Kailh Box Jade vs. Durock Sea Glass

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options with distinct characteristics are the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Sea Glass. The Box Jade switches offer a medium-heavy typing experience with a satisfying clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility. Typists who appreciate crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps will be drawn to these switches' high-pitched and invigorating qualities. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switches by Durock present a captivating selection of pastel colors and a unique typing experience. Despite a 62g bottom-out force, these switches possess a weightlessness that defies expectations, thanks to their frictionless nature. Typing on the Sea Glass switches reveals a distinct dryness and airiness, accompanied by a uniquely hollow sound signature. The smoothness of these switches remains uncompromised, making them a solid choice for those who prefer a more mild and easy-to-press feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Jade Clicky

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.50 per 10

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and Durock Sea Glass switches differ in their composition and their resulting sound profiles. The Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its relatively stiff nature. It also offers translucency for enhanced RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing creates a pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp but leans towards the brighter side.

In terms of the bottom housing, the Box Jade utilizes nylon, which gives it a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Sea Glass features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its bottom housing. This blend offers a sound profile that is also pleasant but differs from the Box Jade with its brightness.

When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switch, the combination of top and bottom housing materials plays a crucial role. The bottom-out sound and feel are primarily influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing. This means that the Box Jade, with its nylon bottom housing, will provide a deeper and fuller sensation upon key press. Conversely, the Sea Glass, with its unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the bottom housing, will offer a slightly brighter bottom-out experience. Conversely, the sound when releasing a key is more influenced by the top housing. Therefore, the Box Jade's polycarbonate top housing will contribute to a sharper sound when keys are released, while the Sea Glass's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the top housing will result in a pleasant but less sharp sound upon key release.

In conclusion, while both the Kailh Box Jade and the Durock Sea Glass switches have differences in their housing materials, they ultimately provide similar results in terms of offering pleasant sound profiles. The Box Jade emphasizes sharper and crisper tones with its polycarbonate top housing and deeper sounds with its nylon bottom housing. On the other hand, the Sea Glass prioritizes a brighter sound profile with its Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend in both the top and bottom housing. Depending on personal preferences, enthusiasts can choose between these switches based on desired sound characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, there are a few differences to consider. Firstly, in terms of weight, the Box Jade is slightly heavier as it requires an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. In contrast, the Sea Glass is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Sea Glass would be a suitable option as its lower actuation force allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Box Jade provides a slightly stronger push feel with its higher actuation force, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a bit more resistance.

However, it's worth mentioning that despite the differences in weight, both switches fall into the medium category for actuation and bottom out forces. Therefore, if someone is seeking a similar typing experience, they can achieve comparable results with either switch. Ultimately, the decision between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch will depend on individual preferences for weight and typing feel.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Durock Sea Glass linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches offer travel distances that are shorter than the traditional 4.0 mm, indicating a preference for shorter travel distances in recent times. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor shorter travel distances for faster response times. If one desires a more responsive experience, the Kailh Box Jade switch would be a suitable choice due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial key press may find the Durock Sea Glass switch more suitable with its slightly longer travel distance. It is important to note that while the travel distances differ, both switches provide a similar experience in terms of response, just with varying levels of key press depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Jade switch is known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. The high-pitched sound provides a sharp and crisp auditory experience, which can be preferred by those who don't enjoy richer and bassier switch sounds. Additionally, the crunchy characteristic of the Box Jade switch is reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves, adding a satisfying tactile element to the typing experience. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the Durock Sea Glass switch, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, it's important to note that the sound produced by a switch is influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

Moving on to feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch is described as accented and invigorating. An accented switch signifies a level of tactility that falls between mild and overwhelming, providing a notable amount of tactile feedback without being overpowering or scratchy. This allows for a balanced and engaging typing experience. Furthermore, the invigorating nature of the Box Jade switch offers pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a reactive feel, creating an immersive sensation while typing. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch is characterized as frictionless, mild, feathery, and easy-to-press. The frictionless attribute ensures an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing any sense of resistance or friction during key presses. The mild characteristic indicates a more gentle typing feel, appealing to a wide range of users with its approachable qualities. Additionally, the feathery nature of the Sea Glass switch makes it remarkably light to press and requires minimal finger exertion, reducing fatigue and promoting comfort during extended typing sessions. The easy-to-press attribute further enhances the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade and Durock Sea Glass switches possess distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade provides a high-pitched, crunchy sound profile with accentuated tactility and an invigorating typing experience. Alternatively, the Sea Glass switches offer a dry, wispier sound signature with their hollow sound and exhibit a frictionless feel, mild tactility, feathery lightness, and an easy-to-press nature. While direct comparisons between the two switches are limited due to the lack of specific information about the Sea Glass switch's sound, it is evident that both switches deliver unique typing experiences. Depending on personal preferences, users seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with clicky sound and prominent tactility may gravitate towards the Box Jade, whereas those desiring a lightweight and gentle typing experience with a distinct wispiness might find the Sea Glass to be a suitable choice.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and prominent tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches are perfect for you. They provide crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps that enhance your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a distinct dryness, wispiness, and airiness, the Durock Sea Glass switches are a great choice. Despite their 62g bottom-out force, they have a weightlessness that defies expectations and offer a uniquely hollow sound signature. The Sea Glass switches are also frictionless, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience. They are mild, feathery, and easy-to-press, providing a comfortable and low-impact typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preferences for clickiness and tactility (Box Jade) versus smoothness and airiness (Sea Glass).

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Jade Clicky

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Durock Sea Glass Linear

$5.80

$4.87 per 10

Learn more