Cherry MX Brown vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, there are several factors to consider, such as typing experience, audio feedback, and overall feel. Two popular options in the market are the Cherry MX Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches. The MX Brown switches are renowned for their subtlety, offering a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues provide a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, they also provide a bouncy feel with each keystroke. While the MX Brown is categorized as textured, bassy, and low-pitched, the Tourmaline Blue is described as buttery, easy-to-press, mild, and neutral. Both switches strike a balance between different attributes, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Cherry MX Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches significantly differ, leading to distinct sound profiles. The Cherry MX Brown features a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both. The nylon housing of the MX Brown results in a deeper and fuller sound, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the polycarbonate housing of the Tourmaline Blue creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its relative stiffness. Moreover, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for the top housing of switches if RGB lighting is desired.
While there are notable differences between both switches, the MX Brown and Tourmaline Blue share some similarities in their housing materials as well. Both switches incorporate nylon in their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile when the keys are bottomed out. The nylon's softer plastic composition allows for increased sound absorption, resulting in a more muted and rounded sound. Similarly, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile. Thus, users can expect comparable results when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of both switches.
It's important to consider that the top and bottom housings play distinct roles in the overall sound and feel of a switch. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, whether it's nylon or polycarbonate, significantly impact the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing, whether nylon or polycarbonate, has a greater influence on the sound when a key is released. Therefore, users can expect variations in the sound profile depending on the housing material used for the top and bottom portions of the switch, ultimately contributing to a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The MX Brown has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams, making the MX Brown easier to trigger keystrokes. Similarly, the MX Brown has a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 67 grams, indicating that it requires less force to fully press down the key. This lighter weight of both the actuation and bottom out forces in the MX Brown is advantageous for those who prefer a softer touch or need to type for extended periods, such as in office settings or during long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's heavier actuation and bottom out forces provide a more substantial typing experience, favored by individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel when typing. In summary, while the MX Brown has a lighter actuation and bottom out force, the Tourmaline Blue offers a medium-heavy force, providing contrasting options for different preferences and needs.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have an equal travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Cherry MX Brown comes in at $4.00 per 10 switches.
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 Cherry MX Brown switches offer a subtle and gentle audio feedback. They have a relatively light typing experience with a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches provide a deep and thocky sound, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blues have a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the MX Brown switches have a textured or slightly scratchy feel when pressed. For some users, this slight friction is preferred, while others prefer a smoother typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a buttery and easy-to-press feel. They provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation with a mild characteristic. The Tourmaline Blues have a light actuation force, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
Considering all the available information, the Cherry MX Brown switches are known for their subtlety in both sound and feel. They offer a light typing experience with gentle tactility and subdued audio feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches provide a deep and thocky sound with a bouncy feel and easy actuation. While they have different sound and feel characteristics, both switches offer enjoyable typing experiences with accessible qualities. Whether you prefer a more muted and subtle experience with the MX Brown or a more immersive and bouncy feel with the Tourmaline Blue, you can achieve satisfying results with either switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on personal preference and the specific typing experience you're looking for.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and subtle typing experience with relatively light tactility and subdued audio feedback, the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch is the way to go. With its medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a comfortable typing feel without putting too much strain on your fingers. Moreover, the MX Brown switches offer a bassy and low-pitched sound profile during key presses, which can add a deeper and richer tone to your typing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more immersive and satisfying typing experience with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the perfect choice. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches strike a balance and are enjoyable for a wide range of users. The Tourmaline Blue switches feature a lengthened single-stage spring, providing a bouncy feel with each keystroke. They also offer a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and environments.
In terms of feel, the MX Brown switches have a textured characteristic that adds noticeable friction when pressed, which can be preferred by some users. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a buttery and easy-to-press experience, providing smooth and effortless keystrokes with minimal force required to activate. These switches offer a mild typing experience, striking a safe middle ground that most users will find approachable.
Ultimately, the choice between the Cherry MX Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch depends on your personal preferences and typing style. Consider factors such as typing force, sound profile, and typing feel to make an informed decision. Whether you prioritize subtlety and gentle tactility or seek a more immersive and satisfying typing experience, both switches have their unique advantages to enhance your overall typing experience.
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