Kailh Box Royal vs. HMX Gravel
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the HMX Gravel switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, preferences can often boil down to the distinct characteristics of tactile versus linear designs. The Kailh Box Royal, celebrated for its exceptionally sharp and aggressive tactility, offers a pronounced feedback that many typists crave, making it ideal for those who enjoy a pronounced sensation with each keystroke. With a higher-pitched sound profile, these switches provide a unique auditory experience, enhancing the overall engagement during typing or gaming. On the flip side, the HMX Gravel presents a different appeal with its smooth and refined typing feel, delivering a medium-light actuation force that emphasizes responsiveness and ease of use. This makes the Gravel a fantastic option for users looking for an effortless, gliding experience without the interruption of tactile bumps. While both switches cater to specific preferences—aggressive tactility versus seamless smoothness—let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
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
3.50 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
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and HMX Gravel switches exhibit notable differences in their top housing materials, which significantly affect the overall sound profile of each switch. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, known for its softer texture, which tends to absorb sound rather than reflect it. This design choice promotes a deeper, fuller audio experience when typing, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. In contrast, the Gravel’s polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound. Due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, the Gravel offers a more resonant and clear auditory output, making it better suited for situations where a striking sound is preferred, especially when paired with RGB lighting that takes advantage of the material's translucency.
Despite the different materials used in the top portions of the switches, both Kailh Box Royal and HMX Gravel share the same nylon bottom housing. The nylon material contributes similarly to both switches in terms of sound absorption, creating a deeper, fuller sound profile when the key bottoms out. This shared construction ensures that the tactile and acoustic experience during key presses is consistent, reinforcing a duller, rounder sound in both switches’ bottom-out experiences. Consequently, while the acoustics differ while actuating and releasing the keys, the impact of the bottom housing remains uniform, leading to an overall satisfying typing experience.
In summary, while the top housings of the Kailh Box Royal and HMX Gravel switches bring distinct auditory characteristics to the table—nylon offering warmth and depth, and polycarbonate delivering clarity and resonance—their shared nylon bottom housing provides a common ground that influences the typing feel and sound during bottom-out actions. The contrasting top housings will primarily dictate the experience while pressing and releasing keys, leading to unique sensations and sounds that cater to a variety of user preferences. Ultimately, users may gravitate toward one switch over the other based on their desired auditory profile and visual aesthetic but can expect a consistent tactile experience due to the shared nylon construction in the bottom housings.
Weight
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch have some similarities in their actuation force but differ significantly in their bottom out forces. Both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally easy to trigger, which could be beneficial for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the two switches diverge when it comes to their bottom out force; the Box Royal requires 70 grams to bottom out, making it a heavier switch, while the Gravel only requires 50 grams, categorizing it as a lighter option. Consequently, those who prefer a more tactile and substantial typing experience might gravitate toward the Kailh Box Royal, while users seeking a lighter feel and potentially easier key presses might favor the HMX Gravel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the HMX Gravel linear switch, the Box Royal features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Gravel has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that if you're looking for a switch with a bit more depth for a more tactile experience, the Box Royal would be the preferable choice. In contrast, the Gravel's shorter travel distance could offer a quicker response time, which is often favored by gamers seeking rapid input. Ultimately, if you prioritize a more pronounced feel when pressing down on keys, the Kailh Box Royal would be the suitable option, whereas the HMX Gravel would be ideal for those who prefer a snappier action.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
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, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound profile that delivers a sharp and crisp auditory feedback with each keypress. This makes it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more pronounced auditory experience and prefer to avoid the deep, bass-heavy tones found in some other switches. On the other hand, the HMX Gravel linear switch does not have a specific sound profile mentioned, leaving its auditory qualities unknown. However, it’s worth noting that the overall sound experience can vary substantially depending on the keyboard's construction and the keycap materials used.
When it comes to feel, the Box Royal is renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactility, providing a strong and tangible feedback that can be distinctly perceived with every keypress. This makes it well-suited for users who enjoy an intense tactile sensation when typing or gaming. Conversely, the HMX Gravel linear switch is designed for a smoother typing experience with its medium-light actuation force, favoring a more fluid and effortless keypress without any tactile feedback. This difference provides keyboard enthusiasts with varied experiences; while one prefers a clear tactile response, the other seeks a seamless gliding sensation.
In summary, the Kailh Box Royal switches offer a high-pitched sound and sharp tactile feedback, perfect for users seeking aggressive tactility, while the HMX Gravel switches pride themselves on their smoothness and lighter actuation force, providing a more streamlined experience. Each switch caters to different preferences—those looking for pronounced feedback and sound can choose the Box Royal, while those desiring a silky-smooth keystroke may find the Gravel more appealing. Whichever type you decide upon will greatly influence your typing experience, highlighting the importance of understanding the qualities that best suit your personal taste in mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Kailh Box Royal tactile switches and HMX Gravel linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you desire a strong tactile feedback combined with a higher-pitched sound, the Box Royals may be the ideal choice for you, especially if you enjoy a more aggressive typing experience with a medium-heavy keypress force of 70 grams. These switches are perfect for individuals who appreciate a pronounced tactile feel and want to ensure that every keystroke provides clear feedback. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, the HMX Gravel switches, with their light 50-gram actuation force, offer a delightful and responsive feel that can enhance your overall typing speed and comfort. The Gravel's refined smoothness is a great fit for those who type frequently or engage in fast-paced gaming, as they allow for rapid keystrokes without the strain of a heavier switch. Thus, consider what typing experience you wish to cultivate; whether it’s the sharp and comforting tactile punch of the Box Royals or the silky fluidity of the Gravel switches, each has its unique charm tailored to different user needs.
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