Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and Gateron Weightlessness offer distinctly different typing experiences that cater to various preferences. The Tourmaline Blue is celebrated for its buttery and accessible design, featuring a deep, thocky sound profile that immerses users in a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. Its lengthened single-stage spring provides a delightful bouncy feel, making it an ideal choice for those who favor smooth, unimpeded linear action and a neutral typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness boasts a subtle to moderate tactile feedback, enhancing the typing experience with a balanced sound profile that appeals to those who enjoy a bit more sensory engagement and deliberate key presses. While both switches cater to different typing styles—one emphasizing speed and smoothness and the other focusing on tactile responsiveness—each has its own merits depending on what you’re looking for in your keyboard experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Gateron Weightlessness switches, notable contrasts emerge. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housings. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which results in a sharper and crisper sound profile when key presses are executed. This material's translucency enhances aesthetic appeal, making it an excellent choice for RGB lighting setups, as the light can easily pass through and illuminate the switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings. Nylon is a softer plastic, which inherently absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and more resonant auditory experience. Consequently, switches with nylon housings often exhibit a duller sound profile than their polycarbonate counterparts.
The differing characteristics of polycarbonate and nylon become even more pronounced when assessing how each material influences the overall typing experience. The sharper and clearer sound produced by the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housings tends to engage typists who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback. In contrast, the softer nylon in the Weightlessness delivers a fuller, rounder sound, appealing to those who enjoy a more muted and subtle auditory feedback while typing. Additionally, the material properties also affect the feel of the switches; the rigidity of polycarbonate may contribute to a snappier feel as compared to the more cushioned impact of nylon, which may soften the overall engagement experience during key presses.
Despite the clear differences between the two switch types, they both possess distinct advantages that cater to various user preferences. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue produces a sound profile that shines with its crispness, making it ideal for users who value a pronounced and lively typing experience. Conversely, the Gateron Weightlessness focuses on a smooth, warm typing sound that may attract users looking for a comforting acoustical environment during extended typing sessions. While the materials and their impacts on the typing experience diverge, both switches can deliver satisfying results tailored to specific user needs and preferences, whether one seeks crisp highs or deep resonant lows.
Weight
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch present interesting contrasts in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Tourmaline Blue has a notably higher actuation force of 59 grams compared to the lighter actuation force of 50 grams for the Weightlessness switch. This difference indicates that the Tourmaline Blue requires more effort to trigger a keystroke, making it potentially less suitable for long typing sessions for those who prefer a lighter feel. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue also has a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a defined resistance when the key is pressed fully down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Weightlessness switch is unspecified, leaving its tactile feedback and overall typing experience less defined. Overall, the Tourmaline Blue is the heavier option, delivering a more substantial typing experience, while the Weightlessness, with its lighter actuation force and unknown bottom out, may cater to users seeking a more effortless keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, a notable difference emerges. The Tourmaline Blue features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional preference for a deeper keystroke. In contrast, the Weightlessness switch offers a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, catering to those who favor quicker response times often sought after by gamers. Consequently, the Tourmaline Blue is the longer option, providing a more gradual keystroke experience, whereas the Gateron Weightlessness, with its shorter travel distance, may feel more abrupt but allows for faster actuation. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for either a deeper or more responsive feel in typing or gaming scenarios.
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 Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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
The sound characteristics of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are notable for their deep and thocky profile, which contributes to an immersive and enjoyable typing experience. This type of sound is often favored by enthusiasts who appreciate a robust auditory feedback during use. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches are designed with a balanced sound profile that complements their tactile features. While the specific sound signature of the Weightlessness switches is not detailed, their moderate auditory experience positions them as versatile for various environments, just as the Tourmaline Blues are suitable for both home and work settings. Overall, users can expect a satisfying auditory experience with both switches, though the Tourmaline Blues may appeal more to those who prioritize a pronounced sound.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blues shine with descriptors like buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. These switches deliver a smooth keystroke experience, requiring minimal force for actuation, which can greatly reduce finger fatigue even during prolonged typing sessions. This makes them particularly accessible for all users, from beginners to seasoned typists. Meanwhile, the Gateron Weightlessness switches exhibit a subtle to moderate tactile feel, suggesting that they provide a distinct but not overwhelming feedback on key presses. While the specific qualities of the Weightlessness switches aren't elaborated upon, their moderate tactile sensation likely makes them comfortable and suitable for a range of typing tasks.
In conclusion, both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switches offer unique qualities that can cater to different user preferences. The Tourmaline Blues stand out with their pronounced sound profile and buttery feel, making them ideal for those who enjoy audibly satisfying feedback during typing. The Weightlessness switches offer a balanced auditory experience and a tactile feedback that is subtle yet effective. Ultimately, users can expect a comfortable typing experience from either switch, with the choice predominantly hinging on personal preference for sound and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch largely depends on your typing preferences and the environment in which you plan to use them. If you favor a more satisfying, thocky sound profile and enjoy a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams and buttery smoothness provide a balanced typing experience that caters to both newcomers and more seasoned typists alike. Additionally, if sound and keystroke feedback are important to you, the neutral sound profile of the Tourmaline Blue makes it suitable for various settings—be it at work or at home. On the other hand, if you prefer a subtler tactile feedback without the pronounced actuation force, the Gateron Weightlessness switch might be the better option. Its user-friendly design promotes a gentle typing experience, allowing for comfort during extended use, especially for those who may experience finger fatigue with heavier switches. Ultimately, your decision should align with whether you seek an engaging sound experience and noticeable feedback with the Tourmaline Blue or a smoother, understated feel with the Weightlessness.
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