Kailh Box White V2 vs. Cherry MX Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box White V2 and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the Kailh Box White V2 and the Cherry MX Silent Red highlights the diverse preferences of typists and gamers alike. The Kailh Box White V2 is celebrated for its crisp tactile feedback and distinctive audible click, delivering a lively typing experience that many find satisfying and engaging, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a more pronounced feedback during their interactions. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a serene typing experience, combining the familiar feel of the classic MX Red with a significant reduction in noise, making it particularly suited for quiet settings or shared spaces where minimizing sound is critical. While both switches offer unique advantages—one prioritizing tactile and auditory feedback and the other focusing on a muted yet satisfying feel—each caters to different typing preferences and environments. 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
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 and the Cherry MX Silent Red switches, the materials used in their respective top housings present a notable contrast. The Kailh Box White V2 features a polycarbonate top housing, characterized by its stiffer nature, which contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This quality is enhanced by the translucency of polycarbonate, making it particularly suitable for RGB lighting setups due to its ability to effectively transmit light. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red employs a nylon top housing, a material that is softer and less rigid. This results in a deeper, fuller sound profile, which tends to absorb sound rather than amplify it, yielding a more muted acoustic experience. The polycarbonate and nylon materials thus influence the tonal characteristics of the switches, with the Box White V2 offering a crisper sound, while the Silent Red provides a rounder, deeper auditory feedback.
Examining the bottom housings of both switches reveals an intriguing similarity, as both the Kailh Box White V2 and the Cherry MX Silent Red utilize nylon, which is a classic material in switch design. The use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes a fuller sound profile across both models; the softer consistency of nylon inherently dampens sound, leading to a more subdued keypress experience. This shared characteristic means that both switches will provide a consistent sound signature when bottoming out, rendering the tactile experience quite similar despite their differences in top housing materials. This makes the bottom housing a critical element in sound production and overall typing feel for both switches.
Ultimately, the interplay between the differing materials in the top and bottom housings creates a nuanced auditory and tactile experience in both the Kailh Box White V2 and Cherry MX Silent Red switches. The polycarbonate top of the Box White V2 enhances brightness and sharpness while the nylon bottom contributes depth, ensuring that users enjoy the best of both worlds. Conversely, the Silent Red maintains a consistent sound profile with its nylon top and bottom, resulting in a unified and muted auditory experience. Thus, while both switches carry distinct characteristics influenced by their top housing materials, their nylon bottom housings offer a grounding similarity that can yield a more familiar and rounded feel during typing.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch, both have an identical actuation force of 45 grams, making them similarly light in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. This shared actuation force indicates that both switches will provide a comparable typing experience for those favoring lighter switches, potentially making them suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. However, the bottom out force differs significantly: the Box White V2 has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that it provides a more substantial resistance when fully pressed down, enhancing the tactile feedback during use. In contrast, the MX Silent Red does not have a specified bottom out force, leaving this aspect unknown. As a result, the Kailh Box White V2 can be considered the heavier option overall, while the Silent Red, with its lack of defined bottom out force, may be perceived as lighter or even variable, depending on user preference. Thus, for users desiring a tangible push feel, the Box White V2 would be the more rewarding choice, whereas the Silent Red caters more toward those seeking a smoother experience without the specifics of bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Cherry MX Silent Red linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Box White V2 will provide a more responsive feel, making it potentially more suitable for gamers who value swift key presses. Conversely, the Cherry MX Silent Red, with its longer travel distance, might appeal to those who prefer a more pronounced typing experience, allowing for a heavier depth in each keystroke. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness versus depth, with the Kailh Box White V2 being the shorter option and the Cherry MX Silent Red the longer.
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 Cherry MX Silent Red has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Silent Red for $4.15.
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 due to its crisp, tactile feedback and prominent audible click, which creates a distinctive and noticeable sound profile as you type. This clicky nature provides clarity and an assertiveness that can enhance typing rhythms, although it may not be suitable in quiet environments. In contrast, the Cherry MX Silent Red offers a very different auditory experience; it is designed to minimize noise while maintaining a satisfying feel. The sound tends to be muted, producing a soft thock when pressed, which gives a satisfying yet unobtrusive typing experience. The low-pitched sound profile is perfect for those in noise-sensitive situations, as it reduces the overall clatter typically associated with mechanical switches.
Regarding the feel, the Kailh Box White V2 switch provides a robust tactile feedback that is engaging, signaling each actuation with a satisfying click. This responsiveness can enhance typing accuracy and speed for users who enjoy the tactile sensation when striking each key. On the other hand, the Cherry MX Silent Red has a smooth operation, but it also introduces a textured sensation, creating a slight resistance that some may find preferable. This texture might feel scratchy to certain users, making it less uniform compared to the Kailh switch's definitive tactile bump.
In conclusion, while the Kailh Box White V2 offers a pronounced auditory and tactile experience appealing to those who enjoy clicky switches, the Cherry MX Silent Red caters to individuals seeking a quieter environment without sacrificing the quality of their typing experience. Each switch type will yield different experiences in terms of sound and feel, so your choice should align with your preference for tactile feedback and noise level in your workspace.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Kailh Box White V2 clicky switches and Cherry MX Silent Red linear switches largely depends on your specific typing environment and personal preferences. If you enjoy a tactile response coupled with an audible click, the Box White V2 is an excellent option—perfect for those who appreciate the satisfying feedback that enhances the typing experience, particularly in a home office or personal space where noise isn't an issue. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a shared workspace or quiet environment where minimized sound is essential, the Cherry MX Silent Red is your go-to choice. Its quiet operation allows for a compelling typing experience without the distractions of clacking sounds, while still maintaining a smooth and satisfying keystroke. Ultimately, your preference for sound and feedback, along with the setting in which you'll be using your mechanical keyboard, will guide you to the ideal switch for your needs.
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