Gateron Quinn vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Quinn, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch, offer unique features and benefits for users. The Quinn switches are renowned for their crisp, light switch-like tactility and deep, resonant sound profile, thanks to their specially designed nylon housings. With each keystroke, users are greeted with a rich and immersive sound that adds character to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues provide a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches offer 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. Overall, choosing between the Gateron Quinn and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue boils down to personal preference and specific typing needs. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Quinn Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Quinn and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ significantly. The Quinn has a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. In terms of sound profile, the Quinn's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing produces a sharper and crisper sound because of its stiffer plastic nature, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound profile.

Additionally, the housing materials have aesthetic implications. The Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing, especially in the top housing, is transparent, making it ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Quinn's nylon housing is not translucent, which may limit the visibility and impact of RGB lighting in comparison.

While their housing materials differ, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience. The Quinn and the Tourmaline Blue excel in their respective sound profiles by utilizing the properties of their specific housing materials. Despite their differences, both switches prioritize ensuring an enjoyable typing experience by incorporating the unique qualities of their housing materials into the overall switch design. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of delivering a satisfactory typing feel, even though the specific sound profiles may vary due to the divergent housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 59 grams and bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating a medium-heavy resistance. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke and the amount of pressure needed to fully press the key.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows them to type for longer periods without fatigue, which is beneficial for keyboards used during work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces, providing a stronger push feel. In this case, both the Gateron Quinn and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have the same actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for individuals who prefer a medium-heavy resistance.

Travel distance

The Gateron Quinn tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Quinn. In terms of traditional travel distances, 4.0 mm is considered the norm, while 3.0 mm is considered the shallower end of the spectrum. However, nowadays, shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive switch, the Quinn with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, and if you prefer a deeper keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance would be a better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offers a deep and resonant sound profile thanks to its specially designed nylon housings. Each keystroke produces a rich and immersive sound that adds character to the typing experience. It can be characterized as bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant, providing a clean and sharp sound profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile suitable for most purposes. The sound of both switches is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, while the Quinn offers a more specific and immersive sound experience, the Tourmaline Blue aims for a balanced sound suitable for various users.

In terms of feel, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offers a snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy typing experience. With longer or dual-staged springs, the Quinn switch provides a super responsive and alive typing feel. It has a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The keys have a lively feel with rebound when pressed, and the tactility is prominent without being overwhelming. The typing experience is described as seamless, effortless, and uniform. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is characterized as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, requiring minimal force to activate. The light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended sessions. The Tourmaline Blue provides a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Therefore, while the Quinn offers a more dynamic and tactile feel, the Tourmaline Blue focuses on effortless and low-impact typing.

Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch stands out for its unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and deep, resonant sound. With its specifically designed nylon housings, the Quinn provides an immersive and character-enhancing typing experience. It has a range of qualities such as being bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant, with snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy feel. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a balanced sound profile and a smooth, easy-to-press, and mild typing experience suitable for various users. While the two switches offer different subjective qualities, they both provide an enjoyable typing experience. Depending on personal preferences, users can choose between the unique sound and tactile qualities of the Quinn or the smooth and effortless feel of the Tourmaline Blue.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a unique combination of crisp tactility and a deep sound profile, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. With each keystroke, you can expect a precise and clean tactile bump, accompanied by a rich and immersive sound that adds character to your typing experience. The Quinn switch is described as both clacky and bassy, providing a sharp and snappy sound with a lower frequency range. Furthermore, the Quinn switch is also described as snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy, offering a super responsive and smooth typing experience.

On the other hand, if you prefer a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be a suitable choice. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. It is described as neutral, buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with minimal force required to activate the keys. The Tourmaline Blue switch enhances the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel.

Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Quinn tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you value a unique combination of crisp tactility and a deep sound profile, along with a range of smooth and responsive typing sensations, the Quinn switch would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, along with a bouncy and low-impact typing feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch would be a suitable option. Consider your desired sound and feel, and choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Quinn Tactile

$6.00

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more