Kailh Box Royal vs. Bsun Cliff
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Bsun Cliff switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, tactile feedback and sound profile play crucial roles in enhancing your typing experience. The Kailh Box Royal switches stand out with their sharp and aggressive tactility, providing an unmistakable physical cue with each keystroke, which can be particularly satisfying for users who relish strong feedback while typing. Their high-pitched sound adds an auditory layer to the experience, making them an excellent choice for those who enjoy a pronounced and lively keyboard atmosphere. In contrast, the Bsun Cliff switches offer a more moderate tactile response, featuring medium tactility that strikes a balance between comfort and feedback. The crisp sound profile of the Cliff switches creates a satisfying auditory experience without overwhelming users with volume, making them suitable for quieter environments or prolonged typing sessions. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preference for tactile intensity and sound. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and Bsun Cliff switches exhibit a distinct contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influences the auditory and tactile experiences they provide. The Box Royal employs a nylon top housing, a material known for its ability to absorb sound and create a deeper, bass-heavy sound profile. In contrast, the Bsun Cliff features a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to its stiffer nature. This difference in materials creates two unique sound experiences: while the Box Royal offers a warmer resonance, the Cliff is characterized by a bright and crisp auditory response. Thus, users can expect different sound textures from each switch, showcasing the influence of housing materials on acoustic performance.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Kailh Box Royal and Bsun Cliff utilize nylon material. This shared composition ensures that typists experience a deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out. Since nylon is softer and absorbs more sound compared to harder materials, both switches create a unified experience in this regard. Consequently, while the top housings of the two switches deliver contrasting sound profiles, the nylon bottoms harmonize their overall acoustic feedback, allowing the type feel to remain consistent across both switches. Hence, when evaluating the feel of key presses, both switches contribute similarly due to their identical bottom housing composition.
In summary, the contrasting top housings of the Kailh Box Royal and Bsun Cliff highlight the impact of material choice on sound characteristics, with nylon producing a warmer response and polycarbonate delivering clarity. However, their alignment in bottom housing material ensures that they produce a consistent feel and sound signature when pressed. This blend of differences and similarities illustrates that while the auditory experience can change based on the top housing, the overall typing experience remains cohesive, offering users the chance to engage in different soundscapes whilst maintaining key feedback consistency.
Weight
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Bsun Cliff tactile switch offer different tactile experiences due to their distinct actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy option suitable for those who prefer a more substantial typing feel. In contrast, the Bsun Cliff features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, which caters to users who favor a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming. Thus, while the Box Royal provides a heavier and more pronounced tactile feedback, the Cliff allows for easier key presses, making it ideal for longer use without fatigue. Overall, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces suggest that users will have different experiences based on their preferences for key weight and feedback, with the Box Royal being the heavier option and the Cliff being the lighter choice.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal and the Bsun Cliff tactile switches both have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users will experience the same amount of distance when pressing down on these keys. This similarity ensures that both switches will provide a comparable tactile feedback and overall feel during use, making them suitable for users who prioritize consistent performance in their typing or gaming experiences. Since their travel distances are equal, those looking for a uniform experience won't have to choose between them based on this particular characteristic.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
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 the sound profile, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is noted for its high-pitched characteristic, producing a sharp and crisp auditory feedback upon actuation. This makes them ideal for users who prefer a sound that's more piercing and less bassy, ensuring a distinct auditory cue without the deeper resonance found in other switches. In comparison, the Bsun Cliff tactile switch features a medium tactility paired with a crisp sound signature. While the exact tonal qualities of the Cliff switch are less explicitly detailed, it likely offers a sound profile that is cleaner and well-defined, aligning it somewhat with the Box Royal's emphasis on clarity. However, the ultimate sound experience will depend on the specific keyboard, plate materials, and keycap choices used.
In terms of feel, the Box Royal excels with its sharp tactile feedback, registering a strong and distinct tactile bump with every keypress. This aggressive tactility provides immediate feedback, which can enhance typing accuracy and overall engagement. On the other hand, the Bsun Cliff's tactile response is described as medium, implying that while it offers a noticeable feel, it may not deliver the same intensity that the Box Royal provides. The Cliff's tactile nature might be more subdued, appealing to those who prefer a balanced tactile experience without the striking intensity of the Box Royal.
In summary, both the Kailh Box Royal and Bsun Cliff tactile switches cater to specific preferences within the tactile switch community. The Box Royal is suited for those seeking sharp, aggressive tactility and a high-pitched sound, while the Cliff offers a medium tactility alongside a crisp sound, potentially serving as a more moderate alternative. If you enjoy the characteristics of either switch, you're likely to find satisfying results with both, depending on your typing style and sound preference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Bsun Cliff tactile switch, your personal preferences and typing style will play a crucial role. If you appreciate a more robust typing experience with a firm feedback and enjoy the sensation of a sharp, almost aggressive tactility, then the Box Royal is your best choice. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams ensures that you can really feel each keystroke, providing a lively and engaging typing experience, particularly suited for heavy typists or those who relish a pronounced tactile feel. Additionally, if you prefer a higher-pitched sound profile that allows each keypress to resonate distinctly, the Box Royal fits the bill perfectly. On the other hand, if you value a lighter touch and prefer a more subtle tactile feeling, the Bsun Cliff switch would be more suitable. With a bottom-out force of just 45 grams, the Cliff offers a comfortable typing experience, making it ideal for users who may type for extended periods or appreciate a softer key press. The medium tactility and crisp sound signature of the Cliff provide a balanced experience that combines feedback without being overly aggressive, perfect for casual gamers and typists alike. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the bold characteristics of the Box Royal or the gentler touch of the Cliff, your choice should reflect your typing habits and auditory preferences.
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