Kailh Box Navy vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you are in search of a mechanical keyboard switch that provides a heavy typing experience and a satisfying sound, the Kailh Box Navy switch is the perfect fit for you. With its sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff characteristics, this clicky switch harkens back to the vintage buckling keyboards of the 80s. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a different experience. With its deep and thocky sound profile, it immerses you in a satisfying typing experience. The lengthened single-stage spring provides a bouncy feel with each keystroke, and the Tourmaline Blues strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Both switches have their unique advantages and qualities, 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
59g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Navy and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic that produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetic appeal when it comes to the top housing.
However, there is a significant difference in the bottom housing materials of the two switches. The Box Navy utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound profile similar to that of the top housing. This means that the Box Navy will have a different bottom-out sound and feel compared to the Tourmaline Blue due to the contrasting housing materials.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the qualities of the bottom and top housings will play a role. The bottom housing material will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material will affect the sound when you release a key. Therefore, while the two switches have similarities in terms of the polycarbonate top housing, they will offer different experiences due to the contrasting materials used in their bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are clear differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Box Navy has a heavier actuation force, requiring 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Tourmaline Blue is slightly lighter with an actuation force of 59 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Box Navy again proves to be heavier, requiring 90 grams of force compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 67 grams.
The Box Navy provides a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. This can be beneficial for individuals who enjoy a tactile response and a satisfying click when typing. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a medium-heavy force, which can still provide a satisfying typing experience without being as physically demanding.
Weight is an important factor to consider for different preferences and needs. A lighter actuation force allows for longer typing durations, making it ideal for those who use their keyboard for extended periods, such as during work or marathon gaming sessions. However, others may find the heavier force of the Box Navy more comfortable and enjoyable, as it provides a more substantial and tactile typing experience.
Ultimately, when deciding between the two, it is important to consider personal preferences and the intended usage of the keyboard. The Box Navy is a heavier switch, providing a robust typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly lighter option without compromising on the tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that they have different lengths. The Box Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Box Navy falls slightly on the shorter side of the traditional travel distance scale, while the Tourmaline Blue is closer to the more traditional 4.0 mm length. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Box Navy a favorable option for them. However, those who prefer a deeper and more substantial keystroke may find the longer travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue more satisfying. In summary, the Box Navy offers a shorter travel distance, while the Tourmaline Blue provides a longer one, allowing users to choose based on their preference for responsiveness or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue 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 switch offers a highly resonant and crunchy sound profile. Typing on these switches creates a clean and sharp sound that is reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch provides a more neutral sound profile. It offers a moderate sound, suitable for most users and purposes. The choice of keyboard and keycaps can also have an impact on the sound of the switches. Overall, if you prefer a higher-pitched and immersive auditory experience, the Box Navy switch is the way to go, while the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a more moderate and accessible sound.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Navy switch provides a sharp and invigorating typing experience. It has a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress, offering a highly tactile feedback. These switches are also known for their stiffness, requiring more force to actuate and bottom-out. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch delivers a buttery and easy-to-press feel. It offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, with minimal resistance during key presses. The light actuation force of these switches makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue. The Tourmaline Blue switch falls in the middle-ground, providing a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Considering the available information, the Kailh Box Navy and Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Box Navy switch excels in providing a heavy typing experience with its sharp tactile feedback and immersive sound signature. It is reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards, making it a great choice for enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic feel. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance by offering a more neutral sound and a buttery smooth keystroke experience. Its easy-to-press nature and moderate actuation force make it suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced typists. While the two switches have different characteristics, they both provide satisfying typing experiences in their own ways. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, you can achieve similar levels of satisfaction with either switch.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are seeking a heavy typing experience and love the sound and tactility of a clicky switch, then the Kailh Box Navy switches are a perfect fit for you. With their 90 gram bottom out force, they offer a hefty feel, reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards. The Box Navy switches have a resonant and crunchy sound profile, providing a high-pitched and immersive auditory experience. Additionally, their sharp and invigorating tactile bump offers intense feedback with each keypress. On the other hand, if you prefer a moderate typing experience with a deep and thocky sound profile, then the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches are a great choice. With their 67 gram bottom out force, they strike a balance and are accessible to a wide range of users. The Tourmaline Blue switches have a neutral sound profile that is suitable for various purposes, and their buttery and easy-to-press feel offers a smooth and low-impact typing experience. Overall, both switches have their unique qualities and cater to different preferences, allowing you to find the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs.
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