Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. HMX Xinhai

Overview

Both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Xinhai are linear switches that offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue is praised for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing feel with its lengthened single-stage spring. On the other hand, the Xinhai boasts a softer acoustics profile with a distinctively crisp, higher-pitched resonance due to its unique materials. While the Tourmaline Blue is described as 'Buttery', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', and 'Neutral', the Xinhai is known for being 'Bouncy', 'Clacky', and 'Creamy'. Ultimately, the choice between these switches would depend on personal preferences and typing style. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

HMX Xinhai Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Xinhai both feature polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate material is ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, making it visually appealing as well. On the other hand, the Xinhai utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Tourmaline Blue. Nylon is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall.

The contrasting housing materials of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Xinhai impact the overall sound and feel of the switches. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings that contribute to a clear and resonant sound profile, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharpness and crispness in sound, whereas the Xinhai's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. This difference in bottom housing material affects the impact of the bottom-out sound and feel when typing on the switches. The Xinhai's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound profile.

In instances where the top and bottom housing materials differ, the characteristics brought by each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing material influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material impacts the sound when releasing a key. In the case of the Tourmaline Blue and the Xinhai, the housing materials combine to create unique sound profiles for each switch. The Tourmaline Blue's combination of polycarbonate top and bottom housings results in a sharper and clearer sound, while the Xinhai's mix of polycarbonate and nylon housings produces a deeper and fuller sound. Overall, the choice of housing materials plays a significant role in the sound profile and typing experience of each switch.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, the main difference lies in the actuation and bottom out forces. The Tourmaline Blue has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Xinhai is lighter, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for longer typing sessions. The Tourmaline Blue is better suited for those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Xinhai is more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Xinhai has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Tourmaline Blue. A 0.6 mm may not seem like much, but it can make a noticeable difference in the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Xinhai, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience that many users enjoy. On the other hand, the HMX Xinhai linear switch has a clacky sound that is sharp, snappy, and described as crisp and bright. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and the overall setup of the keyboard and keycaps used.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with gentle resistance during key presses. In contrast, the HMX Xinhai linear switch is bouncy and creamy, offering a spring-like feedback sensation with a smooth and buttery typing experience. Both switches aim to enhance the typing experience with their unique feel, catering to different preferences in terms of keypress feedback and resistance.

Overall, both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the HMX Xinhai linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Tourmaline Blue provides a neutral sound with a buttery and easy-to-press feel, while the Xinhai offers a clacky sound with a bouncy and creamy feel. Based on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these two switches to tailor their typing experience to their liking. Ultimately, both switches provide a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience, ensuring a high level of performance for users, regardless of their preference between the two.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the HMX Xinhai linear switch, you should consider your preference for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a deep, thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel, the Tourmaline Blue would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a softer, more clacky sound profile with a bouncy or creamy feel, the Xinhai switch may be more suited to your typing style. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so choosing between them ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more

HMX Xinhai Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more