Kailh Box Jade vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and the Jerrzi Salt Ice offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Box Jade is ideal for those who crave a medium-heavy typing feel with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches stand out for their bright and clacky characteristics, providing a light touch and vibrant feedback for a more energetic typing experience. While the Box Jade is known for its high-pitched, accented, and invigorating feel, the Salt Ice offers a smooth and effortless actuation. 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
45g
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
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and Jerrzi Salt Ice both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This makes them ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows light to shine through effectively. However, the Jerrzi Salt Ice differs from the Box Jade in that it has a polycarbonate bottom housing, which also contributes to the sharp and clear sound profile of the switch. In contrast, the Box Jade utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound.
While both switches share the use of polycarbonate in their top housings for a similar sound profile, the choice of bottom housing material sets them apart in terms of sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Jade creates a duller and rounder sound, contrasting with the sharper and crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Jerrzi Salt Ice. This difference in bottom housing material translates to a variation in the typing experience, with the bottom-out sound and feel influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing. On the other hand, the release sound is more affected by the top housing material, showcasing the importance of both components in determining the overall typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches plays a significant role in shaping the sound profile, feel, and aesthetics of the switch. While both the Kailh Box Jade and Jerrzi Salt Ice feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharper sound profile, the Box Jade's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper sound compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Salt Ice. Understanding how the different housing materials interact with each other can help mechanical keyboard enthusiasts fine-tune their typing experience to suit their preferences, whether they prioritize a sharper sound profile or a fuller sound with each key press.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, it is evident that the Box Jade is slightly heavier in terms of actuation force at 50 grams, compared to the Salt Ice at 45 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Box Jade is 60 grams, which is heavier than the unknown bottom out force of the Salt Ice.
The Box Jade provides a more tactile and audible typing experience due to its clicky nature, while the Salt Ice offers a smoother and quieter linear movement. For those who prefer a lighter touch and longer typing sessions, the Salt Ice may be the better option with its lighter actuation force. On the other hand, the Box Jade may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the Box Jade is heavier than that of the Salt Ice, the comparison of bottom out forces is inconclusive due to the unknown value for the Salt Ice. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and sound.
Travel distance
The Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular among gamers for quicker response times. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may find the Box Jade to be more to their liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for travel distance and the overall feel of the key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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 offers a high-pitched and crunchy typing experience. The sharp and crisp clicks produced by these switches are reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves, providing a satisfying auditory feedback during each keystroke. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch's sound profile is unknown, but it is worth noting that the sound of a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch is described as having an accented and invigorating tactile feedback. These switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience with tactile bumps that are noticeable but not overwhelming, providing a balanced typing sensation that is both responsive and enjoyable. In contrast, information on the feel of the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is not provided, but it is likely to offer a light and smooth actuation due to its linear nature.
In conclusion, both the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Box Jade excels in providing a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback with a medium-heavy typing experience, ideal for users seeking a more pronounced typing sensation. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switch stands out with its brightness, clacky sound, and light touch, offering a lively and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. If you prefer a clicky and tactile switch, the Box Jade is a great option, while the Salt Ice is suitable for users looking for a light and clacky linear switch. Both switches promise a satisfying typing experience that is sure to enhance your overall keyboarding experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Jade switches would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light touch with bright and clacky characteristics for a vibrant and responsive typing experience, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound profile. Choose the Box Jade for a crisp and crunchy typing experience, or opt for the Salt Ice for a bright and clacky feel. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so make your choice based on what you value most in a keyboard switch.
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