Gateron CJ vs. Kailh Plum

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available, each with its own unique characteristics and qualities. In this comparison, we will be looking at the Gateron CJ, a linear switch, and the Kailh Plum, a tactile switch. The Gateron CJ is best known for its unique presentation of a linear switch, offering a higher-pitched clack and an incredibly smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum stands out for its heftiness without a pronounced tactile bump, providing an enjoyable typing experience. While the CJ offers a chirpy and low-pitched sound profile, the Plum boasts a neutral and satisfying sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron CJ Linear

Kailh Plum Tactile

$6.00

$5.35 per 10

$6.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The Gateron CJ and the Kailh Plum differ in their housing materials, resulting in variations in sound profiles and overall typing experience. The CJ utilizes a proprietary INK blend for its top housing, while the Plum employs polycarbonate. Both materials contribute to a higher-pitched sound, but the CJ's INK blend offers a satisfying thin and clacky sound, while the Plum's polycarbonate produces a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting enthusiasts. On the other hand, the CJ features a POM bottom housing, creating a deeper and more muted sound, whereas the Plum incorporates a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a fuller and rounder sound. The bottom housing material affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key.

While the CJ and the Plum differ in their housing materials, they do share similarities in certain aspects. Both switches have a higher-pitched sound due to their top housing materials. The CJ's INK blend and the Plum's polycarbonate contribute to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. Additionally, both switches offer a unique typing experience with their respective bottom housing materials. The CJ's POM bottom housing produces a deep and somewhat muted sound, while the Plum's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and slightly duller sound. Despite these similarities, the use of different housing materials gives each switch its own distinct sound and feel.

In conclusion, the Gateron CJ and the Kailh Plum demonstrate differences and similarities in their housing materials. The CJ's INK blend top housing creates a satisfying thin and clacky sound, while the Plum's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The CJ's POM bottom housing results in a deeper and more muted sound, whereas the Plum's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and slightly duller sound. While the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing material affects the bottom-out sound and feel. However, both switches offer a higher-pitched sound and a unique typing experience based on their specific housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The actuation force of the CJ is 50 grams, while the Plum's actuation force is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare the two. However, both switches are considered to have a medium actuation force.

Moving on to the bottom out force, the CJ requires 60 grams of force to fully press a key, while the Plum requires a slightly heavier 70 grams. This means that the Plum has a medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience compared to the CJ.

Considering weight preferences, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the CJ, as its actuation and bottom out forces are lighter than the Plum's. This can be advantageous for longer typing sessions or extended gaming. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel may choose the Plum since it has a heavier bottom out force.

In conclusion, while the actuation force is similar between the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch, the bottom out force differs, with the Plum being slightly heavier. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing sensation and desired typing endurance.

Travel distance

The Gateron CJ linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch have different travel distances. The CJ has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the more traditional length. On the other hand, the Plum has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Plum with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. This can be especially beneficial for gamers who require faster response times. However, if you prefer a deeper key press and a more substantial feel when typing, the Gateron CJ with its longer travel distance would be the preferable choice. Both switches offer their own advantages, so the decision ultimately depends on your personal preference.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron CJ linear switch is known for its unique and enjoyable presentation. Typing on these switches produces higher-pitched clacks, giving them a chirpy acoustic signature that sets them apart from other switches. Additionally, the CJ switch offers an impossibly smooth push feel, adding to the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Plum tactile switch has a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound and actuation force requirement. The sound produced by the Plum switch is enjoyable and doesn't have any distinctive characteristics. It is worth noting that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, the CJ switch offers a more unique and chirpy sound, while the Plum switch provides a neutral and enjoyable sound experience.

In terms of feel, both the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch offer a mild typing experience. A mild mechanical keyboard switch provides a more gentle and approachable typing feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Both the CJ and Plum switches fall into this category, offering qualities that stand in a safe middle-ground zone. However, the Plum switch also has a stepped feel, meaning it has a two-stage tactile feedback. Unlike hypertactile switches with a pronounced bump throughout the keystroke, the stepped switches have some pre-travel and/or post-travel, giving a more subtle and mild tactile feedback.

Taking all the available information into account, the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Kailh Plum tactile switch offer different subjective qualities. The CJ switch stands out for its unique and enjoyable sound, producing higher-pitched clacks with a chirpy acoustic signature. It also provides an impossibly smooth push feel. On the other hand, the Plum switch offers a neutral sound profile that is enjoyable and doesn't feature any distinctive characteristics. Both switches provide a mild typing experience, making them approachable to most users. However, the Plum switch stands apart with its stepped feel, offering a more subtle and mild tactile feedback compared to the CJ switch. Overall, if you are looking for a unique and chirpy sound with a smooth push feel, the CJ switch would be a great choice. If you prefer a neutral sound and a tactile switch with a mild and stepped feel, the Plum switch would be a suitable option.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a unique and enjoyable linear switch experience, the Gateron CJ switches would be an excellent choice. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, they provide a medium level of resistance. When typing on them, you'll experience higher-pitched clacks and an impossibly smooth push feel. The CJ switches have a chirpy sound profile, which sets them apart from other switches. Additionally, they offer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users.

On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, the Kailh Plum switches would be a great option. These switches feel quite hefty but don't feature a huge tactile bump, making them incredibly unique. The sound profile of the Plum switches is neutral and enjoyable, suitable for most intents and purposes. They also offer a mild typing experience, which is approachable to users who prefer switches with more pronounced characteristics.

Therefore, depending on your preference for linear or tactile switches and the specific characteristics you value, you can choose between the Gateron CJ or Kailh Plum switches. Both switches offer distinct experiences and cater to different preferences. Ultimately, it's important to consider factors such as typing feel, sound profile, and desired actuation force when making your decision.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron CJ Linear

$6.00

$5.35 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Plum Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more