Kailh Box Royal vs. Gateron Luciola

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Luciola. These switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Kailh Box Royal is best known for its incredibly tactile experience. With a sharp and binary tactility, these switches provide an almost aggressive feedback that is perfect for users seeking an intense typing experience. Additionally, the Box Royals produce a relatively higher pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switches are instantly eye-catching due to their glow-in-the-dark feature. In terms of typing feel, they offer a medium heft, smoothness, and a bouncy sensation. Furthermore, the Luciola switches have a distinct hollow sound profile reminiscent of a can of spray paint being shaken. With a range of qualities, including snappiness, clackiness, chirpiness, marbleness, butteriness, high-pitched tones, and polished feel, they provide a multifaceted typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your personal preferences.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

Gateron Luciola Linear

$6.25 per 10

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

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Housing materials

The Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Luciola use different housing materials for both their top and bottom housings. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, while the Luciola uses a proprietary INK blend top housing. The nylon top housing of the Box Royal is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Luciola's INK blend top housing produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, which is described as clacky. Therefore, when pressing down on a key, the Box Royal will provide a duller and rounder sound, while the Luciola will offer a satisfying thin and higher-pitched clacky sound.

Moving on to the bottom housings, the Kailh Box Royal has a nylon bottom housing, while the Gateron Luciola boasts a proprietary INK blend bottom housing. Similarly to the top housings, the nylon bottom housing of the Box Royal contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out. On the other hand, the Luciola's INK blend bottom housing produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, adding to the clacky typing experience. Therefore, when bottoming out a key, the Box Royal will provide a softer and more muted sound, while the Luciola will deliver a sharper and more pronounced clacking sound.

In summary, the housing materials used in the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Luciola switches greatly affect the sound profiles of both switches. The nylon top and bottom housings of the Box Royal create a deeper, fuller, and duller sound, while the proprietary INK blend top and bottom housings of the Luciola produce a higher-pitched clacky sound. However, if the top and bottom housings of a switch are the same, such as in the Box Royal, the qualities of the housing material will be consistent throughout. Thus, if you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile, the Box Royal's nylon housing will provide similar results for both pressing down and releasing a key.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, there are noticeable differences between the two. The Box Royal has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Luciola requires a slightly heavier 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the Box Royal at 70 grams and the Luciola at 60 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Luciola would be the better choice as it requires less force to actuate. This can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or intense gaming sessions where fatigue may become a concern. On the other hand, the Box Royal offers a stronger and more pronounced push feel with its heavier actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience. This may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a tactile and responsive feedback while typing.

It is worth noting that despite their differences, both switches provide a medium bottom out force. This means that once the keystroke is activated, the force required to press the key all the way down is similar between the two switches. Therefore, if seeking a similar result in terms of the overall typing experience, despite the variance in actuation force, both switches would provide a comparable bottom out experience.

Ultimately, the decision between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch comes down to personal preference. Considerations such as desired weight, typing experience, and potential fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions should all be taken into account.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch is the same, both measuring 3.6 mm. When pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience a consistent 3.6 mm travel distance. Therefore, both switches offer similar results in terms of the distance traveled from the top to the bottom.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is best known for its aggressive tactility, providing a sharp and binary tactile experience. This means that when you press down on the switch, you will feel a strong and distinct bump. In terms of sound, the Box Royal produces a relatively higher-pitched sound when pressed. This results in a sharp and crisp audio profile, perfect for those who prefer a more lively and clear sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its smooth and bouncy typing feel. The Luciola has a medium weight, giving it a satisfying feedback without being too heavy. In terms of sound, the Luciola has a unique "can of spray paint being shaken" hollow sound profile, which adds a pleasant auditory element to your typing experience. The Luciola switches are also eye-catching as they glow in the dark. Overall, if you're looking for a highly tactile and high-pitched sound experience, the Kailh Box Royal is the way to go. If you prefer a smooth and bouncy feel with a unique hollow sound, the Gateron Luciola is the better choice. Both switches offer distinct qualities that can greatly enhance your typing experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a sharp and aggressive tactility, the Kailh Box Royal is the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 70 grams, these switches provide a medium-heavy typing experience. They are known for their high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a smoother and bouncy typing feel, the Gateron Luciola is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, these switches offer a medium heft. They have an eye-catching feature of glowing in the dark. In terms of sound, they are described as clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched. When it comes to feel, the Luciola switches are snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a super responsive and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Luciola depends on your preference for tactility, sound profile, and typing feel.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Luciola Linear

$7.50

$6.50 per 10

Learn more