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Everglide Tourmaline Blue vs. Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear

An in-depth look at the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

Are you in search of the perfect mechanical keyboard switch? Look no further, as we compare and contrast two popular options - the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear. The Tourmaline Blue is renowned for its deep and thocky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, each keystroke delivers a bouncy feel. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switches by Wuque elevate your office environment with their exceptional design. These switches reduce noise without the use of silicone dampeners, resulting in a tranquil and precise typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue is categorized as buttery, easy-to-press, mild, and neutral, while the WS Silent Linear falls under neutral, mild, muted, and subdued. Although these general pointers give you an idea of what to expect from each switch, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

59g

Actuation force

N/A

Bottom-out force

67g

Bottom-out force

63.5g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.50 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

15mm single-stage spring

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal material for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the WS Silent Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, which generates a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound profile.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing shares similar characteristics with its top housing. This results in a consistent sound profile throughout the switch, where the stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a sharp and crisp sound. Similarly, the WS Silent Linear employs a nylon bottom housing, which complements the nylon top housing by enhancing the switch's overall sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound experience when typing on the switch.

Although the Tourmaline Blue and the WS Silent Linear differ in their housing materials, their overall performance is influenced by both the top and bottom housings. When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that the qualities of the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Tourmaline Blue and the nylon bottom housing in the WS Silent Linear will determine the tactile experience of pressing down a key. Conversely, the sound when letting go of a key will be more influenced by the top housing, with the polycarbonate top housing in the Tourmaline Blue producing a sharper sound compared to the fuller sound of the nylon top housing in the WS Silent Linear.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. The Tourmaline Blue switch has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switch has an actuation force with an unknown weight and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also classifying it as a medium-heavy switch.

In terms of actuation force, both switches fall within the same weight range, providing a similar level of resistance required to trigger a keystroke. However, it is important to note that the exact actuation force of the WS Silent Linear switch is unavailable.

Moving on to bottom out force, there is a notable difference between the two switches. The Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch requires a heavier force of 67 grams to bottom out, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch has a slightly lighter bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This lighter force may be more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience or need to type for extended periods without fatigue.

In conclusion, while both the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches have similar actuation forces, the Tourmaline Blue switch requires a heavier force to bottom out compared to the WS Silent Linear switch. As a result, the Tourmaline Blue switch may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, while the WS Silent Linear switch may be more suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter switch for extended typing sessions.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch and the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch, we can see that the Tourmaline Blue has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the WS Silent Linear has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Tourmaline Blue falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, providing a depth of 4 mm that many users are accustomed to. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear offers a slightly shallower travel distance of 3.5 mm, which may be preferred by gamers seeking a faster response time. The choice between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference - those who prioritize a more responsive feel may opt for the shorter travel distance of the WS Silent Linear, while those who prefer a deeper, more substantial keystroke may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance. Both switches have their merits, and the decision ultimately depends on individual preferences for travel depth.

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 Silent Linear comes in at $4.20 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

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a deep and thocky sound profile that creates a satisfying typing experience. It has a neutral sound profile, which means it produces a moderate sound suitable for most users in various settings. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch aims to elevate the office and work experience by reducing switch noise. It features ingeniously designed stem railings with discreet cutouts, resulting in a quieter sound compared to regular switches. The WS Silent Linear switch is described as neutral, muted, and subdued, offering a more subtle and dampened sound signature. While the Tourmaline Blue switch focuses on providing a deep and satisfying sound, the WS Silent Linear switch prioritizes a quieter and more tranquil typing experience without silicone dampeners.

In terms of feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a bouncy and buttery typing experience with its lengthened single-stage spring. The switch provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform sensation during keystrokes. Its easy-to-press nature ensures minimal force is required to activate the switch, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue switch make it approachable for most users, providing a gentle and comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switch is also described as mild, suggesting a more gentle typing experience similar to the Tourmaline Blue switch. However, without further information, it is not clear whether it shares the buttery and easy-to-press qualities of the Tourmaline Blue switch.

In conclusion, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue and Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Tourmaline Blue focuses on providing a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy and buttery typing experience. It strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, appealing to a wide range of users. On the other hand, the WS Silent Linear switch prioritizes a quieter typing experience by reducing switch noise without using silicone dampeners. Its mild characteristics ensure a gentle and approachable typing feel. While they have different sound and feel profiles, both switches have a neutral actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most users. Ultimately, the choice between the Tourmaline Blue and WS Silent Linear switches will depend on personal preferences regarding sound, feel, and noise reduction.

Conclusion

In closing, if you prioritize a deep and thocky sound profile and a bouncy feel with each keystroke, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. On the other hand, if you value a quieter typing experience with unparalleled responsiveness, the Wuque Studio WS Silent Linear linear switch would be perfect for you. These switches masterfully reduce switch noise while delivering a satisfying bottom-out. Additionally, if you prefer a more gentle typing experience that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone, both the Tourmaline Blue and WS Silent Linear switches offer mild characteristics. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your personal preferences for sound and feel.

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