Kailh Box Royal vs. Gateron Smoothie
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Gateron Smoothie switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Kailh Box Royal and Gateron Smoothie offer distinct experiences for users. The Box Royal is renowned for its intense tactility, providing a sharp and binary typing experience that is perfect for those who crave a strong tactile response. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie stands out for its smoothness and unique sound profile, offering a thocky and buttery typing experience that is both smooth and lightweight. While the Box Royal leans towards a higher-pitched sound, the Smoothie delivers a low-pitched and creamy typing experience. Depending on your preferences, you may find the aggressive tactility of the Box Royal appealing or the smooth and thocky feel of the Smoothie more to your liking. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and Gateron Smoothie switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profile. The Box Royal utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound. In contrast, the Smoothie employs a POM top housing, resulting in a more muted and deeper sound profile. While both materials offer their own distinct characteristics, the nylon housing of the Box Royal absorbs more sound due to its softer plastic composition, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the POM housing of the Smoothie.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing of the switches, both the Box Royal and the Smoothie utilize nylon and POM respectively. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Royal contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its top housing. Meanwhile, the POM bottom housing of the Smoothie also adds to the switch's overall sound profile by creating a more muted and deeper sound. Despite the differences in material, both bottom housings play a significant role in influencing the sound and feel of the switch when pressed down.
Overall, the combination of different housing materials in the Kailh Box Royal and Gateron Smoothie switches results in unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. The split between the top and bottom housings in each switch allows for a varied typing experience, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affecting the sound when a key is released. Whether you prefer the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the Box Royal or the more muted and deeper sound of POM in the Smoothie, both switches deliver distinct typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, it is evident that the Box Royal is heavier in both aspects. The Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Smoothie has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. When considering weight, some prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others may opt for heavier switches for a more pronounced typing experience. Both switches offer different levels of force, catering to varying preferences in typing feel and experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of the distance the keys travel from the top to the bottom. Users can expect similar results when using either switch, as they both provide the same tactile feedback and actuation point despite being of different types. This similarity in travel distance ensures that whether you choose the Box Royal or the Smoothie, you will experience a comparable typing experience in terms of key travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Smoothie has an MSRP of $3.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Smoothie for $2.60.
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
In terms of sound, the Kailh Box Royal switch offers a high-pitched, sharp, and crisp sound when pressed, making it stand out for those who prefer a more distinct and pronounced typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Smoothie switch delivers a thocky, low-pitched, and subdued sound profile, providing a deep and satisfying typing sound that is more mellow and bass-heavy in comparison to the Box Royal. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference, with the Box Royal offering a sharper sound while the Smoothie provides a deeper and more muted typing experience.
Moving on to feel, the Kailh Box Royal switch is described as having a sharp tactile feedback, with a strong and crisp tactile bump that is felt distinctly with each keypress, giving users a highly intense feedback sensation. In contrast, the Gateron Smoothie switch is characterized by a buttery, creamy, and silky smooth keystroke experience, offering a seamless and effortless typing sensation that glides effortlessly across the keys. This difference in feel highlights the diverse options available in mechanical switches, catering to varying preferences in typing feedback and sensation.
In conclusion, the Kailh Box Royal switch excels in providing a sharp, binary tactility with a high-pitched sound profile, while the Gateron Smoothie switch offers a thocky sound with a buttery and creamy smoothness in feel. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel, ultimately providing users with a range of options to customize their typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharp tactile feedback and high-pitched sound or a smooth, thocky typing experience, both switches offer quality performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Gateron Smoothie linear switch, consider the level of tactility and sound profile you prefer. If you enjoy a sharp and aggressive tactile feedback with a higher-pitched sound, the Box Royal would be an excellent choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience with a thocky sound profile, the Gateron Smoothie may be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for tactility, sound, and overall typing experience. Make sure to test out both switches if possible to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
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