KTT Orange vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the KTT Orange and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Orange and Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique typing experiences. The KTT Orange switches are renowned for their bouncy feel, thanks to the 22mm long spring. With a polycarbonate milky top housing, long pole POM stem, and vibrant orange nylon bottom housing, these switches provide a frictionless typing experience and emit a low-pitched sound. The factory-lubing ensures smooth and refined key travel, minimizing friction. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blues offer a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, they offer a bouncy feel with each keystroke. These switches strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. So, whether you prefer the bouncy and frictionless nature of the KTT Orange or the thocky and easy-to-press qualities of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, there is a switch that will suit your typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that is ideal for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
46g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Orange and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are both made of polycarbonate for both the top and bottom housing. This means that they share similar qualities when it comes to sound profile and aesthetics. Polycarbonate is known to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer plastic composition. This leads to a more clear and resonant sound when typing on these switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through and create visually stunning effects.
One key difference between the two housing materials is the color. While both are made of polycarbonate, the KTT Orange features a distinctive orange color, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has a blue color. This difference in color may appeal to different aesthetics and personal preferences. However, in terms of functionality, the housing materials of both switches will deliver similar results in terms of sound profile and typing experience.
When it comes to the impact on sound and feel, the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on a key. This means that the qualities of polycarbonate as a housing material will be more pronounced in the bottom housing, contributing to the overall sound and tactile feedback when typing. On the other hand, the top housing will have more influence on the sound when you release a key, creating a distinct sound profile that is crisp and resonant. The use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housings ensures a consistent and satisfying typing experience on both the KTT Orange and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Orange linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable differences in weight. The Orange switch has a lighter actuation force of 46 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, making it a medium-light option. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, positioning it as a medium-heavy choice.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Orange switch would be a suitable option. Its lower actuation force allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. In comparison, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier forces. This may appeal to individuals who prefer a more tactile and pronounced keystroke.
While the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, it's important to note that both provide similar results within their respective weight categories. Those who appreciate lighter switches can achieve satisfying typing performance with the Orange switch, while individuals seeking a more robust and forceful keystroke can find it in the Tourmaline Blue switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The KTT Orange linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have different travel distances. The Orange has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Orange switch provides a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Tourmaline Blue switch. A 3.5 mm travel distance falls on the shallower side of switch travel distances, making it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a slightly deeper travel distance of 4 mm, which may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced key press feel. Both switches cater to different preferences in terms of travel distance, allowing users to choose the option that best suits their desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Orange has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Orange 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
The KTT Orange switch is best known for its low-pitched sound profile, which features a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This provides a pleasant and calming typing experience. In terms of feel, the Orange switch offers a bouncy sensation with each keystroke, providing a spring-like and elastic feedback. The keys have a lively feel, giving you rebound when pressed. Additionally, the Orange switch is frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. The switch's excellent factory-lubing ensures a refined and fluid key travel, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction.
On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch has a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound level and actuation force requirement. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. In terms of feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch provides a buttery and easy-to-press keystroke experience. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, giving you a smooth and fluid typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue switch also has a mild characteristic, offering a gentle and comfortable typing experience that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions.
Overall, when comparing the subjective qualities of the KTT Orange switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch, they both offer unique experiences. The Orange switch has a low-pitched sound profile and provides a bouncy and frictionless feel, while the Tourmaline Blue switch has a neutral sound profile and offers a buttery and easy-to-press feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, you can choose either switch to enhance your typing experience. Keep in mind that the sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps. However, regardless of which switch you choose, both will provide a satisfying typing experience with their own respective qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-light switch with a low-pitched sound profile, the KTT Orange linear switch would be a great choice for you. The Orange switch offers a bouncy and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its bouncy and frictionless characteristics. The keys have a lively feel and provide rebound when pressed, providing that satisfying feedback sensation. Additionally, the Orange switch features excellent factory-lubing, ensuring a refined and fluid key travel. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a neutral sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be a better option. These switches offer a buttery and easy-to-press typing experience, with a smooth and fluid keystroke feel. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Overall, both switches have their unique qualities and it ultimately comes down to personal preferences when choosing between them.
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