Kailh Box Royal vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often comes down to personal preferences, which can significantly affect your typing and gaming experience. On one hand, the Kailh Box Royal switch offers a unique tactile experience characterized by its sharp, binary tactility and high-pitched sound profile, making it an excellent choice for typists and gamers who crave that aggressive feedback with every keystroke. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch caters primarily to gamers with its incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm and a bright, clacky sound, designed to facilitate rapid-fire inputs while providing a smooth and invigorating feel. The Box Royal excels in delivering tactile satisfaction, while the Vintage Citrus shines with speed and responsiveness. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and HMX Vintage Citrus switches share a notable similarity in their housing materials, both featuring nylon for both the top and bottom housings. This commonality in materials directly influences the sound profile produced while typing on these switches. Nylon, known for being a relatively softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder material alternatives. As a result, both switches are designed to provide a deeper and fuller typing experience, characterized by a duller and rounder sound that many users prefer for a more tactile and satisfying auditory feedback.
While both switches exhibit the advantages of nylon in their construction, the distribution of sound and feel characteristics varies when comparing them. The typing experience is split between the top and bottom housings, with the bottom housing playing a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel upon key press. Conversely, the top housing influences the sound upon releasing the key. This nuanced difference allows typists to experience a slightly different auditory fingerprint as they engage with each switch, even though the materials used are identical. Thus, while both switches utilize nylon, the overall typing dynamics derived from their specific housing arrangements could yield varied user experiences.
In conclusion, the similarities in the housing materials of the Kailh Box Royal and HMX Vintage Citrus switches lend themselves to similar results in terms of sound profile and tactile feel. However, the nuanced differences related to where the nylon is implemented create opportunities for varied typing sensations. Users can expect that while both switches will deliver a rich sound profile rooted in the properties of nylon, the unique interactions and sound characteristics depend on how each housing is configured, ultimately allowing for a personal preference between the two.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, which cater to different user preferences. The Box Royal features a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Vintage Citrus's 48 grams, making the former more suitable for users who prioritize ease of typing over extended periods, such as during work or long gaming sessions. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus, with its medium-light characteristics, offers a bottom out force of 53 grams, which is noticeably lighter than the Box Royal’s heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. This disparity suggests that while the Kailh Box Royal provides a more substantial typing experience due to its heavier bottom out force, the HMX Vintage Citrus may be more appealing for those seeking a lighter touch overall. Therefore, users who prefer a lighter feel for extended use should lean towards the Vintage Citrus, while those desiring a firmer response may gravitate towards the Box Royal.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Box Royal offers a deeper press, which some users may find more satisfying and sturdy, especially those who prefer a more tactile experience during typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter 3 mm travel distance, provides quicker actuation, which can enhance responsiveness, especially in fast-paced gaming scenarios. Therefore, if you're looking for a more pronounced keystroke with a hearty depth, the Box Royal is the better option, while the Vintage Citrus caters to those who prefer a snappier feel with less travel, leading to faster response times.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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
When comparing the sound profiles of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, both offer distinct auditory experiences. The Box Royal is characterized by a high-pitched tone that delivers a sharp and crisp sound with each keypress. This makes it ideal for those who prefer a more pronounced auditory feedback without the richness of deeper tones. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus boasts a bright, clacky sound, producing a snappy and percussive auditory output that is particularly favorable for gaming environments. While both produce a crisp sound, the Box Royal leans towards a higher pitch, whereas the Vintage Citrus has a clackiness that may appeal more to gamers seeking rapid-fire feedback.
In terms of feel, the differences between the two switches are also notable. The Box Royal features a sharp tactile bump that provides a strong and distinct feedback with every keypress, catering to users who appreciate high tactile intensity in their typing experience. Its binary tactility can feel almost aggressive, emphasizing every keystroke. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus is designed for responsiveness and quick actuation, with an invigorating and snappy feel that enhances engagement during use. The feel is facilitated by its exceptionally low actuation force and potentially longer springs, creating a lively and immersive typing sensation. While the Box Royal focuses on delivering pronounced tactile feedback, the Vintage Citrus aims for a smooth, reactive experience.
In conclusion, while both the Kailh Box Royal and HMX Vintage Citrus switches bring unique qualities to the table, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Box Royal's high-pitched, sharp auditory profile and aggressive tactile feedback make it ideal for users seeking a more pronounced typing experience. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus offers a clacky sound and a snappy, invigorating feel, making it particularly suited for gamers looking for rapid response times. Depending on your priorities—whether they be a strong tactile sensation or a swift and lively typing experience—you'll be well served by either switch, provided you choose the one that resonates with your personal style.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific needs and preferences. If you seek a tactile switch that offers aggressive feedback and a higher-pitched sound profile, the Box Royal is an excellent choice, especially for typing tasks where you appreciate a pronounced tactile bump and a more substantial bottom-out force of 70 grams. This switch excels for users who enjoy feeling each key press distinctly and may prefer the sharper auditory experience. Conversely, if you prioritize gaming or rapid input responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus is the way to go, thanks to its light actuation force of 53 grams and quick 1mm actuation. The clacky sound and snappy feel of the Vintage Citrus make it ideal for fast-paced environments where ease of key presses is crucial. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you favor tactile feedback and distinct sound or if you need responsiveness and speed for gaming.
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