Kailh Box Royal vs. Dareu Holly
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Dareu Holly switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Kailh Box Royal and Dareu Holly mechanical keyboard switches, one can see distinct differences that cater to different preferences. The Box Royal is renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactility, offering a high-pitched sound profile that appeals to those seeking a tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Holly stands out with its medium 50g actuation force and a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, providing a balanced and distinctive typing sensation. Each switch has its own strengths and characteristics that make them appealing to different users. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Dareu Holly switches both have unique characteristics that contribute to the overall typing experience. The Box Royal's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, while the Holly's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound with its stiffer plastic. This difference in sound profile can greatly impact the user's preference based on the desired typing experience, with the nylon top housing providing a duller and rounder sound compared to the clearer and more resonant sound of the polycarbonate top housing.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Box Royal and the Dareu Holly switches use nylon material. This means that the two switches will elicit a similar deep and full sound profile due to the absorbent nature of nylon. However, the difference in top housing material between the two switches means that there will still be distinguishable differences in the overall sound and feel of typing on these switches. The combination of the nylon bottom housing and either the nylon or polycarbonate top housing will result in a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and Dareu Holly switches will come down to personal preference for sound and feel. While both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, the contrasting top housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate will create distinct sound profiles. The duller, rounder sound of the Box Royal with its nylon top housing may appeal to those seeking a softer sound, while the sharper, crisper sound of the Dareu Holly with its polycarbonate top housing may be preferred by those looking for a clearer typing experience. Overall, understanding the impact of different housing materials on sound profiles can help users make an informed decision based on their individual typing preferences.
Weight
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Dareu Holly tactile switch, which has an actuation force of 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Box Royal is heavier at 70 grams, while the Holly's bottom out force is unavailable. This means that the Box Royal requires a lighter initial push to register a keystroke, but a firmer press is needed to fully bottom out the key. On the other hand, the Holly may have a slightly heavier actuation force but lacks information on how much force is needed to bottom out. So, if a user prefers a lighter actuation force and a heavier bottom out force, the Kailh Box Royal would be the better option. In contrast, if someone prefers a consistent force throughout, the Dareu Holly may still provide a satisfactory typing experience, as actuation and bottom out forces may be similar.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Dareu Holly tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Box Royal has a shorter travel distance compared to the Holly. The shorter travel distance of the Box Royal may be preferred by those looking for quicker response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Holly may provide a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming, which some users may find more comfortable. Both switches offer different experiences due to their varying travel distances, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of which one would be the better choice for individual needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Holly has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holly for $3.76.
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 is characterized by its high-pitched profile, offering a sharp and crisp sound upon each key press. On the other hand, the Dareu Holly switch presents a unique combination of chirpy and clacky elements, resulting in a distinctive typing experience that caters to those seeking a balanced sound signature with a touch of whimsy. While the Box Royal provides a more aggressive and sharp sound, the Holly offers a more playful and varied acoustic profile.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Royal switch is renowned for its sharp tactile feedback, delivering a strong and pronounced tactile bump with each key press. In contrast, information about the tactile feel of the Dareu Holly switch is currently unavailable. Without this detail, it is difficult to directly compare the two in terms of tactile sensation.
Taking all available information into consideration, it is clear that the Kailh Box Royal and Dareu Holly switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and potentially feel. If you are someone who values a high-pitched, sharp sound with aggressive tactile feedback, the Box Royal may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more balanced sound profile with a touch of novelty and are open to exploring a unique typing experience, the Dareu Holly switch could be a suitable option. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Dareu Holly tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you are looking for. If you prefer a highly tactile switch with a sharp, binary tactility and a higher pitched sound profile, the Box Royal may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are seeking a unique sound signature that combines chirpy and clacky elements, and a more moderate actuation force, then the Holly switch could be a better fit. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound profile.
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