Kailh Box Royal vs. Gateron CAP Anniversary
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and Gateron CAP Anniversary offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Box Royal is renowned for its extreme tactility, providing a sharp and binary feedback that appeals to those who crave a highly tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary stands out for its smooth keystrokes thanks to its innovative CAP structure, designed to reduce resistance and enhance overall smoothness. While the Box Royal is characterized by a high-pitched sound profile, the CAP Anniversary offers a snappy and creamy typing experience with a polished feel. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different types of users. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches, the most significant difference lies in the material used for the top housing. While the Box Royal utilizes a softer nylon material for its top housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a deeper, fuller sound profile, the CAP Anniversary features a stiffer polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This contrast in materials results in distinct acoustics when typing on the switches, with the Box Royal offering a duller and rounder sound compared to the clear and resonant sound of the CAP Anniversary.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, both the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron CAP Anniversary use nylon material. This shared material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on the switches, as nylon is known for its sound absorption properties. As a result, the bottom-out sound and feel of both switches are likely to be similar, with the slightly softer nature of nylon creating a more cushioned typing experience. Despite the different top housing materials, the similarity in bottom housing material ensures that users will still get comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron CAP Anniversary switches will largely come down to personal preference in sound profile. Those who prefer a deeper, fuller sound with a softer feel may lean towards the Box Royal with its nylon top and bottom housing. In contrast, individuals who prefer a sharper, crisper sound with a clear housing for RGB lighting may favor the CAP Anniversary with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing. Both switches offer distinct typing experiences based on their housing materials, providing users with a variety of options to suit their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch, we can see that the Box Royal has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the CAP Anniversary's 50 grams. However, the Box Royal has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, while the CAP Anniversary has a slightly lighter 65 grams. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category in terms of force required for key presses. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Box Royal may be the better choice due to its lower actuation force. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the CAP Anniversary provides a slightly lighter bottom out force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to individual preferences in typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Gateron CAP Anniversary has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kailh Box Royal. The difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the overall typing or gaming experience. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Kailh Box Royal, while those who enjoy a more deliberate key press may lean towards the Gateron CAP Anniversary. Both switches have their advantages, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
The Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25 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
Overall, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch offer different experiences in terms of sound and feel. The Box Royal provides a high-pitched sound profile and a sharp, intense tactile bump, making it ideal for those who prefer a pronounced tactile feedback. On the other hand, the CAP Anniversary switch boasts a unique smooth keystroke due to its aerodynamic stem design and reduced resistance. It offers a snappy, creamy, and polished feel, enhancing the typing experience with improved responsiveness and smoothness. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preference for sound and feel. Both switches excel in their respective qualities, so selecting either option will likely result in a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a sharp, binary tactile experience with a higher-pitched sound profile, then the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more stable typing experience with a unique aerodynamic stem design that reduces resistance, then the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you value intense tactility and a distinctive sound or prioritize smoothness and stability in your typing experience. Consider these factors carefully when choosing between the two switches to find the one that best aligns with your typing style and preferences.
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