Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that you may consider are the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Box Mute Jade is a clicky switch that offers a satisfying crunch when typing, but with a more subdued sound profile. It provides a slight, tactile bump and emits a quieter yet unmistakably clicky sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is a linear switch that boasts a deep and thocky sound, immersing you in a truly satisfying typing experience. With its lengthened single-stage spring, the Tourmaline Blue offers a bouncy feel with each keystroke. It strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
75g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Gold-plated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. Additionally, polycarbonate's relatively stiffer plastic properties contribute to a clear and resonant sound profile. These similarities suggest that both switches will provide a similar auditory experience, especially if RGB lighting is utilized due to polycarbonate's translucency.
However, the differences between the two switches lie in their bottom housing materials. The Box Mute Jade incorporates a nylon bottom housing, bringing a deeper and fuller sound profile to the typing experience. Nylon's relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to the overall sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile of the switch. This difference in bottom housing materials will have a notable impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of each switch.
To summarize, while both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, the Kailh Box Mute Jade utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing for a sharper and crisper sound. Therefore, the choice between these switches should consider whether a user prefers a duller and rounder sound (Box Mute Jade) or a sharper and clearer sound (Tourmaline Blue) during typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, significant differences can be observed. The Kailh Box Mute Jade has a relatively heavy actuation force of 75 grams, meaning a considerable amount of pressure is needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has a lighter actuation force of 59 grams, providing a more effortless typing experience.
Similarly, the bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade is 82 grams, indicating that users will need to exert a substantial amount of force to fully press down the keys. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is slightly lighter in comparison.
Considering weight as a factor, individuals who prefer a lighter switch will find the Everglide Tourmaline Blue more suitable. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for comfortable, prolonged typing sessions, making it ideal for work or long gaming sessions. However, some users may favor a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience, in which case the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Kailh Box Mute Jade would be more suitable.
In summary, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch is characterized by a heavier actuation and bottom out force, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a lighter typing experience. By considering these specifications, users can determine which switch best suits their preferences and typing style.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Box Mute Jade has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Although both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Tourmaline Blue being closer to the average, they offer slightly different tactile experiences. Those who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Box Mute Jade due to its shorter travel distance. This can be beneficial for gamers who require quick keystrokes. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Tourmaline Blue with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 best known for its crunchy feel and more subdued sound profile. When using these switches, there is a slight bump in feel and a quieter, yet unmistakably clicky sound. This switch provides a unique typing experience that mimics the sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves.
On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches provide a bouncy feel with each keystroke. The Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. The sound of these switches is described as neutral, which means it has a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes and environments.
In terms of sound, the Box Mute Jade offers a crunchy profile, reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves, while the Tourmaline Blue has a neutral sound profile suitable for most intents and purposes. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Box Mute Jade is described as accented, stiff, and polished. It provides a medium level of tactility, requiring more force to actuate and offering reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue is described as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. These switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, require minimal force to activate, and provide a gentle typing feel.
Based on the available information, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a crunchy feel with a more subdued sound, the Box Mute Jade is a suitable choice. If you desire a thocky sound and a smooth, effortless typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue would be a great option. It's important to consider your personal preferences and typing style when choosing between these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy the satisfying crunch and quieter sound profile of a clicky switch, then the Kailh Box Mute Jade may be the perfect choice for you. With its heavy bottom out force and accented, stiff, and polished feel, it provides a tactile typing experience that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue may be the better option. With its medium-heavy bottom out force and buttery, easy-to-press, and mild feel, it offers a smooth and effortless typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
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