Kailh Box White V2 vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular contenders are the Kailh Box White V2 and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream, each offering a distinct typing experience to suit different preferences. The Kailh Box White V2 is celebrated for its clicky feedback, providing users with crisp tactile sensations and an audible click with each keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy both a satisfying auditory response and the assurance of tactile confirmation in their typing. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream is a linear switch that emphasizes smoothness and lack of tactile bumps, featuring a unique POK material that creates a creamy feel reminiscent of its dessert namesake. This switch delivers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, appealing to users who prefer a quieter typing experience without sacrificing character. While both switches have their merits—whether you crave the clicky sensation of the Box White V2 or the silky-smooth glide of the Vanilla Ice Cream—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for you.

By the numbers

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

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Housing materials

The Kailh Box White V2 and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches exhibit distinct characteristics in their housing materials, which significantly influence their sound profiles. The Box White V2 features a polycarbonate top housing that is noted for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Polycarbonate’s stiffer nature enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it an excellent choice for RGB setups due to its translucency. In contrast, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream employs a proprietary material blend in its top housing, which also produces a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. While both switches aim for a bright auditory experience, their different materials could lead to subtle variations in the overall clarity and dynamics in sound perception.

Examining the bottom housing, the differences are even more pronounced. The Box White V2 utilizes a nylon bottom housing, recognized for its deeper and fuller sound profile. The relative softness of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience upon bottoming out. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream features a POK bottom housing designed for superior durability and smoothness. With a much lower coefficient of friction compared to both nylon and other materials like POM, the POK housing ensures a more seamless keystroke experience while contributing to a clacky sound. Even though the bottom housing of Vanilla Ice Cream is designed to be smooth and resilient, its character contrasts with the mellow warmth provided by the Box White V2's nylon.

When considering the combined effects of these housing materials on typing experience, it's clear that even if they serve different purposes, users can still achieve similar results in terms of desired sound profiles and overall typing experience. While the Box White V2 provides a brilliant clarity and crispness thanks to its polycarbonate tops, complemented by the deeper tones from the nylon bottoms, the Vanilla Ice Cream's unique material blend will create a bright and lively auditory feedback complemented by smoothness and durability. Ultimately, users who appreciate bright sound profiles might find satisfaction in both switches, though the tactile experience and sound nuances that emerge during typing will feel distinct, offering a personalized choice based on preference.

Weight

When comparing the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, both exhibit light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. The Box White V2 has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Vanilla Ice Cream features a slightly lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is lighter overall, providing a slightly softer key press compared to the Box White V2. For users who prefer a heavier push feel for a more substantial typing experience, neither of these switches will fit that criterion, as both remain on the lighter side of the spectrum. Therefore, while both switches might deliver a similar typing experience for those who appreciate lighter keys, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch will feel a tad easier to press.

Travel distance

The Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch measures slightly shorter at 3.5 mm. This difference indicates that the Box White V2 offers a bit more depth, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing keys. In contrast, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch's shorter travel distance might provide quicker responsiveness, making it a better choice for gamers seeking rapid key actuation. Both switches fall within the range of standard travel distances but cater to different preferences; the Box White V2 is ideal for users who appreciate a hearty depth, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is well-suited for those favoring a more immediate feedback.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Kailh Box White V2 offers a distinctive clicky auditory experience that is characterized by a crisp and sharp click with each keystroke. This sound profile is designed to provide audible feedback, enhancing the typing experience for users who appreciate a more traditional clicky sound. On the other hand, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch boasts a high-pitched, marbly resonance that is both clean and engaging. The sound produced by the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is sharper and has a clacky quality, making it notably different from the richer bassy tones found in other switches. Together, these switches embody contrasting sound signatures—where one focuses on the pronounced click and the other emphasizes a smooth yet resonant tone.

In terms of feel, the Kailh Box White V2 delivers a tactile sensation that is both sharp and noteworthy, responding with a pronounced bump as the switch is engaged. This tactile feedback is integral for typists who enjoy being alerted to each keystroke. Conversely, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch provides a buttery, creamy feel that transforms the typing experience into a smooth glide. The remarkable design, particularly the usage of POK materials, allows for a seamless keystroke that feels effortless and fluid, reminiscent of gliding across a buttery surface. The contrasting tactile experiences of these switches cater to different typing preferences, with the Box White V2 favoring crispness and the Vanilla Ice Cream embodying silkiness.

In conclusion, both the Kailh Box White V2 and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches have their unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences. The Box White V2 excels in providing an audible click and tactile feedback that many typists cherish, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch boasts an astonishingly smooth and creamy feel, combined with a high-pitched sound that appeals to those who favor linear switches. Choosing between these two will largely depend on whether one prioritizes the tactile and auditory sensations of a clicky switch or the silky, fluid dynamics of a linear switch, signaling the different experiences they both deliver.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Kailh Box White V2 clicky switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch ultimately depends on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you enjoy the satisfying sound and tactile feedback of a clicky switch, which can enhance your typing experience and provide auditory confirmation with each keystroke, then the Kailh Box White V2 is an excellent choice. Its 50-gram actuation force and crisp click sound make it particularly appealing for typists who appreciate a more engaging interaction with their keyboard, especially in a private setting where the noise won’t disturb others. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a smoother, more refined typing experience, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch is likely to suit you better. With a slightly lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams and a buttery, creamy feel, it provides a whisper-quiet operation that's ideal for office environments or shared spaces, where you may want to minimize sound. Moreover, if you’re someone who often types for long periods and values comfort, the smooth and silky texture of the Vanilla Ice Cream switch can reduce finger fatigue. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing style and sound preference, ensuring that your keyboard experience is both enjoyable and efficient.

Mentioned in this article

Kailh Box White V2 Clicky

$3.50

$3.00 per 10

Learn more

KTT Vanilla Ice Cream Linear

$5.78

$4.60 per 10

Learn more