Kailh Box Royal vs. TTC Ice

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the type of switch you choose plays a significant role in your overall typing and gaming experience. The Kailh Box Royal, a tactile switch, is renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactile feedback. Users who enjoy a pronounced bump with each keystroke will likely find these switches to provide the satisfying engagement they crave, complemented by a higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the TTC Ice switches offer a linear experience that emphasizes smoothness and responsiveness, making them perfect for gamers and typists who prefer a quieter and more fluid operation with a gratifying bottom-out sound. While the Box Royals excel in providing an emphatic tactile sensation, the TTC Ice is perfect for those who value seamless key presses without the distraction of noise. Both switches cater to different preferences, ensuring that there’s an ideal option for everyone. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

TTC Ice Linear

$6.25 per 10

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the TTC Ice switches, a notable contrast lies in the use of nylon for the Box Royal and polycarbonate for the Ice. The Box Royal’s nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the material's softer plastic qualities. This characteristic allows nylon to absorb sound more efficiently, resulting in a duller yet rounder auditory experience when typing. Conversely, the TTC Ice, with its polycarbonate top housing, produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile, due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. This fundamental difference in material composition directly affects the auditory feedback experienced by users, making each switch suitable for different preferences in typing acoustics.

The bottom housings of the Kailh Box Royal and the TTC Ice switches further illustrate their differing sound characteristics. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Royal continues to promote that deeper, fuller sound profile, ensuring that the overall impact during key presses feels substantial and robust. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Ice not only carries forward its signature crisp sound but also contributes to a snappier bottom-out feel due to its more rigid material properties. This differentiation emphasizes the importance of material choice in the tactile and auditory experiences provided by each switch, where the softer nylon offers a rounded feedback and the harder polycarbonate provides a sharper response.

While the Kailh Box Royal and TTC Ice boast contrasting materials that influence their respective sound profiles, similarities can be observed in how these materials influence the overall typing experience. Being aware of the distinct roles of the top and bottom housing can help users predict the overall sound and feel of each switch. A switch like the Kailh Box Royal will deliver a more muted sound upon release while maintaining solid feedback during the key press, while the TTC Ice will contrast with a crisper sound when the key is released but also pleasant auditory feedback when pressed. In this way, despite their differing materials, both switches can still provide satisfying user experiences, albeit through different auditory and tactile pathways.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the TTC Ice linear switch, both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, which means users will experience a similar feel when triggering a keystroke. However, in terms of bottom out force, they differ significantly; the Box Royal requires 70 grams to bottom out, making it heavier, while the Ice switch has a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams. This distinction in bottom out force can impact the overall typing experience: the heavier bottom out of the Box Royal may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel, often sought after for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the lighter bottom out of the Ice switch might be more desirable for users who prioritize comfort and ease during extended use, allowing for less fatigue when typing for long periods. In summary, while both switches provide a similar actuation feel, their bottom out forces cater to different preferences regarding typing experience.

Travel distance

Both the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the TTC Ice linear switch have a travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning they offer the same keypress depth from top to bottom. This equal travel distance ensures that users will experience similar tactile feedback and actuation forces when pressing down on either switch, providing a consistent typing experience. With both switches having the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of responsiveness and keypress feel, making them suitable for comparable applications in mechanical keyboard setups.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal switch has a high-pitched auditory profile that produces a sharp and crisp sound upon actuation. This makes it an excellent choice for typists who prefer a clear, articulate feedback rather than a soft or deeper soundscape. In contrast, the TTC Ice switch does not provide extensive information about its sound characteristics. However, it does describe a satisfying bottom-out sound, which implies a certain pleasant aural quality that could be appealing to users looking for a balanced acoustic experience.

Regarding the tactile feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Royal switch delivers an exceptionally sharp and pronounced tactile feedback, characterized by an aggressive bump that ensures each keystroke is distinctly felt. This offers a highly immersive typing experience, particularly for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile response. On the other hand, the TTC Ice switch is noted for its smooth and responsive feel, which makes for an effortless typing experience. The Ice switch focuses more on providing a seamless glide without any tactile interruption, appealing to typists who prefer a linear switch with consistent actuation.

In summary, the Kailh Box Royal and TTC Ice switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel. The Box Royals are ideal for users who seek an intense tactile experience accompanied by a sharp, high-pitched sound. Conversely, those who prefer a smoother typing experience with less tactile feedback and a pleasant bottoming sound may gravitate towards the TTC Ice switches. Ultimately, your choice would depend on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a more fluid typing motion, as both switches can lead to satisfying results depending on your personal preference.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the TTC Ice linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you crave a pronounced tactile feedback with each keystroke, the Box Royal's sharp, high-pitched sound and substantial bottom-out force might be exactly what you're looking for. These switches are especially well-suited for typists or gamers who enjoy a more aggressive tactile experience and appreciate the precise feedback that can enhance typing accuracy. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter experience, the TTC Ice switch could be your ideal choice. With its medium bottom-out force and satisfying, responsive feel, it excels in both gaming and everyday tasks without overpowering noise, making it perfect for environments where you need to keep sound levels down. Ultimately, assess what matters most to you—whether it's the tactile punch of the Box Royals or the slick ease of the Ice switches—and you'll find the perfect fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

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TTC Ice Linear

$7.50

$5.99 per 10

Learn more