Kailh Box Royal vs. Everglide Rice Pudding

Overview

When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Kailh Box Royal and Everglide Rice Pudding both present unique experiences tailored to different types of users. The Box Royal stands out for its sharp, binary tactility, providing an aggressively tactile feedback that appeals to those who crave a pronounced sensory response with each keystroke; its higher-pitched sound profile further adds to the engaging typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches offer a smooth and satisfying typing experience punctuated by a comforting deep sound, making them ideal for users who desire precision and balance in their keystrokes. Furthermore, their compatibility with Wooting's innovative keyboards enhances their appeal, particularly for enthusiasts looking for versatility along with performance. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$6.25 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Rice Pudding switches, the distinctions are particularly evident in the top housing. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic arises from nylon's relatively softer composition, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively than harder materials. In contrast, the Rice Pudding utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound. Polycarbonate's stiffer nature contributes to a more resonant sound profile, making it ideal for applications where clarity is paramount, such as setups with RGB lighting. Thus, while both switches aim to deliver high-quality auditory experiences, they do so through fundamentally different material properties, which shape their unique sound profiles.

On the other hand, both switches feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which provides a consistent auditory experience. Both the Box Royal and Rice Pudding benefit from nylon's sound-absorbing qualities, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out. This shared material ensures that regardless of the differences in the top housing, both switches will produce a similar sound character during key presses, particularly at the bottom-out point. The nylon material effectively dampens noise and contributes to a satisfying tactile experience, which is valued by many typists and gamers alike.

Overall, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in each switch plays a crucial role in the overall user experience. With a nylon top housing in the Box Royal, the switch emphasizes warmth and depth in sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Rice Pudding offers a contrasting bright and clear sound. However, the shared nylon bottom housing across both designs means that the bottom-out experience will be pleasantly unified, mitigating some of the differences introduced by the top housings. Ultimately, users can expect distinctive auditory characteristics from each switch while enjoying a familiar feel when keying down, thanks to the shared nylon bottom housing.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, significant differences emerge in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel that some users may appreciate for its substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Rice Pudding switch boasts a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, particularly beneficial for extended use during work or gaming sessions. Consequently, users seeking a lighter switch should opt for the Everglide Rice Pudding, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel should lean towards the Kailh Box Royal. Overall, these differences highlight how the actuation and bottom out forces can affect typing preferences and comfort over prolonged use.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, the Kailh Box Royal stands out with a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Rice Pudding offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference indicates that the Box Royal switch provides a more pronounced sensation when pressed, appealing to those who prefer a deeper feel during key presses. Conversely, the Rice Pudding's minimally shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times, aligning with the trend of shorter travel distances for improved performance. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences, with the Kailh Box Royal being the longer option and the Everglide Rice Pudding being the shorter.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Royal switches produce a high-pitched and crisp noise, which can be desirable for those who prefer a sharper auditory feedback when typing. This sound profile adds a lively character to each keystroke, making typing feel more dynamic. In contrast, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches are characterized by a deeper sound, providing a richer acoustic experience that balances the smoothness of operation with a satisfying auditory response. While the Box Royals may appeal to those who enjoy a more aggressive and assertive sound, the Rice Pudding offers a more rounded auditory experience, making them more versatile for various typing contexts.

When it comes to feel, the Kailh Box Royal switches are noted for their sharp tactile bump that delivers an intense feedback with every keypress. This provides a very pronounced tactile experience, making it easy to know when a key has been actuated, ideal for those who thrive on precise feedback. The Everglide Rice Pudding switches, however, are known for their smooth operation, which lends itself to a more linear typing experience while still maintaining an engaging tactile sensation. This combination results in a balanced feel—offering satisfaction without the same level of abruptness found in the Box Royals.

In conclusion, while the Kailh Box Royal switches offer aggressive tactility and a higher-pitched sound, the Everglide Rice Pudding switches provide a smoother, deeper auditory experience that may appeal to a different set of preferences. Both switches deliver unique typing experiences, highlighting their respective strengths in tactility and sound. Therefore, the choice between the two ultimately depends on what attributes you prioritize in a mechanical keyboard, whether it's an assertive feedback and sound profile or a more versatile and balanced feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, when choosing between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Rice Pudding hall effect switch, your specific preferences and typing habits will guide your decision. If you favor a more pronounced tactile feedback with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Box Royal is an excellent choice, offering an assertive, sharp tactile bump and a higher-pitched sound that enhances your typing experience. This makes it particularly suitable for users who appreciate an aggressive tactile sensation and work in an environment where a more audible switch is preferable. On the other hand, if you lean towards a lighter actuation and a balanced, smooth typing experience, the Everglide Rice Pudding is ideal for you. Its 48-gram force ensures effortless key presses, while the deeper sound profile provides a satisfying auditory feedback without being overly harsh. Additionally, its compatibility with Wooting's keyboards makes it a versatile option for those who value both performance and aesthetics in their mechanical setup. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize a sharp, tactile feel or a smooth, effortless typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Rice Pudding Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more