Kailh Box Royal vs. KTT Purple Click

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up for discussion are the Kailh Box Royal and the KTT Purple Click. The Box Royal is known for its extreme tactility, offering a sharp and binary tactile feedback that is perfect for those seeking a highly tactile typing experience. Additionally, the sound profile of the Box Royal is relatively higher pitched, adding an auditory aspect to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Purple Click, also known as Purple Sauce, offers a satisfying and fairly high-pitched click. The keystrokes are light, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience, while still offering a pronounced tactility that strikes a perfect balance. The Purple Click is often described as crunchy, invigorating, resonant, and stepped. Both switches have their unique characteristics and appeal to different preferences. 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

KTT Purple Click Clicky

$6.25 per 10

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the KTT Purple Click switches differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing which, due to its softer plastic, absorbs more sound. This creates a duller and rounder sound profile, providing a deeper and fuller typing experience. On the contrary, the Purple Click utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and clear sound resonance. This material produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, offering a distinct auditory feedback while typing.

While both switches share a nylon bottom housing, they do not solely determine the sound profile when typing. The bottom housing, being softer and more sound-absorbing, contributes to the switch's bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the Box Royal and Purple Click, despite having different top housings, share a similarity in their bottom-out sound profiles. However, it's important to note that the top housing of the switches plays a significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. With the Box Royal's nylon top housing, you can expect a duller and rounder sound upon key release, while the Purple Click's polycarbonate top housing will provide a more clear and resonant sound.

In addition to the auditory differences, the choice of housing materials also presents an aesthetic consideration. The Box Royal's nylon top housing does not offer any translucency, while the Purple Click's polycarbonate top housing allows the switch to be clear. This makes the latter more suitable for incorporating RGB lighting, as the translucent nature of polycarbonate enhances the illumination effect. Thus, if customizing your keyboard with RGB lighting is a priority, the Purple Click switch would be a more suitable choice due to its polycarbonate top housing.

In summary, the Kailh Box Royal and the KTT Purple Click switches have contrasting housing materials that result in distinct sound profiles. The Box Royal's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, while the Purple Click's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. However, both switches share a similar bottom-out sound due to the nylon bottom housing. Furthermore, the Purple Click's translucent polycarbonate top housing offers an advantage for RGB lighting enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetic customization.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch, there are notable differences. The Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Purple Click has a slightly lighter actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Purple Click requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke.

In terms of bottom out force, the Box Royal has a heavier force of 70 grams compared to the Purple Click's 55 grams. This means that when typing on the Box Royal switch, users will experience a more substantial and forceful keystroke, as it requires more pressure to fully press down. On the other hand, the Purple Click provides a lighter and less forceful typing experience due to its lower bottom out force.

Considering weight, the Box Royal can be considered relatively heavier in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel during typing. On the other hand, the Purple Click offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter touch and may need to type for extended periods, such as in work or gaming scenarios.

Overall, while the Box Royal switch offers a heavier actuation and bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience, the Purple Click switch provides a lighter touch and may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch have different travel distances. The Box Royal has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Purple Click has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Purple Click has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Box Royal.

In terms of preference, the traditional travel distance is around 4.0 mm, which is closer to the Purple Click's travel distance. However, shorter travel distances have become popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel when pressing down on a key, the Box Royal's shorter travel distance may be more suitable for you.

On the other hand, some people may find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt or lacking in depth. If you prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key, the longer travel distance of the Purple Click might be more to your liking.

Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the KTT Purple Click clicky switch will depend on your personal preference for travel distance. Both options can provide satisfactory results, either by offering a slightly shorter travel distance or a slightly longer one.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal switch is best described as having a relatively higher pitched profile. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which can be appealing to those who prefer a brighter and more pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Purple Click switch is known for its satisfying click that is fairly high-pitched. Typing on Purple Click switches offers a clean and sharp sound profile, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. Both switches provide distinct auditory experiences, although the Box Royal leans towards a higher pitch while the Purple Click offers a crunchy and resonant sound.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Royal switch is characterized by a sharp tactile bump that provides a strong and crisp feedback intensity. Each keypress on a Box Royal switch can be distinctly felt, offering a highly tactile typing experience. Conversely, the KTT Purple Click switch offers an invigorating and reactive feel. It provides pronounced feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force, resulting in a snappy typing sensation. Additionally, the Purple Click switch falls under the category of stepped switches, meaning it has a mild feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, adding to the overall tactile experience.

Considering the available information, both the Kailh Box Royal and KTT Purple Click switches offer their own unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Royal provides a binary and almost aggressive tactility, accompanied by a higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Purple Click switch offers a pronounced but not overwhelming tactility, with a satisfying high-pitched click sound. Both switches deliver an immersive typing sensation, although in slightly different ways. It ultimately comes down to individual preference and typing style when deciding between these two options. If you enjoy a tactile and high-pitched experience, either switch can provide similar results, with the Box Royal offering a sharper and more aggressive feel, while the Purple Click balances its tactile feedback with a satisfying click.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're someone who craves a highly tactile typing experience and prefers a medium-heavy key press, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is the perfect choice for you. The sharp, binary tactility of these switches will provide that near-aggressive tactile feedback you desire. Additionally, if you're fond of a higher-pitched sound profile while typing, the Box Royal is known for its relatively higher-pitched sound. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch with a lighter key press and a pronounced but balanced tactile feel, the KTT Purple Click clicky switch is ideal. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, the Purple Click offers a moderate actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive typing sensation. It also provides a satisfying, high-pitched click sound that adds to the overall auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of tactile intensity, key press force, and sound profile. Each switch offers its own unique benefits, so choose the one that aligns with your typing preferences and enjoy an immersive typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

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KTT Purple Click Clicky

$3.00

$2.55 per 10

Learn more