Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from to suit your specific typing preferences. Two popular switches that stand out are the Kailh Box Mute Jade, a clicky switch, and the Outemu Silent Green, a linear switch. The Box Mute Jade is favored by those who enjoy the tactile feedback of a clicky switch but prefer a quieter sound profile. On the other hand, the Silent Green provides a smooth typing experience without the audible click. While the Box Mute Jade is described as 'Accented', 'Crunchy', 'Stiff', and 'Polished', the Silent Green doesn't have any specific characteristics associated with it. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
75g
Actuation force
45g
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
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Outemu Silent Green switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, which leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is known for being a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, creating a visually appealing effect. However, the Box Mute Jade features a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer properties that absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. In contrast, the Silent Green utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, providing a consistent sharper and crisper sound profile throughout the press of a key.
The differences in housing materials between the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Outemu Silent Green switches impact the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches. While both switches share the polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and clear sound profile, the Box Mute Jade's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, creating a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharp and crisp sound profile consistently throughout keystrokes. This demonstrates that the choice of bottom housing material can significantly influence the sound quality of a switch and the tactile feedback experienced while typing.
In understanding the impact of top and bottom housing materials on switch performance, it becomes evident that the qualities of each material are distributed differently in the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Outemu Silent Green switches. The bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Box Mute Jade and the use of polycarbonate in both housings of the Silent Green showcases how the choice of housing material can affect the overall typing experience in terms of sound profile and tactile feedback.
Weight
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is on the heavier side with an actuation force of 75 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is lighter, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. The Box Mute Jade requires a stronger push to activate a keystroke, while the Silent Green offers a smoother and lighter typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference, with some users opting for the heavier feel of the Box Mute Jade and others favoring the lighter touch of the Silent Green.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Outemu Silent Green linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Box Mute Jade offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for that edge. On the other hand, the Silent Green switch provides a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, giving a more satisfying tactile feedback to those who prefer it. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for the user.
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 Outemu Silent Green comes in at $3.10.
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 offers a unique sound profile that is both crunchy and subdued, providing a satisfying tactile experience without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch's sound characteristics are unknown, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. When it comes to feel, the Box Mute Jade is described as having a medium amount of tactility that is accented but not overwhelming, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate. Additionally, the polished finish of the switches results in a smooth and refined typing experience. The feel of the Outemu Silent Green switch is not specified, so it is hard to draw a direct comparison in this regard. Overall, if you prefer a clicky switch with a quiet sound and a polished tactile feel, the Kailh Box Mute Jade would be a solid choice. If you are looking for a linear switch with unknown sound and feel characteristics, the Outemu Silent Green may provide similar results, but with certain differences that cannot be fully assessed without further information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you enjoy the tactile feedback and satisfying click of a mechanical keyboard switch but prefer a quieter typing experience, then the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth and effortless keystroke with minimal noise, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch would be a more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound, ensuring that you have a keyboard that matches your specific needs and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
