Cherry MX Silent Red vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two popular options to consider. The MX Silent Red is a linear switch that offers a slightly heftier feel compared to the MX Red, but with the added benefit of operating silently. Known for its muted, thocky, low-pitched, and textured attributes, this switch is ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is also a linear switch that offers a deep and thocky sound profile, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. Categorized as buttery, easy-to-press, mild, and neutral, these switches provide a bouncy feel and a standard spring weight that makes them enjoyable for a wide range of users. 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
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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 housing materials of the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provide different sound profiles and typing experiences. The MX Silent Red features a nylon top and bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue uses a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile attributed to its stiffer plastic composition. The translucency of the polycarbonate housing also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic element to the typing experience.
While both the MX Silent Red and the Tourmaline Blue have distinct housing materials for their top and bottom, the qualities of each material contribute to the overall typing experience differently. The nylon bottom housing of the MX Silent Red affects the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, emphasizing a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue enhances the sharp and resonant sound when pressing down on keys. The difference in materials showcases how the top and bottom housings play a role in the overall sound and feel of each switch.
In terms of sound and feel, the differences between the nylon and polycarbonate housing materials of the MX Silent Red and the Tourmaline Blue provide a unique typing experience for users. While the MX Silent Red offers a softer and duller sound profile with its nylon housing, the Tourmaline Blue stands out with a sharper and clearer sound profile due to its polycarbonate material. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a crisper, higher-pitched sound, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Tourmaline Blue requires a heavier touch for both actuation and bottoming out compared to the Silent Red. The MX Silent Red has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and an unknown bottom out force, while the Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. This means that the Silent Red switch would be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, such as office work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch would be better suited for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. In general, the actuation and bottom out forces of a switch play a significant role in determining the typing experience and comfort level for the user, so it is essential to consider these factors when choosing a keyboard switch.
Travel distance
The Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Tourmaline Blue switch slightly longer in terms of travel distance compared to the MX Silent Red. The difference may not be significant, but for those who prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Tourmaline Blue switch may be the better option. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red switch's shorter travel distance may appeal to those who prioritize faster response times, such as gamers. Ultimately, both switches offer a smooth linear feel, but the slight variation in travel distance may cater to different preferences in key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 Silent Red offers a muted and low-pitched typing experience, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to other mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue provides a thocky and deep sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue is described as having a more neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the specific use case.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red is described as having a textured feel, providing a slightly heftier typing experience compared to the standard MX Red switch. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a buttery and easy-to-press typing sensation, with a bouncy feel provided by the lengthened single-stage spring. The mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue make it approachable to most users, offering a gentle typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended use.
Overall, both the Cherry MX Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The MX Silent Red excels in providing a quiet typing experience with its low-pitched sound profile, while the Tourmaline Blue stands out for its thocky sound and buttery feel. Both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, with the Cherry MX Silent Red being ideal for noise-sensitive environments and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue being accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of users. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Cherry MX Silent Red or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing environment. If you prioritize a silent typing experience and enjoy a slightly heftier feel, the MX Silent Red may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile with a balanced spring weight for a more bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch could be the ideal option. Both switches offer unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, so it's important to consider what matters most to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on your individual typing preferences and where you plan to use your keyboard.
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