TTC Silent Red vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in search of a mechanical keyboard switch that prioritizes a smooth and quiet typing experience, the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are worth considering. The Silent Reds are renowned for their muted sound profile, making them an excellent choice for use in office or shared living spaces where noise can be a concern. These switches offer a consistent and seamless feel throughout each keystroke, with a padded bottom-out sensation that ensures maximum comfort. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues provide a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches offer a bouncy feel with every press. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, appealing to a wide range of users. However, let's dive deeper into the specifics of each switch to help you decide which one would best suit your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Silent Red and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches share many similarities. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, contributing to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are seeking a switch with a similar sound and aesthetic appeal, both the Silent Red and Tourmaline Blue switches with their polycarbonate top housings would be suitable choices.
However, the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches differ in terms of their bottom housing materials. The Silent Red switch utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch features a polycarbonate bottom housing, emphasizing a sharper and crisper sound. The bottom housing of a switch has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, depending on your preference for sound and tactile experience, either the Silent Red or Tourmaline Blue switch would be a better fit.
In summary, the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches share similar characteristics with their polycarbonate top housings, offering a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, they differ in their bottom housing materials, with the Silent Red using nylon for a deeper and fuller sound, and the Tourmaline Blue employing polycarbonate for a sharper sound. These distinctions highlight how the bottom and top housings can contribute differently to the overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the Silent Red and Tourmaline Blue switches would depend on your preferences for sound and tactile feedback.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Silent Red is lighter, requiring only 45 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue demands a stronger push with 59 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Silent Red is lighter, with 63.5 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier at 67 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Silent Red would be the better choice as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing. This makes it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions where fatigue can become a concern. The Tourmaline Blue, on the other hand, provides a stronger push feel, giving a more substantial typing experience. This would appeal to individuals who enjoy a heavier switch that adds a satisfying tactile feedback.
While the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, they both fall into the medium-heavy category. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of resistance and feedback. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch have different travel distances. The Silent Red has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of traditional travel distances, the Silent Red falls on the shallower end with its 3.7 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue is closer to the more common 4 mm distance. This means that if you prefer a shorter travel distance for faster response times, the Silent Red would be the better option. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances. However, if you value a deeper key press and find shorter distances to be too abrupt, then the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance may be the better choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Silent Red switch is known for its muted sound profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboard switches. The Silent Reds are perfect for those who want a switch that won't disturb others, making them suitable for office or shared living space use. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch has a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound level, making it suitable for most situations. While the Silent Red is definitely quieter, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its sound, offering a satisfying and immersive typing experience.
In terms of feel, both the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. They are described as "buttery" switches, meaning that they offer a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Additionally, both switches are described as "mild", which indicates a more gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. The Silent Red switch also has a padded bottom-out feel, providing maximum comfort. The Tourmaline Blue switch, on the other hand, is described as easy-to-press, offering minimal resistance during key presses and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the TTC Silent Red and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Reds are best suited for those who want a quiet typing experience, making them ideal for office or shared spaces. They have a muted sound profile and provide a smooth, consistent feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues offer a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying and immersive typing experience. They have a bouncy feel with each keystroke and a light actuation force, making them accessible to a wide range of users. These two switches offer different experiences, but if you're looking for similar qualities, such as a smooth and fluid keystroke, both switches will deliver satisfying results.
Conclusion
In closing, when it comes to choosing between the TTC Silent Red linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing environment. If you value a quieter typing experience and need to use your keyboard in an office or shared living space, the Silent Red is the perfect choice. With its muted sound profile and smooth, consistent feel, it provides a comfortable and unobtrusive typing experience. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper and more satisfying typing sound and prefer a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue is the switch for you. With its thocky sound profile and balanced spring weight, it offers an immersive and enjoyable typing experience. Both switches have their unique qualities, so consider factors like sound, feel, and your specific typing needs when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Silent Red and the Tourmaline Blue lies in your personal preferences and desired typing experience.
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