Kailh Box Jade vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Jade and the Dareu Sky POM stand out as popular choices for different reasons. The Box Jade is ideal for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps make it a favorite for users who enjoy a more invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch offers a different appeal with its smoothness, gentle actuation force, and clacky sound. Crafted from POM material, this switch provides a creamy and silky typing experience at a more accessible price point. While these general descriptions provide insight into the unique characteristics of each switch, diving deeper into their specific features and performance can help you make the best choice for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
40g
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
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Jade and the Dareu Sky POM, we can see that both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Box Jade creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, perfect for those looking for a clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Sky POM offers a deeper and more muted sound, providing a unique typing experience. While both materials offer their own distinct sound profiles, they both work well with RGB lighting due to their translucency.
In terms of the bottom housing, both switches use nylon. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This means that both the Box Jade and the Sky POM will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound when it comes to the bottom housing. However, the impact of the bottom housing will be more noticeable when bottoming out keys, as it has a greater influence on the sound and feel of the switch during this action.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Jade and the Dareu Sky POM will come down to personal preference when it comes to sound profiles. The Box Jade offers a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, while the Sky POM provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing. However, both switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound with their nylon bottom housings, as nylon is known for creating a fuller and deeper sound profile. Ultimately, whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, more muted sound will determine which switch is the best fit for you.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, it is clear that the Box Jade is heavier in both aspects. The Box Jade has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Sky POM has an actuation force of 40 grams and no information available for the bottom out force. The Box Jade offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Sky POM provides a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Sky POM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Box Jade has a shorter travel distance compared to the Sky POM. The 0.2 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can affect the overall feel and responsiveness of the switch. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Box Jade, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may favor the longer travel distance of the Sky POM. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style. Since both switches fall within the typical range of travel distances, you can expect similar results in terms of key feel, but with slight variations in response time and keypress depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.
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 is characterized by a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, ideal for those who enjoy a sharp and crisp auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM linear switch offers a low-pitched sound, providing a more bass-heavy and mellow tone for a different auditory experience. Both switches will result in satisfying sounds, but the Box Jade will offer a more high-pitched and crunchy sound compared to the Sky POM's low-pitched profile.
Moving on to feel, the Kailh Box Jade switch provides an invigorating and accented typing experience, offering pronounced tactile feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force for a tactile but not overwhelming sensation. Conversely, the Dareu Sky POM switch offers a buttery, creamy, and silky smooth feel, ensuring seamless and effortless keystrokes with minimal resistance. While the Box Jade switch will provide a more tactile and invigorating typing experience, the Sky POM switch will deliver a smoother and more fluid keystroke feel.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and Dareu Sky POM linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade excels in providing a high-pitched and crunchy sound with invigorating tactile feedback, while the Sky POM delivers a low-pitched and buttery smooth typing experience. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches will provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Box Jade offering a more tactile and high-pitched profile, and the Sky POM providing a smoother and more low-pitched feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound profile or seek a smoother and more fluid typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback, the Box Jade is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, clacky switch with a gentle actuation force, the Sky POM may be more suited to your liking. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize the satisfying click and tactility of the Box Jade or the smoothness and gentle actuation of the Sky POM. Consider your typing style and sound preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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