Kailh Box Jade vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and the Gateron Quinn are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The Box Jade is known for its medium-heavy typing experience, offering a clicky sound profile and satisfying tactility. Its high-pitched, accented clicks and crunchy tactile bumps are sure to delight users who crave a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Quinn switches offer a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile. Thanks to their specially designed nylon housings, users can expect a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump, accompanied by a rich and immersive sound that adds a touch of character to the typing experience. The Quinn switches are often described as snappy, bassy, polished, bouncy, clacky, accented, buttery, creamy, low-pitched, and resonant. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
59g
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
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the Gateron Quinn switches differ in their compositions and resulting sound profiles. The Box Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate being a stiff plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate. In terms of aesthetics, both switches feature translucent housings suitable for RGB lighting.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Box Jade and the Quinn use nylon. This results in a similar deep and full sound profile as previously mentioned. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, creating a dull and round sound. Therefore, the bottom-out sound and feel of these switches are influenced by their nylon bottom housings. However, it is worth noting that the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key.
In summary, while the Kailh Box Jade and the Gateron Quinn switches have some similarities in their housing materials, their polycarbonate and nylon components result in distinct sound profiles. The Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, while the Quinn's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches utilize nylon bottom housings, contributing to a similar deep and full sound upon bottoming out. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for the specific sound characteristics offered by their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, there are a few key differences to consider. The Box Jade has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Quinn's slightly heavier actuation force of 59 grams. Both switches fall into the medium category, but the Quinn leans more towards the medium-heavy side.
In terms of bottom out force, the Box Jade requires 60 grams of force to fully press down, while the Quinn has a bottom out force of 67 grams. This makes the Quinn slightly heavier in this aspect as well.
Weight becomes an important factor for many users, as a lighter switch can allow for longer typing sessions without fatigue, making it suitable for work or extended gaming. However, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with heavier forces to provide a stronger push feel.
While both switches have a similar profile in terms of actuation and bottom out, the slight variations in force between the Box Jade and the Quinn offer users distinct options. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch have slightly different travel distances. The Box Jade has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Quinn has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who desire faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Quinn with its slightly shorter travel distance may be the preferred choice. However, for those who prefer a deeper and more substantial key press, the Box Jade with its slightly longer travel distance may be more suitable. Ultimately, the difference in travel distance between these two switches is minimal, so you can expect a similar feel from both options, with the Quinn providing a slightly quicker response and the Box Jade offering a slightly more substantial key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
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 produces a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. Each key press results in a sharp and crisp sound, resembling stepping on piles of autumn leaves. This switch is perfect for those who prefer a more distinctive and clicky sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offers a deep and resonant sound profile. The sound is characterized by lower frequency tones, providing a rich and immersive auditory experience. It is best suited for those who enjoy a slightly bassier sound with a clean and sharp profile. However, it's important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, both switches offer unique sound profiles, with the Box Jade being high-pitched and crunchy, while the Quinn provides a bassier and resonant sound.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is described as accented and invigorating. It offers a medium tactile experience, providing a prominent amount of tactility that neither overwhelms nor feels subtle. This switch offers a satisfying feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force, resulting in a snappy and reactive feel during typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch is described as snappy, polished, bouncy, and accented. It is super responsive, predominantly due to longer or dual-staged springs, offering a lively typing experience. The switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Moreover, the bouncy feedback provides a spring-like sensation, giving the keys a lively feel when pressed. Overall, both switches offer an invigorating and tactile typing experience, with the Box Jade featuring a medium tactile feel and the Quinn providing a snappy and polished feel.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade produces a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, offering a medium-heavy typing experience with crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps. It provides an accented and invigorating feel with prominent tactility, creating an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a deep and resonant sound profile, characterized by its bassy and clacky nature. It provides a precise and clean tactile bump with a snappy and polished feel. Both switches have their unique characteristics, and the choice ultimately depends on personal preference. However, if a similar sound profile or feel is desired, one can expect to get similar results by selecting switches with similar descriptors, such as higher-pitched or accented.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches are perfect for you. These switches offer crisp clicks and a crunchy tactile bump when typing, providing a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility and a deep, resonant sound profile, the Gateron Quinn switches are a great choice. With their specially designed nylon housings, these switches deliver a rich and immersive typing experience, adding a touch of character to your typing. Expect a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump while enjoying the deep and resonant sound produced by the Quinn switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your preference for either a medium-heavy clicky experience (Box Jade) or a light, deep and resonant typing feel (Quinn).
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