Kailh Box Navy vs. Aflion Foggy Shadow
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Aflion Foggy Shadow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Box Navy and the Aflion Foggy Shadow. The Box Navy is ideal for those who crave a heavy typing experience and enjoy the distinctive sound and tactility of a clicky switch. Reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s, the Box Navy offers a crunchy and invigorating typing experience. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow is perfect for those who prefer a lighter tactile bump and a medium weight feel. With a 63.5g bottom-out force, the Foggy Shadow strikes a balance between performance and comfort. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
20mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Navy and Aflion Foggy Shadow both use polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, leading to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding an aesthetic appeal to the switches. Despite both switches having the same material for their top housing, the different designs and construction may result in subtle variations in sound and feel.
On the other hand, the Box Navy and Foggy Shadow differ in their choice of bottom housing material. The Box Navy uses a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate. In contrast, the Foggy Shadow also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering similar sound characteristics. This difference in bottom housing material may affect the overall typing experience and sound produced by the switches.
It is worth noting that the qualities of each housing material in a switch are divided between the top and bottom components. The bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Despite having similar housing materials, the Kailh Box Navy and Aflion Foggy Shadow may still offer distinct typing experiences due to their individual design and construction choices. Ultimately, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon housings in these switches results in unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
The actuation force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 60 grams, while the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch does not have a specified actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Kailh Box Navy is 90 grams, heavier than the 63.5 grams of the Aflion Foggy Shadow. This means that the Box Navy requires more force to trigger a keystroke and fully press down compared to the Foggy Shadow. If you prefer a heavier typing experience, the Kailh Box Navy would be the better option. However, if you prefer a lighter typing feel for extended periods of typing or gaming, the Aflion Foggy Shadow would be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the 3.5 mm travel distance of the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switch. The difference between the two is minimal, but it can still be felt in terms of key press feel and responsiveness. The Box Navy offers a slightly deeper travel, which may provide a more satisfying keystroke for some users. On the other hand, the Foggy Shadow's shorter travel distance may cater to those who prefer a quicker response time, such as gamers. Ultimately, whether you choose the shorter or longer travel distance will depend on your personal preference and typing style. Both switches offer a different typing experience, but ultimately provide similar results in key actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Foggy Shadow has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Foggy Shadow for $3.91.
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 it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Navy switch offers a resonant and crunchy experience, reminiscent of vintage buckling spring keyboards from the 80s. The high-pitched and sharp sound profile creates an immersive auditory experience that is both satisfying and nostalgic. On the other hand, the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a more mellow tone that is suitable for various environments. Both switches deliver distinct sound experiences, with the Box Navy catering to those who enjoy a louder and crisper typing sound, while the Foggy Shadow appeals to users looking for a more subtle and balanced auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Navy switch is known for its sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback. The strong and crisp tactile bump of the Box Navy switch provides a satisfying keypress experience, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate compared to other switches. On the other hand, the tactile bump of the Aflion Foggy Shadow switch is lighter and offers a more moderate feel, striking a balance between feedback intensity and actuation force. While the specific descriptors for the Foggy Shadow switch are unknown, it is likely to provide a smooth and responsive typing experience based on its medium weight and tactile characteristics.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Navy and Aflion Foggy Shadow switches offer distinct sound and feel profiles that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Box Navy is ideal for those seeking a heavy typing experience with a resonant and crunchy sound signature, while the Foggy Shadow provides a lighter tactile bump and neutral sound profile for a more balanced typing experience. Both switches excel in their own unique ways, offering users the opportunity to customize their keyboard setup based on their individual preferences for sound and feel. Ultimately, whether you choose the Box Navy or Foggy Shadow switch, you can expect a high-quality typing experience that meets your specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a heavy typing experience with a high-pitched and crunchy sound profile, then the Kailh Box Navy clicky switches would be the ideal choice for you. Their sharp and invigorating tactile feedback, along with their 90g bottom-out force, provide a vintage typing experience reminiscent of buckling spring keyboards. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile bump with a more neutral and low-pitched sound profile, the Aflion Foggy Shadow tactile switches with their 63.5g bottom-out force would be a great option. These switches offer a balanced performance suitable for various typing preferences, making them a versatile choice for both beginners and advanced users. Ultimately, your decision between the two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking for.
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