Kailh Box Royal vs. Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro stand out as two compelling options, each with distinct qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Box Royals are celebrated for their pronounced and sharp tactility, offering a nearly aggressive tactile experience that can enhance your typing feedback significantly, making them a great choice for those who thrive on precise keystrokes. Coupled with a relatively high-pitched sound profile, these switches create an engaging auditory experience for users who appreciate a more aggressive typing sensation. In contrast, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switches are characterized by their large, invigorating tactile bump that offers a satisfying and robust feedback while maintaining a bassier sound signature that is both fuller and more resonant. This makes them an appealing option for those who enjoy a more rounded tactile experience with a louder auditory feedback while typing. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
30g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Nylon
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 spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro, a key distinction lies in their top housings. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, known for its capacity to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro employs a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffer nature. The translucency of the polycarbonate also enhances its aesthetic appeal, particularly in RGB setups, allowing light to diffuse beautifully through the switch. As such, while the Box Royal offers a warmer sound, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro delivers a brighter auditory experience.
In terms of their bottom housings, both the Box Royal and V3 Creamy Purple Pro utilize nylon, a classic material in switch design. This similarity means that the bottom-out sound and feel will exhibit comparable characteristics regardless of the differences at the top. Since nylon absorbs sound, both switches will provide a deeper sound when bottoming out, contributing to a rounded auditory experience. Thus, even though the top housings differ significantly in sound profile, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures that users will still experience a consistent, fuller sound when fully engaging the keys.
Overall, while the Kailh Box Royal and Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro stand apart in their top housing materials, they converge in the use of nylon for the bottom housing, creating a cohesive auditory experience. The contrasting materials lead to distinct sound profiles during key release, but the nylon bottoms maintain a sense of fullness in sound at the actuation point. Consequently, if users are looking for characteristically different auditory feedback in typing, they may lean towards the Box Royal for warmth and depth or the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for clarity and brightness, while still appreciating the unified depth provided by the nylon bottom in both switches.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch, the differences in actuation and bottom out forces highlight their distinct typing experiences. The Box Royal requires a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and has a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it suited for those who prefer a more substantial feel while typing or gaming. In contrast, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro has a lighter actuation force of just 30 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, catering to users who favor a softer touch for longer typing sessions or a more nimble feel. Therefore, the Box Royal is the heavier option, while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro is the lighter alternative. This means that if you're looking for a switch that allows for prolonged use with less finger fatigue, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro would be more advantageous, while the Box Royal offers a firmer push, ideal for users who enjoy a more tactile response.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch, a notable difference emerges. The Box Royal has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the V3 Creamy Purple Pro features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Box Royal offers a more substantial feel with a deeper press, making it potentially more satisfying for those who appreciate tactile feedback. Conversely, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro, with its shallower 3 mm travel distance, may cater more to gamers or users looking for quicker response times, allowing for faster actuation. Thus, if you prefer a switch that provides depth and a more traditional typing experience, the Kailh Box Royal is the better choice, while the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro is ideal for those who value a snappier feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Creamy Purple Pro for $2.10.
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
The sound profile of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is characterized by its high-pitched tone, producing a sharp and crisp acoustic signature with each keypress. This quality makes it an excellent choice for users who prefer a more distinct auditory feedback that doesn’t lean towards the rich, bassy sounds found in some other switches. In contrast, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro switch offers a loud sound signature with a bassier pitch, resulting in a more resonant and bold auditory experience. This bass-heavy sound can be more immersive for users who enjoy a heavier audio presence when typing.
When it comes to feel, the Box Royal excels with its sharp tactility. The switch provides an intense tactile bump that is both strong and crisp, ensuring that users receive clear feedback with every keypress. This distinct tactile sensation can facilitate typing accuracy and speed, appealing to those who value precision in their keystrokes. On the other hand, while specific details about the tactile qualities of the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro are not provided, it is generally expected that its large, invigorating tactile bump contributes to a satisfying typing experience, potentially offering a softer yet still engaging tactile feedback compared to the Box Royal.
In conclusion, if you are seeking a mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh Box Royal will deliver a sharp, high-pitched sound and an intensely tactile feel, making it ideal for users who want clear feedback in their typing. In contrast, the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro provides a louder, bass-oriented sound with a possibly less aggressive tactile experience. Depending on your preferences in sound and tactility, each switch will offer a unique experience that aligns with different typing styles, ensuring that there are satisfying options for a variety of users.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Akko V3 Creamy Purple Pro tactile switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you favor a more pronounced tactile feedback with a sharper feel, the Box Royal is an excellent option, especially if you enjoy a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams. This makes it more suitable for those who appreciate a robust tactile response and tend to type with more force, offering a satisfying experience that can enhance your typing speed and accuracy. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch, the V3 Creamy Purple Pro with its 50-gram bottom-out force and invigorating tactile bump may be your ideal choice. This switch offers a softer yet still engaging feedback, making it great for prolonged typing sessions or gaming where quick key presses are essential. Its louder, bassy sound profile can also add some personality to your keyboard setup. In essence, aligning your choice with your typing style and sound preferences will help you decide which switch will better complement your experience.
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