Kailh Box Jade vs. TKC Kiwi

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and the TKC Kiwi are two popular choices that cater to different typing preferences. The Box Jade is best known for its medium-heavy typing experience, accompanied by a clicky sound profile and a pronounced tactile feedback. With crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, this switch is perfect for those who enjoy a more invigorating and accentuated typing experience. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi offers a tactile typing experience with a medium to medium-strong bump at the top of each key press. It boasts a satisfyingly snappy sound profile that immerses you in your typing sessions. Additionally, these switches come lightly factory lubed, ensuring a smooth and effortless typing experience right out of the box. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch suits your needs.

By the numbers

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the TKC Kiwi switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile and typing experience. The Box Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This material is known for its stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Kiwi utilizes a UHWMPE top housing, a newer material that produces a very bright sound signature, delivering resonant clacks while typing. Although they differ in composition, both top housings enhance the sound profile and are ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting due to their translucency.

In terms of the bottom housings, the Box Jade employs a nylon material known for its classic switch housing properties. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon gives it the ability to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Kiwi features a UHWMPE bottom housing, another newer material that contributes to a bright sound signature and resonant clacks. While the bottom housing has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, both materials provide distinctive auditory experiences.

When considering the overall typing experience, the differences in housing materials between the Box Jade and Kiwi switches manifest in specific aspects. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, giving each switch its unique characteristics. On the other hand, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Despite their differing materials, both switches offer their own distinct sounds, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch, there are noticeable differences worth mentioning. The Box Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range. On the other hand, the Kiwi has a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams but a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, which falls in the medium-heavy category.

Considering weight, some individuals prefer a lighter actuation force as it allows for extended periods of typing without fatigue, making it ideal for professional use or prolonged gaming sessions. However, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier force for a stronger push feel. In this case, the Box Jade provides a slightly heavier overall experience, while the Kiwi offers a lighter actuation but a more forceful bottom out sensation.

It is important to note that although the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, they both fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. This means that while the exact forces vary, both switches provide a comparable level of resistance, ensuring a similar typing experience overall. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired level of tactile feedback and typing resistance.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch, we can see that the Box Jade has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Kiwi has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Box Jade falls into the category of shorter travel distances, which are often preferred by gamers seeking faster response times for quick actions. On the other hand, the Kiwi offers a touch more depth with its longer travel distance. It's worth noting that 4.0mm is considered the most traditional travel distance, while 3.0mm is the most shallow. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference: if you value responsiveness, the Box Jade's shorter travel distance may be your preferred option, whereas if you prefer a more substantial key feel, the Kiwi's longer travel distance might be more suitable.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Jade switch produces a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. The high-pitched nature of these switches creates sharp and crisp clicks, which can be appealing if you prefer a more vibrant sound. Additionally, the crunchy sound they produce when pressed gives the sensation of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi switch has a low-pitched sound profile. This means that it produces a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. The Kiwi switch also falls into the "neutral" category, meaning it has a moderate sound profile suitable for most purposes. Due to other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps, the sound of the switches may vary.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch offers an accented and invigorating typing experience. The accented tactile feedback of these switches provides a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It falls into the category of "medium tactile" switches, offering a satisfying bump without being too forceful. The invigorating feel of these switches comes from their moderate to firm actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive sensation while typing. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi switch presents a stepped and accented tactile experience. Stepped switches provide a mild two-stage feel, where you can feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during the keystroke. Similar to the Box Jade, the Kiwi switch also falls into the category of "medium tactile" switches, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Additionally, the Kiwi switch boasts a polished finish, which contributes to a smooth and refined typing experience. The reduced friction and smooth key travel enhance the overall feel of these switches.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the TKC Kiwi tactile switch offer distinct qualities in sound and feel. The Box Jade delivers a high-pitched sound profile with crisp clicks and a crunchy typing experience. It provides an accented and invigorating feel with a medium tactile feedback that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. On the other hand, the TKC Kiwi switch produces a low-pitched sound profile with a satisfyingly snappy sound. It offers a stepped and accented tactile experience, along with a polished finish for a smooth typing feel. When it comes to sound and feel preferences, it is important to consider personal preferences and other factors such as the choice of board and keycaps. Choosing either of these switches will result in a satisfying typing experience, though with different subjective qualities.

Conclusion

To sum up, 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. Their crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps provide an immersive typing sensation that many enthusiasts appreciate. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-strong tactile bump with a smooth and refined typing experience, the TKC Kiwi switches are a great option. Their stepped feel and polished finish contribute to a satisfying typing experience right out of the box. Additionally, the Kiwi switches have a low-pitched sound profile, which offers a bass-heavy and mellow tone. Ultimately, the decision between the Kailh Box Jade and TKC Kiwi switches comes down to personal preference regarding the level of tactile feedback, sound profile, and overall typing experience you desire.

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