Kailh Box Royal vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and the Cherry MX Silent Red are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The Box Royal is a tactile switch known for its sharp, binary tactility, making it ideal for those who prefer a more aggressive typing experience. It has a relatively higher pitched sound profile, perfect for users who enjoy a clicky sound while typing. On the other hand, the MX Silent Red is a linear switch that offers a similar typing experience to the classic MX Red but with the added feature of silent operation. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying typing feel but prefer a quieter sound profile, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
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 material of the Kailh Box Royal and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches are both made of nylon, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. Nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This quality enhances the overall typing experience by providing a more satisfying auditory feedback to the user. Both switches utilize nylon for their top and bottom housing, ensuring a consistent sound and feel throughout the switch.
One key difference between the two switches lies in the design and feel of their respective housings. The Box Royal's nylon housing is designed to create a more tactile typing experience, with a sharper actuation point and a more pronounced bump during key press. This design choice enhances the typing feedback for those who prefer a more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red's nylon housing is designed to be quieter and smoother, with a linear key press and a dampened sound profile. This makes it ideal for those who value a quieter typing experience without sacrificing performance.
Despite their differences in design and feel, both the Kailh Box Royal and Cherry MX Silent Red switches offer a high-quality typing experience thanks to their nylon housing materials. The use of nylon ensures a consistent sound profile that is deeper and fuller compared to switches made with harder plastics. Whether you prefer a more tactile typing experience with a sharper bump or a quieter, smoother key press, both switches deliver on the promise of providing a satisfying typing experience with the help of their nylon housing.
Weight
The actuation force of both the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch is 45 grams, making them equal in that regard. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Box Royal requires 70 grams, which is heavier than the Silent Red, for which the force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Silent Red due to the lack of information on its bottom out force, but the Box Royal would be the choice for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirement.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Silent Red being slightly longer. Gamers may find the shorter travel distance of the Box Royal more appealing for faster response times, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Silent Red. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, providing a quick and efficient typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch offers a high-pitched sound profile with a sharp and binary tactility, making it perfect for those who enjoy an aggressive tactile feel. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch provides a quieter experience with a muted sound profile, ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The MX Silent Red also maintains a slightly heavier feel compared to the traditional MX Red switch. When it comes to feel, the Box Royal switch is known for its sharp tactile feedback, while the MX Silent Red switch offers a textured feel with noticeable friction. Both switches excel in their own ways, with the Box Royal providing a more intense tactile experience and higher-pitched sound, and the MX Silent Red offering a quieter typing experience with a subtle texture. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and noise level tolerance.
Conclusion
In summary, if you are looking for a highly tactile and audible typing experience, the Kailh Box Royal switches would be the ideal choice for you. The sharp, binary tactility and high-pitched sound profile of the Box Royals offer a unique typing sensation that can be satisfying for those who enjoy a more aggressive tactile feedback. However, if you require a quieter typing experience without sacrificing the smoothness of linear switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red switches would be more suitable. With a silent operation and a slightly heftier feel compared to regular MX Reds, the MX Silent Red switches provide a thocky, low-pitched sound profile that is perfect for noise-sensitive environments. Ultimately, the decision between Kailh Box Royal tactile switches and Cherry MX Silent Red linear switches will depend on your preference for tactile feedback and sound profile in your mechanical keyboard.
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