Outemu Cream Yellow vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer unique experiences for users. The Cream Yellow is a tactile switch that provides a satisfying bump and tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch known for its deep and thocky sound profile, creating an immersive typing experience. The Cream Yellow is categorized as a smooth switch, while the Tourmaline Blue falls under adjectives such as buttery, easy to press, mild, and neutral. Both switches have their strengths and appeal to different preferences. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, we can see distinct differences in the sound profiles they create. The Cream Yellow, with its nylon top and bottom housing, offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top and bottom housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile thanks to its stiffer plastic composition. This contrast in sound quality showcases how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience.
Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of the housing materials differs between the Cream Yellow and the Tourmaline Blue. The Cream Yellow's nylon housing gives off a classic and understated look, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing is favored for its translucency, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting setups. This difference in appearance reflects the varying design choices made by manufacturers when selecting housing materials for switches. Despite these variations, both nylon and polycarbonate housing materials offer their unique benefits, emphasizing the importance of considering both sound and appearance when choosing a switch for a mechanical keyboard.
Moreover, the division of housing materials between the top and bottom parts of a switch adds another layer of complexity to the comparison. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced on the bottom-out sound and feel of a keypress, while the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key. By understanding how each housing material contributes to different aspects of the typing experience, users can tailor their keyboard preferences to prioritize certain qualities such as sound profile, feel, and aesthetics. Ultimately, whether opting for the Cream Yellow with its nylon housing or the Tourmaline Blue with its polycarbonate housing, users can expect a unique typing experience tailored to their specific preferences.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 60 grams while the Tourmaline Blue needs 67 grams, making the Cream Yellow the lighter option in this aspect. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy force range, providing users with a satisfying typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions, the Cream Yellow may be the better choice, while individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Cream Yellow offers a quicker response time due to its shorter distance, making it ideal for gamers seeking fast reaction speeds. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a deeper press, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of travel distance and keypress experience.
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 Cream Yellow 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 Cream Yellow switch is known for its neutral sound profile, which offers a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for various users and environments. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is praised for its deep and thocky sound, providing a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue's sound profile is enhanced by its lengthened single-stage spring, giving it a bouncy and immersive feel with each key press. Ultimately, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cream Yellow's tactile feedback and typing experience are not specified. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is characterized as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid typing sensation. Its easy-to-press nature requires minimal force for activation, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The mild feel of the Tourmaline Blue switch falls into a safe middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users seeking a responsive and low-impact typing experience.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Cream Yellow and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in sound and feel, they both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow provides a neutral sound profile with an unspecified feel, while the Tourmaline Blue excels in delivering a deep, thocky sound with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Cream Yellow may be the right choice for you. However, if you are seeking a linear switch with a bit heavier bottom out force and a buttery, easy-to-press feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue could be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile. Each switch offers its own unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so choose wisely based on what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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