Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. Wuque Studio WS Brown
An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Brown. The Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch that is best known for its deep and thocky sound profile, which provides a satisfying typing experience. Its lengthened single-stage spring gives it a bouncy feel with each keystroke, and its standard spring weight makes it accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, the WS Brown is a tactile switch that offers a harmonious blend of familiarity and innovation. With a medium-light actuation force, it strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort, ensuring fatigue-free typing during those extended sessions. Additionally, its familiar nylon housing and POM stem combination provides a delightful auditory experience that enthusiasts cherish. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Brown differ in terms of their housing materials. The Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, while the WS Brown utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue's top and bottom housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In contrast, the nylon housing of the WS Brown elicits a deeper and fuller sound. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound, while nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate housing of the Tourmaline Blue allows for its translucency, making it especially useful for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Meanwhile, the classic nylon housing of the WS Brown is known for its timeless appeal. While both materials have their unique sound characteristics, they may provide similar results in terms of durability and overall typing experience.
When it comes to the impact on the typing experience, the difference in housing materials becomes more apparent between the top and bottom housings of the two switches. The Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a sharper and crisper sensation. Conversely, the WS Brown's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a fuller and deeper bottom-out experience. On the other hand, the impact of the top housing is more noticeable when releasing a key. The polycarbonate top housing of the Tourmaline Blue will influence the sound produced when letting go of a key, while the nylon top housing of the WS Brown may create a softer and more rounded sound.
In summary, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Brown feature distinct housing materials that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the WS Brown's nylon housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Despite these differences, both switches may offer similar typing experiences in terms of durability and overall performance. However, the differentiation between the top and bottom housings becomes apparent, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, and the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy range. In contrast, the WS Brown has an actuation force of unavailable grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, classifying it as medium-light.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the WS Brown may be the preferred choice as its bottom out force is lighter. This allows for more extended periods of typing without as much strain or fatigue. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force. This can be more satisfying for individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel while typing.
However, since the actuation force of the WS Brown is unavailable, it is challenging to make a direct comparison in terms of actuation force between the two switches. Without this information, it is unclear whether the two switches have a similar actuation force or if one is lighter or heavier than the other.
In summary, while the Tourmaline Blue and WS Brown differ in their bottom out forces, without the information on the actuation force of the WS Brown, it is difficult to make a comprehensive comparison. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference regarding the typing experience and desired force needed for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches have traditional travel distances, with the Tourmaline Blue being the longer option. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the WS Brown switch, as it allows for quicker key presses. However, individuals who prefer a deeper and more robust feel when typing or gaming may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
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 Wuque Studio WS Brown comes in at $3.50 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
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is best known for its deep and thocky sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience. It offers a bouncy feel with each keystroke, thanks to its lengthened single-stage spring. The standard spring weight of the Tourmaline Blues provides a balanced feel that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch is described as offering a familiar and delightful auditory experience. Its nylon housing and POM stem combination contributes to this familiar sound that enthusiasts cherish. However, without further information, it is unclear whether the WS Brown switch has similar thocky characteristics or a different sound profile altogether.
In terms of feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch is described as providing a buttery, easy-to-press, and mild typing experience. A buttery switch implies a smooth and fluid keystroke, creating a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Additionally, the easy-to-press nature of the Tourmaline Blue requires minimal force to activate, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. These qualities enhance the overall typing experience, offering a responsive and low-impact feel. The Wuque Studio WS Brown switch's tactile feel is unknown, but based on its medium-light actuation force, it likely strikes a balance between responsiveness and comfort. Further information would be needed to provide a more detailed comparison of their feel.
In conclusion, the Tourmaline Blue and WS Brown switches offer distinct subjective qualities in sound and feel. The Tourmaline Blue switch provides a satisfying thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Its mild, buttery, and easy-to-press characteristics enhance the typing experience. On the other hand, the WS Brown switch offers a familiar auditory experience and a tactile feel with an unknown profile. Without further information, it is unclear how the WS Brown switch compares to the Tourmaline Blue switch in terms of sound and feel. However, both switches seem to offer enjoyable typing experiences, catering to different preferences and typing styles. With the right combination of keyboard and keycaps, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches strike a balance between enjoyment and accessibility for a wide range of users. On the other hand, if you value a harmonious blend of familiarity and innovation, along with fatigue-free typing during extended sessions, the Wuque Studio WS Brown tactile switch would be the better option. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches provide a comfortable and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, your preference between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize sound and feel or familiarity and comfort.