Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there is a wide variety to choose from, each offering its own unique characteristics. Two popular switches that stand out are the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Durock Mamba. The Box Mute Jade is a clicky switch, perfect for those who enjoy the tactile feedback and audible click while typing. With its crunchy feel and subdued sound profile, it strikes a balance between satisfying clicks and a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba is a linear switch that provides a smooth gliding sensation while typing. Its rich and creamy auditory experience adds an extra layer of pleasure to each keystroke. Categorized as 'Accented', 'Crunchy', 'Stiff', and 'Polished', the Box Mute Jade offers a unique typing experience, while the Mamba, categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and offers a distinct linear feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
75g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Durock Mamba differ in their housing materials, leading to distinct sound profiles. The Box Mute Jade features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This stiffer plastic contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Mamba utilizes a unique blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing. This blend offers a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not overly sharp.
Moving to the bottom housings, the Box Mute Jade uses a nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound due to its relatively softer plastic. Nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Mamba boasts a POM bottom housing. POM housings contribute to an incredibly pleasing and unique sound, leaning towards the deeper side and characterized by a relatively more muted tone.
Although their housing materials differ, both switches deliver satisfying results. The Box Mute Jade's polycarbonate and nylon combination produces a clearer, crisper sound when pressing down the keys, while the Mamba's blend of polymer nylon and UHMWPE delivers a pleasant and brighter sound. When it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel, the qualities of the nylon and POM housings shine through respectively. Meanwhile, the sound when releasing a key is influenced by the top housing, allowing for variations in sound profiles between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, there are notable differences. The Box Mute Jade has an actuation force of 75 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, making it a relatively heavy switch. In contrast, the Mamba's actuation force is unknown, but it has a bottom out force of 60 grams, placing it in the medium range.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch like the Mamba, as it allows for longer periods of typing without fatigue, making it suitable for tasks such as work or extended gaming sessions. However, others may prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, in which case the heavier Box Mute Jade would be a better choice.
It is important to note that while the actuation and bottom out forces of these switches differ, they both offer a satisfying typing experience. The Mamba's force, being medium, provides a balanced feel, while the Box Mute Jade's heavy actuation and bottom out forces would result in a more significant tactile experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Durock Mamba linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, with the Mamba being slightly closer to the standard. However, the difference between the two is quite minimal and may not be noticeable to most users. If you are a gamer looking for faster response times, the shorter travel distance of the Mamba may be more appealing. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more satisfying keystroke, the Box Mute Jade's slightly longer travel distance may be preferable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is known for providing a crunchy feel with a more subdued sound profile. The clicky sound of this switch is described as similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. It offers a slight bump in tactile feedback accompanied by a quieter but unmistakably clicky sound. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch provides a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience. The sound of the Mamba switch is described as thocky, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed, like a deep "thud" or a soft "knock".
In terms of feel, the Box Mute Jade switch is considered to have an accented tactile feel, meaning it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. It is not hypertactile or scratchy, offering a medium tactile experience. The switch is also described as stiff, requiring more force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. Additionally, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Mamba switch offers a mild typing experience, providing a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It stands in a safe middle ground, making the sound and feel approachable to most users. Similar to the Box Mute Jade, the Mamba switch also has a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering the available information, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is recommended for those who appreciate the crunchy feel of a clicky switch with a more subdued sound profile. It offers a slight bump in tactile feedback and a quieter, yet still clicky sound. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch is suitable for those who prefer a gliding typing sensation and a rich, creamy auditory experience. The Mamba switch provides a mild typing experience and produces a thocky sound when pressed. Both switches have a polished finish for a smooth and refined typing experience. While they offer different qualities in terms of sound and feel, they both provide unique and enjoyable typing experiences. Therefore, depending on personal preference, one can select the switch that aligns with their desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, if you enjoy the crunchy feel of a clicky switch but prefer a quieter sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade switch would be an excellent choice for you. With a bottom out force of 82 grams, it provides a heavier typing experience. The Mute Jade switch offers a medium level of tactility and has a polished finish, resulting in smooth and refined key presses. On the other hand, if you're looking for a linear switch with a gliding typing sensation and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Durock Mamba switch is the way to go. It has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which provides a lighter typing experience. The Mamba switch features a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes, and also has a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for a clicky switch with a quieter sound (Box Mute Jade) or a linear switch with a rich auditory experience (Durock Mamba).
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