Kailh Box Royal vs. Akko V3 Cream Black Pro
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, there are numerous options available, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience. Two popular choices, the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro, stand out in the market for their distinct features. The Box Royal is favored for its incredibly tactile nature, providing a sharp and binary tactility that is perfect for those who enjoy a more aggressive feel while typing. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Black Pro is praised for its budget-friendly price point without compromising on quality, offering a smooth and pleasant typing experience with a unique poppy and clacky sound. The Box Royal is categorized as sharp and high-pitched, while the Cream Black Pro V3 is described as creamy, high-pitched, bouncy, snappy, and polished. However, let's dive a bit deeper into the specifics so you can determine the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
55g
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
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm
Housing materials
The main difference between the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro in terms of housing materials lies in their top housings. The Box Royal utilizes nylon for its top housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the V3 Cream Black Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile as a result of its relatively stiffer plastic. This distinction is crucial for individuals seeking a specific sound experience from their mechanical keyboards.
On the other hand, both the Box Royal and the V3 Cream Black Pro share a commonality in their use of nylon for their bottom housings. This material choice is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, the typing experience on switches with nylon bottom housings is likely to be consistent in terms of sound and feel. While the top and bottom housing materials may differ between these two switches, the similar choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a certain level of uniformity in sound quality.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro may come down to personal preference in sound profile. The nylon top housing of the Box Royal will provide a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the V3 Cream Black Pro offers a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the mutual use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound. Ultimately, users looking for a specific sound profile can make an informed decision based on the housing materials used in each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch, it is evident that the Box Royal is lighter in terms of actuation force at 45 grams compared to the V3 Cream Black Pro at 55 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Box Royal is heavier at 70 grams, while the V3 Cream Black Pro is slightly lighter at 65 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy range, offering a balance between response and resistance. The lighter actuation force of the Box Royal may appeal to those looking for a smoother typing experience, while the heavier bottom out force provides a more satisfying tactile feedback. On the other hand, the V3 Cream Black Pro offers a slightly stronger push feel, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the V3 Cream Black Pro the shorter option between the two. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are currently popular, especially among gamers seeking faster response times. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference - for those who prefer a more immediate and shorter key press, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro would be the better choice. On the other hand, those who prefer a slightly deeper feel and more traditional travel distance may prefer the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a good balance between speed and depth, providing a satisfying typing experience depending on individual preference.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Cream Black Pro has an MSRP of $3.77 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Cream Black Pro for $2.70.
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
In terms of sound, both the Kailh Box Royal and Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switches are described as having a high-pitched sound profile, producing sharp and crisp sounds when pressed. This means that if you prefer a more vibrant and clear sound from your keyboard switches, either of these options would be suitable. However, it is important to note that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Kailh Box Royal switch is known for its sharp tactile feedback, offering a strong and crisp tactile bump with each keypress. On the other hand, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switch is described as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing experience. The Cream Black Pro switches also have a bouncy and snappy feel, offering a spring-like feedback and a responsive typing experience. Additionally, the switches are polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel for a sleek typing sensation.
Overall, if you are looking for a switch with aggressive tactility and a high-pitched sound profile, the Kailh Box Royal would be the ideal choice. However, if you prefer a smoother and more buttery typing experience with a bouncy and polished feel, the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro switch would be a better fit for you. Depending on your personal preferences in sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a smoother typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Akko V3 Cream Black Pro linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile. If you are looking for a highly tactile switch with a sharp and crisp feedback, the Box Royal would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, creamier typing experience with a unique poppy and clacky sound, the V3 Cream Black Pro would be more suitable. Both switches have their own strengths and cater to different preferences, so it's important to consider what type of typing experience you value most before making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference and what you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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