PH Studio Aniya vs. Kailh Box Jade
An in-depth look at the PH Studio Aniya and the Kailh Box Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch offer distinct typing experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Aniya switch is praised for its harmonious balance in sound profile, leaning towards a pronounced clacky sound without being overwhelmingly loud. It boasts a smooth feel with a medium-light actuation, making typing a delight. On the other hand, the Box Jade switch delivers a medium-heavy typing experience with crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, providing a satisfyingly clicky sound profile. While both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, ultimately, the choice between them depends on personal typing preferences. 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
42g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Single stage lengthened 20mm spring
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the PH Studio Aniya and the Kailh Box Jade offer contrasting sound profiles due to the different properties of the materials used. The Aniya's POM top housing provides a deeper and more muted sound, while the Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The polycarbonate material is known for its stiffness, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound profile, especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the POM material of the Aniya offers a unique sound that is on the deeper side, providing a different typing experience for users.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Aniya's POM bottom housing shares similar characteristics with its top housing in terms of sound profile, creating a pleasing and unique sound that is deeper and more muted. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Jade's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This difference in material properties results in a distinct typing experience for users of each switch. While the Aniya offers a consistent sound profile throughout its housing materials, the Box Jade provides a varied sound experience between its top and bottom housings.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound and feel of a switch, it is evident that each housing material plays a significant role in shaping the typing experience. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, with the nylon material of the Kailh Box Jade offering a deeper and fuller sound compared to the POM material of the Aniya. Conversely, the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, with the polycarbonate material of the Box Jade providing a sharper and crisper sound profile in contrast to the deeper and more muted sound of the POM material in the Aniya. Overall, the choice of housing material plays a crucial role in determining the sound profile and typing experience of a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, there are notable differences. The Aniya linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. In contrast, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, providing a more substantial typing feel. For those who enjoy a stronger push when typing, the Box Jade switch would be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of desired typing force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, it is evident that the Aniya has a shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the Box Jade has a longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Aniya's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Box Jade's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer a deeper feel. Both options cater to different preferences, with the Aniya offering a quicker keystroke and the Box Jade providing a more substantial key press experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance in keyboard switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The PH Studio Aniya has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Aniya for $4.20.
The Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50 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
In terms of sound, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch is characterized by a clacky and high-pitched profile that provides a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, without being overwhelmingly loud. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch offers a high-pitched sound with a crunchy click that is satisfying for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. Both switches provide distinct auditory experiences tailored to different preferences, with the Aniya leaning towards a sharper sound profile and the Box Jade delivering a crunchy click.
When it comes to feel, the Aniya switch boasts a creamy and silky typing experience, thanks to the use of Ly as the stem material, providing a smooth and buttery sensation with each keystroke. In contrast, the Box Jade switch offers an invigorating tactile feedback with a medium-heavy typing experience, making each keypress feel reactive and snappy. While the Aniya switch focuses on a smooth and effortless typing feel, the Box Jade switch emphasizes a firm actuation force and pronounced feedback for a more tactile experience.
Overall, the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch each offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Aniya switch provides a clacky sound profile and a creamy typing experience, while the Box Jade switch delivers a high-pitched clicky sound and an invigorating tactile feel. Both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring that users can choose the one that best suits their typing style and preference for sound and feel. Ultimately, whether you prefer a smoother typing experience with a pronounced sound profile or a tactile typing experience with a satisfying click, both switches offer great options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the PH Studio Aniya linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, consider your preferences for sound and feel. If you enjoy a slightly clacky sound profile with a smooth and creamy typing experience, the Aniya may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a crisp clicky sound with crunchy tactile feedback, the Box Jade could be more appealing. Ultimately, your personal typing preferences and the type of experience you are looking for will guide your decision between these two switches.
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