Kailh Box Royal vs. Zuoce Lavender
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Zuoce Lavender switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Kailh Box Royal and the Zuoce Lavender mechanical keyboard switches, you're looking at two distinct options with unique characteristics. The Box Royal is a tactile switch that is renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactility, providing a satisfying feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender is a linear switch that stands out for its smoothness and easy-to-press feel, offering a crisp and clacky sound signature. While the Box Royal excels in its pronounced tactility and higher pitched sound profile, the Lavender delivers a smoother typing experience with a satisfying clacky sound. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The main difference between the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Zuoce Lavender switches lies in their top and bottom housings. The Box Royal uses nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound overall. On the other hand, the Lavender switches feature POM for both top and bottom housing, producing a unique and pleasing sound that leans towards the deeper side and is relatively more muted compared to nylon.
While the top housing of both switches plays a significant role in the sound profile when a key is pressed, the bottom housing also contributes to the overall typing experience. With the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, users may notice a slight difference between the two switches. The Box Royal's nylon bottom housing may provide a slightly more rounded and dulled sound compared to the Lavender's POM bottom housing. However, the impact of the bottom housing is subtle and may not be immediately noticeable to all users.
Overall, both the Kailh Box Royal and the Zuoce Lavender switches offer unique sound profiles due to their different housing materials. While the Box Royal's nylon housing creates a deeper and fuller sound with a duller tone, the Lavender's POM housing produces a more muted sound that is equally pleasing. Despite the slight differences in sound, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their respective housing materials. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific sound profile desired by the user.
Weight
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Zuoce Lavender linear switch which has an actuation force of 48 grams, making the Lavender slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Box Royal is heavier at 70 grams, while the Lavender is lighter at 53 grams. This means that the Box Royal provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, making it ideal for those who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Lavender is lighter overall, making it more suitable for longer typing sessions and gaming marathons. Overall, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference and whether one prefers a lighter or heavier key press.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Box Royal has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lavender. However, both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are preferred by many users for their faster response times, especially in gaming scenarios. If you are looking for a switch with a bit more depth and tactility, the Box Royal may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly shorter travel distance for quicker key presses, the Lavender could be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of travel distance, so the decision may come down to personal preference for tactile feedback and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
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
When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is known for its higher-pitched profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch offers a clacky sound signature, delivering a satisfyingly crisp, bright, and percussive sound experience. While the Box Royal may appeal to those who prefer a sharper sound, the Lavender switch caters to those who enjoy a more pronounced clackiness in their keyboard switches.
In terms of feel, the Box Royal tactile switch is characterized by its sharp tactile feedback, offering a high intensity of feedback with a prominent and distinct tactile bump felt with every keypress. Conversely, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch provides an easy-to-press experience, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort, making it effortless and reducing finger fatigue during prolonged typing sessions. The Lavender switch aims to provide a responsive and low-impact typing feel for an overall enhanced typing experience.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch offer distinct qualities in both sound and feel. While the Box Royal provides a high-pitched sound and sharp tactile feedback, ideal for those seeking aggressive tactility, the Lavender switch offers a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, prioritizing smoothness and comfort during typing. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with both providing unique and satisfying typing experiences for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Zuoce Lavender linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a heavy and aggressive tactile feedback with a higher pitched sound, the Box Royal is the way to go. On the other hand, if you value a smooth and easy-to-press typing experience with a more clacky sound profile, the Lavender switch is the better choice. Consider your typing preferences, whether you prefer a sharp and intense tactile bump or a gentle and effortless typing feel, to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences.
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