Gateron Melodic vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch are two popular options worth comparing. The Gateron Melodic is known for its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, offering a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback without sacrificing smoothness. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stands out for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience with a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. While the Melodic is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Resonant', 'Invigorating', and 'Crunchy', the Tourmaline Blue is described as 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Ultimately, each switch offers unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Melodic and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile when typing. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that creates a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the keyboard. However, the Melodic features a nylon bottom housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housings, maintaining a consistent sharp and clear sound profile throughout.
Despite the differences in their bottom housings, the Gateron Melodic and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both offer distinct sound profiles that result from their chosen materials. The Melodic's nylon bottom housing creates a rounder and duller sound when compared to the crisper sound produced by the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing. In terms of typing experience, the bottom housing plays a significant role in determining the feel and sound of bottoming out a key, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the combination of different housing materials in a switch can lead to a unique typing experience based on the distribution of these qualities.
Ultimately, while both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings, the Gateron Melodic and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue diverge in their choice of bottom housing material. The Melodic distinguishes itself with a nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper sound profile that contrasts with the sharper sound of the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing. However, both switches excel in providing a distinct sound and typing experience based on the properties of their respective housing materials. Whether it be the sharper, crisper sound of polycarbonate or the fuller sound of nylon, each switch offers a unique typing experience for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Melodic has a lower actuation force of None grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's slightly higher actuation force of 59 grams. Both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Melodic requiring 60 grams and the Tourmaline Blue needing 67 grams. The Melodic switch offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended use during work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a heavier push feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with lighter forces being more suitable for longer typing sessions and heavier forces providing a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches are equal and you can expect similar results in terms of keypress feel. The travel distance of these switches being the same emphasizes their similarities in keypress experience, making them both great options for those who prefer a consistent feel in their typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy experience, with a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp, reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a neutral sound profile that is moderate and suitable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron Melodic and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer a buttery typing experience, with a smooth and fluid keystroke feel that is seamless and effortless. The Melodic switch provides an invigorating typing sensation with pronounced feedback and moderate to firm actuation force, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance and minimal force required to activate the keys. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch falls into the mild category, providing a gentle typing experience that appeals to a wide range of users.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Melodic switch provides a more resonant and crunchy sound profile with an invigorating typing sensation, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a neutral sound profile and an easy-to-press typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Melodic clicky switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should take into account your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a resonant or crunchy sound profile with a buttery or invigorating typing feel, then the Gateron Melodic switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a neutral sound profile with a buttery, easy-to-press, or mild typing feel, then the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch could be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing needs.
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