Kailh Box Royal vs. Everglide Sticky Rice (V2)

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) presents a fascinating juxtaposition of tactile feedback and performance. The Box Royal, renowned for its sharp and aggressive tactile bump, delivers a pronounced and binary tactile experience that caters to those who crave a more pronounced response with each keystroke. Its higher-pitched sound profile further enhances the sensation of interaction, making it an ideal choice for typists who enjoy a tactile and auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) offers a more balanced typing environment, characterized by a smooth keystroke and a neutral sound signature that lingers around the cherished “thock” sound beloved by enthusiasts. With its dustproof stem, the Sticky Rice ensures minimal wobble, offering a refined tactile sensation that balances performance with comfort, appealing to those who prioritize a seamless typing experience. Ultimately, each switch has its unique strengths—whether you're drawn to the aggressive feedback of the Box Royal or the sophisticated smoothness of the Sticky Rice, your preferences will guide your choice. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) Hall Effect

$6.25 per 10

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) utilize distinct housing materials in their construction, leading to contrasting sound profiles and tactile experiences when typing. The Box Royal features a nylon top housing, which is celebrated for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs sound more effectively, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. This contrasts sharply with the Sticky Rice (V2), which employs a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for its rigidity, enhancing the switch’s acoustic qualities to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Consequently, users can expect markedly different auditory experiences when using these switches, with the Box Royal favoring a softer sound and the Sticky Rice promoting a more vibrant tone.

While the top housings diverge, it's interesting to note that both switches feature a nylon bottom housing. This consistency means that, regardless of the contrasting top materials, the bottom housings impart similar qualities to the switches’ sound profiles. Nylon's characteristic softness leads to a deeper and fuller sound, and since both switches utilize this material for their bottom housings, they share an auditory foundation. As a result, even though the top housing of the Sticky Rice may produce a crisper sound, the nylon bottom mitigates that sharpness to some degree, offering a hybrid sound profile. Users can, therefore, expect each switch to possess a nuanced auditory quality dictated by the effective combination of both housing materials.

Ultimately, the interplay between the top and bottom housings of each switch creates a unique typing experience. The Kailh Box Royal benefits from its nylon top housing, promoting a mellow sound when releasing keys, while the Sticky Rice (V2) capitalizes on its polycarbonate top to accentuate a brighter tone. At the same time, the nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes a consistent depth to the sound and feel, allowing users to enjoy similar foundational results despite the differences in the upper housing materials. Thus, while these switches are constructed from different materials, their design ensures that individual characteristics harmonize for a more cohesive performance.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, notable differences arise in both their actuation and bottom out forces. The Box Royal requires a medium-heavy actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer for a tactile feedback. In contrast, the Sticky Rice (V2) has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it more suitable for those who favor a lighter feel that allows for longer typing sessions and enhanced comfort during extended use. Thus, the Box Royal is heavier overall compared to the Sticky Rice (V2), meaning that typists who enjoy a stronger push should consider the Box Royal, while those seeking a lighter experience might opt for the Sticky Rice (V2). Overall, users looking for a more tactile yet heavier feel might find the Box Royal appealing, while the lighter and less forceful Sticky Rice (V2) is ideal for extended periods of use without fatigue.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, we see a slight difference, with the Box Royal measuring 3.6 mm and the Sticky Rice (V2) at 3.5 mm. This makes the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) the shorter of the two, providing a more responsive feel that is often favored by gamers seeking quicker key presses for fast-paced gameplay. On the other hand, the Kailh Box Royal, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more satisfying depth for users who prefer a hearty tactile experience rather than an abrupt bottoming out. Therefore, while both switches are close in travel distance, the choice between them ultimately depends on personal preference for responsiveness versus depth.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch produces a distinctly high-pitched sound that offers a sharp and crisp auditory experience with each keypress. This characteristic makes it suitable for users who prefer a more pronounced sound profile as opposed to the deeper, bassier tones found in some other switches. In contrast, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) features a more neutral sound signature that aims for the desirable "thock" sound favored by many keyboard enthusiasts. While the Box Royal's sound is defined by its higher pitch, the thock sound is generally richer and offers a more balanced auditory feedback during typing. Each switch’s sound can also be influenced by the keyboard housing and keycaps, but overall, the Box Royal lends itself to a sharper sound, while the Sticky Rice (V2) offers a smoother, more muted experience.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box Royal is recognized for its sharp tactile feedback with an aggressive tactility that is hard to overlook. The keypresses deliver a strong and crisp tactile bump, making the experience quite engaging and responsive with each stroke. This switch’s pronounced feedback is ideal for typists who want definitive confirmation of their actions. On the other hand, while the specifics of the feel for the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) haven’t been detailed, it is suggested to provide a refined tactile sensation with a super smooth keystroke, likely resulting in a softer yet satisfying typing experience. While the two switches cater to different tactile preferences, they both aim to enhance user engagement, albeit with distinctly different approaches.

In summary, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch stands out with its high-pitched sound and aggressive, sharp tactile feedback, making it an excellent choice for those who seek a pronounced typing experience. The Everglide Sticky Rice (V2), with its neutral sound signature and smooth keystroke, caters to users who prefer a more balanced feel without sacrificing the joy of typing. Whether you lean towards the intense feedback and sound of the Box Royals or the refined, muted experience of the Sticky Rice (V2), both switches can provide satisfying typist experiences tailored to different preferences. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prioritize sharp auditory and tactile feedback or a smoother, more subtle engagement.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) hall effect switch, your choice should ultimately reflect your personal preferences in typing experience and sound. If you gravitate towards a more pronounced tactile feedback, the Box Royal is your best bet. With its sharp, binary tactility and medium-heavy bottom-out force of 70 grams, it caters to enthusiasts who desire a robust typing sensation and are unbothered by the higher-pitched sound profile it produces. This switch excels in environments where you relish each keystroke's assertiveness. Conversely, if you prefer a gentler touch while still maintaining a satisfying tactile response, the Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) is an ideal alternative. With a lighter bottom-out force of 50 grams and a smooth keystroke, it offers a refined experience without overwhelming auditory feedback. Its neutral sound signature delivers the coveted “thock” that many typists seek, making it well-suited for both casual typing and long sessions without exhaustion. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize aggressive tactility and sound or a balanced and smooth typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Sticky Rice (V2) Hall Effect

$8.00

$6.79 per 10

Learn more