Cherry MX Red vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue both offer unique features and typing experiences. The MX Red is known for its slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience that combines responsiveness with a satisfying auditory depth. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. While the MX Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', and 'Textured', the Tourmaline Blue is labeled as 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral'. Depending on your preferences, you may lean towards the MX Red for its classic feel or the Tourmaline Blue for its unique bouncy sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Cherry MX Red Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$5.90

$4.00 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Cherry MX Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, we can see that both switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings. The MX Red features a nylon top and bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic absorbing more sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue uses a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile thanks to polycarbonate's stiffer nature. The difference in housing materials greatly influences the overall sound and feel of the switches, catering to different preferences in sound profile.

Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Cherry MX Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer distinct advantages based on their top and bottom housing compositions. The nylon bottom housing of the MX Red contributes to a duller and rounder sound upon bottom-out, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue provides a more resonant and crisp sound profile. On the other hand, the nylon top housing of the MX Red enhances the sound when releasing a key, giving it a fuller and deeper tone, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue creates a clearer and more pronounced sound upon key release. These differences highlight the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience of a switch.

In conclusion, the choice between the Cherry MX Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. While the MX Red offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon housing, the Tourmaline Blue provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate housing. Both switches have unique strengths based on their housing materials, showcasing how material selection can significantly impact the typing experience. Whether you prefer a softer, more absorbent sound or a stiffer, clearer tone, the housing materials of these switches play a crucial role in defining their overall sound profile.

Weight

The Cherry MX Red linear switch is lighter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch in terms of actuation force, with 45 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cherry MX Red has an unknown value while the Tourmaline Blue is rated at 67 grams. This means that the Tourmaline Blue requires a heavier force to fully press the keys compared to the Cherry MX Red. For those who prefer a lighter touch and are looking for a switch that allows for longer typing or gaming sessions without fatigue, the Cherry MX Red may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue could be the better option. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches provide users with options that cater to their specific preferences for typing and gaming experiences.

Travel distance

The Cherry MX Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that both switches provide a similar typing experience in terms of how far the keys travel when pressed. This allows for consistent tactile feedback and responsiveness while typing or gaming. Having the same travel distance ensures that users can expect similar results in terms of key actuation and overall performance when using either switch. Overall, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience with a satisfying feel, making them both reliable choices for keyboard enthusiasts.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Cherry MX Red switch is best described as having a thocky and low-pitched profile, producing a deep and satisfying sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is known for its neutral sound profile, offering a moderate tone that is suitable for a wide range of users. Both switches can provide a pleasing auditory experience, but the MX Red may appeal more to those who prefer a deeper and slightly heavier sound, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a more versatile and accessible option.

In terms of feel, the Cherry MX Red switch is known for its textured sensation, providing a slightly scratchy feel when pressed. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is often described as buttery, offering a smooth and easy-to-press keystroke that is gentle on the fingers. The Tourmaline Blue switch also falls into the category of mild switches, providing a more approachable typing experience for most users. While the MX Red may cater to those who enjoy a textured feel, the Tourmaline Blue excels in offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation.

Overall, the Cherry MX Red switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a deeper and slightly heavier sound with a textured feel, the MX Red may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a neutral sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch could be the ideal option. Regardless of your choice, both switches are reputable options in the mechanical keyboard community and will likely provide a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Cherry MX Red linear switch or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should opt for the MX Red if you prefer a slightly heftier feel and deeper sound profile, providing a robust typing experience with a thocky and low-pitched sound. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a bouncy feel and a balanced, medium-heavy spring weight, the Tourmaline Blue would be the better choice. The Tourmaline Blue offers a satisfying thocky sound profile that is deep and immersive, with a buttery, easy-to-press feel that is gentle and mild. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your preference for sound, feel, and the typing experience you desire.

Mentioned in this article

Cherry MX Red Linear

$5.90

$4.00 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more