HMX Poro vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the HMX Poro and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue can significantly influence your typing experience. The HMX Poro is celebrated for its silky smooth keystrokes and meticulous lubrication, offering an effortless glide that provides a uniquely satisfying and responsive feel. Its ultra-light actuation force not only makes typing a breeze but also contributes to a poppy and clacky sound profile that many find delightful. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue stands out with its deep, thocky sound, immersing users in a rich auditory experience. It features a lengthened single-stage spring that adds a bouncy feel with each press, while its standard spring weight strikes a balance that makes it both enjoyable and accessible to a diverse range of typists. While both switches cater to preferences for smoothness and auditory feedback, they offer distinct experiences tailored to different tastes. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Poro Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the HMX Poro and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches showcase distinct characteristics that influence their overall sound profiles. The Poro utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a classic choice that contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile. This softer plastic absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a muffled, rounded auditory experience. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch employs polycarbonate for both of its housings, which is a stiffer material that produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The transparency of polycarbonate also enhances its aesthetic appeal, particularly for setups utilizing RGB lighting, as it allows for more vivid light diffusion.

When examining the impact of these materials on the typing experience, it becomes evident that the Poro's nylon housing creates a warm and subdued sound that many typists find pleasing. This quality is especially notable when bottoming out, as the softer bottom housing contributes to a less abrasive sound. Meanwhile, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate construction leads to a more vibrant and resonant sound, with a crisper auditory feedback that some users may prefer for its clarity. As the upper and lower housings work in tandem, the Poro delivers a consistent sound across both sections, while the Tourmaline Blue creates a contrast between the punchy sound of the bottom housing and the clear projections of the top.

Ultimately, while both switches feature different materials, they each provide unique performance outcomes. The Poro's nylon design results in a cohesive, mellow sound that is particularly well-suited for extended typing sessions where comfort is key. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue’s polycarbonate construction enhances clarity and punch, making it ideal for users who appreciate defined auditory feedback. Though their approaches are distinct, both switches can yield satisfactory results based on personal preferences, reiterating that sound profiles can greatly influence the typing experience beyond just the individual materials used.

Weight

The HMX Poro linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch exhibit notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces, which can influence user experience. The Poro switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a softer typing experience that allows for longer periods of use without fatigue. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue switch features a higher actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, resulting in a medium-heavy feel that provides a more substantial typing experience. This heavier resistance may appeal to users who favor a stronger push during typing, enhancing the tactile feedback. Overall, the Poro switch is lighter, making it ideal for long gaming sessions or office work, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a heftier option for those seeking a more deliberate keystroke.

Travel distance

The HMX Poro linear switch features a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on the keys, users will experience a shorter travel distance with the Poro, which may appeal to gamers looking for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, with its longer travel distance, could offer a more substantial feel for those who prefer a deeper keypress. For those who enjoy a balance between responsiveness and depth, both switches provide different experiences, yet the shorter travel of the Poro may make it more suitable for fast-paced gaming, while the Tourmaline Blue may satisfy those who appreciate a more pronounced key actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The HMX Poro linear switch is characterized by a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile which adds a lively auditory dimension to the typing experience. This engaging sound, enhanced by its ultra-light actuation force, makes it appealing for those who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic feedback. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch produces a deeper and thocky sound, immersing users in a unique and satisfying auditory experience that some would find even more enjoyable. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Poro tends to be more energetic, whereas the Tourmaline Blue offers a richer, deeper tone, which may suit different preferences depending on the user's environment or personal taste.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Poro linear switch delivers an exceptionally smooth keystroke, thanks to meticulous lubrication that facilitates an effortless glide. Users can expect a fluid typing experience that minimizes resistance and enhances typing speed. In comparison, the Tourmaline Blue offers a buttery and bouncy feel with each keystroke, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. This combination provides a more dynamic typing experience while also being easy to press, reducing finger fatigue even during extended typing sessions. The Poro’s smooth action contrasts with the more deliberate, slightly bouncier response of the Tourmaline Blue, giving each switch a distinct tactile signature.

In summary, while both the HMX Poro and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches present unique auditory and tactile experiences, they cater to varying preferences among typists. The Poro stands out with its lively, clacky sound and silky smoothness, making it ideal for those who prioritize speed and light feedback. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue emphasizes a deeper, thocky sound and a bouncier feel, providing a rich and immersive typing sensation. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you lean toward an energizing typing experience or a more substantial acoustic and tactile feedback. Both switches promise great performance, and achieving a satisfying typing experience with either will largely depend on your personal preferences.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the HMX Poro linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately boils down to your personal typing preferences and intended use. If you lean towards lighter keystrokes with minimal effort, the Poro's low actuation force and silky smooth feel make it ideal for long typing sessions, especially if you favor a poppy sound profile that adds character to your typing experience. This switch is a great fit for those who often engage in quick typing tasks or gaming where speed is essential, as it helps reduce finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a more robust typing experience with a deeper, thocky sound, the Tourmaline Blue is your go-to option. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force and bouncy feel cater to users who appreciate a slight heft in their keystrokes, providing a satisfying tactile feedback that balances comfort with engagement. This switch's neutral sound profile makes it suitable for a range of environments, whether at home or in the office, ensuring that your typing experience is both enjoyable and versatile. By understanding these distinctions, you can confidently select the switch that best aligns with your typing style and environmental needs.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Poro Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more