Kailh Box Royal vs. Haimu Orange Sea

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and Haimu Orange Sea offer distinct experiences tailored to different preferences. The Box Royal is renowned for its intense tactile feedback, providing a sharp and nearly aggressive feel with a high-pitched sound profile, making it an excellent choice for typists and gamers who crave a pronounced response with every keystroke. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switches deliver an impeccably smooth typing experience with a neutral sound signature, appealing to those who prefer a quieter and fluid keypress without any tactile interruptions. While the Box Royal excels in providing satisfying tactile landmarks, the Orange Sea caters to users seeking seamless and effortless typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$6.25 per 10

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Haimu Orange Sea switches, it is evident that the two switches utilize distinct materials for their top housings. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, renowned for its softer composition, which contributes to a deeper, more resonant sound profile when typing. In contrast, the Orange Sea is equipped with a polycarbonate top housing, which is characterized by its stiffer nature that results in a sharper, crisper sound. This fundamental difference in top housing material directly impacts the auditory feedback of each switch. While the nylon coating of the Box Royal helps create a duller and rounder tone, the Orange Sea's polycarbonate encourages a bright, clear modulation, especially under RGB lighting, which is accentuated by its translucent quality.

However, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, creating a common ground between the two. The nylon bottom in the Box Royal, similar to that of the Orange Sea, helps reinforce the deeper sound profile attributed to their construction. As both switches use nylon for their bottom housings, they share a similarity in feel and bottom-out sound characteristics, leading to a fuller and rounder acoustic experience. This commonality in material allows both switches to retain a certain level of sonic consistency, ensuring that despite the differences in top housing, users will experience similar audible qualities when bottoming out each switch.

In essence, while the contrasting materials of the tops lead to differing sound profiles when releasing the key, the shared nylon material in the bottom significantly influences the bottom-out experience of both switches. Thus, users seeking a distinct auditory feedback during key release can expect a notable difference between the switches, but they will find compact similarities in base execution due to the shared properties of the nylon bottom housing. Those who appreciate a deeper and full-bodied resonance will enjoy the Kailh Box Royal's unique characteristics, while those favoring a brighter, sharper profile may be more inclined toward the Haimu Orange Sea, although both will offer that satisfying bottom-out feel derived from their nylon base.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, there are noticeable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Royal features a medium-heavy actuation force of 45 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a choice for those who prefer a substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Orange Sea presents a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of just 45 grams, which caters to users who favor a lighter touch, especially beneficial for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Consequently, while the Box Royal offers a firmer feel that some may find satisfying for tactile feedback, the Orange Sea is better suited for those who prioritize ease and comfort during extended use.

Travel distance

Both the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch share an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that users will experience the same distance when pressing down on either switch. This similarity in travel distance results in a comparable key feel, allowing for consistent performance in typing and gaming scenarios. As a result, individuals utilizing either switch can expect similar tactile responsiveness and actuation depth, making both options appealing for those who prioritize travel distance in their keyboard experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is characterized by a high-pitched sound profile, producing a sharp and crisp noise that resonates with each keystroke. This makes it a great option for those who prefer a lighter sound rather than the deeper, bassy tones of other mechanical switches. Conversely, the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch offers a neutral sound signature which means it likely leans towards a more muted profile, prioritizing smoothness and quiet operation over distinct auditory feedback. However, it's important to keep in mind that the final sound produced can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard case and keycap materials.

In terms of feel, the Box Royal truly stands out with its sharp tactile feedback, delivering an unmistakable and robust tactile bump with every keypress. This strong tactile sensation appeals to users who appreciate the binary nature of the tactile response, providing a significant and gratifying feedback loop. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea is known for its impeccably smooth feel, likely resulting in a gliding motion as you type. This lack of tactile feedback makes it particularly appealing for gamers and typists who desire a seamless and uninterrupted keystroke experience.

In summary, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and Haimu Orange Sea linear switch cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard landscape. The Box Royal excels in delivering a high-pitched sound and a sharp tactile experience, making it ideal for users who enjoy heightened feedback and a distinctive auditory profile. Meanwhile, the Orange Sea offers a smooth and neutral typing experience, which might appeal to those who prioritize silence and fluidity in their typing. Ultimately, selecting between these switches hinges on whether you value tactile feedback and pronounced sound or prefer a quieter and more fluid keystroke.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences for feedback, effort, and sound profile. If you enjoy a pronounced tactile experience with a pronounced resistance, the Box Royal with its sharp, aggressive tactility and higher actuation force of 70 grams will satisfy your needs, especially for typing or gaming where you want to feel every keypress distinctly. Additionally, the high-pitched sound can offer a crisp auditory feedback that some typists find gratifying. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, less effort-intensive experience, the Orange Sea is tailored for you, as its lighter 45-gram actuation force and silky feel minimize fatigue during long typing sessions. The neutral sound profile enhances focus, making it an excellent choice for quiet environments or if you plan to type for extended periods without the distraction of sharp audio feedback. Therefore, consider your typing style and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard as you choose the switch that best aligns with your preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

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Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more