Kailh Box Royal vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Kailh Box Royal and Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Box Royal is well-known for its unparalleled level of tactility, providing a sharp and binary tactile experience that is perfect for those who enjoy aggressive feedback. Additionally, these switches have a relatively higher pitched sound profile, adding an extra element to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches offer a unique and indulgent typing experience. With a rich and bassy sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, typing becomes a truly captivating experience. These switches are also versatile, suiting a wide range of users with their medium-weight. The combination of a POM stem, proprietary factory lube method, and short travel with a long-pole stem ensures a highly responsive and frictionless typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sunset Yellow have different housing materials, with the Box Royal featuring a nylon top housing and bottom housing, while the Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM top housing and bottom housing. Both nylon and POM are known for creating unique sound profiles and providing a satisfying typing experience, but they have distinct characteristics.
The nylon top housing of the Box Royal elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer plastic, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the Box Royal switches. On the other hand, the POM top housing of the Everglide Sunset Yellow creates an incredibly pleasing and unique sound, but it leans towards the deeper side and is relatively more muted. This indicates that the Sunset Yellow may produce a slightly less pronounced sound compared to the Box Royal.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the qualities of the housing material affect the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Box Royal, being softer and absorbing more sound, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when the keys are pressed down. Similarly, the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow is likely to create a satisfying and unique sound when bottoming out.
In summary, while both the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sunset Yellow provide a pleasing typing experience, their housing materials contribute to different sound profiles. The Box Royal with its nylon top and bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, whereas the Sunset Yellow with its POM top and bottom housing produces a relatively deeper and more muted sound. However, the overall typing experience may yield similar results, as both switches utilize high-quality materials that create a satisfying key press and a unique auditory experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are notable differences. The Box Royal has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams. This means that the Box Royal requires a slightly stronger push to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Box Royal is significantly heavier at 70 grams, while the Sunset Yellow has a lower bottom out force of 51 grams.
The weight of the switches should be considered based on personal preference and specific typing needs. For those who prefer a lighter touch, the Sunset Yellow with its lighter actuation and bottom out force would be ideal. This allows for longer typing periods and is well-suited for use in office settings or during extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Box Royal with its heavier actuation and bottom out force would be more suitable.
It is worth noting that despite the differences in weight between the two switches, they both fall within the medium range. Therefore, if a user is looking for a similar tactile experience in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, the Sunset Yellow provides a lighter option while still delivering a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches have a shorter travel distance than the most traditional 4.0 mm, which is preferred by many. Gamers, in particular, tend to favor switches with shorter travel distances as they allow for faster response times. So, if you are looking for a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the Sunset Yellow with its shorter travel distance might be the better option for you. On the other hand, some individuals find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt, and prefer switches with a bit more depth. In that case, the Kailh Box Royal with its longer travel distance could be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Royal comes in at $6.25, whereas the Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09.
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 and the Everglide Sunset Yellow offer different profiles. The Box Royal has a higher-pitched sound, producing a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow provides a bassy sound, characterized by a deeper and richer tone during key presses. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow is described as having a thocky sound, which is a deep, rich, and satisfying sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.
Moving on to feel, the Box Royal has a sharp tactile feel. This means that it offers a high feedback intensity, with a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow offers a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. The unique POM stem and proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding sensation, making typing feel smooth, effortless, and almost like melting into each keystroke.
Taking into consideration all the available information, it's clear that the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Sunset Yellow provide different subjective qualities. The Box Royal offers a sharp, binary tactility and a higher-pitched sound, providing an aggressive tactile feel. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow offers a medium-weight linear switch, characterized by a bassy, thocky sound and a creamy, frictionless, and polished feel. Both switches offer unique experiences that cater to different preferences. If you're looking for a highly tactile switch with a sharp sound and feel, the Box Royal would be a great choice. If you prefer a smooth and indulgent typing experience with a deeper and richer sound, the Sunset Yellow would be the way to go. However, it's important to keep in mind that individual preferences can vary, and it's recommended to try out switches before making a decision.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're someone who values an aggressive and sharp tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Royal switches would be an excellent choice for you. These switches have a prominent and distinct tactile bump that ensures a highly responsive typing experience. Additionally, if you prefer a higher-pitched sound profile, then the Box Royal switches would be a great fit as they produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a more indulgent and captivating typing experience, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches would be a fantastic option. These switches offer a rich, bassy sound profile that is reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. With their smooth and frictionless feel, typing on Sunset Yellow switches feels like gliding your fingers effortlessly across the keys. The medium-weight of these switches also makes them suitable for a wide range of users.
Ultimately, the choice between Kailh Box Royal and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize aggressive tactility and a higher-pitched sound, go for the Box Royal switches. But if you prefer a more indulgent and smooth typing experience with a rich, bassy sound, opt for the Sunset Yellow switches. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired tactile feedback to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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