Kailh Box Navy vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a heavy typing experience and exudes a nostalgic sound signature and tactility, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are an ideal choice. These switches pay homage to the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s, with their heftiness and resonant click. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smooth, effortless typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink switches are worth considering. With an actuation force of just 35g, they are perfect for delicate typists, offering a frictionless operation similar to gliding. Additionally, the Sakura Pinks emit a delightful poppy sound, reminiscent of popping bubble wrap, bringing a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities so you can decide on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
45g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Kailh Box Navy and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, resulting in a similar sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when compared to other materials. Additionally, its translucency makes it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches offer a clear and resonant sound profile and are visually appealing when paired with lighting effects.
The difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Box Navy features a nylon bottom housing, while the Sakura Pink uses a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. Its softness allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Sakura Pink complements its top housing, contributing to a sharper and crisper sound with a higher pitch. This difference in bottom housing materials leads to variations in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches.
When pressed, the Box Navy switch emphasizes the qualities of the nylon bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound experience. In contrast, the Sakura Pink switch showcases the characteristics of the polycarbonate bottom housing, delivering a sharper and crisper sound. However, upon releasing a key, the impact of the top housing becomes more apparent. Both switches, in their respective configurations, produce a clear and resonant sound when the key is released, thanks to the polycarbonate top housing.
In summary, while the top housings of the Kailh Box Navy and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches share the same polycarbonate material and offer similar results, their bottom housings differ, leading to variations in sound and feel. The Box Navy's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound, while the Sakura Pink's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile. Understanding these differences allows users to choose the switch that aligns with their desired typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, there are clear differences in weight. The Box Navy has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 90 grams, making it a better choice for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink offers a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams. This makes it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter switch, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue. It is worth noting that both switches offer distinct advantages based on individual preferences. For those seeking similar results, they can opt for a switch with a force similar to the Sakura Pink, but it is important to remember that the two switches mentioned here have different actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Navy clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Sakura Pink switch is longer than the Box Navy switch. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the more traditional option, offering a deeper keypress feel. On the other hand, a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. If responsiveness is your priority, the Box Navy switch with its 3.6 mm travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, for those who enjoy a more pronounced keypress experience, the Sakura Pink switch with its longer travel distance may be more appealing. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy experience. Typing on these switches produces a higher-pitched sound profile, providing an immersive auditory experience reminiscent of vintage keyboards. The sound is clean and sharp, resembling the satisfying crunch of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch offers a muted sound. These switches produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical keyboards, minimizing the noise typically associated with keystrokes. The Sakura Pinks add a playful touch to your typing sessions with their delightfully poppy sound, similar to the sound of bubble wrap being popped.
When it comes to the feel, the Kailh Box Navy switch offers a sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile experience. These switches have a strong and crisp tactile bump, providing high feedback intensity. Each keypress can be distinctly felt, creating an immersive typing sensation. However, they require a higher amount of force to actuate and bottom out compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch offers a buttery, creamy, easy-to-press, and frictionless typing experience. They provide a seamless and effortless keystroke experience, with a smooth and uniform sensation. These switches have a low actuation force, making typing comfortable and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The Sakura Pinks offer a fluid travel and allow your fingers to effortlessly glide across the keys.
In conclusion, comparing the subjective qualities of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, we find distinct differences. The Box Navy provides a heavy typing experience with a resonant and crunchy sound, accompanied by a sharp and invigorating feel, whereas the Sakura Pink offers a light and delicate typing experience with a muted and poppy sound, combined with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. It ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style as to which switch would be most suitable for you. If you enjoy the heavy, tactile and audible typing experience, the Box Navy will be a perfect fit. However, if you prefer a light and smooth typing experience with softer sound, the Sakura Pink will deliver similar results.
Conclusion
To wrap up, 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. On the other hand, if you prefer a delicate and smooth typing experience, the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switches are the way to go. With their feather-light actuation force and frictionless operation, these switches provide a seamless and effortless typing experience. The Sakura Pinks also produce a delightfully poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your keyboarding sessions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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