Kailh Box Jade vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and Outemu Purple are two popular options to consider. The Box Jades are ideal for those who enjoy a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility. Their crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps provide a satisfying typing sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple switches offer a tactile typing experience without the audible click, making them a quieter option for those who prefer a more subtle 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
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Box Jade and the Outemu Purple switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, a relatively stiff plastic, results in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, where they differ is in their nylon bottom housings. The Box Jade's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Purple's nylon bottom housing offers a similar typing experience with its deeper and fuller sound profile.
When it comes to the feel and sound of a switch, the housing material plays a significant role. The split between the bottom and top housings of a switch determines the qualities felt when pressing down and letting go of a key. With different materials for the top and bottom housing, such as in the case of the Kailh Box Jade and Outemu Purple switches, the impact of each material is felt distinctly during typing. The bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in these switches results in a unique typing experience that combines sharpness with fullness in sound profile.
In summary, both the Kailh Box Jade and the Outemu Purple switches offer a sharp, high-pitched sound profile due to their polycarbonate top housings. The use of polycarbonate provides a clear and resonant sound, especially beneficial for switches with RGB lighting. However, where they differ is in their nylon bottom housings, with the Box Jade producing a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Purple's duller and rounder sound. The split between the top and bottom housing materials in these switches results in a unique typing experience, with each material contributing distinct qualities to the overall sound and feel of typing.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of both switches is the same at 50 grams, providing a consistent level of force needed to trigger a keystroke. However, the Box Jade has a bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating that it requires slightly more force to fully press the key down compared to the Purple switch, which has an unknown bottom out force. This suggests that the Box Jade may provide a slightly heavier typing experience overall. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Purple switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may gravitate towards the heavier bottom out force of the Box Jade for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Purple tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Box Jade has a shorter travel distance compared to the Purple. A shorter travel distance can provide a quicker response time, which is favored by gamers. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Outemu Purple may give a more substantial feel when pressing the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference, with the Box Jade offering a shorter travel distance for quicker responsiveness, and the Outemu Purple providing a longer travel distance for a more pronounced key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50, whereas the Outemu Purple comes in at $3.10.
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, creating a sharp and crisp noise with each press. This switch provides a satisfying auditory experience for those who enjoy a clicky typing feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple tactile switch's sound profile is unknown, but it's important to note that sound can be influenced by factors like keycaps and keyboard build.
Moving on to the feel, the Box Jade switch offers an accented and invigorating typing experience. With a medium-heavy actuation force and pronounced tactile bump, this switch provides a tactile sensation that is not overwhelming but still responsive. On the contrary, the feel of the Outemu Purple switch is unspecified, leaving the specific tactile characteristics unknown.
Overall, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy typing experience, crisp clicks, and crunchy tactile bumps, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch would be a great choice. For those interested in tactile switches with accentuated tactility and a moderate actuation force, the Outemu Purple switch might also be a suitable option. However, without specific information on the sound and feel of the Outemu Purple switch, it's important to consider personal preferences and try out both switches to determine which one best suits your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, in choosing between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch, consider your preference for a medium-heavy typing experience with clicky sound and crisp tactile feedback. If you enjoy a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile with accentuated tactility, the Box Jade is ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with undefined bottom out force and no specific sound or feel characteristics mentioned, the Outemu Purple may be a suitable choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you desire.
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