Kailh Box Navy vs. Outemu Purple
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Purple switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Purple offer distinct experiences for users. The Box Navy is a clicky switch that provides a heavy typing experience, complete with a satisfying sound signature and prominent tactility reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s. On the other hand, the Outemu Purple is a tactile switch that may not have a specific standout feature but offers a smooth tactile bump without an audible click. If you prefer a sharp, resonant, and invigorating typing experience, the Box Navy may be the way to go. In contrast, the Purple switch provides a different tactile feel that some users may find more comfortable for extended typing sessions. 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
2.00 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
The housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Purple switches both feature polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall design. Both switches offer similar results in terms of sound quality and appearance due to their shared use of polycarbonate for the top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Kailh Box Navy utilizes nylon while the Outemu Purple also uses nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as it is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by polycarbonate in the top housing. Despite the difference in bottom housing material, both switches benefit from the sound-enhancing properties of nylon, ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
The split qualities of the top and bottom housing materials in these switches offer a unique typing experience. The impact of the bottom housing material is felt when pressing down on a key, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, the top housing material plays a crucial role in the sound produced when releasing a key, shaping the overall typing sound. By combining the specific characteristics of polycarbonate and nylon in their top and bottom housings, the Kailh Box Navy and Outemu Purple switches provide a well-rounded sound profile that caters to different preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a higher actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Outemu Purple tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. This means that the Box Navy requires slightly more force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Box Navy is also heavier at 90 grams, while the bottom out force for the Purple switch is unknown. This makes the Box Navy switch a heavier option overall. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Outemu Purple switch may be the better choice, allowing for longer typing sessions with less strain. However, those who enjoy a more tactile and heavy typing feel may lean towards the Kailh Box Navy switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Purple tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Box Navy the shorter option and the Purple the longer option. The Box Navy falls into the category of shorter travel distance, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. On the other hand, the Purple switch offers a deeper keypress experience with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer different tactile experiences based on their travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference on how much depth and feedback you prefer while typing or gaming. Ultimately, choosing between the two will result in different typing experiences due to their varying travel distances.
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 Purple 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 switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience, providing a high-pitched sound profile and a crisp, immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Purple switch is unknown, but it is important to note that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Navy switch is characterized by its sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback. The strong and crisp tactile bump of the Box Navy switch delivers a distinctive and precise typing sensation, requiring a higher actuation force compared to other switches. However, the tactile feel of the Outemu Purple switch is unknown, leaving us with limited information to compare.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a keyboard switch with a heavy typing experience and a distinctive clicky sound, the Kailh Box Navy switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its resonant and crunchy sound profile, along with its sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback, the Box Navy switch offers a unique and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the subjective qualities of the Outemu Purple switch remain unknown, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive comparison between the two switches. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a typist who enjoys a heavy typing experience with a distinct clicky sound and sharp tactile feedback, then the Kailh Box Navy switches would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter tactile switch with a more subtle sound profile, the Outemu Purple switches might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and sound. So, consider your typing style and preferences carefully before making your choice between the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Outemu Purple tactile switch.
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