Kailh Box Jade vs. KTT Strawberry
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Strawberry switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself torn between the Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Strawberry. The Box Jade is perfect for those who crave a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and distinct tactility. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile bumps when typing make for a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Strawberry offers a smooth actuation, comfortable feel, and reliable performance. With its attractive pink and clear housings, it adds a touch of elegance to any keyboard setup. Categorized as low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished, the Strawberry provides a more subtle and refined typing experience compared to the bold and invigorating nature of the Box Jade. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Jade and the KTT Strawberry have similar housing materials in their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for its stiffness and transparency, allowing for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is particularly advantageous for users who plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual effects. Therefore, both the Box Jade and the Strawberry offer similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics with their polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the two switches differ. The Box Jade features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its softer nature, providing the switch with the ability to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, this creates a duller and rounder sound experience when typing on the Box Jade. On the other hand, the Strawberry utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This material choice maintains the sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile found in the top housing, ensuring consistency throughout the switch.
The distinction between the top and bottom housing materials impacts how the switches feel and sound during use. Pressing down on a switch primarily engages the qualities of the bottom housing, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. With the Box Jade's nylon bottom housing, users can expect a more pronounced and muffled sensation upon pressing a key. Conversely, when the key is released, the top housing's characteristics become more prominent, influencing the sound produced. Therefore, the Box Jade's usage of different housing materials allows for a more varied typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Conversely, the Strawberry's housing materials are the same for both the top and bottom, resulting in a more consistent typing experience throughout.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch, some notable differences can be observed. The Box Jade has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Strawberry's 43 grams. This means that it requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke on the Box Jade. However, both switches have a medium level of actuation force.
In terms of bottom out force, the Box Jade has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Strawberry has a bottom out force of 62 grams. Again, the Box Jade is slightly lighter in terms of bottoming out.
Considering weight, it is worth noting that both switches have comparable actuation and bottom out forces. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience and feedback. For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Strawberry may be a better choice as it has a slightly lower actuation force. On the other hand, if a stronger push is desired for a more substantial typing experience, the Box Jade's slightly higher actuation force may be more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Strawberry linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Strawberry switch is slightly longer than the Box Jade switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Strawberry switch falls into the more traditional range, offering a comfortable depth for typing. On the other hand, the Box Jade's 3.6 mm travel distance is slightly shorter and may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. However, it is important to note that these differences in travel distance are relatively small and may not be noticeable to everyone. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a slightly shorter or longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Jade comes in at $5.50, whereas the KTT Strawberry comes in at $4.91.
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 Kailh Box Jade clicky switch is best known for its high-pitched and crunchy sound profile. When pressed, these switches produce a sharp and crisp sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. In terms of feel, the Box Jade switch is described as accented and invigorating. It offers a medium amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, providing a pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive typing experience.
On the other hand, the KTT Strawberry linear switch is known for its low-pitched sound profile. These switches produce a more bass-heavy and mellow tone when pressed. The exact sound produced will also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. In terms of feel, the Strawberry switch is described as frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished. This means that it offers an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience, minimizing resistance and providing a fluid key travel. The Strawberry switch enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel, creating a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Jade clicky switch and the KTT Strawberry linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Jade provides a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile with accented and invigorating tactility. On the other hand, the Strawberry switch offers a low-pitched sound profile with a smooth and polished feel. While they offer contrasting experiences, both switches excel in their respective qualities, providing satisfying options for keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a medium-heavy typing experience with a clicky sound profile and pronounced tactility, the Kailh Box Jade switches would be the ideal choice for you. The crisp clicks and crunchy tactile feedback they offer make for an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a more bass-heavy and mellow sound, the KTT Strawberry linear switches would be a great fit. With their attractive pink and clear housings, these switches provide reliable performance and a comfortable feel. Ultimately, your decision would depend on whether you prioritize the high-pitched, crunchy sound and accented, invigorating feel of the Box Jade switches or the low-pitched, frictionless, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience of the Strawberry switches. Considering these factors, you can choose the switch that best suits your preferences and requirements.
Mentioned in this article
