Kailh Box Navy vs. Wuque Studio WS Red
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're on the hunt for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a unique and satisfying typing experience, you may find yourself torn between the Kailh Box Navy and the Wuque Studio WS Red switches. The Box Navy switches are a top choice for those seeking a heavy and tactile typing experience, with a clicky sound signature reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards from the 80s. On the other hand, the WS Red switches provide a bouncy and responsive typing experience, accompanied by a familiar sound signature thanks to its classic material blend. While the Box Navy switches offer a sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff feel, the WS Red switches introduce a heavier actuation force that adds weight and satisfaction to every keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
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
3.80 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Navy and the Wuque Studio WS Red differ in their choice of housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. The Box Navy utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Red features a nylon top housing. The polycarbonate housing of the Box Navy creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer nature and ability to resonate more clearly. This makes it ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal. In contrast, the nylon top housing of the WS Red offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Box Navy adopts a nylon material, while the WS Red also employs nylon in its bottom housing. Both switches benefit from the classic choice of nylon for the bottom housing, as it contributes to eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics, thereby creating a duller and rounder sound. As a result, the sound profile of both switches is enhanced by the combination of nylon bottom housing and either polycarbonate or nylon top housing.
While the two switches have differences in their top housing materials, they ultimately serve similar purposes in sound production. The stiffer polycarbonate of the Box Navy and the softer nylon of the WS Red both contribute to creating distinct sound profiles. The choice between the two will depend on personal preferences, with the Box Navy offering a sharper and crisper sound due to its polycarbonate top housing, while the WS Red provides a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top housing. Ultimately, whether using the Box Navy or the WS Red, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch ensures a satisfying sound experience when typing or using RGB lighting.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, there are some noticeable differences. Firstly, in terms of weight, the Kailh Box Navy is heavier, with an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 90 grams. This makes it a suitable choice for those seeking a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the exact actuation force of the WS Red is unavailable, but it has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which can be considered medium-heavy.
For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the WS Red may be a better choice as its weight is slightly lower. Its actuation force, although unknown, is likely to be lighter than the 60 grams required by the Box Navy. This lighter weight can be beneficial for prolonged typing sessions, making it ideal for work or extended gaming. However, if one prefers a more forceful keystroke and enjoys the feeling of a heavier switch, the Box Navy would be the recommended option.
In conclusion, while the actuation force of the WS Red is unknown, it is lighter in terms of bottom out force compared to the Box Navy. This distinction gives users the flexibility to select either switch based on their personal preferences. The Box Navy provides a heavier and more substantial typing experience, while the WS Red offers a slightly lighter option. Ultimately, the decision between the two will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired feel when using the keyboard.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch, it is clear that the WS Red has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Box Navy has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with 4.0 mm being the most common and 3.0 mm being the most shallow. However, the trend in recent times has been towards shorter travel distances, especially among gamers who value faster response times. In this case, the Box Navy would be the preferred choice. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more pronounced key press and appreciate a greater depth, the WS Red with its slightly longer travel distance might be preferable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's personal preferences for responsiveness and key feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Navy comes in at $5.50, whereas the Wuque Studio WS Red comes in at $3.50.
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 immersive auditory experience. Typing on this switch produces a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. The Box Navy switch also has a characteristic crisp and crunchy sound, reminiscent of stepping on piles of autumn leaves. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is unknown, as no specific information is available. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, with the Box Navy switch, you can expect a unique and satisfying sound experience, while the sound signature of the WS Red switch remains a mystery.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch provides a sharp and pronounced tactile feedback. The tactile bump of this switch is strong and crisp, allowing for a distinct and high feedback intensity with each keypress. Additionally, the Box Navy switch offers an invigorating typing sensation, with moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy and reactive feel. The switch is also considered to be stiff, requiring a higher amount of force to actuate or bottom-out compared to other switches. This means you'll need to apply more force when pressing the keys with these switches. On the other hand, the feel of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is unknown, as no specific information is available. However, based on the information provided, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch offers a tactile and invigorating typing experience with a distinctive feedback intensity, while the feel of the WS Red switch remains uncertain.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a heavy typing experience with a vintage feel and sound, the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is an excellent choice. It offers a resonant and immersive sound profile, with a crunchy and sharp characteristic. The switch also provides a sharp and pronounced tactile feedback, creating an invigorating typing sensation. On the other hand, information regarding the sound and feel of the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switch is unavailable. However, based on the available information, it is evident that the Kailh Box Navy switch offers unique and satisfying subjective qualities. If you desire similar results with the WS Red switch, it's recommended to consider its material blend and actuation force as potential factors influencing the typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, 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 bouncy and responsive typing experience with a touch of weight to each keystroke, the Wuque Studio WS Red linear switches are the way to go. With its double-stage spring and heavier actuation force, you can expect a satisfying and substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the Box Navy and the WS Red comes down to personal preference and what specific typing experience you are looking for.
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