Kailh Plum vs. Kailh Sage
An in-depth look at the Kailh Plum and the Kailh Sage switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Plum and Kailh Sage are two options that offer unique experiences. The Plum stands out for its hefty feel without a prominent tactile bump, making it unlike other tactile switches. Its sound profile is neutral and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Sage is best known for its distinct clicky typing experience, with a heavy weight and sharp clickiness. These differences in weight and sound profile make the Plum and Sage appealing to different preferences. 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
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Pre-travel
1.70 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Plum and Kailh Sage switches both use polycarbonate as the material for their top housings. This means that they will have similar sound profiles, producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it especially suitable for those who plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing affects the sound when the key is released, providing a smooth and satisfying auditory experience.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Kailh Plum utilizes nylon while the Kailh Sage also uses a nylon bottom housing. This distinction in materials brings some differences in the typing experience. The nylon bottom housing of both switches creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing's qualities come into play, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. This results in a slightly smoother and less pronounced sound, contributing to a rounder typing experience with a slightly duller sound profile.
In summary, the Kailh Plum and the Kailh Sage have similar polycarbonate top housings, delivering a sharp and crisp sound. The main difference lies in the bottom housing, where both switches utilize nylon. This contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, with the nylon bottom housing of both switches absorbing more sound and providing a slightly rounder and quieter typing experience. While the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing has a greater influence on the sound during typing and creates a softer and more muted overall sound.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it is important to consider their actuation force and bottom out force. Unfortunately, the specific actuation forces for both switches are unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare them. However, both switches have a bottom out force of 70 grams, which places them in the medium-heavy category.
The actuation force of a switch determines the amount of force needed to register a keystroke. While the exact actuation force for these switches is unknown, it is likely that they have similar actuation forces. Therefore, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes on both the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch.
In terms of weight, the Plum and the Sage both have a bottom out force of 70 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel. The weight of a switch is an important consideration for different individuals. Some prefer lighter switches as they allow for longer typing sessions and are ideal for use in work environments or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are those who prefer a heavier actuation force for a more substantial typing experience. These individuals may opt for switches with heavier forces.
In conclusion, while the exact actuation forces remain unknown, both the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch offer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams. The actuation forces are likely to be similar, and users can expect comparable results. Ultimately, the decision between these switches may come down to personal preference in terms of weight and typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch plays a significant role in the overall typing experience, determining the amount of feedback and tactile sensation one can expect. In the case of the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, both switches share a similar travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, users can expect to feel the switch travel a distance of 3.6 mm from the top to the bottom. With identical travel distances, the typing experience with these switches should yield similar results in terms of the distance traveled and the resulting tactile feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $6.25. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Plum and Sage.
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 Plum tactile switch is known for its unique combination of weightiness and subtle tactility. Unlike many other tactile switches, the Plum does not have a pronounced tactile bump but still offers a satisfying typing experience. In terms of sound, the Plum has a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound level. This makes it suitable for various uses, whether you are a beginner, advanced user, or using it at home or work.
On the other hand, the Sage clicky switch provides a distinct clicky typing experience. It has a heavy weight and a refreshingly sharp clickiness. In terms of sound, the Sage switch is described as "crunchy." This means it creates a sound similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Plum switch is described as mild and stepped. A mild switch offers a gentle typing experience without pronounced characteristics, making it approachable to most users. The stepped feature means that the switch has two stages of tactile feedback, providing a mild sensation of pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the Sage switch is described as invigorating and sharp. An invigorating switch offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel, resulting in an immersive typing sensation. The sharp tactile bump of the Sage switch is distinctive and can be felt with each keypress.
In conclusion, the Plum tactile switch and the Sage clicky switch offer different qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Plum has a neutral sound profile and a mild, stepped feel, making it unique among tactile switches. On the other hand, the Sage has a crunchy sound profile and an invigorating, sharp feel. Both switches provide satisfying typing experiences, but the Plum is on the heavier side while the Sage offers a more pronounced tactile bump. Based on the available information, it is expected that users will get similar results in terms of sound and feel as described, ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable typing experience.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when it comes to choosing between the Kailh Plum tactile switch and the Kailh Sage clicky switch, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
If you prefer a heavier switch without a pronounced tactile bump, the Kailh Plum would be the better choice for you. It offers a unique and enjoyable typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams. The Plum's sound profile is neutral, making it suitable for various environments such as home or work.
On the other hand, if you crave a distinctive clicky typing experience and enjoy a heavier switch, the Kailh Sage would be more suitable for you. With its sharp clickiness and medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, the Sage provides an invigorating and immersive typing sensation. The crunchy sound profile of the Sage adds to the overall typing experience, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves.
Consider your preference for tactility and weightiness when making your decision. If you prioritize a switch with a mild and stepped feel, the Plum would be a good fit. However, if you prefer switches with pronounced feedback and a sharp tactile bump, the Sage would be the way to go.
In the end, both the Kailh Plum and Kailh Sage switches offer unique characteristics and enjoyable typing experiences. It's important to try them out for yourself and see which one aligns with your typing preferences and needs.
Mentioned in this article
