Kailh Box Royal vs. Gateron Ink Box Pink
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Ink Box Pink offer unique and distinct experiences. If you're someone who craves an intense tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Royal is the perfect fit for you. These switches have a sharp and binary tactility that can be almost aggressive in its strength. Additionally, the Box Royals emit a relatively higher pitched sound when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a lighter touch, the Gateron Ink Box Pink is a great option. These translucent switches provide a silky and polished feel while typing, and they produce a higher-pitched clack sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Ink Box Pink differ in their housing materials, with the Box Royal utilizing a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Ink Box Pink features Gateron's proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housing. The use of nylon in the Box Royal's housing results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink's INK blend top and bottom housing produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. While it maintains a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, it doesn't come off as overly sharp, providing a clacky feel.
Although the Box Royal and Ink Box Pink have different housing materials, both switches offer their own unique sound profiles. The Box Royal's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Ink Box Pink's INK blend top housing produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. Despite these differences, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with distinct auditory feedback. Their differing housing materials allow users to choose between a duller and rounder sound or a thinner and clacky sound, depending on their personal preference.
When it comes to the impact on sound and feel, the housing materials of the Box Royal and Ink Box Pink showcase their distinct qualities. When pressing down on the switches, the bottom housing plays a crucial role in the bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Royal contributes to its deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a more immersive typing experience. On the other hand, the INK blend bottom housing of the Ink Box Pink plays a part in its clacky and pointed sound profile, providing a unique tactile response. Similarly, the top housing of each switch affects the sound when the key is released, with the nylon top housing of the Box Royal and the INK blend top housing of the Ink Box Pink each contributing to their respective sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch, we can see some similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the Box Royal requires 45 grams while the Ink Box Pink requires 50 grams. This means that the Ink Box Pink has a slightly higher actuation force, although the difference is minimal. Both switches fall within the medium range of actuation force.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Box Royal has a force of 70 grams, whereas the Ink Box Pink requires 60 grams. This indicates that the Box Royal has a heavier bottom out force compared to the Ink Box Pink.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Ink Box Pink may be the better option as it has a slightly lower actuation force. This allows for a more effortless keystroke and can be beneficial for longer typing sessions. On the other hand, if someone desires a more substantial and tactile typing experience, the Box Royal is a suitable choice with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces.
Overall, the Box Royal is slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Ink Box Pink. However, it's important to note that both switches provide a similar typing experience, especially in terms of actuation force, making them suitable for different preferences and needs.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel a distance of 3.6 mm from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a satisfying amount of movement for typing or gaming purposes. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and overall typing experience with either of these switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Pink for $7.65.
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 switch produces a high-pitched and relatively sharp sound when pressed. This can be described as sharp, crisp, and somewhat aggressive. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is known for its clacky sound, which is also high-pitched and sharp. Both switches provide a similar high-pitched sound profile, but the Box Royal may offer a slightly higher intensity in terms of sound. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Kailh Box Royal is renowned for its sharp tactile feedback. These switches offer a high feedback intensity, with a distinct and prominent tactile bump that can be felt with every keypress. This provides a satisfying and pronounced tactile experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch is described as silky and polished. This means that the switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Ink Box Pink switch enhances the overall smoothness of the typing feel, resulting in a sleek and refined typing experience.
Taking all the available information into account, the Kailh Box Royal switch is best known for its sharp and binary tactility, producing a high-pitched sound and offering a distinct and intense tactile feedback. If you prefer an aggressive and tactile typing experience, the Box Royal may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switch provides a smoother and lighter tactile feel, resulting in a polished and refined typing experience. Both switches offer a high-pitched sound profile, but the Box Royal may have a more intense sound. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preference for tactile feedback and sound, as well as other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you're someone who values a highly tactile typing experience and enjoys the satisfaction of a sharp and crisp tactile bump with each keypress, then the Kailh Box Royal switches are the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 70 grams, these medium-heavy switches offer an aggressive tactility that is hard to match.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother typing feel and a lighter touch, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches would be more suitable. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these linear switches provide a silky typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. They also have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In terms of sound, the Box Royal switches produce a higher-pitched sound that is sharp and crisp when pressed. If you prefer a richer and more bassy sound profile, these switches might not be to your liking. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switches offer a clacky sound that is sharp, bright, and percussive. They also have a higher-pitched tone.
Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and Gateron Ink Box Pink switches comes down to personal preference. Consider your typing style, desired level of tactility, and sound preference. Experimenting with different switch options can help you determine which one suits your needs best. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your overall typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
