Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Kailh Box Navy
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Navy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Navy. The Bamboo Green switches are known for their clacky sound signature and crisp tactility, offering a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Navy switches are perfect for those who prefer a heavy typing experience and enjoy the sound and tactility provided by a clicky switch. With their heftiness and sound signature reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s, these switches offer a unique and invigorating typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
90g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Navy switches have significant differences. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, while the Box Navy has a polycarbonate top housing. PBT, although relatively unseen in switch housings, offers a neutral sound profile. It is neither very crisp nor dull. On the other hand, polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Moreover, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it suitable for switches with RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches differ again. The Bamboo Green utilizes a PBT bottom housing, similar to its top housing. PBT offers a neutral sound profile and lacks crispness but also exhibits no dullness. In contrast, the Box Navy features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
When it comes to the overall feel and sound of the switches, the housing materials play distinct roles. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, determining the qualities felt when pressing down on the switch. Meanwhile, the top housing influences the sound produced when releasing a key. These distinctions in housing materials can lead to contrasting typing experiences between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Navy switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, it becomes clear that they have distinct differences. The Bamboo Green requires a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch when typing or gaming for extended periods of time. In contrast, the Box Navy demands a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, providing users with a more substantial and pronounced keystroke experience. Similarly, when considering the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams, while the Box Navy calls for 90 grams, further emphasizing the heavier and more substantial nature of the latter. Ultimately, those seeking a lighter touch may lean towards the Bamboo Green, while users desiring a more forceful keystroke experience will find the Box Navy to be their preferred choice.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, it is evident that the Bamboo Green has a slightly longer travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Box Navy offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Bamboo Green falls within the realm of traditional travel distances, whereas the Box Navy is on the shallower side. In recent times, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. Opting for a switch with a shorter travel distance would offer a heightened level of responsiveness. On the other hand, some individuals find short travel distances to be too abrupt, and for those who prefer a more substantial depth to their keystrokes, the switch with the longer travel distance would be the preferable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Kailh Box Navy 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
When comparing the sound of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, both switches have a resonant sound profile. Typing on the Bamboo Green switches produces a high-pitched and clean sound, giving a crisp and sparkling audial experience. On the other hand, the Box Navy switches offer a resonant sound profile with a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience. Additionally, the Box Navy switches have a crunchiness to their sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. It is important to note that the sound produced by these switches can also vary depending on factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, both the Bamboo Green and Box Navy switches are described as having a sharp tactile bump. This means that the feedback intensity is high and noticeable with each keystroke. The Bamboo Green switches are also characterized as having a stepped feel, providing a mild sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. They are further described as accented, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the Bamboo Green switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Box Navy switches offer a sharp and invigorating tactile experience, providing pronounced feedback and a reactive feel. They are also noted to have a higher actuation force, requiring more force to press the keys.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switches and Kailh Box Navy clicky switches have similar sound profiles, both being resonant and producing a clean and sharp audial experience. However, the Box Navy switches have an added crunchiness to their sound. In terms of feel, both switches have a sharp tactile bump and provide a prominent amount of tactility. The Bamboo Green switches have a stepped feel and a polished finish, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Box Navy switches offer an invigorating typing sensation. If you enjoy a heavy and vintage typing experience with a focus on sound and tactility, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and Kailh Box Navy switches can provide satisfying results, although with some subtle differences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force and enjoy a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be a great choice for you. This switch provides a stepped and accented feel, making it a more mild tactile switch that still offers a prominent amount of tactility. It also has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth typing experience with reduced friction. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavy typing experience and love the sound and tactility of a clicky switch, the Kailh Box Navy switch is perfect for you. With a bottom out force of 90 grams, it offers a more intense feel and requires more force to actuate and bottom out. It is described as sharp and invigorating, providing pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive feel. Its sound signature and heftiness hark back to the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal preference for bottom out force, sound signature, and tactile feel.
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