Outemu Cold Plum vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cold Plum and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, each option offers a unique typing experience worth considering. The Cold Plum switches are well-known for their thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, providing a smooth keystroke and satisfying sound that appeals to enthusiasts seeking a distinct typing feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a lengthened single-stage spring that provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to 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
60g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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 Cold Plum utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon absorbing more sound. In comparison, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile since polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic. The contrast between the two housing materials is evident in the sound quality they produce when typing on the switches.
While both the Cold Plum and Tourmaline Blue switches have different top and bottom housing materials, the impact of these materials is felt differently when typing. The qualities of the bottom housing material influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, whereas the top housing material has more of an impact on the sound when releasing a key. This split between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a dynamic typing experience that balances the sound profile throughout the keystroke.
If you prefer a switch with a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Outemu Cold Plum with its nylon housing materials would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue with its polycarbonate housing materials would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, showcasing the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience.
Weight
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both fall into the medium-heavy category when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. The Cold Plum has a slightly higher actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams, but both require a bottom out force of around 70 grams. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of force needed. However, the Cold Plum may feel slightly heavier to some users due to the slightly higher actuation force. The weight of the switches can impact how long one can type comfortably, with lighter switches being better for extended use and heavier switches providing a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. The Cold Plum offers a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Tourmaline Blue, making it a popular choice for gamers who value faster response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a slightly longer travel distance, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press feeling. In this case, the Cold Plum is the shorter option, while the Tourmaline Blue is the longer option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Cold Plum 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Cold Plum switch is known for its thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying and unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch also offers a deep and thocky sound profile, enveloping users in a gratifying typing atmosphere. Both switches aim to deliver an immersive sound experience, making them suitable for a variety of users depending on personal preference and typing environment.
In terms of feel, the Cold Plum switch is praised for its smooth keystroke, offering a pleasant typing sensation. Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue switch boasts a buttery feel, providing users with a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and enjoyable feel, catering to different user preferences.
Overall, both the Outemu Cold Plum and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer unique and desirable qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cold Plum switch may provide a distinct sound profile and a smooth keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue switch excels in offering a buttery feel and easy-to-press characteristics. Depending on individual preferences for sound and typing experience, enthusiasts can choose between these switches to tailor their mechanical keyboard setup to their liking. Ultimately, both switches aim to provide an enjoyable typing experience, and users can expect similar levels of satisfaction based on their specific preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Cold Plum and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams and enjoy a smooth keystroke with a thocky sound profile, the Cold Plum may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer a lower bottom out force of 67 grams and appreciate a bouncy feel with a deep, thocky sound profile, then the Tourmaline Blue could be the more suitable option. Both switches offer a unique typing experience, so ultimately, the decision will come down to personal preference and what qualities you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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