Kailh Box Royal vs. Durock Dolphin
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Dolphin switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up are the Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Dolphin. The Box Royal is a tactile switch known for its sharp, binary tactility, making it perfect for those who enjoy a near-aggressive tactile feel. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin is a linear switch that offers a silent typing experience, making it ideal for office environments or quiet workspaces. With a medium-heavy actuation force and a polished, muted, low-pitched sound profile, the Dolphin provides a satisfying press that balances precision and resistance. While the Box Royal excels in providing a highly tactile typing experience, the Dolphin shines in offering a silent and precise typing experience for those sensitive to noise levels. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and Durock Dolphin switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Box Royal utilizes a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound when typing due to its softer plastic absorbing more sound. In contrast, the Dolphin features a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of the polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the overall design.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Box Royal and Dolphin switches utilize nylon material. This shared housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a consistent tactile typing experience, even though their top housing materials differ. The impact of the bottom housing is more prominent during key presses, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches.
Overall, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and Durock Dolphin switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Box Royal's nylon top housing creates a duller and rounder sound, while the Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing produces a clearer and more resonant sound. Depending on whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, you can choose the switch that aligns with your typing preferences. Both switches offer a tactile typing experience thanks to their shared nylon bottom housing, ensuring a consistent feel when pressing down on the keys.
Weight
In comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is evident that the Box Royal has a heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Dolphin, which has an unknown actuation force. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Box Royal requires 70 grams to fully press the key, while the Dolphin only needs 62 grams. The Box Royal provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy actuation and bottom out forces, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Dolphin offers a lighter typing experience with its medium bottom out force, suitable for those who enjoy longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Dolphin linear switch, it is clear that the Dolphin has a slightly longer travel distance at 3.8 mm compared to the Box Royal's 3.6 mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, the Dolphin offers just a bit more depth. Gamers may prefer the Dolphin for its slightly longer travel distance, which can provide a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, users looking for a faster response time may opt for the Box Royal with its slightly shorter travel distance. In terms of overall experience, both switches offer similar results in terms of tactile feedback, with the main difference lying in the slight variation in travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
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 Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is well-known for its sharp, binary tactility that provides an almost aggressive feel with a high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Durock Dolphin linear switch offers a silent typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force, providing a balanced and satisfying press with muted, low-pitched sound characteristics. While the Box Royal delivers a sharp and intense tactile feedback, the Dolphin offers a smooth and polished typing experience, thanks to its refined finish and reduced friction.
Overall, if you prefer a tactile and loud typing experience, the Kailh Box Royal switches would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you value a silent and smooth typing experience with a bit more resistance, the Durock Dolphin switches would be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on your specific typing needs and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who values a sharp, aggressive tactility and a higher pitched sound profile, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a silent operation with a medium actuation force and a more polished, smooth typing experience, the Durock Dolphin linear switch would be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences in terms of tactility, sound, and overall typing feel. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so make sure to consider what factors are most important to you before making your selection.
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