Jerrzi Coral vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Jerrzi Coral and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are countless options to choose from, each offering a unique typing experience. One popular choice is the Jerrzi Coral, a linear switch that boasts a distinctively crisp typing feel and lower-pitched resonance, providing a sophisticated and stellar performance. On the other end of the spectrum is the Kailh Sage, a clicky switch known for its heavy weight and refreshingly sharp clickiness, offering an invigorating and crunchy typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths and qualities that cater to different preferences. The Coral offers a smooth and silky typing experience, while the Sage provides a satisfyingly sharp and clicky feedback. 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
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Jerrzi Coral and Kailh Sage both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is especially useful for switches intended for RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Coral and Sage differ in their bottom housing material. The Coral utilizes a nylon bottom housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Sage, which also uses nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall.
While both the Coral and Sage share similarities in their use of polycarbonate top housing, their differences lie in the bottom housing material. The split between the bottom and top housing qualities affects the overall sound and feel of each switch. When pressing down on the Coral, you will feel the impact of the nylon bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing of the Coral will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. The same can be said for the Sage, with its nylon bottom housing providing a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the top housing affects the sound upon key release.
In summary, the housing materials of the Jerrzi Coral and Kailh Sage play a crucial role in determining the sound profile and feel of each switch. While they both feature polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound profile, their differences in bottom housing material result in variations in the overall sound experience. The use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches creates a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the crisper sound provided by the polycarbonate top housing. Ultimately, the combination of these materials in each switch results in a unique typing experience tailored to the preferences of the user.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is evident that the Jerrzi Coral is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams, while the Kailh Sage is the heavier option with a bottom out force of 70 grams. The actuation force of the Sage is not specified, so it is unclear how it compares in terms of typing experience. Those who prefer a light touch when typing may opt for the Coral switch, as it allows for extended typing sessions with minimal effort. Conversely, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may gravitate towards the Sage switch, which provides a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Jerrzi Coral linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Kailh Sage clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular, especially among gamers who prioritize quick response times. The Coral switch is slightly longer than the Sage switch by 0.1 mm, which may not make a significant difference in feel when typing or gaming. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of how much travel distance feels comfortable and responsive to the individual user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jerrzi Coral has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Coral for $2.30.
The Kailh Sage comes in at $6.25 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
In terms of sound, the Jerrzi Coral linear switch offers a low-pitched resonance, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Kailh Sage clicky switch is described as having a crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences, with the Coral emphasizing a lower-pitched tone and the Sage delivering a sharp and distinct clickiness.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Coral switch is known for its silky typing experience, offering smoothness and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. In contrast, the Kailh Sage switch is described as invigorating, providing pronounced feedback, a moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Additionally, the Sage switch is noted for its sharp tactile bump, offering high feedback intensity with each keypress. Both switches offer different tactile sensations, with the Coral focusing on smoothness and the Sage emphasizing a more pronounced feedback and tactile response.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Depending on personal preferences, individuals may gravitate towards the lower-pitched and silky typing experience of the Coral switch or the crunchy and invigorating feel of the Sage switch. Ultimately, both switches excel in providing a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences and typing styles. It is important for newcomers to explore and experiment with different switch options to find the one that best suits their needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Jerrzi Coral linear switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a smooth and lower-pitched typing experience with no bottom out force, the Coral switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you enjoy a crispy and crunchy typing sound with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Sage switch would be more suitable for you. Consider your typing preferences, sound preferences, and actuation force preferences to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your typing needs.
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