Kailh Box Jade vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Are you in search of the perfect mechanical keyboard switch that suits your typing preferences? Look no further, as we introduce you to two exceptional switches - the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Mamba. The Box Jade is a clicky switch that offers a medium-heavy typing experience with a satisfying click sound and a noticeable tactile bump. On the other hand, the Mamba is a linear switch that provides a smooth and gliding typing sensation, accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. While the Box Jade excels in its high-pitched and invigorating clicky profile, the Mamba stands out with its neutral and mild characteristics, offering a thocky and polished typing experience. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make an informed decision about which switch best suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Mamba, it is evident that they offer different sound profiles. The Box Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiff plastic that produces a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Mamba utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE in its top housing, resulting in a sound profile that is pleasant and slightly brighter. While both materials offer a distinct sound, the Box Jade's polycarbonate produces a sharper tone, while the Mamba's blend is more balanced and mellow.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Box Jade incorporates a nylon material, which delivers a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon is softer plastic that absorbs more sound, contributing to a duller and rounder sound profile. This contrasts with the Mamba's POM bottom housing, which creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound that is on the deeper side and relatively more muted. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Jade emphasizes a richer sound, while the POM housing of the Mamba offers a deeper and more subdued tone.
Considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall sound and feel of the switch, it is clear that the qualities of each housing material are distributed accordingly. The bottom housing is more influential in the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing plays a larger role in the sound when the key is released. Therefore, regardless of the specific housing materials used, both the Box Jade and the Mamba will provide similar results in terms of typing experience and key response. However, the Box Jade with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom will yield a sharper and fuller sound, while the Mamba, with its unique blend and POM bottom, will offer a more balanced and mellow sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, the first notable difference is in their weight. The Box Jade switch has an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Mamba's actuation force is currently unavailable. In terms of bottom out force, both switches share a similar weight, with a measurement of 60 grams.
Considering weight in switch selection, individuals seeking a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Box Jade switch. This lighter actuation force allows for extended typing sessions without much strain, making it suitable for longer work hours or marathon gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel might opt for options with heavier forces. Unfortunately, since the actuation force of the Mamba switch is unknown, it is challenging to directly compare the two switches in this regard.
With a medium actuation force and matching bottom out force, the Box Jade switch provides a consistent tactile experience throughout the keystroke process. While we cannot definitively state whether the Mamba switch is lighter or heavier in comparison, it is notable that both switches share the same weight at the bottom out level. Therefore, for individuals seeking a similar result to the Box Jade switch, the Mamba switch might provide a comparable medium-weight typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is 3.6 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming increasingly popular, particularly among gamers seeking faster response times. If you prioritize a more responsive typing experience, opting for the shorter travel distance of the Mamba switch might be the better choice. However, for those who prefer a more substantial key press, the Box Jade switch offers a slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a shorter, more rapid key press or a longer, more pronounced keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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 clicky switch is known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and crisp sound, resembling the sound of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. The clicky nature of the switch adds to the auditory experience, providing satisfying feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a neutral sound profile. It has a moderate sound with a deep "thocky" characteristic, creating a rich and creamy auditory experience. The sound of each switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
When it comes to feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch offers an invigorating typing sensation. It has an accented tactile feel, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The switch offers moderate to firm actuation force, resulting in a snappy and reactive feel. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba switch offers a more mild typing experience. It is designed to be approachable to most users, offering a gentle feel without pronounced characteristics. The switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Based on the available information, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade provides a high-pitched, crunchy sound profile with an invigorating typing sensation, while the Mamba offers a neutral sound profile with a deep "thocky" characteristic and a mild, polished typing experience. Both switches have their unique qualities, and the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference. However, if you are looking for a similar level of sound and feel as the Box Jade, the Mamba switch may not provide the same crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, but it can still deliver a rich and creamy auditory experience with a comfortable typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you want a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Jade switches are perfect for you. These switches provide crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps while typing, creating an invigorating and immersive typing sensation. The high-pitched and crunchy sound produced by the Box Jade switches adds an extra layer of satisfaction. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Durock Mamba switches are an excellent choice. With a neutral sound profile and a moderate actuation force requirement, the Mamba switches offer a balanced and approachable typing experience. Additionally, the mild and polished feel of these switches ensures smooth and refined key travel. Ultimately, the choice between Kailh Box Jade clicky switches and Durock Mamba linear switches depends on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile.
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