Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are both linear switches that offer a unique typing experience. The Milky Yellow Pro is widely recognized as a classic budget switch, loved for its smoothness and thick resistance. Its low, "thocky" sound adds to its appeal, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue stands out with its deep and thocky sound profile, providing an immersive typing experience. The lengthened single-stage spring in the Tourmaline Blue offers a bouncy feel with each keystroke, while maintaining an easy-to-press and mild actuation. Both switches have their strengths and cater to different preferences, but let's take a deeper look beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
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
Nylon
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 Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue differ in their housing materials, with the former utilizing nylon for both the top and bottom housing, while the latter incorporates polycarbonate for both components. The nylon top housing of the Milky Yellow Pro contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound due to its stiffer nature, ensuring a clearer and more resonant sound profile. Additionally, the polycarbonate material allows for the inclusion of RGB lighting, making it aesthetically appealing. Although these switches differ in their top housing material, they both exhibit similar results of enhancing the sound experience.
The nylon bottom housing of the Milky Yellow Pro shares similar characteristics with its top housing counterpart, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound due to its softer plastic composition. Conversely, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic nature. Similar to the top housing, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate material enables compatibility with RGB lighting setups, offering visually appealing options. Although the bottom housing materials differ between these switches, they both enhance the sound experience by shaping the bottom-out sound and feel during key presses.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housings on the switch, it is noticeable that the qualities of the bottom housing affect the bottom-out sound and feel. As the bottom housing is typically associated with the physical pressing of the switch, its characteristics play a significant role in shaping the sensation and sound generated when a key is fully pressed. Conversely, the top housing has more influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. By understanding the division of qualities between the top and bottom housings, users can determine the desired sound profile and tactile experience based on the specific attributes of each housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches, there are noticeable differences. The Milky Yellow Pro has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a slightly heavier force of 59 grams to trigger a keystroke. This means that those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing periods or extended gaming sessions might lean towards the Milky Yellow Pro.
On the other hand, when it comes to bottom out force, the Milky Yellow Pro requires 62 grams, whereas the Tourmaline Blue demands 67 grams. Therefore, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push, the Tourmaline Blue would be the better choice.
Although the actuation force and bottom out force are not identical between these two switches, they both fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. This suggests that while the results might not be exactly the same, users can expect a similar level of responsiveness and feedback from both switches. Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue will come down to personal preference regarding the desired level of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have an equal travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches travel the same distance from the top to the bottom, resulting in a similar tactile experience when pressing down on a key. Therefore, whether you choose the Milky Yellow Pro or the Tourmaline Blue, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) has an MSRP of $2.33 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) for $2.30.
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 Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is best described as bassy, low-pitched, and thocky. These switches produce a deep and rich sound during key presses, resembling a bass-heavy and mellow tone. The resulting sound is satisfying and provides a sense of depth and richness. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a neutral sound profile. It has a moderate sound with no specific emphasis on bass or higher frequencies. The sound of both switches is influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used. While they differ in sound profile, both switches offer enjoyable auditory experiences.
In terms of feel, both the Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) and the Tourmaline Blue are described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. This means that typing on either switch feels effortless, seamless, and uniform. The Milky Yellow Pro is also described as possibly having a textured feel, which means it might offer noticeable friction when pressed. This can be a personal preference, with some users enjoying the slight texture and others preferring a smoother, friction-free experience. The Tourmaline Blue, on the other hand, is described as easy-to-press and mild. It offers gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions.
Overall, both switches have their unique subjective qualities. The Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) excels in low-pitched, thocky sound and possibly offers a textured feel. It is a classic budget switch that performs well in gaming and typing scenarios. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provides a neutral sound profile and a buttery, easy-to-press feel. It strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it accessible to a wide range of users. If you are looking for a deep, rich sound and thicker resistance, the Milky Yellow Pro would be a suitable choice. If you prefer a neutral sound and a gentle, low-impact typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue would be a good fit. Both switches deliver satisfying typing experiences, and depending on your preferences, you can achieve similar results with either one.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly all-purpose switch with a satisfyingly thick resistance and a low, "thocky" sound, the Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (KS-3) is a great choice. It excels in both gaming and typing and is widely popular among budget enthusiasts. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy feel and a standard spring weight, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is a suitable option. It strikes a balance and is enjoyable for a wide range of users. In terms of sound, the Milky Yellow Pro offers a bassy, low-pitched, and thocky sound, while the Tourmaline Blue has a neutral sound profile. As for feel, both switches are described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The Tourmaline Blue also offers an easy-to-press and mild typing experience, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, it depends on your preferences and priorities, as both switches have their merits.
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