Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Everglide Crystal Violet

Overview

If you are in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself torn between the Kailh Box Mute Jade, a clicky switch, and the Everglide Crystal Violet, a tactile switch. The Box Mute Jade is perfect for those who enjoy the satisfying crunch of a clicky switch but prefer a more subdued sound profile. With a slight bump and a quieter clicky sound, these switches offer a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet switches are meticulously crafted to provide a light operating force of 45g, making them ideal for those who prefer a relaxed and stepped tactile typing experience. The sound profile of the Crystal Violet switches leans towards the lower-pitched spectrum, creating a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Mute Jade Clicky

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$6.50 per 10

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Crystal Violet differ significantly. The Box Mute Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. Additionally, polycarbonate is known for its translucency, making it an excellent choice for RGB lighting enthusiasts. In contrast, the Crystal Violet has an ABS top housing, which results in a relatively low-pitched sound when typing on the switches. ABS is more commonly used in keycaps rather than switch housings, making the Crystal Violet unique in this regard.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Box Mute Jade utilizes nylon, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Crystal Violet houses its switches with ABS as well, resulting in a relatively low-pitched sound profile. This choice is interesting since ABS is more commonly associated with keycaps rather than switch housings, adding to the Crystal Violet's uniqueness.

It is worth mentioning that if a switch has different top and bottom housings, the qualities of each housing material will be distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing will have a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing will predominantly affect the sound when the key is released. Therefore, although the specifics of the housing materials may differ between the Box Mute Jade and the Crystal Violet, the overall experience and resulting sound may have some similarities in terms of bottom-out and release sound profiles.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force between the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference in weight. The Box Mute Jade has a heavier actuation force of 75 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 82 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 55 grams, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. However, despite these differences, both switches allow for a satisfying keystroke response. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

When considering the travel distance of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch, we see that there is a noticeable difference. The Box Mute Jade has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Crystal Violet has a travel distance of 4 mm. Comparatively, the Box Mute Jade offers a slightly shorter travel distance than the Crystal Violet.

In terms of preference, the choice between the two switches depends on individual needs and personal taste. For gamers or those seeking faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Box Mute Jade may be preferred. The shorter the travel distance, the quicker the response time tends to be. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt or lacking in depth. In such cases, the longer travel distance of the Crystal Violet may be more suitable, providing a more satisfying and substantial key press experience.

Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience. It is worth noting that both options offer different travel distances, and individuals should consider their specific needs and preferences to ensure they choose the switch that best suits them.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch offers a distinct crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. It provides a clicky experience but with a more subdued sound profile, making it less intrusive. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch produces a pleasantly mellow sound, leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. It offers a subtle and non-intrusive auditory experience, thanks in part to the special use of ABS in its housing. While the two switches have different sound profiles, they both aim to create a quieter typing experience compared to more traditional clicky switches.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch provides an accented tactile experience. It offers a medium level of tactility, not overwhelming but still noticeable. The switch is also described as stiff, meaning it requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom out. Additionally, the Box Mute Jade switch is polished, resulting in reduced friction and a smooth key travel experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is described as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. It feels like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly, providing a silky sensation. The Crystal Violet switch is also classified as mild, providing a more gentle typing experience, and it is stepped, meaning it has a two-stage feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.

Taking all the available information into account, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities. The Box Mute Jade provides a crunchy, subdued clicky sound and an accented, stiff, and polished tactile feel. On the other hand, the Crystal Violet offers a low-pitched and non-intrusive sound, along with a creamy, mild, and stepped tactile feel. Both switches aim to provide a quieter typing experience, although they achieve it through different means. Depending on personal preferences, one can choose between the more subdued and crunchy feel of the Box Mute Jade or the smooth and gentle feel of the Crystal Violet switch. Regardless of the choice, users can expect a unique and enjoyable typing experience.

Conclusion

In summary, if you enjoy a crunchy feel and a more subdued clicky sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is the ideal choice for you. This switch provides a slight bump and a quieter click, offering a unique and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter operating force and a relaxed, stepped tactile feel, the Everglide Crystal Violet tactile switch is the way to go. With a gentle and comfortable touch, these switches offer a mellow sound profile leaning towards the lower-pitched spectrum. They provide a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a safe and approachable feel that is suitable for most users. Ultimately, the decision between the Box Mute Jade and Crystal Violet switches comes down to your preferences for typing feel and sound profile.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Mute Jade Clicky

$6.50 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Crystal Violet Tactile

$7.08

$4.19 per 10

Learn more