Outemu Blue vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Outemu Blue and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Blue and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Outemu Blue switch is a clicky switch that is best known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch that offers a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blues have a lengthened single-stage spring that gives them a bouncy feel, making typing on them enjoyable. While the Outemu Blue switch is more traditional with its clicky feedback, the Tourmaline Blue switch is buttery, easy-to-press, mild, and neutral in comparison. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style; 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
50g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Blue and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches both feature polycarbonate top housings, which lead to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting due to its translucency. While both switches share this material in their top housings, the Outemu Blue utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue opts for a polycarbonate bottom housing, emphasizing a sharper and crisper sound profile like its top housing.
The difference in bottom housing materials between the Outemu Blue and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches highlights how the choice of material can significantly impact the sound and feel of a switch. The nylon bottom housing of the Outemu Blue creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile, reflecting the stiffer nature of this material. The combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound experience when pressing and releasing keys.
In summary, while both the Outemu Blue and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and clear sound profile, they differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Outemu Blue's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder tone, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. Understanding the impact of housing materials on the sound and feel of a switch can help users make informed decisions based on their preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
Weight
The Outemu Blue clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Outemu Blue switch is unknown, whereas the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Outemu Blue switch may be the preferable option, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch would provide a more substantial typing feel for those who prefer a stronger push. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference and typing style, with weight playing a significant role in the decision-making process.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing and contrasting the two switches, it can be noted that despite having the same travel distance, they offer different tactile experiences. The Outemu Blue clicky switch provides a tactile feedback with an audible click sound, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a smooth keystroke without any tactile bump or audible click. Therefore, while both switches have the same travel distance, the Outemu Blue clicky switch may feel shorter due to the tactile bump caused by the click mechanism, whereas the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch may feel longer due to the smooth keystroke without any additional feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for tactile feedback during typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Blue comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 Outemu Blue clicky switch is known for its loud and clicky sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound, creating a more immersive typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue's sound profile is described as neutral, making it suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced typists.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Blue switch is known for its tactile bump and audible click, providing a tactile feedback with each key press. In comparison, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch is easy-to-press and mild, providing gentle resistance with minimal force required to activate the keys, enhancing the typing experience for users.
Overall, while the Outemu Blue clicky switch offers a loud and tactile typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a deep and thocky sound with a bouncy and smooth typing feel. Depending on personal preference and typing style, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different user preferences. Ultimately, the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provide distinct typing experiences that individuals can choose based on their sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Blue clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, consider your preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. If you enjoy a clicky sound profile and a light actuation force, the Outemu Blue switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound with a bouncy feel and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a unique and satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what type of typing experience you value most – whether it's a traditional clicky feel or a smooth linear feel.
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