Aflion Thunder Shadow vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue present themselves as intriguing options. The Thunder Shadow, a tactile switch from the up-and-coming Aflion brand, offers a pronounced tactile bump and a medium weight feel with a 63.5g bottom-out. Its neutral sound signature adds to its overall balanced profile, making it a solid choice for those seeking an invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch from Everglide, boasts a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel with its lengthened single-stage spring. With a standard spring weight, it provides a buttery and easy-to-press typing experience that appeals to a wide range of users. While these general points provide some insight into the characteristics of each switch, diving deeper will help you make a more informed decision on the best switch for 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
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This material is ideal for switches with RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, the Thunder Shadow's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material may impact the overall sound and feel of typing on the switches.
In terms of aesthetics, both the Thunder Shadow and the Tourmaline Blue utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, making them visually appealing, especially when paired with RGB lighting. The differences come in the bottom housing material, with the Thunder Shadow's nylon offering a different sound experience compared to the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing. Users may prefer the deeper and fuller sound of the nylon bottom housing on the Thunder Shadow, while others may appreciate the sharper and crisper sound of the polycarbonate bottom housing on the Tourmaline Blue.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Thunder Shadow and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue will come down to personal preference in sound profile and feel. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal, the nylon bottom housing on the Thunder Shadow provides a different typing experience compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing on the Tourmaline Blue. Users must consider whether they prefer a deeper and fuller sound or a sharper and crisper sound when deciding between these two switches.
Weight
The Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch both fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of bottom out force. However, the Thunder Shadow has a lighter actuation force of None grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams. This means that the Thunder Shadow may provide a lighter touch when triggering a keystroke, while still requiring a significant force for bottoming out. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue offers a heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with lighter switches being more suitable for long typing sessions or gaming, and heavier switches offering a more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is shorter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Thunder Shadow offers a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers for faster response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a bit more depth to each key press, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying typing experience. Both switches have their own advantages depending on personal preference, with the Thunder Shadow being the shorter option and the Tourmaline Blue being the longer option in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Thunder Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Thunder Shadow for $3.91.
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.
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
In terms of sound, both the Aflion Thunder Shadow and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and environments. The Thunder Shadow offers a balanced sound signature while the Tourmaline Blue provides a deep and thocky sound experience.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Thunder Shadow is labeled as invigorating, offering a pronounced tactile bump and medium weight feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience with gentle resistance and a bouncy feel.
Overall, the Aflion Thunder Shadow tactile switch is best suited for those who prefer a switch with pronounced feedback and a balanced sound profile, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is ideal for individuals looking for a smooth and easy-to-press typing experience with a deep sound profile. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a balanced sound profile, the Aflion Thunder Shadow is a great choice. Its invigorating feel and moderate actuation force make it ideal for those who prefer pronounced feedback and a snappy typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a slightly higher bottom-out force and a deep, thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue would be a better fit. With its buttery, easy-to-press feel and mild characteristics, the Tourmaline Blue offers a smooth and gentle typing experience that is accessible to a wide range of users. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will come down to personal preference and typing style, so consider what qualities are most important to you when choosing between the Thunder Shadow and Tourmaline Blue.
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