Kailh Box White V2 vs. Dareu Mahjong
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box White V2 and the Dareu Mahjong switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, the choice often boils down to personal preference and desired typing experience. The Kailh Box White V2 switches are celebrated for their clicky action, delivering a sharp tactile feedback and an audible click that many typists and gamers find satisfying and engaging. This makes them an excellent choice for users who thrive on sensory feedback, adding a certain rhythm and personality to each keystroke. In contrast, the Dareu Mahjong switches present a smoother experience with their linear design; they feature a lively, poppy sound signature that promotes an effortlessly fluid typing experience. This makes the Mahjong switches suitable for those who favor a quieter, uninterrupted flow while typing or gaming. Both switches bring unique qualities to the table, catering to different typing preferences and styles. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POK
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When examining the housing materials of the Kailh Box White V2 and the Dareu Mahjong, notable distinctions can be drawn from their top housings. The Box White V2 features a polycarbonate top housing, which is recognized for its stiffness and translucence, offering a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that enhances the clarity of key presses. This material is particularly advantageous for RGB lighting setups, as its transparency allows for vibrant light diffusion. In contrast, the Mahjong employs a POK top housing, made from polyketone, which provides not only smooth operation but also remarkable durability. While the Box White V2's synthetic clarity aims for a resonant sound, the Mahjong's POK contributes to a more robust, tactile feel, indicating that each switch may appeal to different user preferences regarding auditory feedback and aesthetic presentation.
When we turn to the bottom housing materials, both the Kailh Box White V2 and the Dareu Mahjong utilize nylon. This shared characteristic highlights the classic nature of nylon as a switch housing material, renowned for creating a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its sound-absorbing qualities. The sound produced by switches incorporating nylon is generally described as duller and rounder, leading to a softer bottom-out sound. Consequently, both switches benefit from nylon's capabilities, ensuring that users experience a satisfying acoustic characteristic in both tactile feedback and auditory response during use. The convergence of nylon in both models underscores a harmonizing element that may yield similar auditory outcomes despite the differences in top-housing materials.
Ultimately, the split between the top and bottom housings highlights how differing materials can influence a switch's overall performance. For the Kailh Box White V2, the combination of a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom provides a blend of sharp high notes with a full-bodied low end, ensuring clarity in both keystrokes and key release. Conversely, the Dareu Mahjong's POK top, paired with the nylon bottom, facilitates a richly textured experience characterized by smoothness and durability, which may appeal to typists seeking long-lasting performance. Though the switches utilize disparate materials for their top housings, the shared nylon bottom ensures that users will enjoy similar foundational experiences, creating a deeper resonance when the switches bottom out. Thus, while the sound profiles of the two switches differ due to their unique upper housings, they maintain a consistent auditory quality owing to their shared nylon composition.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, we find that both switches share the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally light and conducive for extended typing or gaming sessions. However, the Box White V2 also has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating a firmer feel when the key is fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Mahjong switch is unknown, leaving us without a comparison for that metric. As a result, while both switches offer a similar light actuation feel, the tactile experience during bottoming out differs, with the Box White V2 likely providing a more substantial feedback due to its known force. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer periods, either switch could suffice, but the Box White V2 will provide a heavier bottom out experience compared to the unmeasured response of the Mahjong.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch, the Box White V2 has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Mahjong switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Mahjong switch could be more appealing due to its shorter distance, allowing for quicker actuation. However, for those who appreciate a more pronounced feel with a deeper key press, the Kailh Box White V2 would be the better choice with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on individual preferences regarding the balance of responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Kailh Box White V2 has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Box White V2 for $3.00.
The Dareu Mahjong has an MSRP of $8.89 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mahjong for $5.79.
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 it comes to sound, the Kailh Box White V2 stands out for its sharp, crisp audible click, which offers a satisfying feedback with every keystroke, making it popular among typists who enjoy a pronounced auditory response. This distinctive click sound can create an engaging typing experience, particularly favored in environments where the audible feedback helps enhance productivity or focus. In contrast, the Dareu Mahjong switch presents a lively, poppy sound signature that is characterized as neutral. This makes the Mahjong suitable for various settings, whether you're just starting out or engaging in work, as its moderate sound profile blends nicely into most environments without being overly disruptive.
In terms of feel, the Kailh Box White V2 is recognized for its tactile feedback, providing a noticeable bump upon actuation, which some users find enhances their typing accuracy and satisfaction. The switch lends a sense of engagement, prompting users to type with intention. On the other hand, the Dareu Mahjong switch delivers a bouncy feel with a lively response, ensuring a spring-like or elastic sensation with each keystroke. This switch also offers a mild typing experience, sitting comfortably between extreme tactile feedback and smoothness, along with a polished finish that suggests a smooth key travel due to either high-quality materials or factory lubing.
In summary, while the Kailh Box White V2 excels in providing a distinct auditory click and tactile response, making it ideal for those who enjoy pronounced feedback, the Dareu Mahjong switch offers a more neutral sound and a lively, polished feel, making it versatile for different users and typing environments. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a sharper auditory experience with the Box White V2 or a smoother, more dynamic typing journey with the Mahjong switches. Ultimately, both options bring unique qualities to your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Dareu Mahjong linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and intended use. If you enjoy the tactile feedback and an audible click that comes with the Box White V2, this switch might be the perfect choice for you, especially if you’re seeking a lively and engaging typing experience, perhaps for both gaming and casual typing. Its light bottom-out force of 50 grams makes it accessible for long typing sessions as well. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth, linear typing experience that is less pronounced in terms of sound and feedback, the Dareu Mahjong switch would be a better fit. The bouncy and polished feel of the Mahjong switch offers a gentle yet responsive keystroke that is well-suited for a comfortable typing experience, whether you're working at home or enjoying a relaxing gaming session. In summary, opt for the Box White V2 if you crave that satisfying click and tactile feedback; alternatively, go for the Dareu Mahjong if you desire a smooth, unobtrusive keypress that still feels lively.
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