Kailh Box Navy vs. Kailh NovelKeys Cream
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two options that stand out are the Kailh Box Navy and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream. If you prefer a heavy typing experience and enjoy the satisfying sound and tactility of a clicky switch, then the Box Navy switches are the perfect fit for you. With a sound signature and heftiness reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s, these switches provide a sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff typing experience. On the other hand, if you're in search of a linear switch with a heftier feel, the NovelKeys Cream switches are worth considering. While they offer a fairly deep sound profile, it's not overly so, creating a buttery, low-pitched, textured, resonant, and invigorating typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities in order to help you make the best decision on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
70g
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
No
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Kailh Box Navy and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches provide distinct sound profiles and aesthetics. The Box Navy features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. This top housing is also translucent, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Cream utilizes a POM top housing, which produces a pleasing and unique sound profile on the deeper side. This material offers a more muted sound compared to polycarbonate.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Box Navy incorporates a nylon material. This classic switch housing material adds to the switch's sound by creating a deeper and fuller profile. The softness of nylon allows for the absorption of more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the NovelKeys Cream also uses a POM bottom housing, which contributes to its deep and muted sound profile. Both switches benefit from the properties of their respective bottom housings for the bottom-out sound and feel.
It is important to note that the top housing plays a significant role in determining the sound when the key is released, while the bottom housing affects the sound and feeling when the key is pressed down. Despite their differences, both the Kailh Box Navy and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches offer unique and pleasing sound profiles, each with its own characteristics. While the Box Navy emphasizes a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing, the NovelKeys Cream provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top and bottom housing materials. Regardless of the differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their distinct sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Box Navy has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, whereas the NovelKeys Cream requires a slightly lighter force of 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. The bottom out force of the Box Navy is also heavier at 90 grams compared to the 70 grams of the NovelKeys Cream.
These variances in force have implications for different typing preferences. For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the NovelKeys Cream may be more suitable as it requires less force to actuate and bottom out. This lighter weight can contribute to a more comfortable typing experience, especially during extended periods of use such as work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial and pronounced push feel may opt for the Box Navy, despite its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. The heavier force requirement can provide a satisfying tactile feedback and a sense of solidity during typing.
It is worth noting that although the forces differ between the two switches, they both offer similar levels of actuation and bottom out, ensuring that users would still achieve a comparable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preferences, with some favoring the lighter touch of the NovelKeys Cream and others opting for the heavier actuation of the Box Navy.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional, while 3.0 mm is shallower. However, shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. The shorter travel distance of the Box Navy clicky switch would be a suitable choice for those seeking a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, preferring a switch with a longer travel distance like the NovelKeys Cream linear switch for a more substantial and satisfying key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh NovelKeys Cream has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the NovelKeys Cream for $6.25.
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
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is best known for its heavy typing experience and its vintage sound signature reminiscent of buckling keyboards from the 80s. When typing on the Box Navy, you can expect a resonant and crunchy sound profile. The switch produces a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience with a clean and sharp sound. The feel of the Box Navy is characterized by its sharp tactile feedback. The switch offers a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. It provides an invigorating typing sensation with moderate to firm actuation force, creating an immersive feeling. The Box Navy is also described as stiff, requiring more force compared to other switches.
In contrast, the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch offers a heftier linear typing experience. It produces a fairly deep sound profile, deeper than the average switch but not overly so. The sound of the Cream switch is low-pitched, featuring a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Similar to the Box Navy, the NovelKeys Cream is also described as resonant, providing a higher-pitched sound profile with a clean and sharp sound. The feel of the Cream switch is described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It provides a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The Cream switch is also considered invigorating, offering pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive feel.
In summary, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Navy provides a heavier typing experience with a resonant and crunchy sound profile. It offers a sharp and invigorating feel with a strong tactile feedback and a stiff actuation force. On the other hand, the NovelKeys Cream offers a heftier linear typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile. It provides a buttery and invigorating feel with a smooth keystroke and pronounced feedback. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
In summary, 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. When typing on them, you can expect a higher-pitched, resonant sound profile with a clean and sharp sound. The tactile feel of the Box Navy switches is sharp, invigorating, and stiff, providing a high feedback intensity and an immersive typing sensation.
On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch that offers a heftier typing experience, then the Kailh NovelKeys Cream switches are a great choice. These switches provide a fairly deep sound profile, with a low-pitched, resonant sound that is bass-heavy and mellow. The feel of the NovelKeys Cream switches is described as buttery, textured, and invigorating, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive feel.
Ultimately, the decision between the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Kailh NovelKeys Cream linear switch depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a heavy typing experience with clicky feedback and a higher-pitched sound, the Box Navy switches are the way to go. However, if you prefer a linear switch with a deeper sound profile and a smooth, buttery feel, the NovelKeys Cream switches are more suitable. Consider the sound, feel, and typing experience you desire, and choose the switch that aligns best with your preferences.
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