An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Oreo switches—which one is the best fit for you?
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, there are two options that stand out: the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Oreo. The Box Mute Jade is a clicky switch that combines a satisfying crunch with a more subdued sound profile. When typing with these switches, you'll experience a slight bump and hear a quieter, yet unmistakably clicky, sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo is a tactile switch that offers a delectable treat for your fingertips. It provides a crisp and responsive bump at the top, followed by a delightfully cushioned sensation when bottoming out. These Oreos strike the perfect balance between a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. While the Box Mute Jade offers a distinct clicky feel, the Oreo provides a mellow sound profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
75g
45g
82g
55g
1.80 mm
2.00 mm
3.60 mm
4.00 mm
Yes
Yes
Box
Standard
POM
POM
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate
Nylon
Polycarbonate
PCB (5-pin)
PCB (5-pin)
Kailh Box spring
Gold-plated
Comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Oreo, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that offers these acoustic and aesthetic qualities, both the Box Mute Jade and the Oreo would provide similar results in terms of sound and lighting capabilities.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, there is a notable difference between the two switches. The Box Mute Jade features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to nylon's softer nature, it absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Oreo utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which echoes the characteristics of the top housing. It creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, adding to the overall clarity and resonance of the switch.
Therefore, the distinction between the bottom housings of the Box Mute Jade and the Oreo showcases how the qualities of each housing material can be divided between keypress and key release. The bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is more pronounced, making it a significant factor in typing experience, while the top housing has a more noticeable influence on the sound when you release a key. Depending on your preference for the sound and feel of a switch, this difference in bottom housing material can be an important factor to consider.
In conclusion, while the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Oreo share a polycarbonate top housing that offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, their bottom housings differ. The Box Mute Jade incorporates a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound, while the Oreo features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which emphasizes clarity and resonance. Understanding the impact of these housing materials on the sound production and typing experience can help you choose the switch that best suits your preferences.
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Oreo tactile switch, it is evident that they offer different weight options. The Box Mute Jade has a heavier actuation force of 75 grams and a 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 Oreo offers a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter switch that allows for longer periods of typing or gaming. While the two switches have different weight options, both options offer a satisfactory typing experience for users with different preferences.
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the traditional 4.0 mm. On the other hand, the Everglide Oreo tactile switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Box Mute Jade provides a slightly shallower press compared to the Oreo. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for faster response times, making the Box Mute Jade a suitable choice for those who prioritize quick inputs. However, some individuals find short travel distances to feel abrupt, and might prefer the Oreo switch for its slightly deeper press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance.
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Oreo has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Oreo for $4.19.
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.
In terms of sound, the Box Mute Jade offers a quieter and more subdued clicky sound profile, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Oreo provides a unique chirpy sound with a slight squeak, setting it apart from other switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, if you prefer a more muted and subtle clicky sound, the Box Mute Jade is a suitable choice, while the Oreo offers a distinctive chirpy sound experience.
In terms of feel, both the Box Mute Jade and the Oreo switches are described as accented, meaning they provide a noticeable level of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. This medium level of tactility ensures a satisfying keystroke and a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the Box Mute Jade is noted for its accented feel and stiff resistance, requiring more force to actuate and bottom out. This can provide a more tactile typing experience for those who prefer a firmer switch. On the other hand, the Oreo is described as a stepped switch, which means it has a more mild tactility with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. This can offer a smoother and more gradual tactile feedback. Both switches also provide a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, whether you prefer a stiffer, more pronounced tactile feel or a gentler, stepped tactile experience, both the Box Mute Jade and the Oreo switches offer suitable options.
Taking all the available information into consideration, the Box Mute Jade and the Oreo switches provide distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Mute Jade offers a quieter, yet unmistakably clicky sound profile with a crunchy feel, along with an accented, stiff, and polished tactile experience. On the other hand, the Oreo presents a chirpy sound with a subtle mellow profile and an accented, stepped, and polished feel. Both switches strike a balance between satisfying keystrokes and comfortable typing experiences. If you enjoy the attributes of the Box Mute Jade but desire a different sound profile, the Oreo can provide similar satisfaction with its stepped tactility and unique chirpy sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
To sum up, if you prefer a heavier switch with a crunchy and unmistakably clicky sound profile, then the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch would be the perfect choice for you. These switches provide a satisfying keystroke and a more subdued sound compared to other clicky switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a crisp and responsive tactile bump, followed by a cushioned sensation when bottoming out, then the Everglide Oreo tactile switch is the way to go. These switches strike a perfect balance between satisfying feedback and comfortable typing experience. In terms of sound, the Box Mute Jade offers a crunchy sound resembling stepping on autumn leaves, while the Oreo provides a unique chirpy sound with a little squeak. In terms of feel, both switches have an accented tactile sensation, but the Box Mute Jade is also described as stiff and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience, while the Oreo is described as stepped, offering a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for weight, sound, and feel, allowing you to customize your typing experience to your liking.