Kailh Box Royal vs. TTC Silent Red

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Kailh Box Royal, a tactile switch, and the TTC Silent Red, a linear switch. The Box Royal is best known for its aggressive tactility, providing a sharp and binary tactile experience that is unmatched by other switches. If you crave a satisfyingly tactile typing experience, these switches are perfect for you. On the other hand, the Silent Red is renowned for its smooth and seamless typing experience, offering a quiet and muted sound profile that is ideal for office or shared living spaces. With a consistent feel from top to bottom and a padded bottom-out for maximum comfort, these switches prioritize a buttery and polished typing experience. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

TTC Silent Red Linear

$6.25 per 10

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Kailh Box Royal and TTC Silent Red switches differ in their housing materials, with the former utilizing nylon for both the top and bottom housing, while the latter incorporates polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing. The choice of housing material in the Box Royal results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer plastic composition, allowing it to absorb more sound and create a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the use of polycarbonate in the Silent Red's top housing lends itself to producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Silent Red allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects.

Interestingly, despite their varying housing materials, both switches share the use of nylon for the bottom housing, which enables them to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is primarily because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound experience when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel of both switches. However, it is important to note that the top housing material of each switch will have a more significant impact on the sound produced when releasing a key, with the Box Royal's nylon providing a softer and more absorbent sound compared to the Silent Red's polycarbonate, which offers a crisper and resonant sound profile.

Ultimately, the housing materials chosen for the Kailh Box Royal and TTC Silent Red switches contribute different sonic characteristics to their typing experience. The softer nylon material in the Box Royal generates a deeper and fuller sound while absorbing more sound due to its composition, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Conversely, the Silent Red's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Moreover, the translucency of polycarbonate in the Silent Red makes it particularly suitable for those interested in utilizing RGB lighting effects. However, despite their differences, both switches employ nylon for the bottom housing, leading to comparable deep and full sound profiles during key presses.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, they both have the same actuation force of 45 grams. This means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is identical for both switches. However, when looking at the bottom out force, there is a slight difference. The Box Royal has a bottom out force of 70 grams, which is heavier than the Silent Red's 63.5 grams. This means that the Box Royal requires slightly more force to fully press the key down compared to the Silent Red.

The weight of the switches is an important factor to consider, as it can affect typing comfort and endurance. Some individuals prefer lighter switches, as it allows them to type for longer periods without experiencing fatigue, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are those who prefer a heavier push feel, as it provides a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, switches with heavier forces are more suitable.

In summary, the actuation force of both switches is the same, providing similar results in terms of triggering a keystroke. However, the Kailh Box Royal has a heavier bottom out force compared to the TTC Silent Red, offering a slightly more forceful typing experience. The individual's preference for lighter or heavier switches ultimately depends on their typing habits and desired typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, it is clear that the Silent Red has a slightly longer travel distance at 3.7 mm, while the Box Royal has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. While the difference may seem minimal, it can still impact the user experience. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, in recent times, shorter travel distances have gained popularity, especially among gamers who prioritize faster response times. For those who desire a more responsive feel, opting for a switch with a shorter travel distance, such as the Box Royal, would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and satisfying key press may lean towards the switch with the longer travel distance, in this case, the Silent Red. Ultimately, the preference between the two switches depends on whether one values quicker response times or a more substantial key press.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Royal switch has a relatively higher pitched sound profile. These switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, which may be appealing to those who prefer a more distinct and pronounced typing sound. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch has a muted sound profile. These switches are designed to minimize noise and produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes them ideal for environments such as offices or shared living spaces where noise reduction is a priority. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Royal switch provides a sharp and binary tactility. These switches offer a high feedback intensity with a strong and crisp tactile bump that is prominent and distinguishable with each keypress. They are considered to be one of the most tactile switches available. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a smooth and consistent feel from top to bottom. These switches deliver a buttery typing experience, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation. The switch is described as mild, meaning it offers a gentle typing experience that most people will find approachable and comfortable. Additionally, the switch's polished finish contributes to a sleek and polished typing experience, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

In conclusion, the Kailh Box Royal and TTC Silent Red switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Box Royal switch is known for its sharp and high-pitched sound profile, as well as its intense and prominent tactile feedback. It is a perfect choice for those who seek an aggressive tactile experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red switch is designed to provide a muted and quieter typing experience, making it suitable for environments where noise reduction is desired. Its smooth and consistent feel, combined with a mild and polished finish, ensures a comfortable and seamless typing experience. Both switches have their unique characteristics, allowing users to tailor their keyboard experience based on their preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're someone who values a strong and aggressive tactility, and enjoys a higher-pitched sound profile, then the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is the perfect choice for you. These switches provide a sharp and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. Additionally, they offer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, giving you a satisfying typing experience.

On the other hand, if you prioritize a smooth and seamless typing experience with minimal noise, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is the ideal option. With a muted sound profile, these switches are perfect for office or shared living space use. They provide a buttery and effortless typing sensation, along with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfiness. The Silent Red has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, offering a comfortable typing experience.

Ultimately, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and TTC Silent Red switches depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider whether you prefer a strong and aggressive tactile feedback with a higher-pitched sound (Box Royal), or a smooth and seamless typing experience with minimal noise (Silent Red). Both switches have their unique qualities and cater to different typing preferences.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

TTC Silent Red Linear

$5.28

$4.38 per 10

Learn more