Kailh Box Navy vs. Outemu Milk Blue
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Milk Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Milk Blue mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to note their distinct characteristics. If you are looking for a heavy typing experience coupled with a satisfying sound signature and tactile feedback, the Box Navy switches are an ideal choice for you. Reminiscent of the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s, these switches are known for their sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff feel. On the other hand, the Milk Blue switches do not have a specific standout feature but are still a reliable clicky switch option. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Milk Blue, both switches share the use of polycarbonate for their top housings. This choice of material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it an ideal material for switches designed with RGB lighting. However, the differences lie in the bottom housings, with the Box Navy using nylon while the Milk Blue also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing.
The nylon bottom housing of both the Box Navy and the Milk Blue contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. While the top housings of both switches are polycarbonate, which enhances the overall sound profile with a clear and resonant tone, the impact of the bottom housing material is felt more during the bottom-out sound and feel. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings provide a unique typing experience for users of both switches.
In summary, the housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Milk Blue play a crucial role in defining the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. While both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing, resulting in a sharp and crisp sound, their use of nylon for the bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound quality. The differences in bottom housing materials highlight the unique characteristics of each switch, enhancing the overall typing experience for users looking for distinct sound profiles when selecting their preferred mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, which has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Box Navy requires 90 grams of force, whereas the Milk Blue's bottom out force is unknown. The Box Navy provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Alternatively, the Milk Blue offers a lighter typing experience, ideal for those who need to type for extended periods without experiencing fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference regarding actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Milk Blue has a longer travel distance compared to the Box Navy. The traditional travel distance falls around 4.0mm, so the Milk Blue aligns more closely with the standard distance. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Box Navy, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Milk Blue. Both switches offer a satisfying clicky response, so you can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback regardless of the difference in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Navy comes in at $5.50, whereas the Outemu Milk Blue comes in at $3.10.
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 clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience. The higher-pitched sound profile and clean, sharp clicks create an immersive auditory experience reminiscent of vintage keyboards. In contrast, there is no specific information available regarding the sound of the Outemu Milk Blue switch, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in this regard.
Moving on to feel, the Box Navy switch provides a sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback that is distinct with each keypress. The strong and crisp tactile bump, combined with a moderate to firm actuation force, offers a tactile typing sensation that many enthusiasts appreciate. Unfortunately, there is no information available about the feel of the Outemu Milk Blue switch, making it challenging to directly compare the two switches.
In conclusion, if you prefer a heavy and clicky typing experience with a resonant sound profile and sharp tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Navy switch would be a suitable choice for you. However, without specific information on the sound and feel of the Outemu Milk Blue switch, it is difficult to provide a direct comparison. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on your own preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Outemu Milk Blue clicky switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound profile. If you prefer a heavy typing experience with a vintage feel and love the sharp, resonant sound of clicky switches, then the Box Navy switches are the way to go. On the other hand, if you are looking for a lighter typing experience and a different sound profile, you may want to opt for the Milk Blue switches. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure the best typing experience for you.
Mentioned in this article
