Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. HMX Cloud - 63.5g
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the HMX Cloud - 63.5g stand out as popular choices, offering unique experiences for users. The Box Mute Jade is favored for its clicky nature with a more subdued sound profile, making it ideal for those who appreciate the tactile feedback of a clicky switch but prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g provides a linear switch option with a clacky sound profile, catering to users who enjoy a bright typing sensation. While the Box Mute Jade is described as accented, crunchy, stiff, and polished, the Cloud - 63.5g is characterized as bouncy, clacky, creamy, and high-pitched. Both switches offer unique benefits and cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on personal choice. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
75g
Actuation force
56g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Mute Jade and HMX Cloud - 63.5g switches both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer properties. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic housings. However, the Box Mute Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's relatively stiffer properties, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Cloud - 63.5g uses nylon for its top housing, emphasizing a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to its bottom housing.
While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, the Box Mute Jade's incorporation of polycarbonate in its top housing sets it apart from the HMX Cloud - 63.5g. The polycarbonate top housing of the Box Mute Jade is beneficial for those looking to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for a vibrant display. On the other hand, the Cloud - 63.5g's nylon top housing creates a consistent deep and full sound profile, complementing the overall typing experience. Despite these differences, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, whether it be a crisper and sharper sound or a deeper and fuller sound.
In terms of typing experience, the bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released. The split between nylon and polycarbonate in the housing materials of the Kailh Box Mute Jade and HMX Cloud - 63.5g allows for a balanced typing experience, where users can feel the softer properties of nylon in the bottom housing and the stiffer qualities of polycarbonate in the top housing. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, showcasing the importance of housing materials in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch. The Box Mute Jade requires 75 grams to actuate and 82 grams to bottom out, making it a heavier option. On the other hand, the Cloud - 63.5g has a lighter actuation force of 56 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy option. The difference in weight between the two switches can cater to different preferences in typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Cloud - 63.5g for longer typing sessions, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may prefer the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Box Mute Jade. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm, while the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9mm. In this case, the Box Mute Jade has the shorter travel distance compared to the Cloud - 63.5g. The Box Mute Jade provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which can be beneficial for gamers looking for fast actions. On the other hand, the Cloud - 63.5g offers a slightly deeper press with its longer travel distance, which some users may prefer for a more substantial key feel. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloud - 63.5g for $2.99.
The Kailh Box Mute Jade comes in at $6.50 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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch offers a crunchy sound profile, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch produces a clacky and high-pitched sound when pressed, creating a sharp and bright typing experience. Both switches provide distinct auditory feedback, with the Box Mute Jade offering a more subdued clicky sound compared to the brighter and sharper sound of the Cloud - 63.5g.
When it comes to feel, the Box Mute Jade switch provides an accented and polished typing experience, combining a moderate amount of tactile feedback with a smooth key travel. Conversely, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch offers a bouncy and creamy feel, giving a spring-like feedback with a silky smooth key press. While both switches offer different tactile sensations, they both aim to provide a comfortable and satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts looking for a distinct feel while typing.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Mute Jade provides a crunchy feel with a subdued sound profile, while the HMX Cloud - 63.5g delivers a clacky sound and bouncy feel for a bright typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience, but rest assured that both switches will provide excellent performance and satisfaction for users seeking quality mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy the crunchy feel of a clicky switch with a more subdued sound profile, the Kailh Box Mute Jade would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a brighter typing experience with a silky smooth feel, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch would be more suited to your preferences. The Box Mute Jade offers a stiff and polished typing experience with an accented tactile feel, while the Cloud - 63.5g provides a bouncy and creamy sensation with a clacky and high-pitched sound profile. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will come down to whether you prioritize the feel and sound of the switch.
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