Gateron Magnetic Jade vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Gateron Magnetic Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue comes down to personal preference and the type of typing experience you're seeking. The Magnetic Jade, a hall effect switch, is renowned for its bright and clacky sound profile, making it an excellent upgrade for Wooting Hall Effect keyboards. Its unique design enhances acoustics and provides a superior typing experience that can be particularly appealing to sound enthusiasts and gamers wanting to amplify their auditory feedback. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch known for its deep, thocky sound, which creates an immersive typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it delivers a bouncy feel with each keystroke while offering a neutral resistance that makes it enjoyable and accessible to many users. Both switches are designed to enhance your overall experience, but they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$8.00 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Magnetic Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, it is evident that the two switches share a similar top housing material, as both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This commonality results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to polycarbonate's stiffer characteristics. The translucent nature of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of both switches, making them especially compatible with RGB lighting setups. As a result, users can expect a similar visual experience when using these switches, with vibrant lighting effects that illuminate the keycaps and provide an engaging typing experience.

In contrast, the bottom housing materials diverge significantly between the two switches. The Magnetic Jade employs nylon for its bottom housing, known for its sound-absorbing properties, which produce a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This contrasts with the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing, which retains the same crispness found in its top housing. Consequently, the sound and feel of these switches will differ during typing; the nylon of the Magnetic Jade will provide a more muted auditory feedback, while the Tourmaline Blue will maintain a consistent higher-pitched tone throughout.

Ultimately, the overall typing experience offered by both switches will reflect the varied characteristics of their bottom housings. The Magnetic Jade's nylon bottom housing enhances the feel and sound profile as the key bottoms out, creating a rounder typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue retains the sharper, clearer sound profile facilitated by its polycarbonate bottom housing, resulting in a more consistent auditory feedback. Together, these differences will impact how the switches behave when in use, yielding distinctive auditory and tactile sensations that cater to various user preferences.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a clear distinction in both actuation and bottom out forces that affects the typing experience. The Magnetic Jade features a lighter actuation force of 30 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer touch and can type for extended periods without fatigue. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a significantly heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, catering to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and prefer the tactile feedback of a stronger push. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch that allows for lighter, effortless typing, the Magnetic Jade is the better choice, whereas the Tourmaline Blue is ideal for those who appreciate a firmer keystroke.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Magnetic Jade hall effect switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a discernible difference between the two. The Magnetic Jade boasts a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it the shorter option, while the Tourmaline Blue features a travel distance of 4 mm, which is longer and aligns more closely with traditional preferences. This difference means that users of the Magnetic Jade may experience a quicker, more responsive keypress, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking rapid reaction times. Conversely, the greater travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing, as it offers a heartier depth. Thus, your choice between these two switches will largely depend on your personal preference for keypress responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Magnetic Jade switches stand out with their bright and clacky tone, making them an excellent choice for users looking for dynamic acoustics during their typing sessions. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches deliver a deeper, thocky sound profile that provides an immersive experience. This characteristic is likely to resonate well with users who prefer a more muted, bass-heavy auditory feedback as opposed to the higher-pitched clacks of the Magnetic Jade. While both switches offer distinct auditory experiences, the choice between them should consider the desired workplace environment and personal sound preferences, as factors such as keyboard construction and keycap materials can also affect how each switch sounds.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Magnetic Jade switches offer an unspecified tactile sensation, making it difficult to directly compare them with the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, which have a buttery smoothness that promotes fluid keystrokes. The Tourmaline Blue switches also feature an easy-to-press mechanism that reduces the effort needed for activation, making them suitable for prolonged typing sessions without causing finger fatigue. Their mild characteristics create an approachable option for most users, striking a balance that doesn’t overwhelm the typist. Without specific details about the feel of the Magnetic Jade, it remains unclear how it compares, but it could possibly complement a range of typing styles depending on its undetermined qualities.

In summary, both the Gateron Magnetic Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have their unique strengths regarding sound and feel. The Magnetic Jade leans toward a bright sound that can elevate typing acoustics, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a deeper tone and a smoother typing experience that reduces fatigue. If you prefer a more clacky sound, the Magnetic Jade may be your go-to, whereas if you seek a deeper thock with a buttery tactile feel, the Tourmaline Blue could be the better choice. Ultimately, the ideal switch will depend on personal preference and how each switch integrates into the overall typing environment.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Gateron Magnetic Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches, you should consider the specific typing experience you desire. If you appreciate a lighter actuation force and a bright, clacky sound that enhances your typing acoustics, the Magnetic Jade is a clear choice. It's perfect for users who want an engaging feedback and a superior experience, especially on setups like the Wooting Hall Effect keyboard. On the other hand, if you're looking for a deeper, thocky sound with a more substantial keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue will suit your needs better. Its medium-heavy actuation, combined with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, makes for a comfortable and immersive typing experience that minimizes fatigue over long sessions. Ultimately, both switches possess unique qualities; your choice should align with your personal preferences regarding sound and typing feel to ensure you enjoy the best possible experience on your mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Magnetic Jade Hall Effect

$8.00 per 10

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Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more