KTT Rose vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the KTT Rose and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The KTT Rose and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique experiences for keyboard enthusiasts. The Rose switches are best known for their beautiful aesthetics and progressive springs that provide a substantial yet not heavy typing experience. When typing on these switches, users often hear bassy raindrops, adding to the overall satisfaction. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses users in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, they provide a bouncy feel with each keystroke. These switches strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision about which switch best fits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Progressive spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Rose and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making the typing experience more satisfying and satisfying. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches. Therefore, in terms of sound profile and aesthetic options, both switches offer similar results with their polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Rose utilizes a nylon material while the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing. The nylon housing of the Rose contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue maintains the sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile found in the top housing. This material's stiffness leads to a clear and resonant sound. Therefore, in terms of bottom-out sound and feel, the Rose's nylon housing provides a different typing experience compared to the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing.
In summary, both the KTT Rose and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue showcase the use of polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a similar sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The translucency of the polycarbonate top housing is especially beneficial for those who plan to utilize RGB lighting. However, the bottom housing materials differ between the two switches. The Rose's nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its softness and sound-absorbing properties, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the clear and resonant sound profile found in the top housing. This distinction affects the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch, providing a unique typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Rose linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Rose's specific value is unknown while the Tourmaline Blue requires 59 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This makes the Tourmaline Blue slightly lighter, potentially appealing to those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, both switches fall within the medium-heavy category for bottom out force. The Rose requires 63.5 grams to fully depress the key, while the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly higher bottom out force of 67 grams. Despite the slight variation, both switches offer a substantial typing experience suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, if weight is a consideration, the Tourmaline Blue may be a better option for extended use, while both switches provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
Both the KTT Rose linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches, as they provide equal tactile feedback.
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 KTT Rose comes in at $3.01 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 comparing the subjective qualities of the KTT Rose linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, we can discuss sound and feel.
In terms of sound, the Rose switches are best described as having a low-pitched sound profile, resulting in a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. This creates a soothing and relaxing auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches also have a neutral sound profile, offering a moderate sound that is suitable for most intents and purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Both switches provide enjoyable sound experiences, albeit with slightly different characteristics.
Moving on to feel, the Rose switches offer a mild typing experience. They have a gentle and approachable feel, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Additionally, these switches are described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The reduced friction and smooth key travel contribute to a satisfying tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches are characterized as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. With easy-to-press key presses, they offer a low-impact and effortless typing feel. Similar to the Rose switches, the Tourmaline Blues also fall under the category of mild mechanical keyboard switches, which ensures a comfortable typing experience for most users.
In conclusion, the KTT Rose and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Rose switches provide a low-pitched sound profile and a mild, polished feel, while the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a neutral sound profile and a buttery, easy-to-press feel. Both switches are designed to enhance the typing experience and cater to a wide range of users. Choosing between them ultimately depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy switch with a unique typing experience, the KTT Rose linear switch is a great choice. With its progressive springs, it offers a substantial yet not heavy feel, reminiscent of bassy raindrops. Additionally, the Rose switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes. The switch also provides a mild and polished feel, ensuring a gentle and smooth typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is worth considering. Its lengthened single-stage spring provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible for a wide range of users. Furthermore, this switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for different typing environments.
In closing, both the KTT Rose and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches have their unique characteristics and advantages. Ultimately, the choice between them depends on your personal preferences and the typing experience you seek. Whether you prefer a subtle and polished feel like the Rose switch or a buttery and easy-to-press sensation like the Tourmaline Blue switch, both switches provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
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