Kailh Box Jade vs. Durock Lupine
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Lupine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Lupine. The Box Jade is a clicky switch that offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a satisfying click sound profile and distinct tactility. Its crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps truly enhance the typing experience. On the other hand, the Lupine is a linear switch that provides a different typing sensation. It features two-stage long springs, ensuring a consistent weight distribution when pressing down and a more powerful upward movement on the rebound. When it comes to sound, the Lupine offers a classic clacky sound profile. These switches are categorized as neutral, mild, high-pitched, and polished. Both switches have their unique characteristics and advantages, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can choose the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
Two-stage long spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Lupine both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, creating a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with these qualities, both the Box Jade and the Lupine can provide similar results.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, these switches differ. The Box Jade utilizes a nylon bottom housing, giving it a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Lupine also features a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar deeper and fuller sound profile. As a result, typing on both these switches will elicit a similar sound experience due to the common use of nylon in the bottom housing.
It's important to note that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. When you press down on a switch, you will feel the impact of the bottom housing, which influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing plays a bigger role when it comes to the sound produced when you release a key. Therefore, the overall feel and sound of the switch may vary slightly depending on the specific combination of top and bottom housings used in each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Box Jade is known to be 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Lupine is unavailable. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Box Jade requiring 60 grams and the Lupine requiring 62 grams.
Weight is an important consideration for keyboard enthusiasts, as it can significantly impact typing experiences. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Box Jade may be the preferred option. With an actuation force of 50 grams, it allows for effortless keystrokes, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or marathon gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who seek a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with a heavier actuation force. In this case, the Lupine's actuation force remains unknown, but its bottom out force of 62 grams indicates a slightly heavier feel.
It is notable to mention that while the specific actuation force of the Lupine is unavailable, it can be reasonably assumed that it falls within a similar range to the Box Jade, given their shared medium bottom out forces. Therefore, both switches may provide comparable results in terms of actuation force.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch will depend on the individual's preference for either a lighter or heavier touch. The Box Jade offers a known actuation force of 50 grams, while the Lupine's actuation force remains unclear. However, with both switches having medium bottom out forces, they are likely to provide similar results in terms of overall typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch have slightly different travel distances. The Box Jade has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Lupine has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Although the difference between the two is minimal, it is worth noting that the Lupine has a slightly longer travel distance. The traditional travel distance for switches is often around 4.0mm, so both the Box Jade and the Lupine fall on the shorter side of the spectrum. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times, making the Box Jade a suitable choice for those seeking a more responsive keystroke. However, for individuals who enjoy a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on keys, the longer travel distance provided by the Lupine may be more appealing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine for $4.25.
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 switch is known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. The high-pitched nature of these switches produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which can be appealing if you prefer a more treble-heavy sound. The crunchy sound is reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves, adding a satisfying auditory experience to your typing. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine switch has a neutral sound profile. It provides a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use the switches at home or work. Similar to the Box Jade, the Lupine switch also produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch offers an accented and invigorating typing experience. The accented tactile feedback of these switches falls in a middle ground between being lightly tactile and overly pronounced. It provides a noticeable amount of tactile feedback without being overwhelming or subtle. Combined with a moderate to firm actuation force, the Box Jade switch offers a snappy and reactive feel, creating an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine switch provides a mild typing experience. It offers a gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced tactile characteristics. The Lupine switch provides a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Additionally, the Lupine switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This could be due to the materials used or factory lubing, which reduces friction and provides smooth key travel.
Considering the information provided, the Kailh Box Jade and Durock Lupine switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade switch delivers a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, along with an accented and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Lupine switch provides a neutral sound profile with a sharp and crisp sound, along with a mild and polished typing experience. It ultimately depends on individual preferences whether one prefers a medium-heavy typing experience with crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, or a linear switch with a consistent weight distribution and a powerful upward movement. Additionally, it is important to note that the sound and feel of switches are also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches are perfect for you. Their crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps make typing on them a satisfying experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a consistent weight distribution and a more powerful upward movement on the rebound, the Durock Lupine switches are a treat to type on. They offer a classic clacky sound profile and a smooth key travel experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your preference for typing experience and sound.
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