Kailh Box Mute Jade vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong offer contrasting experiences for users. The Box Mute Jade is perfect for those who enjoy a clicky switch but prefer a more subdued sound profile. With a crunchy feel and a quieter clicky sound, this switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Crunchy', 'Stiff', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Mahjong switches from Dareu stand out with their unique green and white color scheme, providing a lively and poppy sound signature along with an effortless typing experience. Categorized as 'Bouncy', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Polished', the Mahjong offers a different typing experience compared to the Box Mute Jade. 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
75g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong switches both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. However, while the Box Mute Jade utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing to enhance RGB lighting effects, the Dareu Mahjong's POK material offers exceptional smoothness and durability. In contrast, both switches have nylon bottom housings that produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer nature that absorbs more sound. Although both switches share similar bottom housing material, the Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong offer distinct characteristics in their top housings, ultimately affecting the overall typing experience.
Despite sharing the same nylon bottom housing material, the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong switches offer unique qualities in their top housings. The Box Mute Jade's polycarbonate top housing creates a clear, resonant sound profile ideal for RGB lighting, while the Mahjong's POK material ensures a smooth, clacky typing experience with exceptional durability. The differences in top housing material between these switches result in varied sound and feel when pressing down and releasing keys. The combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Box Mute Jade versus POK and nylon in the Dareu Mahjong showcases how housing materials play a significant role in switch performance.
In terms of sound production and tactile feedback, the choice of housing materials in switches like the Kailh Box Mute Jade and the Dareu Mahjong plays a crucial role. The polycarbonate top housing in the Box Mute Jade offers a crisper and brighter sound, particularly enhancing RGB lighting effects, while the POK material in the Mahjong contributes to a smooth and clacky typing experience. Both switches benefit from nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Overall, the combination of different housing materials in these switches highlights the importance of material selection in achieving desired sound and tactile qualities in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch differ significantly. The Box Mute Jade has a heavier actuation force of 75 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Mahjong has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. The weight of the switches is crucial as it can affect typing comfort and efficiency. Some prefer a lighter weight for longer typing sessions, while others may favor a heavier weight for a more substantial push feel. Therefore, choosing between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Mahjong linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Mahjong the shorter of the two. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. The Box Mute Jade offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
The Kailh Box Mute Jade comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Mute Jade offers a crunchy and subdued clicky sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong provides a more neutral sound profile, suitable for various purposes and preferences. Both switches have their unique acoustic characteristics, with the Box Mute Jade being quieter but still clicky, while the Mahjong offers a more lively and poppy sound signature. Ultimately, the sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard build and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Box Mute Jade offers an accented and stiff typing experience with a polished finish, providing tactile feedback without being hypersensitive or scratchy. In contrast, the Dareu Mahjong provides a bouncy and mild typing sensation, offering a gentle and approachable feel for most users. Both switches share a polished finish, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction during typing sessions. While the Box Mute Jade leans towards a more tactile and firm feel, the Mahjong delivers a softer and spring-like rebound when keys are pressed.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Mute Jade clicky switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. Whether you prefer a crunchy and subdued clicky sound with a more tactile and stiff feel, or a neutral and lively sound with a bouncy and mild typing experience, both switches provide unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience. With both switches featuring a polished finish for smooth key travel, you can expect a refined and sleek typing sensation regardless of your choice. Ultimately, selecting between the two will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you enjoy a tactile and clicky switch with a more subdued sound profile, then the Kailh Box Mute Jade would be the ideal choice for you. The crunchy feel and quieter click of these switches make typing a satisfying experience without the loud noise often associated with clicky switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a lively and poppy sound signature, then the Dareu Mahjong switches might be more to your liking. The bouncy feel of the Mahjong switches, combined with their smooth and refined finish, offers a unique typing experience that many users find enjoyable. Ultimately, the decision between the Box Mute Jade and the Mahjong switches will come down to your personal preference for feel and sound in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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