Durock Piano vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that stand out are the Durock Piano and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both of which fall under the linear switch category. The Durock Piano switch is best known for its proprietary material blend, providing one of the most pleasant typing experiences. It offers a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, making it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, it provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke. 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 perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Piano Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Durock Piano and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in terms of their materials. The Piano features a proprietary POM blend for both the top and bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both housings. The POM blend of the Piano is said to offer a uniquely satisfying and deep sound profile, although the exact details of the blend are unknown. On the other hand, the polycarbonate used in the Tourmaline Blue creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which produces a clearer and more resonant sound. However, if RGB lighting is a consideration, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it particularly useful for the top housing due to its ability to illuminate the switches.

Despite the differences in materials, both the Piano and Tourmaline Blue exhibit desirable sound profiles. The POM blend in the Piano's housing results in a uniquely satisfying and deep sound, while the polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue provides a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound. Although the specific details of the POM blend and polycarbonate may differ, both materials offer distinct qualities that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches.

It is worth noting that the top and bottom housings play different roles in the overall sound and feel of a switch. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when the key is released. Therefore, the choice of housing material for each component can dictate the overall tactile experience and acoustics of the switch. Whether it is the POM blend in the Piano or the polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue, these materials contribute to the unique characteristics of each switch and enhance the user's typing or gaming experience.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are a few key differences. The Piano switch has an unavailable actuation force, making it difficult to determine how it compares to the Tourmaline Blue's 59-gram actuation force. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Piano requires 63.5 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires 67 grams. Both switches can be classified as medium-heavy in terms of bottom out force.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it allows for easier keystrokes over longer periods. For these individuals, the ever so slightly lighter actuation force of the Tourmaline Blue may be a better option. On the other hand, others prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. These individuals may opt for switches with heavier forces, making the Durock Piano a potential choice.

In summary, while the actuation force of the Durock Piano remains unknown, it is evident that the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly lighter actuation force than the Piano. However, both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a similar typing experience in terms of key depression. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on the specific preferences of the user, whether they prioritize lighter actuation or a more substantial typing feel.

Travel distance

The travel distance of a switch is a crucial factor in determining the overall typing experience. In the case of the Durock Piano linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, both switches provide a travel distance of 4 mm. This similarity means that users can expect a consistent and familiar feel when pressing down on keys equipped with either of these switches. Whether it's the Durock Piano or the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, the travel distance remains the same, ensuring a consistent typing experience for users.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound signature that adds a pleasant and immersive auditory experience to your typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a more neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between actuation force requirement and sound. While the Piano switch focuses on a bassy sound, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a moderate sound profile suitable for a wide range of users. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. So, although the switches have different sound characteristics, you can achieve similar results by considering these factors.

When it comes to feel, the Durock Piano linear switch provides a gliding push feel, making each keystroke smooth and effortless. Its frictionless and silky characteristics contribute to an overall smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and maximizing fluidity. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a bouncy feel with each keystroke, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. It also offers a buttery and easy-to-press typing experience, making typing effortless and reducing finger fatigue. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch falls into the mild category, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable for most users. While the switches have slightly different attributes, they both prioritize providing a smooth and enjoyable typing feel.

In conclusion, the Durock Piano linear switch stands out for its deep and creamy sound signature, gliding push feel, and frictionless and silky typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile, a bouncy feel with each keystroke, and a buttery and easy-to-press typing experience. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience by providing smoothness and low impact. Whether you prefer a bassy sound with a gliding push feel or a neutral sound with a bouncy and buttery typing experience, both switches offer their unique qualities that cater to different preferences. It's essential to consider personal preferences, the keyboard board, and keycaps used to optimize the overall typing experience.

Conclusion

Bringing it all together, if you are looking for a pleasant typing experience with a gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound signature, then the Durock Piano linear switch is the one for you. With its proprietary material blend, it offers a frictionless and silky smooth typing feel, minimizing any resistance or friction when pressing the keys. Additionally, the Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, providing a medium-heavy actuation force.

On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the ideal choice. It features a lengthened single-stage spring, giving a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blue 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 is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal force required to activate.

Both switches have their strengths and characteristics, so choosing between the Durock Piano and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue ultimately comes down to personal preference. Consider your preferred sound profile and typing feel, as well as the actuation force that suits your typing style. Ultimately, whether you go for the Piano or the Tourmaline Blue, you can expect a high-quality linear switch that enhances your typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Piano Linear

$6.70

$5.57 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more