Huano Acacia vs. Kailh Box Royal

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, preferences often boil down to the nuances of feel and sound, and two noteworthy options are the Huano Acacia and the Kailh Box Royal. The Acacia is a linear switch recognized for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, which together contribute to an excellent typing experience right out of the box. This makes it a great choice for those who prefer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke without tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Royal is a tactile switch that offers a sharp and nearly aggressive tactility, delivering a pronounced tactile bump that users can feel and hear with each key press. With a relatively higher-pitched sound profile, the Box Royal caters to typists who enjoy the feedback and satisfaction of tactile cues during their typing sessions. While both switches have their distinct advantages—smoothness for the Acacia and tactile feedback for the Box Royal—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Huano Acacia Linear

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$3.39 per 10

$6.25 per 10

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Housing materials

The Huano Acacia and Kailh Box Royal switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles. The Acacia features a polycarbonate top housing that is recognized for its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, allowing for a clearer resonance when a key is released. In contrast, the Box Royal utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile; nylon's softer properties absorb sound more effectively, resulting in a rounder acoustic characteristic. Users seeking a crisper and more vibrant typing experience may gravitate towards the Acacia due to its polycarbonate housing, while those preferring a muted and rich sound might opt for the Box Royal.

When we examine the bottom housing, both the Huano Acacia and Kailh Box Royal utilize nylon, which is the classic material known for its ability to absorb sound, creating a duller and fuller sonic experience. The nylon bottom housing plays a critical role in shaping the tactile feedback and bottom-out sound during typing. Since both switches share this common material for their bottoms, they will generate similar auditory sensations upon bottoming out. This allows for a consistent experience between the two models at that stage of key presses, despite their contrasting top housings.

Overall, the differences in housing materials for the Acacia and Box Royal switches highlight the dual impact of sound profiles during typing. The polycarbonate top housing on the Acacia will enhance the sound upon key release, giving it a snappier quality, while the nylon bottom housing remains constant across both switches, fostering a fuller sound upon bottoming out. Users can expect quite different auditory experiences based on the top housing; however, the shared nylon bottoms will ensure that both switches produce complimentary sounds when pressed down, creating a unique interplay between clarity and richness in sound. By selecting either switch, one can achieve varied yet enjoyable auditory results, reflecting their preferences between sharpness and fullness in sound.

Weight

When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means they require the same amount of pressure to register a keystroke. This similarity suggests that users will experience a comparable typing effort between the two switches, making either option suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming without causing undue fatigue. However, the bottom out forces reveal a significant difference: the Acacia switches have a bottom out force of 55 grams, while the Box Royal switches feature a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This makes the Acacia switch feel lighter and easier to bottom out, providing a more forgiving response when keys are fully pressed. In contrast, the Box Royal's higher bottom out force delivers a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a firmer feel. Overall, if a lighter switch is preferred for long hours of typing, the Huano Acacia may be the better choice, whereas the Kailh Box Royal is suited for those who desire a more robust tactile feedback.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, notable differences emerge. The Acacia boasts a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Box Royal extends slightly further with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Acacia the shorter option, appealing to those who favor quicker response times, especially gamers seeking performance. In contrast, the Box Royal, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more satisfying depth of feel for users who appreciate a pronounced actuation. While both switches are relatively short compared to the traditional 4.0 mm standard, the Acacia offers a crisp and responsive experience, ideal for fast-paced interactions, whereas the Box Royal caters to those who enjoy a bit more travel under their fingers.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Huano Acacia linear switch remains relatively quiet, producing a smooth and muted sound profile that appeals to those who prefer a subtle auditory experience while typing. In contrast, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch offers a distinct high-pitched sound when pressed, delivering a sharp and crisp auditory feedback that can be quite satisfying for users who appreciate a more pronounced acoustic response. This higher-pitched sound makes the Box Royals particularly appealing to individuals who do not prefer the richer, bass-heavy tones found in some other switches.

In terms of feel, the Acacia switch stands out with its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, creating a smooth and enjoyable typing experience right out of the box. This design results in a gentle yet satisfying keypress that is ideal for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch boasts a sharp and aggressive tactile feedback that provides pronounced satisfaction with each keystroke. The distinctive tactile bump can be keenly felt, offering users a clear indication that their input has been registered, which can be particularly appealing for typists who enjoy a more responsive and tactile experience.

In conclusion, while the Huano Acacia linear switch provides a smooth, quiet, and lubricated typing experience, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch delivers a sharp, high-pitched sound and a pronounced tactile feedback. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, you might gravitate towards one of these options. Those seeking smoothness and subtlety will favor the Acacia, while users preferring an aggressive tactile experience will likely find satisfaction in the Box Royal. Ultimately, these two switches serve different purposes and cater to distinct typing styles, ensuring that there is something for everyone in the mechanical keyboard community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the choice between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you favor a smooth and quieter experience with a medium-light feel, the Acacia is an excellent option. Its 55-gram bottom-out force makes it forgiving on the fingers, and the generous factory lubrication ensures that you can enjoy a seamless typing experience right away. This switch is particularly well-suited for those who prioritize speed and fluidity in their keystrokes, whether for gaming or prolonged typing sessions. On the other hand, if you seek pronounced feedback with each keystroke and enjoy the sensation of a sharp tactile bump, the Box Royal's 70-gram bottom-out force will provide you with the satisfying, precise engagement you desire. Its high-pitched sound is ideal for users who appreciate audible feedback without the heavier, more bassy tones some switches might produce. Therefore, consider your typing habits: choose the Acacia for a smooth ride, or the Box Royal for robust tactile engagement.

Mentioned in this article

Huano Acacia Linear

$3.39 per 10

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Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more