Kailh Box Navy vs. Durock Koala
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Durock Koala 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 Durock Koala. The Box Navy is ideal for individuals who enjoy a heavy typing experience and appreciate the distinctive sound and tactile feedback of a clicky switch. Reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s, the Box Navy is known for its sharp, resonant, and invigorating feel, making each keystroke crunchy and stiff. On the other hand, the Durock Koala strikes a balance for those who desire a tactile switch that offers a satisfying bump without overwhelming actuation force. With a polished, low-pitched sound and a stepped tactility that provides a pronounced bump without extending throughout the entire keystroke, the Koala is a popular choice for users seeking a more neutral and muted typing experience. 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
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Durock Koala switches share many similarities, as they both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. Both switches will likely produce a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal because of the translucent nature of polycarbonate, allowing light to shine through and enhance the visual experience.
However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Box Navy features a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is softer than polycarbonate, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by polycarbonate. In contrast, the Durock Koala also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile that differs from the sound produced by the polycarbonate top housing.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Navy and the Durock Koala comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. While both switches share polycarbonate top housings for a similar sound profile and aesthetic appeal, the difference in their nylon bottom housings may influence the overall typing experience for users. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with the Box Navy or a deeper, fuller sound profile with the Koala, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The actuation force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 60 grams, which is heavier compared to the Durock Koala tactile switch that has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Box Navy is 90 grams, while the bottom out force of the Koala is 67 grams, making the Koala slightly lighter in terms of bottoming out. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Koala may be a better option due to its lower bottom out force. In contrast, the Box Navy would be more suitable for those who prefer a heavier typing feel. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their varying actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter than the Durock Koala tactile switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. The Box Navy offers a slightly quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for fast response times. On the other hand, the Koala provides a deeper key press experience with its longer travel distance, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or a more tactile typing experience. Both switches offer unique benefits, so you are likely to get similar results in terms of overall performance regardless of which one you choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
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 typing experience, reminiscent of vintage buckling spring keyboards. The Durock Koala switch, on the other hand, provides a low-pitched and neutral sound profile that is less intrusive. Depending on your preference for auditory feedback, the Box Navy switch will give you a more immersive and sharp clicky sound, while the Koala switch offers a more subdued and mellow typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Navy switch is characterized as sharp, invigorating, and stiff, providing a tactile bump that is intense and distinct with each keypress. On the other hand, the Durock Koala switch offers a polished, accented, stepped, and stiff typing experience, with a smooth and refined key travel. The Koala switch strikes a balance between tactility and smoothness, making it suitable for those who enjoy a medium tactile feedback without being too overwhelming.
Overall, if you are looking for a clicky switch with a resonant sound and a sharp tactile bump, the Kailh Box Navy switch is the way to go. However, if you prefer a more subdued sound profile and a balanced tactile feedback, the Durock Koala switch is a great middle ground option. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so your choice will ultimately depend on your preference for sound and feel. Ultimately, the Koala switch may provide a more versatile typing experience for a wider range of users compared to the more specialized Navy switch.
Conclusion
In closing, if you enjoy a heavy typing experience with a loud and tactile click, the Kailh Box Navy switches would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy keystroke with a pronounced bump that offers a more subdued sound profile, the Durock Koala switches would be the better option. Consider your preferences for typing feel, sound level, and actuation force when deciding between these two switches to ensure that you choose the one that best suits your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's essential to take into account what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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