Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Kailh Box Royal
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Kailh Box Royal switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are super excited to be offering two incredible mechanical keyboard switches for your consideration - the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Kailh Box Royal. While both switches fall into the tactile switch category, they offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Baby Kangaroo is best known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility, accompanied by a marbley sound profile. On the other hand, the Box Royal boasts a sharp, binary tactility that is nearly aggressive. If you're someone who enjoys a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched switch with a bouncy and polished feel, the Baby Kangaroo may be perfect for you. However, if you're seeking a switch with a sharp, high-pitched tactility that brings a sense of aggressiveness to your typing experience, the Box Royal is your best bet. Let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your mechanical keyboard needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
59g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Kailh Box Royal switches differ in terms of their properties and resulting sound profiles. The Baby Kangaroo features a polycarbonate top housing, which lends itself to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's relatively stiffer nature, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Box Royal utilizes a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper polycarbonate.
Both switches share similarities in their use of nylon for the bottom housing. This material brings about a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softness absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Therefore, regardless of the switch model, typing on switches with nylon bottom housing would elicit a similar audio experience.
It's important to note that when the top and bottom housings differ in a switch, the qualities of each housing material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distinction allows for variation in sound profiles between the switches, despite using similar materials for the bottom housing.
In summary, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Kailh Box Royal switches offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different housing materials. The Baby Kangaroo's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound, while the Box Royal's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. Despite this difference, both switches provide a similar sound experience thanks to the nylon material used in their respective bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, there are a few notable differences. The Baby Kangaroo has a slightly lighter actuation force of 59 grams compared to the Box Royal's 45 grams. This means that the Baby Kangaroo requires a bit more force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Box Royal is slightly heavier with a force of 70 grams, while the Baby Kangaroo has a force of 67 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of bottom out force.
Considering the weight aspect, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Box Royal due to its lower actuation force. This lighter actuation force can make it easier to type for longer periods, which is beneficial for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals who favor a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Baby Kangaroo. Its slightly higher actuation force provides a stronger push feel, resulting in a more satisfying typing experience.
It is important to note that although there is a difference in actuation and bottom out forces between these switches, the variation is relatively small. Therefore, if one is specifically seeking the lighter or heavier option, they can still achieve similar results with either switch. Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Kailh Box Royal will depend on personal preference and the desired tactile experience during typing.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, it is clear that there is a slight difference between the two. The Baby Kangaroo has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Box Royal has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Although both switches fall within the range of what is considered typical, with 4.0 mm being the most traditional and 3.0 mm being the most shallow, the Baby Kangaroo is slightly shorter in travel distance compared to the Box Royal.
For those who prioritize a faster response time, the shorter travel distance of the Baby Kangaroo may be preferred. Gamers, in particular, tend to opt for switches with shorter travel distances to enhance their gaming performance. On the other hand, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance to feel too abrupt, preferring a switch with a more substantial depth. In this case, the Box Royal with its longer travel distance would be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience. Both switches offer their own advantages and it is important to consider factors such as responsiveness and key feel when making a decision.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
The Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25 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
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is known for its crisp, light switch-like tactility and a marbley sound profile. The sound of these switches can be described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. Clacky switches produce a sharp and snappy sound, similar to tapping on a rock-solid piece of marble or the sound of billiard balls colliding. The high-pitched and resonant sound profiles create a crisp and sharp auditory experience. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is highly tactile with a sharp, binary tactility. The sound profile of the Box Royal is relatively higher pitched, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch is described as snappy, bouncy, and polished. Snappy switches provide a super responsive typing experience, giving a lively and alive feel due to longer or dual-staged springs. Bouncy switches offer a spring-like feedback sensation with a rebound effect when pressed. The polished switch indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Box Royal tactile switch, on the other hand, is known for its sharp tactile bump. The strong and crisp tactile bump of the Box Royal is prominent and can be distinctly felt with each keystroke.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Baby Kangaroo provides a crisp, light switch-like tactility with a marbley sound profile described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. It offers a snappy, bouncy, and polished feel for a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal has a sharp, binary tactility with a relatively higher pitched sound profile. It offers a strong and crisp tactile bump for a highly tactile typing experience. Depending on your preference, the Baby Kangaroo may provide a lighter and more varied sound and feel, while the Box Royal offers a more intense and pronounced tactile bump with a higher pitched sound. However, keep in mind that the sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a medium-heavy tactile switch with a crisp, light switch-like tactility and a marbley sound profile, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo would be an excellent choice. These switches produce a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a resonant and high-pitched sound profile. Furthermore, the Baby Kangaroo offers a snappy and bouncy feel, providing a responsive and lively typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer an even more aggressive tactility, the Kailh Box Royal would be the perfect switch for you. With a bottom out force slightly higher than the Baby Kangaroo at 70 grams, these switches offer a sharp and binary tactility. The sound profile of the Box Royals is relatively higher pitched, similar to the Baby Kangaroo, and they also provide a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
In closing, both the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Kailh Box Royal switches offer unique characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. While the Baby Kangaroo provides a smoother and refined typing experience with its snappy and bouncy feel, the Box Royal boasts a stronger and crisper tactile bump. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches boils down to personal preference in terms of tactility and sound.
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