Cherry MX Orange vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Orange and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Orange and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Cherry MX Orange, known for its revival of the legendary MX Orange switches, brings a refined linear feel that's both smooth and responsive, making it a top choice for gamers seeking a swift keystroke without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stands out with its unique deep and thocky sound profile, delivering an immersive typing experience complemented by a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. It strikes a balance between ease of use and enjoyment, appealing to a broader audience. While the MX Orange is ideal for those who prioritize speed and precision, the Tourmaline Blue captivates with its satisfying auditory feedback and comfortable keystroke. 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
55g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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 Cherry MX Orange and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches feature different housing materials that significantly influence their sound profiles. The MX Orange utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. This is attributed to nylon's softer characteristics, which allow it to absorb sound more effectively than harder plastics. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer material, contributes to a clearer and more resonant acoustic experience, making it particularly suitable for users who appreciate vibrant sound qualities in their mechanical keyboard switches.
Both switches employ different materials for their bottom housings, reinforcing the contrast in acoustics between the two. The MX Orange again uses nylon for its bottom housing, leading to a sound that remains consistent with its top housing’s characteristics—emitting a rich and rounded sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which enhances its overall sound profile with a crisp and sharp resonance. This differentiation in materials creates a unique auditory landscape for each switch; while the MX Orange’s sound is more subdued, the Tourmaline Blue offers a brighter, more pronounced typing experience.
Ultimately, these variances in housing materials between the two switches affect not only sound but also the overall typing experience. With the MX Orange, users can expect a consistent deep sound during both key presses and releases, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a marked differentiation between the bottoming-out sound and the release tone. For those looking for a clearer RGB lighting effect, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue is particularly advantageous. Thus, while both switches present distinct auditory signatures due to their varying materials, they cater to different preferences, creating unique typing experiences that highlight the importance of housing material in mechanical switch design.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry MX Orange linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cherry MX Orange requires a lighter actuation force of 55 grams, making it a preferable choice for those who seek a less strenuous typing experience, ideal for extended work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams, providing a more substantial push that could appeal to users who enjoy a firmer feel while typing. While the bottom out force for the MX Orange is not available, the Tourmaline Blue offers a bottom out force of 67 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This significant bottoming out force suggests that users may experience a more forceful response when pressing the key all the way down, further accentuating the heavier feel of the Tourmaline Blue. Overall, the Cherry MX Orange is the lighter option, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue delivers a heavier typing experience, making the choice between them dependent on personal preferences for weight and feedback.
Travel distance
The travel distance of both the Cherry MX Orange linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is identical, measuring at 4 mm. This similarity in travel distance means that users can expect a comparable tactile experience when pressing the keys on devices utilizing either switch. With both switches requiring the same amount of travel from top to bottom, they will deliver similar results in terms of key response and overall feel. Whether using the MX Orange or the Tourmaline Blue, users can enjoy the same travel distance, making them equally suitable for those who prefer a consistent and linear keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Orange has an MSRP of $4.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Orange for $3.89.
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 Cherry MX Orange switch does not have a defined profile provided, making it difficult to compare directly with the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. However, the Tourmaline Blue is noted for its deep and thocky sound, which creates an immersive typing experience. Given that sound characteristics can vary based on the keyboard construction and keycap materials, the MX Orange might also offer a distinct acoustic experience, potentially leaning towards a more neutral sound profile, but specific details are absent.
When it comes to feel, the Cherry MX Orange switch has no specific qualities outlined, leaving a void in evaluating its tactile feedback compared to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Tourmaline Blue switches excel with a buttery smooth keystroke, allowing for a seamless typing sensation. They require minimal effort to activate due to their light actuation force, making them comfortable for extended use and reducing finger fatigue. This easy-to-press feature coupled with their mild characteristics promises an enjoyable experience suitable for both beginners and seasoned users.
In conclusion, while the Cherry MX Orange switches may have unique qualities that are unlisted, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches stand out for their satisfying sound profile and comfortable feel. The Tourmaline Blue switches provide a fluid typing experience that many users find engaging and accessible, whereas the MX Orange remains somewhat of a mystery without detailed descriptions. Ultimately, for those seeking a reliable and enjoyable typing experience, both switches could cater to a similar audience, yet the distinct auditory and tactile traits of the Tourmaline Blue might appeal more to users looking for that specific acoustic immersion and responsive touch.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Cherry MX Orange and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a softer, more forgiving typing experience that accommodates long typing sessions with minimal finger fatigue, the Cherry MX Orange may be your best bet. Its design caters to a smooth and linear feel, making it an excellent option for those who dislike tactile feedback and prefer a quieter operation, as it blends seamlessly into various environments without drawing attention. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a switch that delivers a more pronounced auditory and tactile feedback, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue would shine for you. With its deep, thocky sound profile and balanced feel, it not only enhances your typing experience with a satisfying bounciness but also appeals to users who enjoy a mail-friendly sound without overwhelming noise. Overall, both switches cater to different preferences, so consider what aspects of typing matter most to you—whether it's the softness and quietness of the MX Orange or the engaging auditory feedback and tactile sensation of the Tourmaline Blue.
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