Kailh Box Jade vs. KTT Purple Click
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Purple Click switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a myriad of options to choose from. Two popular clicky switches worth considering are the Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Purple Click. The Box Jade is perfect for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback. With its crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps, the Box Jade delivers a satisfying and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Click, also known as Purple Sauce, offers a fairly high-pitched and satisfying click. The keystrokes are lighter, but still provide a pronounced tactility without overwhelming the user. Characterized as having a resonant and stepped feel, the Purple Click strikes a perfect equilibrium. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your typing preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Purple Click both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows for translucency, making it especially suitable for those who plan to use RGB lighting in their setup. The aesthetic appeal of a clear housing is present in both switches. Therefore, users of either switch can expect similar results in terms of sound and visual experience when it comes to the top housing.
Both the Box Jade and the Purple Click have nylon bottom housings. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's relatively softer plastic composition absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. As a result, typing on switches utilizing nylon bottom housings will elicit these particular sound characteristics. Whether you choose the Box Jade or the Purple Click, you can expect a similar deeper and fuller sound experience due to the shared nylon bottom housing material.
It is worth noting that when a switch has different top and bottom housings, the characteristics attributed to each housing material are divided between the top and the bottom. Pressing down on the switch will primarily reflect the qualities of the bottom housing, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the sound when you release a key will be influenced by the top housing. Therefore, although the Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Purple Click share similarities in their housing materials, the distribution of these material characteristics on the switch may result in slight variations in the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Box Jade has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams, while the Purple Click requires 40 grams for actuation. Both switches fall into the medium category, where they provide a satisfying tactile feedback for typing. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Box Jade requires 60 grams, making it slightly heavier compared to the Purple Click's bottom out force of 55 grams, which is considered medium-light. These variances in force offer distinct typing experiences. For those seeking a lighter typing touch for extended periods of use, the Purple Click provides a slightly lighter actuation force. For individuals desiring a more substantial and sturdy keystroke, the Box Jade's heavier actuation and bottom out forces would be a better fit. Overall, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and typing preferences, but both options offer satisfying feedback and durability for efficient typing or extended gaming sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch, it is clear that the Box Jade has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Purple Click has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The difference may seem small, but it can have an impact on the overall typing experience. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Box Jade for faster response times and quicker key presses. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial key press and a sense of depth may gravitate towards the Purple Click with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience. Whether you opt for the shorter or longer travel distance, both switches can deliver satisfactory results depending on your needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Purple Click has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Purple Click for $2.55.
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 and KTT Purple Click switches both offer a satisfying clicky sound profile. The Box Jade produces a high-pitched sound with crisp clicks, similar to the sound of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Purple Click switch offers a resonant and high-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. Both switches provide a crunchy sound associated with clicky switches, which adds to the overall auditory experience. However, it is important to note that the sound of the switches can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both switches offer an invigorating typing experience with pronounced feedback. The Box Jade switch is described as having an accented feel, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It offers a moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy, reactive feel, which creates an immersive typing sensation. Similarly, the Purple Click switch also offers an invigorating feel with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy, reactive feel. Additionally, the Purple Click switch is described as a stepped switch, meaning it has a slight pre-travel or post-travel sensation, providing a more mild tactile experience compared to a hypertactile switch.
Considering the available information, both switches offer satisfying typing experiences with crisp clicks and a tactile feel. While the Box Jade provides a medium-heavy typing experience with a crunchy sound and an accented, invigorating feel, the Purple Click switch offers a high-pitched, satisfying click with light keystrokes and a pronounced yet balanced tactility. Depending on personal preference, both switches can deliver similar results in terms of sound and feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are someone who wants a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches would be a great choice for you. They offer crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps when typing, creating an invigorating and immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a fairly high-pitched, satisfying click and a lighter keystroke, the KTT Purple Click switches would be more suitable. These switches provide a pronounced yet balanced tactility, giving you a perfect equilibrium of feedback without being overwhelming. Both switches have a crunchy sound profile commonly associated with clicky switches, but the Box Jade switches have a slightly higher-pitched sound, while the Purple Click switches offer a resonant and clean sound profile. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and sound.
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