Kailh Box Jade vs. Durock Koala
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Koala switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Koala offer distinct typing experiences. The Box Jades are known for providing a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility, making them perfect for those who enjoy a crisp click and crunchy tactile bumps. On the other hand, the Koalas strike a balance between tactile feedback and actuation force, offering a stepped tactility that provides a pronounced bump without being overly loud. While the Box Jades are categorized as 'High-pitched' and 'Invigorating', the Koalas are described as 'Polished', 'Low-pitched', and 'Neutral'. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your preferences for typing feel and sound. 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
67g
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
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Koala, one can see that both switches share a polycarbonate top housing. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. However, the Nylon bottom housing of the Box Jade and Koala provides a different typing experience. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing.
While both the Box Jade and Koala switches have a polycarbonate top housing, their nylon bottom housings differ. The Box Jade's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound profile, while the Koala's nylon bottom housing provides a similar deep and full sound experience. This difference in bottom housing materials may result in a slightly varied typing feel when pressing down on the switches. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel, coupled with the influence of the top housing on the sound when releasing a key, showcases how the housing materials can affect the overall typing experience of each switch.
Considering the impact of housing materials on sound profiles and typing experiences, it is evident that the choice between the Box Jade and the Koala switches may come down to individual preferences. While both switches share a polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and crisp sound profile, the variation in nylon bottom housing between the two switches may provide a slightly different typing feel. Ultimately, the selection between the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Koala will depend on whether the user prefers a deeper, fuller sound profile from the nylon bottom housing or the sharper, higher-pitched sound of the polycarbonate top housing.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch differ slightly in weight. The Box Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-weight option. In contrast, the Koala has an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 67 grams, leaning towards the medium-heavy end. The lighter actuation force of the Box Jade may appeal to those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming, while the heavier bottom out force of the Koala provides a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. In terms of weight, the Box Jade is lighter overall, while the Koala is slightly heavier. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, providing users with a medium to medium-heavy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences for typing feel and force sensitivity.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch, it is evident that the Box Jade has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm compared to the Koala's longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Box Jade offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers or those who prefer a more responsive keypress. On the other hand, the Koala's longer travel distance provides a more substantial feel, which may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a deeper keypress sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and keypress feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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 Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, giving off sharp and crisp clicks reminiscent of stepping on crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Durock Koala tactile switch offers a low-pitched and neutral sound, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone without being overly loud. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, so your choice will ultimately depend on whether you prefer a high-pitched and crunchy sound or a low-pitched and neutral tone.
In terms of feel, the Box Jade switch is characterized by its accentuated and invigorating tactile feedback, offering a crisp and responsive typing experience without being overly tactile. Conversely, the Durock Koala switch features a polished and accented tactile feel with stepped tactility, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a pronounced bump that doesn't span the entire keystroke. Whether you prefer a more invigorating and pronounced tactile feedback or a polished and stepped bump, both switches offer unique tactile experiences that cater to different typing preferences.
Overall, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different typing preferences. If you want a medium-heavy typing experience with a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, as well as accentuated and invigorating tactile feedback, the Box Jade switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a low-pitched and neutral sound, polished and accented tactile feel, and stepped tactility, the Durock Koala switch is the ideal choice. Ultimately, both switches provide unique typing experiences that can enhance your overall typing satisfaction based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Koala tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. If you enjoy a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactile bumps, the Box Jade is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a stepped tactility that provides a moderate bump without being overly loud, the Koala is the better choice for you. Consider the sound and feel descriptions provided to further narrow down your selection based on your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique experiences that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
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