Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Kailh Box Jade
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Jade. The Bamboo Green switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, giving typists a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Jade switch offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and a crunchy tactile bump. Both switches provide unique qualities, offering users different preferences and typing experiences. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Jade switches differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which provides a neutral sound profile. It neither has a crisp nor dull sound, making it a versatile option. On the other hand, the Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Its stiffness contributes to a more clear and resonant sound profile, especially suitable for RGB lighting setups. Therefore, if you're looking for a switch with a subtle sound and no specific aesthetic preferences, the Everglide Bamboo Green with its PBT top housing will provide similar results.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Bamboo Green utilizes PBT, which again offers a neutral sound profile. The sound produced is not particularly crisp or dull. In contrast, the Box Jade incorporates a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, if you prefer a typing experience with a more pronounced and immersive sound, the Box Jade with its nylon bottom housing would be a better choice.
Considering the impact of the housing materials on the switch's overall performance, the bottom housing plays a more significant role in determining the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, if you choose the Bamboo Green, you will predominantly experience the qualities of its PBT bottom housing. On the other hand, the top housing, whether PBT or polycarbonate, will mainly affect the sound when you release a key. So, if you prioritize the sound during key release or if you plan to incorporate RGB lighting, the Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing offers a more suitable option.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch to the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, their actuation and bottom out forces both fall within the medium range. The Bamboo Green requires an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Box Jade has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating that they provide a similar resistance when pressed all the way down.
In terms of weight, the lighter actuation force of the Bamboo Green may be preferable for those who prefer a lighter touch while typing or gaming for extended periods of time. This switch allows for smoother and quicker keystrokes, resulting in reduced finger fatigue. On the other hand, the Box Jade's slightly heavier actuation force may be favored by users who desire a more substantial and tactile typing experience. The additional force required to trigger a keystroke can provide a satisfying clicky feedback.
Overall, although there are slight differences in their actuation forces, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and Kailh Box Jade switches offer a similar bottom out force. Choosing between the two would largely depend on individual preferences for typing experience and desired weight of keystrokes.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Bamboo Green has a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls into the more traditional range. On the other hand, the Box Jade has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that if you are looking for a switch with a quicker response time, the Box Jade would be the preferable option due to its shorter travel distance. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for faster input recognition. However, for those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the Bamboo Green may be the better choice with its slightly longer travel distance. Overall, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. Typing on these switches provides a clacky sound signature that is clean and sharp, creating an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch also produces a high-pitched sound, but with a crunchy quality. The clicky switches are commonly associated with the sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. Both switches offer a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, giving a satisfying auditory feedback to the typist. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch provides a stepped and accented tactile experience. These switches have a milder tactility compared to hypertactile switches, offering some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. The tactile bump is noticeable but not overwhelming, providing a medium level of tactility. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches have a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch offers an accented tactile experience. Similar to the Bamboo Green switches, these switches provide a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The tactile feedback is pronounced, and the actuation force is moderate to firm, creating a snappy and reactive feel. Typing on the Box Jades can be described as invigorating, offering an immersive typing sensation.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch both provide distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green switches have a clacky sound and a milder tactility with a polished finish, while the Box Jade switches have a crunchy sound and an invigorating tactile feedback. If you prefer a higher-pitched sound profile, both switches offer similar results. However, the choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature accompanied by a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches are the way to go. Both switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, but the Box Jade switches also have a crunchy sound reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches offer a stepped and accented tactile experience, with a sharp and polished finish for smooth key travel. The Box Jade switches, on the other hand, provide an accented tactile feel that is not overwhelming, along with an invigorating typing sensation. Ultimately, your choice should depend on whether you prioritize the clacky sound and sparkling tactility of the Bamboo Green or the clicky sound and moderate-heavy typing experience of the Box Jades.
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