Kailh Box Navy vs. Kailh Box White

Overview

If you are in search of a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a heavy typing experience and evokes nostalgia for the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are the perfect fit for you. Known for their heftiness and distinct sound signature, these clicky switches provide a satisfying and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize maximum audio feedback and enjoy a unique crunching sensation while typing, the Kailh Box White switches are an excellent choice. These clicky switches offer a high-pitched and polished sound, reminiscent of stepping on autumn leaves. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to determine the best switch for your specific needs.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

Kailh Box White Clicky

$5.50 per 10

$2.76 per 10

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Housing materials

The Kailh Box Navy and Box White switches share many similarities in terms of their housing materials. Both switches utilize a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucent nature of polycarbonate is especially advantageous for those who wish to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup. This similarity ensures that users can expect comparable results when it comes to sound and aesthetics.

However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Box Navy and Box White switches differ. The Box Navy features a nylon bottom housing, while the Box White also utilizes nylon, but with slightly different characteristics. Both nylon bottom housings contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and duller tone.

As a result of this distinction, when pressing down on the switches, users will feel the qualities of their respective bottom housings. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. On the other hand, the top housing's impact becomes more noticeable when you release a key, influencing the sound produced. Despite their differences in bottom housings, the overall experience of using the Box Navy and Box White switches will likely yield similar results, especially in terms of their polycarbonate top housing's impact on sound and RGB lighting capabilities.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Kailh Box White clicky switch, there are noticeable differences. The Box Navy has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Box White's lighter force of 50 grams. This means that the Box Navy requires a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Box Navy is 90 grams, while the Box White has a lower bottom out force of 60 grams. This implies that the Box Navy provides a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to fully press down the keys.

For those who prefer a lighter switch, the Box White would be the better choice as it has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force. This allows for longer typing periods without experiencing fatigue. On the other hand, if a user prefers a stronger push feel and desires a more impactful typing experience, the Box Navy would be the ideal option. The heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Box Navy provides a satisfying feedback while typing.

It is important to note that while the actuation and bottom out forces differ in terms of heaviness, both switches still offer a clicky feedback. Therefore, regardless of the chosen switch, users can expect similar clicky results, with the difference lying primarily in the force required for the keys to register.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Kailh Box White clicky switch both have a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, the Box Navy and the Box White switches yield similar results. Both switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback and auditory click when activated, offering an enjoyable typing experience for users.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, both the Kailh Box Navy and Box White switches offer a resonant sound profile that provides an immersive auditory experience. The sound produced by the Box Navy is described as clean, sharp, and higher-pitched, reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s. On the other hand, the Box White switch produces a sharp and crisp sound that is also higher-pitched. Additionally, both switches have a crunchy characteristic, similar to the sound of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Navy switch presents a sharp tactile experience with a strong and distinct tactile bump. The feedback intensity is high, providing a crisp and reactive feel with each key press. This makes for an invigorating typing sensation that many enthusiasts appreciate. Moreover, the Box Navy switch falls into the category of stiff switches, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom-out compared to other switches. Users need to exert more force when pressing the keys with these switches. On the other hand, the Box White switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness is achieved either through the materials used or factory lubing, reducing friction and allowing for smooth key travel.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box Navy and Box White switches offer distinct but equally enticing characteristics. If you are looking for a heavy typing experience with a sound signature reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards, the Box Navy switches are a perfect fit. The sharp and high-pitched sound, along with the prominent tactile bump and strong feedback, create an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, if maximum audio feedback is your priority, the Box White switches deliver a crisp and sharp sound with a refined and polished feel. Both switches provide a crunchy sound that is commonly associated with clicky switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences and desired typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are seeking a heavy typing experience and love the sound signature and tactility of a clicky switch, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are a perfect fit for you. Their heftiness and sound signature hark back to the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s. These switches provide a rich and deep sound profile, similar to stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. The strong and crisp tactile bump of the Box Navy switch offers pronounced feedback and creates an invigorating and immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, if you desire maximum audio feedback and prefer a medium bottom out force, the Kailh Box White switches are the way to go. They produce a clean and sharp sound profile with a "stepping on autumn leaves"-like crunch. The Box White switches offer a polished and sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between Kailh Box Navy and Box White switches depends on your preference for typing force, sound signature, and tactile feedback.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Navy Clicky

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Kailh Box White Clicky

$2.76 per 10

Learn more