Kailh Box Royal vs. Bsun Chiikawa - 45g
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two noteworthy options to consider are the Kailh Box Royal and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g, each boasting distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Kailh Box Royal, a tactile switch, is famed for its sharp and aggressive tactile feedback, offering a pronounced tactility that provides clear actuation with each keystroke. This makes it an ideal choice for users seeking a more engaged typing experience, especially for those who appreciate responsive and deliberate feedback. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g showcases a linear design, characterized by its light actuation force and bright sound profile. With a focus on smooth and uninterrupted keystrokes, these switches excel in situations requiring quick, fluid typing, while their crisp sound adds an appealing auditory element. Ultimately, selecting between these two switches depends on whether you prefer the tactile feedback of the Box Royal or the smoothness of the Chiikawa. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3X
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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g, we observe a significant difference in their top housing compositions. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic arises from nylon's softer plastic nature, enabling it to absorb sound more effectively than harder materials. In contrast, the Chiikawa - 45g employs a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's rigid structure enhances sound resonance, making it a suitable choice for applications where clarity and brightness are paramount, especially for setups utilizing RGB lighting. Consequently, while the Box Royal delivers a rounder auditory experience, the Chiikawa - 45g offers a more pronounced and clear sound.
Looking at the bottom housings, both switches utilize nylon materials, highlighting a commonality in their designs. The nylon bottom housing in both the Box Royal and the Chiikawa - 45g contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Since nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound, the impact of the bottom housings will manifest similarly in terms of sound and feel upon key press. Therefore, although the top housings differ in material and sonic qualities, the bottom housings ensure a consistent experience in sound absorption and overall keyboard feel with both models, enhancing the tactile feedback during use.
The dual differences in top housing materials result in distinct auditory experiences, while the similar bottom housings provide a unifying sound characteristic. When activating either switch, the top housing will primarily influence the sound produced when releasing the key, making the Box Royal deliver a smoother, warmer release, while the Chiikawa - 45g will provide a sharper, more defined sound upon key release. This variation leads to contrasting user experiences despite the shared nylon bottom housing's contribution to a satisfying and robust typing feel. What's more, the interaction of the diverse materials between the two switches underscores the importance of switch design in achieving unique auditory and tactile qualities, allowing users to select a switch type that best aligns with their preferences.
Weight
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch showcase distinct characteristics in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means they require an equivalent amount of force to register a keystroke, making them equally responsive for typing. However, they differ in their bottom out forces: the Box Royal has a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, while the Chiikawa is significantly lighter at 51 grams. This difference indicates that while both switches actuate with the same pressure, the Box Royal provides a more substantial feel upon bottoming out, which some users might prefer for a more tactile experience. Conversely, the Chiikawa’s lighter bottom out force allows for a softer landing, making it potentially more comfortable for long typing sessions or gaming, especially for those who favor a lighter overall weight in their switches. Thus, while they offer similar actuation, the Kailh Box Royal is the heavier option, and the Bsun Chiikawa is the lighter one, catering to different user preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, which means that users will experience an identical amount of movement when pressing down on either key. This similarity in travel distance ensures that both switches can deliver comparable tactile feedback and key press responsiveness, providing a consistent typing experience. Since their travel distances are equal, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of feel and performance when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 45g for $3.29.
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
When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch stands out with its high-pitched profile, characterized by a sharp and crisp auditory feedback upon each keypress. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a lighter and less bass-heavy sound, ensuring that typing is accompanied by an enjoyable and clear auditory experience. In contrast, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch also boasts a bright sound profile, producing a similarly crisp and high-pitched sound when typing. Both switches cater to users looking for a more responsive auditory feedback, though individual experiences may vary depending on the keyboard or keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Box Royal provides an exceptionally sharp tactile experience, marked by its binary and aggressive tactility. Each keypress delivers a pronounced tactile bump that can be felt distinctly, adding to the overall typing experience with strong feedback intensity. On the other hand, the feel of the Chiikawa - 45g linear switch is currently unknown, which means that how it compares in tactile response might require further exploration or personal experience to fully understand its characteristics.
In conclusion, while the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is recognized for its aggressive tactile feedback and high-pitched sound, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch offers a similar bright sound profile, though its physical feedback remains undefined. For those seeking sharp and crisp auditory experiences, both switches perform well; however, the Box Royal excels in tactile feedback, whereas the Chiikawa's response may need to be investigated more. Ultimately, selecting between these two switches may come down to personal preference regarding tactile feedback and the overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch will largely depend on your typing preferences and intended usage. If you thrive on pronounced feedback and appreciate a tactile experience, the Box Royal is an excellent fit; its sharp, binary tactility and higher bottom out force of 70 grams provide a robust sensation that makes it ideal for users who enjoy feeling the actuation point distinctly with each key press. This switch is also well-suited for those who prefer a more pronounced sound profile, as its high-pitched tone adds an assertive yet pleasant auditory layer to your typing experience. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter touch and a more fluid typing experience, the Chiikawa - 45g is the way to go. Its 51-gram actuation force makes it easier to press, allowing for rapid keystrokes, while its bright, crisp sound profile enhances the responsiveness of each press, making it perfect for gaming or high-speed typing. Ultimately, your choice should align with what you seek in a keyboard experience—whether it’s the aggressive tactility and feedback of the Box Royal or the smooth, lightweight feel of the Chiikawa.
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