Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Kailh Box Royal
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Royal 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 Royal. The Bamboo Green switch is known for its clacky sound signature and crisp tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Box Royal switch offers a sharp and binary tactility, making it perfect for those who prefer a more aggressive feel. While both switches provide a higher pitched sound profile, the Bamboo Green switch is further characterized as stepping, accented, resonant, and polished, while the Box Royal switch is simply sharp and high-pitched. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Kailh Box Royal differ in their housing materials. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, while the Box Royal utilizes a nylon top housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, neither crisp nor dull. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the Box Royal creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its ability to absorb more sound and produce a rounder sound. Therefore, when releasing a key, the Box Royal is likely to provide a more pronounced sound due to its nylon top housing.
Furthermore, the housing materials of the bottom housings in both switches also vary. The Bamboo Green's PBT bottom housing maintains a neutral sound profile, similar to its top housing. Likewise, the Box Royal's bottom housing is made of nylon, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Consequently, pressing down on the Box Royal switch will likely yield a more robust and resonant sound compared to the Bamboo Green, thanks to the absorbing capabilities of nylon.
Overall, the housing materials in both switches contribute to distinct sound profiles. The Bamboo Green, with its PBT top and bottom housing, offers a neutral sound experience, while the Kailh Box Royal, with its nylon top and bottom housing, creates a deeper and fuller sound. However, if comparing the top or bottom housings individually, the Bamboo Green's PBT properties align with the Box Royal's nylon qualities, resulting in similar sound profiles. For example, pressing down on either switch will result in a neutral sound from the PBT bottom housing, while releasing the key will offer a more pronounced sound attributed to the nylon top housing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, there are notable similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Bamboo Green is slightly lighter at 43 grams, while the Box Royal requires 45 grams to trigger a keystroke. Both switches fall into the medium range in terms of actuation force. When it comes to bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams, whereas the Box Royal is heavier at 70 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Bamboo Green may be the suitable choice as it allows for longer typing sessions with less exertion. This makes it ideal for people using keyboards in a work environment or for extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might gravitate towards the Box Royal. With its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a stronger push feel, resulting in a more pronounced tactile feedback.
Overall, while the actuation forces and bottom out forces of both switches are relatively close, there are subtle differences that cater to different preferences. Those who favor a lighter key press may find the Bamboo Green to be a better fit, whereas those seeking a heavier, more substantial feel might lean towards the Box Royal. Regardless of the choice made, users can expect a satisfying tactile experience from both switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, we can see that the Bamboo Green has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Box Royal has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both of these distances fall within the range of what is considered to be a normal switch travel distance. The Bamboo Green's 4.0 mm travel distance is more traditional, providing a deeper key press experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal's 3.6 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, which can appeal to gamers who prioritize faster response times. So, if you are looking for a switch with a deeper and more hearty key press, the Everglide Bamboo Green may be the better option. However, if you value a more responsive keystroke, the Kailh Box Royal could be a better fit for you. Ultimately, it depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
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 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
When comparing the sound qualities of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Bamboo Green produces a clacky sound signature, which is accompanied by a crisp and sparkling tactility. It is described as having a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, making for an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Box Royal has a relatively higher pitched sound profile, which is sharp and crisp. Both switches are considered to have high-pitched sound profiles, providing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch offers several qualities that contribute to its unique tactile experience. It is described as a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages of tactile feedback. This provides a more mild tactile experience compared to hypertactile switches, allowing users to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The Bamboo Green switch is also described as accented, offering a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, it is considered sharp and polished, providing a strong and crisp tactile bump with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is known for its sharp tactile feedback. It offers a high feedback intensity with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress.
In conclusion, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Kailh Box Royal switches have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bamboo Green offers a clacky sound signature with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, while the Box Royal has a relatively higher pitched sound profile. In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green is stepped, accented, sharp, and polished, providing a mild-to-medium tactility with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Box Royal is known for its sharp and prominent tactile bump. While these switches offer different qualities, if a user is seeking a sharp and crisp tactile experience, both switches can provide similar results.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a clacky sound signature, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a crisp and sparkling tactility that provides a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force and a very sharp, binary tactility, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be a perfect fit. These switches are known for their aggressive tactility and relatively higher-pitched sound profile. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of bottom out force and sound and feel preferences.