Durock Black Lotus vs. Kailh Box Navy

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular contenders for enthusiasts are the Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Navy. The Black Lotus is a linear switch that is renowned for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision. It boasts minimal housing and stem wobble, ensuring maximum typing pleasure. With an actuation weight of 55g, it provides a substantial yet not too hefty typing experience. Additionally, the unique light column of the Black Lotus offers in-switch lighting that can be fully removed. On the other hand, the Box Navy switches from Kailh are perfect for those who prefer a heavy typing experience and appreciate the distinct sound and tactile feedback of clicky switches. These switches not only bring back the nostalgia of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s but also offer a satisfying crunchiness and stiffness that enhances the typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Durock Black Lotus Linear

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$5.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Navy have different materials for their top housing. The Black Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Box Navy uses polycarbonate for its top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer durability and strength, the Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend housing may provide a more distinct tactile experience compared to the Box Navy's polycarbonate top housing.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches utilize nylon as their material of choice. This classic switch housing material enhances the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. The use of nylon in both the Black Lotus and the Box Navy ensures a satisfying typing experience with a more pronounced auditory feedback.

When it comes to the overall impact on the switch, the bottom housing has a significant effect on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the material choice for each housing has distinct implications for the user's typing experience. While both switches provide a premium feel and a fuller sound profile due to the nylon bottom housing, the Black Lotus may offer a more unique tactile feel with its modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, whereas the Box Navy's polycarbonate top housing may produce a crisper sound upon key release.

In summary, the Durock Black Lotus and the Kailh Box Navy differ in their top housing materials. The Black Lotus's modified PC and UPE Blend housing provides a unique and premium feel, while the Box Navy's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile. However, both switches share the same nylon bottom housing, which enhances the typing experience with its deeper and fuller sound. Despite these differences, both switches aim to deliver a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials, allowing users to choose according to their desired tactile feel and sound profile preferences.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, some notable differences can be observed. The Black Lotus has a lighter actuation force of 55 grams, whereas the Box Navy requires a slightly heavier 60 grams of force to actuate. This means that the Black Lotus may be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch while typing or gaming, allowing for longer periods of comfortable use. On the other hand, the Box Navy offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation force.

In terms of bottom out force, the Black Lotus requires 63.5 grams of force, providing a slightly more tactile feedback upon fully pressing the key. In contrast, the Box Navy provides a significantly heavier bottom out force of 90 grams, resulting in a more pronounced and satisfying keystroke for those who prefer a stronger push feel.

It is worth noting that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the Black Lotus and the Box Navy, both switches offer unique benefits to users. The lighter actuation force of the Black Lotus enables longer typing or gaming sessions without causing as much fatigue, while the heavier forces associated with the Box Navy are favored by those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on individual preferences and the specific use case at hand.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch is 4 mm, while the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. In terms of numerical values, the Black Lotus has a slightly longer travel distance than the Box Navy. A travel distance of 4.0mm is considered to be the more traditional option, while 3.6mm is slightly shallower. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the shorter 3.6mm travel distance of the Box Navy may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper key press may find the 4.0mm travel distance of the Black Lotus to their liking. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and typing style.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Black Lotus switch is described as unknown, so it is difficult to draw a direct comparison to the Kailh Box Navy switch. However, based on the information provided, the Box Navy is known for its resonant and crunchy sound signature. The resonant profile produces a higher-pitched sound and creates an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the crunchy characteristic is reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

Regarding feel, the Durock Black Lotus switch offers a range of descriptors including silky, buttery, mild, and polished. Silky switches provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Butter switches offer a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Mild switches provide a gentle typing experience that falls in a middle-ground zone, appealing to a wide range of users. Finally, polished switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Navy switch is described as sharp, invigorating, and stiff. The sharp tactile bump of the Box Navy creates a strong and crisp feedback with each keypress, while the invigorating characteristic offers pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. Moreover, the stiff nature of the Box Navy switch requires a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches.

Overall, comparing the subjective qualities of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch, we can see that they differ in terms of sound and feel. The Black Lotus switch possesses unknown sound characteristics, while the Box Navy switch offers a resonant and crunchy sound profile. In terms of feel, the Black Lotus boasts a silky, buttery, mild, and polished typing experience, while the Box Navy delivers a sharp, invigorating, and stiff sensation. Depending on personal preferences, one can choose between the smooth and varied feel of the Black Lotus or the pronounced feedback and heavier actuation force of the Box Navy. It is important to consider other factors such as keyboard board and keycaps to further customize the overall typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy linear switch with a smooth feel and precise typing experience, the Durock Black Lotus is the ideal choice. Its 63.5 gram bottom out force offers a substantial actuation weight without being too hefty. Additionally, the unique light column provides in-switch lighting that can be fully removed, giving you customization options.

On the other hand, if you prefer a heavy typing experience with a clicky switch that produces a distinctive sound signature, the Kailh Box Navy switches are perfect for you. With a bottom out force of 90 grams, these switches offer a vintage buckling keyboard feel along with the satisfying click sound that many enthusiasts love.

In terms of sound, the Black Lotus provides a sound profile that is not explicitly described in the given information. However, the Box Navy switches are described as both resonant and crunchy. This means that typing on these switches will give you a higher-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp sound, reminiscent of autumn leaves.

In terms of feel, the Black Lotus offers a range of descriptors including silky, buttery, mild, and polished. These qualities create a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. On the other hand, the Box Navy switches are described as sharp, invigorating, and stiff. This means that you can expect a high feedback intensity, snappy feel, and a higher amount of force required to actuate and bottom out.

Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Black Lotus and Kailh Box Navy switches depends on your personal preferences. If you value a smooth and precise linear switch, go for the Black Lotus. However, if you prefer a heavy and clicky switch with a distinct sound, the Box Navy switches will be more suited to your taste. Consider these factors and choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Black Lotus Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$5.50 per 10

Learn more