prefer the Tourmaline Blue.
Travel distance
Both the HMX Macchiato linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch share the same travel distance of 4 mm. This equal distance means that users can expect a similar experience in terms of the length of key travel when pressing down on either switch. The consistency in travel distance can lead to a comparable tactile response and actuation feeling, making both options suitable for those who prefer a linear switch with a uniform key press. Therefore, whether one chooses the Macchiato or the Tourmaline Blue, they will achieve similar results in key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Macchiato has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Macchiato 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
In terms of sound, the HMX Macchiato linear switch is known for its bright sound profile, creating an engaging auditory experience that can be characterized as lively and uplifting. This quality can make typing feel more dynamic and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch features a deep and thocky sound that immerses the user in a satisfying typing ambiance. This auditory characteristic tends to lend itself to a more substantial acoustic feedback, contrasting with the brighter tone of the Macchiato and appealing to users who favor a more resonant sound. Both sound profiles contribute to the overall typing experience, but they cater to different auditory preferences.
When it comes to feel, the Macchiato linear switch is best known for its silky smooth typing experience, suggesting a premium and consistent keystroke without any friction. Users can expect a seamless action, enhancing comfort during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a buttery feel characterized by a smooth and fluid keystroke, combined with an easy-to-press actuation that requires minimal effort. This makes the Tourmaline Blue particularly user-friendly, appealing to both beginners and experienced typists alike. The combination of a bouncy feel from its lengthened single-stage spring adds an extra layer of satisfaction with each keystroke. While the two switches offer enjoyable experiences, their distinct feels cater to different typing preferences.
In conclusion, while both the HMX Macchiato and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches are designed to provide a pleasurable typing experience, they do so in notably different ways. The Macchiato is ideal for users seeking a bright auditory profile with a smooth feel, making it great for an engaging yet subtle experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue shines with its deep sound and bouncy, easy-to-press action, offering a comforting typing sensation that appeals widely. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prefer a lively or more resonant sound matched with a silky or buttery feel during typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, the decision of whether to choose the HMX Macchiato linear switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch boils down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prioritize a buttery smooth typing experience with a lighter actuation force, the Macchiato is an excellent choice, providing a silky feel that minimizes finger fatigue, making it perfect for extended typing sessions or casual use. Its bright sound profile can enhance your enjoyment, especially if you like a more lively audio feedback while typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial key press and a deeper, thocky sound, the Tourmaline Blue is likely to suit you better. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force, it offers a bouncy and satisfying feel, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate tactile feedback in their typing. Its balanced characteristics make it adaptable, whether you’re typing at home or in the office. Ultimately, both switches bring unique qualities to the table, so consider how you typically type and what auditory experience you seek when making your choice.
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