Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue each offer unique attributes that cater to different typing preferences. The Sea Salt Smoothie stands out with its medium-weight all-POM construction, delivering a thocky sound profile paired with exceptional smoothness, perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying auditory and tactile feedback without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue makes its mark with a bouncy feel, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring, and a deep, immersive thocky sound that enhances the overall typing experience. Both switches are linear, providing a seamless keystroke action, but the Tourmaline Blue leans towards a slightly more lively response, appealing to users who appreciate a touch of bounce in each press. Choosing between these two switches would largely depend on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue showcase distinct differences in their housing materials that culminate in nuanced auditory experiences. The Sea Salt Smoothie utilizes a POM (Polyoxymethylene) top housing, which provides a unique sound profile characterized by deeper and more muted tones. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffer structure, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is crisp and resonant. This fundamental difference means that users can expect a more subdued auditory feedback from the Sea Salt Smoothie compared to the more vibrant and pronounced sound characteristic of the Tourmaline Blue.

When examining the bottom housings, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie also employs POM, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue makes use of polycarbonate. Again, the sound profiles diverge, with the Sea Salt Smoothie delivering a more muted acoustic response and the Tourmaline Blue producing a clearer and crisper sound. The properties of each bottom housing material contribute heavily to the overall switch experience. The POM bottom of the Sea Salt Smoothie, similar to its top, enhances the deeper sound profile, while the polycarbonate bottom of the Tourmaline Blue accentuates the sharper acoustic transitions, creating a distinctly different feel when bottoming out the switch.

Ultimately, the contrasting materials of the top and bottom housings produce unique sound characteristics, impacting the overall typing experience. For users who deeply appreciate audio feedback, this distinction is critical; each switch has its unique signature based on the materials used. However, if a switch were to utilize the same housing material for both the top and bottom, one could expect a more homogenized sound profile where the qualities would meld to create an intermediate auditory experience. Thus, while the Sea Salt Smoothie and Tourmaline Blue can yield similar feel or performance aspects—depending on the key press—users will notice that the sound produced is distinctly influenced by the choice of housing materials.

Weight

The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch present a noticeable contrast in their actuation forces, appealing to different user preferences. The Sea Salt Smoothie has an actuation force of 48 grams, making it a lighter option that can facilitate longer typing sessions without significant fatigue—a considerable advantage for those who use their keyboards for work or extended gaming. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue has a higher actuation force of 59 grams, which provides a stronger push feel that some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Sea Salt Smoothie is unknown, the Tourmaline Blue features a bottom out force of 67 grams, reinforcing its designation as a medium-heavy switch. Therefore, users looking for a lighter, more effortless typing experience may lean towards the Sea Salt Smoothie, whereas those seeking a more resistant and tactile engagement should opt for the Tourmaline Blue, which is distinctly heavier.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, the Sea Salt Smoothie measures 3.7 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm. This places the Sea Salt Smoothie as the shorter option, which could appeal to gamers or those who prioritize rapid response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly longer travel distance, which might be favored by users who enjoy a more pronounced keypress and deeper feedback when typing. Therefore, if you prefer a quicker and more responsive feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie would be suitable, while the Tourmaline Blue would be better for those seeking a more substantial keystroke experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound profile, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie delivers a rich and thocky sound, creating a pleasing auditory experience with each keystroke. This sound quality is ideal for users who enjoy a more pronounced acoustic feedback from their typing, making the switch satisfying to use in both casual and professional settings. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue also features a deep and thocky sound, mirroring the Sea Salt Smoothie’s signature auditory quality. Both switches deliver an engaging sound profile that caters well to various typists, whether they’re at home or in an office environment. However, it's vital to recognize that sound characteristics can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps.

Regarding the feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie is known for its exceptional smoothness when pressed, offering a comfortable and frictionless typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue. Users will find it enjoyable when typing for extended sessions due to its well-balanced resistance. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a uniquely bouncy feel thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring, providing a delightful responsiveness with every keystroke. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue is described as buttery and easy to press, resembling a gentle and mild typing sensation that enhances comfort. While both switches prioritize ease of use and smoothness, the Tourmaline Blue’s bounciness sets it apart, making it ideal for those looking for a bit of added fun in their typing experience.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer comparable sound immersion with their thocky profiles, making them delightful options for typists seeking audio engagement. While the Sea Salt Smoothie stands out for its outstanding smoothness, the Tourmaline Blue provides a bouncy, buttery typing experience that many users might find appealing. Ultimately, your choice may come down to whether you prefer that subtle bounce and effortless actuation of the Tourmaline Blue or the superior smoothness of the Sea Salt Smoothie, but either choice promises to deliver a satisfying typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches, your personal preferences and typing style should guide your choice. If you favor a thocky sound profile with a smooth feel, the Sea Salt Smoothie could be the ideal fit, especially if you appreciate the unique texture and quality of POM switches. However, since its bottom-out force is not specified, you may find it to be a more unpredictable option, which can be a drawback for some users. On the other hand, if you prefer a more defined actuation with a medium-heavy force at 67 grams, the Tourmaline Blue is a better choice. Its buttery feel and neutral sound profile make it suitable for both beginners and seasoned typists, offering a satisfying and comfortable typing experience without being too strenuous on the fingers. Ultimately, consider how you plan to use your keyboard—whether for prolonged typing sessions or casual gaming—and choose the switch that aligns best with your desired sound, feel, and overall typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.70 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more