Kailh Box Jade vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Kailh Box Jade and Aflion Foggy Shadow are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics. The Box Jade is favored for its medium-heavy typing experience, clicky sound profile, and crunchy tactile bumps, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a loud and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow is known for its light tactile bump and medium weight, appealing to users who prefer a more subtle and balanced typing feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Box Jade and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which result in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Being relatively stiff plastics, polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced by the switches. Additionally, their translucency makes them ideal for use with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches.
In contrast, the Box Jade and the Foggy Shadow switches differ in their bottom housing materials. The Box Jade utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deep and full sound profile when typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow also features a nylon bottom housing, providing similar sound qualities to the typing experience as the Box Jade.
Overall, while the top housings of both switches are made of polycarbonate, the bottom housings differ in material. This distinction affects the overall sound profile and typing experience of each switch. The qualities of the housing materials are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, the choice between the Box Jade and the Foggy Shadow will depend on the specific sound profile and typing experience desired by the user.
Weight
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Box Jade is 60 grams, while the Foggy Shadow has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that the Box Jade provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow offers a heavier typing experience, which may be preferred by those who like a more substantial push feel while typing. In terms of weight, the Box Jade is lighter, making it ideal for longer typing sessions, while the Foggy Shadow is heavier, catering to those who prefer a stronger typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. While the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, it can still impact the overall feel and performance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the slightly shorter travel distance of the Foggy Shadow switch. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may lean towards the Box Jade switch with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience due to their closely matched travel distances, providing users with reliable and consistent keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
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
Unfortunately, the description of the tactile feel of the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch is missing from the provided information. However, based on the given details, it seems that the Box Jade switch offers a more pronounced tactile experience with accentuated feedback, making each keystroke feel invigorating. The Aflion Foggy Shadow switch, with its light tactile bump, may provide a more subtle and gentle typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, it's clear that the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch offer different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade switch provides a high-pitched and crunchy typing experience with accentuated tactility, appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, paired with a light tactile bump for a more subtle typing sensation. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between the crisp clicks of the Box Jade or the gentle tactility of the Foggy Shadow to enhance their typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy typing experience with a crisp clicky sound profile and crunchy tactile bumps, the Box Jade is the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light tactile bump with a medium weight and a more balanced performance, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch is the way to go. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preference for sound profile and typing feel, so choose the switch that best suits your needs and typing style.
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