Kailh Box Royal vs. KTT Darling
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the KTT Darling switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and KTT Darling offer distinct typing experiences. The Box Royal is renowned for its sharp, binary tactility, making it a top choice for those who crave an aggressive tactile feel while typing. With a relatively higher pitched sound profile, the Box Royal is perfect for users who enjoy audible feedback while typing. On the other hand, the KTT Darling linear switch provides a chewy and substantial typing sensation, coupled with pronounced bounciness that adds a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. The Darling also boasts a resonant, high-pitched sound upon bottoming out, offering a blend of tactile and auditory feedback. While both switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles, it's essential to delve deeper beyond these generalities to determine which switch suits your typing habits and preferences best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and KTT Darling switches both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The Box Royal's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, while the Darling's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound with its stiffer plastic. In terms of aesthetics, the clear polycarbonate housing of the Darling allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switch.
On the other hand, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a similarly deep and full sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches. Despite having different top housings, the use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures that users will experience consistent sound characteristics with both the Box Royal and Darling switches.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and KTT Darling switches may come down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics. The Box Royal offers a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon top and bottom housing, while the Darling provides a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing. Whether you prefer a softer, more absorbent sound or a clearer, more resonant sound, these housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience on mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The actuation force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Darling linear switch is the same at 45 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Box Royal is heavier at 70 grams compared to the Darling's 53 grams. This means that while both switches require the same initial force to actuate a keystroke, the Box Royal will provide a more substantial typing experience due to the higher bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Darling switch, as it has a lower bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and the desired weight of the keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the KTT Darling linear switch which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to most users, but those who prefer a slightly deeper key press may lean towards the Kailh Box Royal, while those who prefer a slightly quicker and more abrupt key press may opt for the KTT Darling. Ultimately, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, providing similar results in terms of key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
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 switch offers a high-pitched and sharp auditory experience, perfect for those who enjoy a crisper sound profile. On the other hand, the KTT Darling switch delivers a resonant and high-pitched sound, creating a lively and engaging auditory feedback. Both switches provide distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, but ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the overall setup of your keyboard.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Royal switch is known for its sharp and intense tactile bump, offering a distinct and strong feedback with each keypress. In contrast, the KTT Darling switch provides a bouncy and springy sensation, giving a lively and elastic feel to the keys. These differing tactile experiences can greatly impact the overall typing feel and user experience, so it's important to consider what type of tactile feedback you prefer before making a decision between the two switches.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Darling linear switch offer unique and subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Royal provides an aggressive tactility and high-pitched sound profile, while the Darling offers a chewy typing sensation with a bouncy and resonant sound. Both switches have their strengths and cater to different preferences, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style when choosing between the two. Whether you prefer a sharp and intense tactile feedback or a bouncy and substantial typing experience, both switches will provide a satisfying typing experience based on the qualities they offer.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Darling linear switch, consider your preference for tactility and sound. If you enjoy a sharp, aggressive tactile feedback with a higher pitched sound profile, the Box Royal may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a chewy, substantial typing sensation with a pronounced bounciness and a resonant, high-pitched sound, the Darling switch could be more to your liking. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize intense tactility or a more immersive typing experience. Choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
