Kailh Box Royal vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The Box Royal is known for its impressive tactility, with a sharp and binary feedback that is almost aggressively satisfying. These switches are perfect for those who truly crave a pronounced tactile experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a different kind of satisfaction. With a deep and thocky sound profile, they provide an immersive typing experience that can be quite satisfying. These switches have a bouncy feel, thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring, and strike a balance with their standard spring weight. This makes them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. While these general pointers can help you decide, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.25 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have distinct differences that result in varied sound profiles. Starting with the top housing, the Box Royal utilizes nylon, a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a deeper and fuller tone. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate top housing, a stiffer plastic that produces a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate in the Tourmaline Blue switch makes it ideal for RGB lighting enthusiasts.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the differences between the materials start to become more pronounced. The nylon bottom housing in the Box Royal continues to contribute to the deeper and fuller sound profile of the switch. Its softness allows for greater sound absorption, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing in the Tourmaline Blue enhances the switch's sound by producing a sharper and higher-pitched tone. Its stiffness leads to a more clear and resonant sound.

It is important to note that if a switch has different materials for the top and bottom housings, the qualities of each material will be distributed accordingly. When pressing down on a switch, the impact and resulting sound will be influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing. Conversely, when releasing a key, the sound will be more influenced by the top housing. However, in both switches, the housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall sound profile, albeit with slightly different characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that both switches fall into the medium-heavy range. However, there are some notable differences between the two. The Kailh Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it slightly lighter to trigger but requiring a heavier push to bottom out. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier to trigger but requiring a lighter push to bottom out. Despite these differences, both switches provide a substantial typing experience with a satisfying tactile response. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier feel ultimately depends on personal preference. Those who prefer lighter switches may opt for the Kailh Box Royal for extended typing or gaming sessions, where fatigue may be a concern. On the contrary, individuals seeking a more pronounced and substantial typing experience may find the Everglide Tourmaline Blue more suitable due to its heavier actuation force. Overall, both switches offer similar results, albeit with slight variations in weight and feel.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4mm. The Box Royal falls within the range of shorter travel distances, making it a popular choice for gamers looking for faster response times. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a slightly deeper press with its longer travel distance, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. It's important to note that both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, so regardless of which one you choose, you can expect similar results in terms of key travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer different profiles. The Box Royal is known for its higher-pitched sound, which produces a sharp and crisp noise when pressed. This type of sound is ideal for those who prefer a more distinct and lively auditory experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue provides a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile that suits most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the switch at home or work. It is important to note that the sound of the switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Box Royal offers a sharp tactile experience with its prominent and distinct tactile bump. These switches are known for their high feedback intensity, providing a strong and crisp feel with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid typing experience. They provide a seamless and effortless typing sensation, making each keystroke feel uniform. Additionally, the Tourmaline Blue switches are easy to press, requiring minimal force to activate. This lightweight actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Overall, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a mild and approachable typing experience.

Taking all available information into consideration, the Kailh Box Royal and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches offer distinct subjective qualities. The Box Royal switches provide an aggressive and sharp tactile experience, accompanied by a higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a buttery and easy-to-press feel, with a neutral sound profile. These switches strike a balance, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. It is important to consider personal preferences and typing needs when choosing between these two switches. However, it is worth mentioning that if you are looking for a similarly sharp and crisp tactile experience, the Tourmaline Blue switches can provide similar results, albeit with a different sound profile.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're searching for an incredibly tactile switch with an aggressive tactility, the Kailh Box Royal is the one for you. These switches provide a sharp and binary tactile bump that is highly noticeable with each keystroke. Additionally, the higher pitched sound profile adds to the overall experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing sensation with a moderate sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is the ideal choice. These switches offer a bouncy feel and a deep, thocky sound that immerses you in a satisfying typing experience. With their standard spring weight, they strike a balance that appeals to a wide range of users. Ultimately, the decision between Kailh Box Royal and Everglide Tourmaline Blue comes down to personal preference, whether you prioritize an aggressive tactility or a smooth typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box Royal Tactile

$6.25 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more