Durock Black Lotus vs. Kailh Box Jade
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available to suit every typing preference. Two popular switches that offer unique experiences are the Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Jade. The Black Lotus, a linear switch, is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, making it perfect for those who value a seamless typing experience. With its reduced housing and stem wobble, this switch guarantees maximum typing pleasure. Its 55g actuation weight provides a substantial feel without being too heavy, and the fully removable unique light column adds an extra touch of customization. On the other hand, the Box Jade, a clicky switch, offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a satisfying clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility. Its crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps while typing make it an absolute delight for those seeking a more pronounced feedback. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision on the best switch for your personal preference.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
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 Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Jade switches are different in terms of their top housing. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. The use of this blend creates a different typing experience compared to the Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that use RGB lighting. Despite the differences, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, albeit with slightly different sound profiles.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon, a classic switch material. Typing on switches with nylon housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound experience as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound profile in both the Black Lotus and Box Jade switches. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures that both switches deliver a satisfying tactile response and sound during typing. Therefore, although the top housings might differ, the nylon bottom housing provides a similar typing experience for both switches.
When considering the impact of the housing materials, it is important to note that the bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. In this regard, the choice of nylon in both the Black Lotus and Box Jade switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile during bottoming out. Conversely, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound produced when a key is released. While the Black Lotus utilizes a modified PC and UPE Blend, providing a unique and premium feel, the polycarbonate top housing of the Box Jade offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile upon key release. As a result, the differences in top and bottom housing materials contribute to distinct sound experiences in these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, it becomes apparent that there are slight differences between the two. The Black Lotus requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Box Jade's 50 grams. This means that the Black Lotus takes a bit more pressure to register a keystroke initially. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Black Lotus also requires a slightly heavier force of 63.5 grams compared to the Box Jade's 60 grams.
The Black Lotus can be considered as a medium-heavy switch in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force, while the Box Jade falls in the medium category for both. This means that the Black Lotus provides a more substantial typing experience due to the higher forces required, which can be preferred by those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Box Jade offers a slightly lighter typing experience, which can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions.
In terms of weight considerations, the Black Lotus is slightly heavier overall due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces. This makes it a suitable choice for individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience that requires a bit more effort. On the other hand, the Box Jade provides a lighter feel throughout, making it a favorable option for those looking for a switch that allows them to type for longer periods of time without as much fatigue.
Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces are different between the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch, they both offer unique advantages based on individual preferences. Whether one prefers a lighter or a heavier tactile experience, these switches ensure a satisfying typing experience tailored to the needs of the user.
Travel distance
The Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch have different travel distances. The Black Lotus has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Box Jade has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The 4.0 mm distance of the Black Lotus is considered more traditional, providing a satisfying depth when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Box Jade offers a slightly shallower travel distance of 3.6 mm. This shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers who value faster response times. Choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference. If you prioritize responsiveness and quick key presses, the Box Jade with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a more substantial and gratifying feel when typing, the Black Lotus with its longer travel distance may be the preferred choice. Both switches have their advantages and it ultimately comes down to individual preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
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
The Black Lotus linear switch is known for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, reducing housing and stem wobble for maximum typing pleasure. It offers a substantial 55g actuation weight that provides a satisfying amount of resistance without being too heavy. Additionally, the unique light column feature provides in-switch lighting that can be fully removed if desired. As for sound, the information about the Black Lotus switch is not provided, but based on its characteristics and linear nature, it is likely to produce a quiet and smooth typing sound.
On the other hand, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is designed for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility. It is praised for its crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps when typing on it. The clicky sound it produces is described as high-pitched and resembles the sharp and crisp sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. The Box Jade switch offers an invigorating feel with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Durock Black Lotus linear switch excels in providing a silky smooth typing experience with a subtle and refined feel, while the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch offers a medium-heavy typing experience with prominent feedback and satisfying clicky sound. While the specific sound profile of the Black Lotus switch is unknown, it is likely to produce a quiet and smooth typing sound due to its linear nature. If you are seeking a similar medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility to the Box Jade switch, the Black Lotus can provide a comparable result in terms of feel and overall typing pleasure.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch that offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a smooth and precise feel, the Durock Black Lotus is the switch for you. With its 63.5g bottom out force, these switches provide a substantial actuation weight without being too heavy. The Black Lotus also boasts a unique light column for in-switch lighting, adding an extra touch of customization to your keyboard setup.
On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with medium bottom out force and a satisfying click sound, the Kailh Box Jade is the way to go. These switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience with a crisp click and crunchy tactile bumps. The high-pitched sound profile produces sharp and crisp clicks, perfect for those who enjoy a more distinct typing sound.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and Kailh Box Jade depends on your personal preference for the typing experience. If you prioritize smoothness and precision, go for the Black Lotus. If you enjoy a clicky and tactile feel with a satisfying sound profile, the Box Jade is the switch for you. Either way, both switches offer unique features that enhance your typing pleasure. In the end, it all comes down to what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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