Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stand out as two exceptional options. The NovelKeys Blueberry is renowned for its sharp tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback. Additionally, its lower-than-average sound frequency adds to its appeal without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a truly gratifying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with every keystroke. Furthermore, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, catering to a wide range of users. While these general observations offer valuable insights, it's important to delve deeper into the specifics to determine which switch best suits your individual preferences and needs.

By the numbers

Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.50

$6.25 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in terms of their sound profiles and aesthetic properties. The NovelKeys Blueberry features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and relatively more muted sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the switch.

Similarly, the bottom housings of these switches also vary in terms of sound output. The POM bottom housing of the NovelKeys Blueberry contributes to a deep and more muted sound profile. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. By using different housing materials for the top and bottom, each switch achieves a unique sound experience when the key is pressed down, with the bottom housing primarily influencing the bottom-out sound and feel.

However, despite these differences, both switches share similarities in their housing materials. The use of POM and polycarbonate provides a clear and resonant sound profile, with both materials offering unique qualities to enhance the overall sound experience. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is beneficial for incorporating RGB lighting, making it a desirable choice for those who wish to customize their keyboard's illumination.

In summary, the housing materials of the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches bring distinct sound profiles and aesthetic qualities to the keyboarding experience. While the NovelKeys Blueberry's POM housing creates a deeper and more muted sound, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing generates a sharper and crisper sound. Each housing material has its own benefits, with polycarbonate being particularly advantageous for RGB lighting. Despite these differences, both switches utilize their housing materials to deliver clear and resonant sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, some notable differences arise. The NovelKeys Blueberry has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's slightly heavier 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the NovelKeys Blueberry proves to be significantly heavier with a force of 80 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue measures a medium-heavy 67 grams.

The contrasting forces between the two switches cater to different preferences and typing experiences. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or extended gaming may find the NovelKeys Blueberry more suitable due to its lower actuation force. This lighter force allows for a less strenuous typing and gaming experience, ideal for those who require prolonged keyboard usage.

On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a more substantial and pronounced keystroke, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue would be a better option. With its slightly heavier actuation force and lower bottom out force, this switch provides a stronger push feel, resulting in a more tactile typing experience.

It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, they both provide similar results in terms of the variation in force required for keystrokes. However, the NovelKeys Blueberry offers a lighter actuation force than the Tourmaline Blue, making it the more suitable choice for those seeking a lighter typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a more substantial typing feel with its heavier actuation force.

Travel distance

The Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar experience in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. Whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch, you can expect to have the same travel distance with either the NovelKeys Blueberry or the Tourmaline Blue. This is beneficial for those who are looking for consistency in their typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch is best known for its sharp tactile bump, providing a typing feel that is favored by individuals who enjoy a more pronounced feedback. When typing on these switches, you can expect a lower-than-average sound frequency, which is slightly deeper but not "thocky." On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is known for its deep and thocky sound profile. Immersing you in a satisfying typing experience, these switches offer a bouncy feel with each keystroke, thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users.

In terms of sound, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch has a low-pitched sound profile. Low-pitched switches typically feature a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The sound profile of the NovelKeys Blueberry is clean and sharp, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as neutral. Neutral switches have a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you are using them at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry switch is described as snappy, indicating that it is super responsive. This responsiveness is achieved through longer or dual-staged springs, providing a typing experience that feels more alive. Additionally, the NovelKeys Blueberry switch is also described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. With these switches, you can expect a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Some users may prefer the slightly textured or scratchy feel of these switches, while others may prefer a smoother, friction-free typing experience. Overall, the NovelKeys Blueberry switch offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel.

On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch also provides a buttery and smooth keystroke experience. These switches offer a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation similar to the NovelKeys Blueberries. The Tourmaline Blue switches are easy to press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable while reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, the Tourmaline Blue switches provide a responsive and low-impact typing feel. They fall into a middle ground in terms of feel, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.

In conclusion, the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. The NovelKeys Blueberry provides a sharp and tactile typing experience with a lower-than-average sound frequency. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy and easy-to-press typing feel. Both switches offer a buttery and smooth keystroke experience, making them suitable for users who value a seamless and responsive typing sensation. Overall, the decision between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and the specific typing experience desired.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when deciding between the Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs.

If you love a sharp and responsive typing feel with a lower-than-average sound frequency, then the NovelKeys Blueberry is the switch for you. With its heavy bottom-out force of 80 grams and a sharp tactile bump, it provides a satisfying and invigorating typing experience. However, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel, the Tourmaline Blue might be the better choice. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams and a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches strike a balance between accessibility and enjoyment for a wide range of users.

In terms of sound, the NovelKeys Blueberry offers a low-pitched sound profile, while the Tourmaline Blue has a neutral sound profile. The NovelKeys Blueberry provides a mellow and bass-heavy tone, while the Tourmaline Blue delivers a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes.

In terms of feel, the NovelKeys Blueberry offers a snappy, buttery, textured, invigorating, and stiff typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing sensation. Both switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with different levels of resistance.

Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a sharp typing feel and a lower-pitched sound (NovelKeys Blueberry) or a deep and thocky sound with a bouncy feel (Tourmaline Blue). Consider your typing style, preferences, and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. By taking these factors into account, you'll be able to choose the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh NovelKeys Blueberry Tactile

$6.50

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more