Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Akko Penguin
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Akko Penguin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Akko Penguin offer distinctive typing experiences. The Box Mute Jade is a clicky switch that provides a crunchy feel with a more subdued sound profile, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the tactile feedback of a clicky switch without the loud noise. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin is a tactile switch designed for those who prefer a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for office environments. The Penguin switches offer a rounded tactile bump for satisfying feedback and are of medium weight, striking a balance between responsiveness and ease of use. 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
43g
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
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Akko Penguin both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, which is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. However, the top housings of the two keyboards differ, with the Box Mute Jade featuring a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it especially useful for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Penguin's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile.
While both the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Akko Penguin share the use of nylon for their bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, their top housing materials provide distinct acoustic characteristics. The polycarbonate top housing of the Box Mute Jade generates a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon top housing of the Penguin creates a more muted and rounded sound. This variation in top housing material showcases how different plastics can impact the overall sound profile of a keyboard switch. Despite their differences, both keyboards offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of their housing materials.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Akko Penguin will come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing feel. The polycarbonate top housing of the Box Mute Jade creates a clear and resonant sound, while the nylon top housing of the Penguin absorbs more sound for a deeper tone. Both keyboards offer a mixture of stiffer and softer plastic materials in their housing components, allowing users to experience a range of sound profiles depending on whether they are pressing down on a key or releasing it. Ultimately, the housing materials of these keyboards play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience for users.
Weight
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a much heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Akko Penguin tactile switch. The Box Mute Jade requires 75 grams of force to actuate and 82 grams to bottom out, while the Penguin only needs 43 grams to actuate and 60 grams to bottom out. This means that the Box Mute Jade will provide a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Penguin will offer a lighter typing experience that may be more suitable for extended periods of typing or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the Akko Penguin tactile switch which has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Box Mute Jade being slightly longer. Gamers may prefer the Box Mute Jade for its slightly longer travel distance, which could provide a more satisfying key press feel. However, those who prefer a quicker response time may opt for the Akko Penguin with its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference in terms of how much depth and feedback you desire in your key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko Penguin has an MSRP of $4.22 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Penguin for $3.10.
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
When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch provides a crunchy and satisfying click with a more subdued sound profile, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the tactile feedback of a clicky switch without generating too much noise. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin tactile switch offers a muted sound profile, ideal for office environments where minimizing noise is crucial. The Penguin switch provides a softer and quieter typing experience, ensuring a pleasant environment for yourself and those around you. While both switches offer distinct sound qualities, the choice between them ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific use case.
Moving on to the feel, the Kailh Box Mute Jade switch is known for its accented tactile bump, providing a balanced amount of tactility without being too overwhelming. Additionally, it has a stiff feel, requiring a higher actuation force which can be beneficial for maintaining typing accuracy. The polished finish of the switch contributes to a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Akko Penguin switch offers a polished surface for reduced friction and smooth key travel. It has a mild tactile bump, making it approachable for most users, along with a feathery feel that requires minimal exertion, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The subtle resistance of the switch ensures a gentle typing feel suitable for shared spaces.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics tailored to different preferences and environments. The Box Mute Jade provides a crunchy feel with a subdued sound, while the Akko Penguin offers a quieter tactile experience with a more gentle feel. Both switches excel in their respective categories and are ideal choices for users seeking specific qualities in their mechanical keyboard switches. Whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a balance of both, these switches can cater to your individual needs and enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Akko Penguin tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and environment. If you enjoy a heavier switch with a pronounced tactile bump and clicky sound for a satisfying typing experience, the Box Mute Jade is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience with a more moderate tactile bump and medium weight for extended typing sessions in a noise-sensitive environment, the Akko Penguin switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and the setting in which you will be using the keyboard.
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