Outemu Blue Jade vs. Akko Rosewood

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly impact your typing experience, and two popular options are the Outemu Blue Jade and the Akko Rosewood. The Blue Jade, known for its clicky feedback, offers a tactile response that many typists and gamers appreciate, providing an audible and physical confirmation with each keystroke. This makes it ideal for those who enjoy a more interactive typing experience, often favoring a lively atmosphere during use. In contrast, the Akko Rosewood switches deliver a smooth, linear typing experience characterized by their deep, satisfying "thocky" sound, enhanced by a thin layer of factory-applied lubricant for added acoustic pleasure. These switches are perfect for users seeking quiet operation without sacrificing the quality of feedback, making them a great choice for office environments or late-night gaming sessions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the most suitable switch for your preferences.

By the numbers

Outemu Blue Jade Clicky

Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Outemu Blue Jade and the Akko Rosewood switches are both crafted from nylon for their top and bottom housings, which results in a consistently rich auditory and tactile experience. Nylon, being a softer plastic, imbues both switch types with a similar character; it enhances the sound profile by absorbing vibrations and dampening harsher acoustic frequencies. Consequently, users can expect a deeper and fuller typing sound when using either switch. This inherent material quality means that despite any differences in design or tuning, both switches will provide a sound profile that is rounded and less sharp, ensuring a pleasant typing experience.

While both the Blue Jade and Rosewood utilize the same material for their housing components, the arrangement of features and specifications may result in variations in tactile feedback and overall feel during use. The bottom housing, being responsible for the bottom-out sound and feel, plays a significant role in how users experience the switches when pressed down. Even though both switches share nylon as their material, the different designs or spring tensions could lead to variations in the way the user perceives the switch's actuation point or resistance. This contrast might cater to different preferences among typists who favor distinct tactile sensations, even with similar acoustic properties.

In summary, the fundamental similarity in housing material allows both Outemu Blue Jade and Akko Rosewood switches to deliver comparable acoustic profiles, centered around the characteristics of nylon. However, differences in design, spring behavior, or switch mechanics may introduce nuances to the tactile experience that set them apart. Users may enjoy the rich sound and fuller typing profiles of both switches while discerning a unique personality in each through the variances in their feel and feedback. Thus, even while their material foundations are alike, the experience of typing on the two switches may still diverge in meaningful ways.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Blue Jade switch has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy, while the Akko Rosewood is lighter, with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This means that the Blue Jade requires a stronger push to activate and to bottom out compared to the Rosewood, which is ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, users who appreciate a lighter touch for extended typing sessions may gravitate towards the Rosewood switch for its lower actuation and bottom out forces. Therefore, the Blue Jade is the heavier option, offering a firmer keystroke, whereas the Rosewood is the lighter choice, providing a gentler typing experience.

Travel distance

The Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch both feature a travel distance of 4 mm, making them identical in terms of how far the key travels from the top to the bottom when pressed. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable keypress experience in terms of distance, as both switches will provide the same tactile feedback and responsiveness. Consequently, those who prefer either switch can enjoy a consistent typing or gaming experience without any differences in travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Outemu Blue Jade switch does not have a specified audio characteristic, making comparisons somewhat challenging. On the other hand, the Akko Rosewood linear switch is praised for its deep and satisfying "thocky" sound, enhanced by a factory-applied lubricant that contributes to a smooth auditory experience right out of the box. While the Blue Jade's sound profile is unknown, users can expect a notable difference when opting for the Rosewood if they prioritize acoustics in their typing experience, bearing in mind that sound can be influenced by the keyboard itself and keycap materials.

In terms of tactile feel, the attributes of the Blue Jade switch remain unspecified, which leaves a gap for newcomers curious about its tactile feedback. Conversely, the Akko Rosewood linear switch is known for its smooth actuation without any tactile bump, providing a consistent keystroke from top to bottom. This linear feel is often favored for rapid typing and gaming due to its uninterrupted travel, whereas the Blue Jade's feel remains a mystery, leaving users to wonder about its performance in comparison to the satisfying experience of the Rosewood.

Overall, while the Akko Rosewood linear switch stands out with its appealing sound and smooth feel, the qualities of the Outemu Blue Jade switch are not detailed, leaving a degree of uncertainty for those considering it. If you seek a clearly defined auditory and tactile experience, the Rosewood is a strong choice, whereas the Blue Jade may require further exploration to fully understand its performance characteristics.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch and the Akko Rosewood linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you thrive on tactile feedback and enjoy the distinctive, tactile "click" that mechanical switches can provide, the Blue Jade's medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams may appeal to you, especially in settings where you appreciate that pronounced tactile experience. This switch could be particularly advantageous in a noisy environment or if you want to energize your typing with an assertive feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter, smoother typing experience, the Akko Rosewood linear switch, with its lighter 50-gram bottom out force, is designed for those who enjoy a more fluid keystroke devoid of the clicky sound. Its deep, satisfying thocky sound further enhances the typing experience, making it an excellent choice for those in shared spaces or for late-night gaming sessions. Ultimately, consider your typing style, sound preference, and typical use case when deciding between these two switches to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Blue Jade Clicky

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

Akko Rosewood Linear

$3.89

$3.11 per 10

Learn more