Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. KTT Kang White
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the KTT Kang White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider your personal preferences and typing style. Two options worth comparing are the Kailh Box Mute Jade, a clicky switch, and the KTT Kang White, a linear switch. The Box Mute Jade is perfect for those who enjoy a clicky switch with a more subdued sound profile. Its crunchy feel and quieter click make it a great choice for those who appreciate a tactile typing experience without the loud noise often associated with clicky switches. On the other hand, the Kang White is known for its poppy linear switch and dazzling typing sound. It offers unparalleled smoothness thanks to its self-lubricating material. With a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, it provides a satisfying typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
75g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Mute Jade and the KTT Kang White share a similar housing material in the form of polycarbonate for their top housings. Both switches utilize the stiff nature of polycarbonate to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This characteristic is particularly advantageous for those who intend to use RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for a visually appealing lighting effect. Aesthetically and acoustically, the top housings of both switches provide a clear and resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housings, the Box Mute Jade features a nylon housing, while the Kang White also incorporates nylon for its bottom housing material. Nylon is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to its relatively softer nature, which allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, switches with nylon bottom housings tend to create a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both the Box Mute Jade and the Kang White share this common characteristic in terms of their bottom housings, providing a similar acoustic experience.
It's important to note that when different housing materials are used for the top and bottom housings, the resulting sound profile of the switch will be a combination of the qualities brought by each housing material. The impact of the bottom housing is mainly felt and heard during the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Meanwhile, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. As such, understanding the housing materials of a switch allows users to tailor their experience according to their desired sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch, there are significant differences to consider. The Box Mute Jade has a heavier actuation force of 75 grams compared to the Kang White's lighter 45 grams. This means that it takes more pressure to trigger a keystroke on the Box Mute Jade, providing a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Kang White offers a lighter actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience.
In terms of bottom out force, the Box Mute Jade is again on the heavier side with 82 grams, whereas the Kang White measures at a medium 58 grams. The bottom out force determines the amount of pressure required to fully press the switch down. For individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience, the higher bottom out force of the Box Mute Jade offers a satisfying sensation when fully pressing the keys. However, those who prefer a lighter touch can opt for the Kang White, as it requires less force to fully depress the switch.
Overall, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch provides a heavier actuation force and bottom out force, catering to users desiring a more forceful typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Kang White linear switch offers a lighter touch, suitable for individuals who prefer a lighter actuation and bottom out force. Considerations such as weight preference are essential to determine the ideal switch for longer typing sessions or intense gaming sessions.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the KTT Kang White linear switch, it is clear that the Kang White has a slightly longer travel distance at 4.0mm compared to the Box Mute Jade with a distance of 3.6mm. The Kang White falls within the more traditional travel distance range of 4.0mm, while the Box Mute Jade offers a slightly shorter travel distance. Both options would provide a decent amount of depth, but if you prefer a switch with a more responsiveness and quicker response times, the Box Mute Jade would be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial key press, the Kang White with its longer travel distance may be more preferable. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Mute Jade comes in at $6.50, whereas the KTT Kang White comes in at $1.99.
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
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is known for its more subdued sound profile compared to other clicky switches. It provides a crunchy feel and emits a quieter, yet still unmistakably clicky sound when typing. On the other hand, the KTT Kang White linear switch offers a dazzling typing sound with a low-pitched, bass-heavy, and mellow tone. The sound of both switches can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Box Mute Jade switch is described as accented, providing a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It offers a stiff typing experience, requiring more force to actuate and bottom-out the keys compared to other switches. The switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. As for the Kang White switch, information about its tactile feel is unknown.
Based on the available information, the Box Mute Jade clicky switch is ideal for those who enjoy the crunchy feel of a clicky switch with a more subdued sound. It provides a noticeable bump and a quieter clicky sound signature. On the other hand, the Kang White linear switch offers a poppy typing sound and a smooth typing experience due to its self-lubricating material. However, as the information about the Kang White switch's tactile feel is unknown, it is difficult to make a direct comparison on that aspect.
Overall, if you're looking for a clicky switch with a subdued sound and crunchy feel, the Box Mute Jade would be a great choice. If you're more interested in a linear switch with a poppy typing sound and smoothness, the Kang White might be worth considering. Nonetheless, it's important to consider personal preferences, typing style, and other factors when choosing the perfect switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy the feel of a heavier switch and prefer a quieter clicky sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches provide a satisfying tactile bump and a more subdued clicky sound. On the other hand, if you appreciate a smooth typing experience with a poppy linear switch and a dazzling typing sound, the KTT Kang White switch is the way to go. With its self-lubricating material, this switch offers unparalleled smoothness during typing. In terms of sound, the Box Mute Jade provides a crunchy experience reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves, while the Kang White offers a low-pitched tone with a more bass-heavy and mellow sound profile. As for the feel, the Box Mute Jade is a combination of being accented, resulting in a medium amount of tactility, stiff requiring more force to actuate, and polished for smooth key travel. Conversely, the Kang White does not have any descriptors for its feel. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on your preference for weight, sound, and feel, so consider these factors when making your decision.
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