Kailh Box Jade vs. HC Studio Roselle
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the HC Studio Roselle switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh Box Jade and the HC Studio Roselle offer distinct options for different typing preferences. The Box Jade is ideal for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and tactile feedback. Its high-pitched and invigorating clicks, coupled with crunchy tactile bumps, create a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Roselle stands out for its incredibly smooth and ethereally wispy feel, offering a frictionless typing experience with a subtle, low-pitched sound signature. While the Box Jades excel in providing a tactile and clicky typing experience, the Roselles prioritize smoothness and a quieter sound profile. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
20.5mm lengthened single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade's housing materials consist of a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing, while the HC Studio Roselle features a POM top housing and a POM bottom housing. The polycarbonate top housing of the Box Jade offers a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, thanks to its translucency which makes it ideal for RGB lighting applications. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Roselle provides a deeper and more muted sound, creating a different auditory experience for users. However, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Box Jade's nylon housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the POM bottom housing of the Roselle also adds to the deeper and muted sound profile of the switch. Despite having different bottom housing materials, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound characteristics. The choice between nylon and POM bottom housings can affect the overall sound profile of the switch, catering to users who prefer a particular sound when typing on mechanical keyboards.
When comparing the overall sound and feel of the Kailh Box Jade and the HC Studio Roselle, it is important to consider how the different housing materials in both switches impact the typing experience. While the Box Jade offers a sharper and more resonant sound with its polycarbonate top housing, the Roselle provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM housing materials. Both switches aim to offer a unique typing experience with their distinct sound profiles, catering to users with different preferences. Whether one prefers a crisper sound from polycarbonate or a deeper sound from POM, both switches deliver in terms of sound quality and overall typing satisfaction.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, it is evident that the Box Jade has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Roselle's 45 grams, making the Roselle the lighter option. On the other hand, the Box Jade also has a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Roselle's 52 grams, making the Box Jade the heavier option in this aspect. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, providing a balance between a light and heavy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch are both 3.6mm, making them equal in terms of how far the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience a similar amount of travel distance. This aspect of the switches makes them both equally suitable for users who prefer a standard travel distance in their mechanical keyboard switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Roselle has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Roselle for $4.70.
The Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50 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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch offers a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp click with each key press. On the other hand, the HC Studio Roselle linear switch gives off a bassy and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and richer tone during typing. The Roselle switch also has a neutral sound option, suitable for a wide range of typing preferences. Ultimately, the sound produced by the switches will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Box Jade switch is described as accented and invigorating, providing a tactile feedback that is not overwhelming but still noticeable. It offers a snappy and reactive feel, creating an immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Roselle switch is characterized by its frictionless and mild feel, offering an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. This makes it appealing to those who prefer a more gentle typing sensation without sacrificing responsiveness.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Box Jade is ideal for those seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and noticeable tactility, while the Roselle provides a smooth and ethereal typing sensation with a range of sound profiles to choose from. Ultimately, the best choice between these switches would depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the HC Studio Roselle linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility, the Box Jades are the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Roselle switches would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you prioritize the tactile feedback and sound of the Box Jades or the smoothness and subtler sound of the Roselles. Make your decision based on which attributes align more closely with your typing preferences.
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