Kailh Box Jade vs. TTC Flame Red
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Flame Red 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 for every preference and typing style. Two popular switches that are worth considering are the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Flame Red. The Box Jades are perfect for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience, accompanied by a satisfying clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps make typing on them a joyful experience. On the other hand, the Flame Reds excel in both aesthetics and performance. While their visuals are truly captivating, thanks to their dazzling light diffuser, they also offer a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile when typing. They are especially suited for users who desire a backlit, RGB keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
54g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Flame Red differ in terms of the housing materials used for both the top and bottom. The Box Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate top housing is beneficial for RGB lighting enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Flame Red utilizes a nylon top housing that elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches employ nylon material. Nylon is a popular choice for switch housing as it offers a similar sound profile - deeper and fuller. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, ultimately creating a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, despite having different top housings, the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Flame Red will yield similar results in terms of sound profile due to the shared nylon bottom housing.
It's worth noting that the differing top and bottom housings provide distinct impacts on the overall sound and feel of the switch. The bottom housing, whether made of nylon or polycarbonate, bears more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed. On the other hand, the top housing, whether polycarbonate or nylon, has a greater effect on the sound when the key is released. These differences in housing materials allow for a range of tactile and audible experiences, giving users the opportunity to find the switch that suits their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TTC Flame Red linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force.
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, meaning it requires a moderate amount of force to trigger a keystroke. Additionally, it has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating that it requires slightly more force to fully press the key. This combination results in a medium typing experience.
On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams. This means that it requires a bit less force to trigger a keystroke compared to the Box Jade switch. Similarly, it has a bottom out force of 54 grams, making it a medium-light switch in terms of force required for full key press.
The difference in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches is relatively small, but it can still have an impact on the typing experience. The Box Jade clicky switch offers a slightly heavier and more substantial feel with its 50-gram actuation force and 60-gram bottom out force. On the other hand, the Flame Red linear switch provides a slightly lighter touch with its 45-gram actuation force and 54-gram bottom out force.
Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions may opt for the Flame Red linear switch. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch. Both switches offer a medium typing experience overall, but with slight variations in force required.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Flame Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Flame Red has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Box Jade. When it comes to preference, the shorter travel distance of the Box Jade may be favored by gamers who value faster response times. This shorter travel distance allows for quicker keystrokes and can enhance gaming performance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key may opt for the Flame Red with its longer travel distance. This extra depth can provide a more satisfying typing experience, particularly for those who appreciate a well-defined key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference and the desired level of responsiveness or key depth required.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
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 Kailh Box Jade is well-known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. When pressing down on these switches, you will hear a sharp and crisp sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, the TTC Flame Red offers a neutral sound profile. It falls into the moderate range of actuation force and sound, making it suitable for various purposes, regardless of whether you are a beginner or advanced user.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Jade provides an accented and invigorating typing experience. These switches offer a medium level of tactility, providing a noticeable but not overwhelming feedback. They also have a moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy feel, creating an immersive typing sensation. Conversely, the TTC Flame Red offers a mild and polished feel. With these switches, you can expect a gentle typing experience, as they fall in the middle ground of switch characteristics. The Flame Reds have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade and the TTC Flame Red offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jades provide a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, paired with an accented and invigorating feel. On the other hand, the Flame Reds offer a neutral sound profile and a mild and polished feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, the Box Jades are the way to go. However, if you are looking for a switch with a weighty smoothness, a clacky sound profile, and a sleek polished feel, the Flame Reds are an excellent choice. Keep in mind that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and strong tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Jade switches are the perfect choice for you. These switches provide crisp clicks and a crunchy tactile bump that is satisfying to type on. On the other hand, if you prioritize visuals and have a backlit, RGB keyboard, the TTC Flame Red switches are the way to go. These switches have a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile that complements their dazzling light diffuser. Both switches have their own unique sound and feel characteristics. The Box Jade switches offer a high-pitched and crunchy sound, while the Flame Red switches have a neutral and moderate sound profile. In terms of feel, the Box Jade switches are accented and invigorating, providing a medium tactile switch with pronounced feedback. Meanwhile, the Flame Red switches offer a mild and polished typing experience, with a more gentle feel and a smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preferences for sound, feel, and the overall typing experience you desire.
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