Gateron Smoothie vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue present compelling options that cater to different preferences and typing experiences. The Gateron Smoothie stands out for its all-POM construction, delivering a notably thocky sound signature paired with a buttery smoothness and lightweight touch, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a subtle yet pleasurable typing experience. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offers a deep, thocky sound profile that enhances the auditory satisfaction with each keystroke, thanks to its longer single-stage spring that provides a bouncy feel. While both switches are categorized as linear, their unique attributes cater to different user needs: the Smoothie emphasizes a creamy, subdued experience, while the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance that appeals to a broader audience with its mild, easy-to-press characteristics. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Smoothie Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches showcase distinctly different materials in their housing components, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles and user experience. The Smoothie's top housing is made from POM (polyoxymethylene), a material well-regarded for producing a deeper and more muted sound. This creates a unique auditory signature appreciated by users who prefer a softer, less pronounced clicking noise when typing. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and clarity. As a result, this housing provides a sharper and crisper sound profile, enhancing the auditory feedback during keystrokes and resulting in a more pronounced typing experience, especially appealing to those who enjoy the tactile sounds while typing.

When examining the bottom housings, a similar contrast exists between the two switches. The Smoothie's POM bottom housing maintains the deeper, muted sound characteristic of its top structure, creating a cohesive auditory experience throughout the typing motion. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top housing's sonic clarity with a crisper sound, creating a vibrant auditory feedback that enhances the overall typing experience. This differentiation reinforces the unique definitions of each switch—while both offer a distinctive sound experience, they cater to different preferences, with the Smoothie appealing more to users seeking a subdued typing experience and the Tourmaline Blue targeting those who prefer pronounced acoustics.

In terms of performance, the interaction between the top and bottom housings plays a crucial role in delivering the overall sound experience for both switches. Even though the materials differ significantly, the differences in acoustic profiles can create a depth of sound when using either switch. If one aims for a hybrid experience, combining the POM bottom housing from the Smoothie with the polycarbonate top housing from the Tourmaline Blue could yield a blend of both worlds. Conversely, using the Tourmaline Blue's components exclusively would emphasize the higher-pitched, resonant qualities characteristic of polycarbonate, allowing users to tailor their typing experience based on personal sound preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches hinges on the delicate balance of sound and feel that each housing material offers.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation forces. The Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions, as it requires less effort to register a keystroke. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a significantly heavier actuation force of 59 grams, offering a more substantial feel that some users may prefer for a tactile typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Smoothie is unknown, the Tourmaline Blue's bottom out force is recorded at 67 grams, indicating a medium-heavy resistance when the key is fully pressed. This suggests that the Tourmaline Blue provides a firmer bottom out sensation, reinforcing its heavier characteristics. For those seeking a lighter typing experience, the Gateron Smoothie would be the better choice, whereas users who appreciate a heftier key feel might gravitate towards the Everglide Tourmaline Blue.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, the Gateron Smoothie stands out with a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference of 0.4 mm may seem small, but it can significantly influence the typing experience. For gamers or those who prioritize quick response times, the shorter travel distance of the Smoothie may provide a more responsive feel, making it an appealing choice for fast-paced gaming. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue, with its longer travel distance, may be favored by users who appreciate a more substantial keystroke depth and a less abrupt feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the Gateron Smoothie and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches provide a captivating auditory experience, albeit with slight variations in character. The Smoothie is characterized by a thocky sound signature, delivering deep, rich tones that resonate pleasantly with each keystroke. Its low-pitched and subdued nature gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow sound, which is appealing for a quieter environment. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile as well, designed to immerse users in enjoyable typing sessions. While both switches share some similarities in sound quality, the Smoothie's more pronounced subdued aspect may cater to those seeking a more nuanced auditory experience.

In terms of feel, the Smoothie excels in delivering an exceptionally smooth typing experience that can be described as buttery, creamy, and silky. This seamless keystroke sensation is further enhanced by the switch’s all-POM construction, making for an effortless typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue also features a buttery feel, providing a smooth and uniform typing experience. Its lengthened single-stage spring contributes to a bouncy feel in each keystroke, enhancing the typing dynamics and comfort. The Tourmaline Blue switches are designed to be easy-to-press and mildly resistant, making them accessible for users seeking a comfortable typing experience. While both switches offer smoothness, the added bounciness of the Tourmaline Blue distinguishes it in terms of tactile feedback.

In conclusion, both the Gateron Smoothie and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches cater to users seeking a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience, showcasing their unique sound and feel qualities. The Smoothie’s thocky auditory character and exceptionally smooth keystrokes contrast with the Tourmaline Blue's equally thocky sound that offers a more bouncy feel. Users can expect a pleasant experience from either switch, but those who prefer deeper, cushioned sounds may lean towards the Smoothie, while those who enjoy a bit more tactile feedback with a fun bounce will likely prefer the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, both switches promise to enhance your mechanical keyboard experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the Gateron Smoothie linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you prioritize a lightweight touch with an exceptionally smooth and creamy typing experience, and you enjoy a thocky yet subdued sound profile, the Gateron Smoothie would be an excellent choice. It's ideal for those who value a more subtle auditory experience and a nearly effortless keystroke, making it suitable for situations where quiet typing is preferred or where comfort over extended typing sessions is key. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more pronounced key feel accompanied by a deep and satisfying sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is likely to be more fitting for you. With its medium-heavy bottom-out force and bouncy feedback, it provides a balanced typing experience suitable for both beginners and more seasoned typists. The Tourmaline Blue's buttery feel and easy-to-press nature cater especially well to those who want responsiveness without the fatigue that sometimes comes with heavier switches. By understanding your personal preferences—whether they lean towards a lighter touch and quieter operation, or a more tactile and sonorous feel—you can make an informed decision on which switch best suits your mechanical keyboard needs.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Smoothie Linear

$3.00

$2.60 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more