Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. PH Studio Yoel
An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the PH Studio Yoel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the PH Studio Yoel offer distinct typing experiences. The Tourmaline Blue is praised for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience with its bouncy feel and standard spring weight. On the other hand, the Yoel linear switch boasts a chewy typing experience with a bright and clacky sound profile, creating a pronounced resonance when keys bottom out. While the Tourmaline Blue is buttery and easy-to-press, the Yoel is clacky and high-pitched. Both switches have their unique attributes that cater to different preferences and typing styles. 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
53g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the PH Studio Yoel, it is evident that both keyboards utilize a polycarbonate top housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both keyboards. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for those who wish to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing ensures a clear and resonant sound, providing a visually appealing and acoustically pleasing experience for users of both keyboards.
However, where the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, the Yoel opts for a POM bottom housing. This difference in material results in a varied sound profile for each keyboard. The Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound upon bottoming out a key press, while the Yoel's POM bottom housing offers a deeper and more muted sound profile. This contrast highlights how the choice of bottom housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience and sound quality of a keyboard.
Ultimately, the similarities in housing materials between the top housing of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and PH Studio Yoel ensure that users can expect comparable results in terms of sound profile and clarity. The polycarbonate top housing of both keyboards provides a distinct sound experience that is sharp and crisp, enhancing the overall typing experience. While the difference in bottom housing materials may lead to variance in sound profiles, both keyboards offer a high-quality typing experience with unique acoustic characteristics that cater to different preferences and styles of use.
Weight
Comparing the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, we see that the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly heavier actuation force at 59 grams, compared to the Yoel's 53 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Tourmaline Blue requires 67 grams, while the Yoel only needs 60 grams. This makes the Tourmaline Blue switch overall heavier in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. The weight of a switch can impact typing comfort and fatigue, with lighter switches suitable for longer typing sessions and heavier switches providing a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium weight range, but the Tourmaline Blue leans towards the heavier side, while the Yoel is slightly lighter. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the PH Studio Yoel linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. The Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance, making it better suited for those who prefer a deeper keypress sensation. On the other hand, the Yoel offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and keypress sensation.
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 PH Studio Yoel has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yoel for $4.10.
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 praised for its deep and thocky sound profile, offering a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the PH Studio Yoel linear switch delivers a bright and clacky sound, with a pronounced resonance upon bottoming out. While the Tourmaline Blue provides a bouncy feel with its lengthened single-stage spring, the Yoel switch envelops fingertips in a chewy typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue is neutral in sound, making it suitable for a wide range of users, while the Yoel is described as clacky, high-pitched, marbly, and resonant. In terms of feel, the Tourmaline Blue is buttery and easy-to-press, offering a smooth and effortless typing sensation, whereas the Yoel is creamy, polished, and silky, providing a refined and smooth typing experience. Overall, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the PH Studio Yoel linear switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences, providing users with a diverse range of options for their typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the PH Studio Yoel linear switch, consider the unique characteristics of each. If you value a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Tourmaline Blue may be the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a bright and clacky sound profile with a medium bottom out force and a delectably chewy typing experience, the Yoel could be the better choice. Remember to also factor in your preference for sound and feel, as the Tourmaline Blue offers a neutral sound profile and a buttery typing experience, while the Yoel provides a clacky sound and a creamy typing sensation. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style. Select the switch that best suits your needs and preferences to enhance your overall typing experience.
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