Outemu Red Panda vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, finding the perfect one to suit your preferences can sometimes be overwhelming. Two popular options worth considering are the Outemu Red Panda, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch. The Red Panda is known for its light-medium amount of tactility, accompanied by a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers 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 Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and advantages. However, let's delve deeper into their specific features to help you make the best choice for your needs.

By the numbers

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.40 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, specifically their polycarbonate top housing, are quite similar. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, these switches produce a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the transparency of polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with a polycarbonate top housing to enhance your sound experience and make use of RGB lighting, both the Red Panda and Tourmaline Blue would yield similar results.

Where the two switches differ, however, is in their bottom housing materials. The Red Panda features a nylon bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches with nylon housing. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue contributes to its overall sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Consequently, when pressing down on these switches, the qualities of the bottom housing become evident in the bottom-out sound and feel.

In summary, the similarities between the Outemu Red Panda and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue lie in their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches deliver a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the use of polycarbonate, making them suitable for RGB lighting. However, their bottom housing materials differ, with the Red Panda featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Tourmaline Blue utilizing a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, while polycarbonate contributes to a sharper sound experience. Thus, the choice between these switches would depend on whether you prefer a rounder sound with the Red Panda or a sharper sound with the Tourmaline Blue.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Red Panda is lighter with an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, both of which fall into the medium range. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier, requiring an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, classified as medium-heavy.

Choosing between the two switches depends on personal preferences and typing style. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Red Panda, as it allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. The medium actuation and bottom out forces provide a comfortable and responsive typing experience. On the contrary, individuals who desire a more substantial and forceful typing sensation may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. With its medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces, it offers a satisfying push feel that some find preferable.

It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the Red Panda and the Tourmaline Blue, they both fall within the medium range. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience, albeit with slight variations in force required. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences regarding typing feel and desired force exertion.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is 3.3mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Red Panda being slightly shorter. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Red Panda, as it allows for quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more hearty depth to their key presses may prefer the longer travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch provides a unique experience. When typing on these switches, you can expect a light-medium amount of tactility accompanied by a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. This combination creates an interesting and satisfying auditory experience during typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and produces a moderate sound, making it suitable for a wide range of users. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, the Red Panda provides a distinct thocky sound, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a neutral sound.

When it comes to feel, the Red Panda switch is described as offering a mild typing experience. This means that it provides a more gentle typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The mild nature of the Red Panda switch makes it approachable to most users, as its qualities lie in a safe and middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a buttery and easy-to-press feel. The buttery description implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switch has a light actuation force, making typing effortless and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The mild nature of the Tourmaline Blue switch also falls within a safe and approachable zone. Overall, both switches offer comfortable and enjoyable typing experiences, with the Red Panda being more mild and the Tourmaline Blue feeling buttery and easy to press.

Considering the available information, it is evident that the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities. The Red Panda switch stands out with its unique combination of light-medium tactility, bassier bottom-out sound, and clackier top-out sound. It provides a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a more neutral sound profile and a buttery, easy-to-press feel. It immerses users in a satisfying typing experience with its thocky sound and bouncy keystrokes. Both switches have their own merits and are suitable for different preferences. If you are looking for a switch with similar results to the Red Panda or Tourmaline Blue, considering their respective sound and feel descriptions, you can expect to find switches that provide a satisfactory and enjoyable typing experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force, the Outemu Red Panda would be a great choice. When typing on these switches, you will experience a light-medium amount of tactility, along with a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly higher bottom out force, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is a fantastic option. These switches offer a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience. With their lengthened single-stage spring, they provide 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. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Whether you prefer the mild and tactile experience of the Red Panda or the buttery and easy-to-press feel of the Tourmaline Blue, both switches offer unique qualities that enhance the typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

$3.40 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more