Kailh Box Navy vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, it's important to consider the characteristics of each switch to find the one that best suits your typing preferences. The Kailh Box Navy switch is a clicky switch known for its heavy typing experience, satisfying sound signature, and tactile feedback. Perfect for those who enjoy a clicky and crunchy typing experience reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards, the Box Navy is categorized as sharp, resonant, invigorating, crunchy, and stiff. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is a tactile switch that offers a subtle bump without audible clickiness. While it lacks a distinct sound signature, the Crystal Brown provides a gentle tactile feedback, making it categorized as a smooth and comfortable option. Ultimately, the choice between the Box Navy and Crystal Brown switches depends on whether you prioritize a more pronounced clicking sound and strong tactile feedback or a smoother, quieter typing experience. 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
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
90g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Kailh Box spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Kailh Box Navy and the Outemu Crystal Brown, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting. This similarity in top housing material suggests that users can expect a similar sound and feel when typing on both switches, with slight variations based on other factors such as spring weight and stem design.
On the other hand, the Box Navy and the Crystal Brown differ in their choice of bottom housing material, with the former using nylon and the latter using polycarbonate. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. Despite this difference, both switches maintain a consistent top housing material in polycarbonate, ensuring a shared characteristic in terms of sound quality and resonance.
When considering the impact of the top and bottom housing materials, it becomes clear that the qualities of each material are distributed between the two parts of the switch. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing plays a significant role in the sound produced when a key is released. This division allows for a nuanced typing experience, with users able to appreciate the unique characteristics brought by the different housing materials in each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Box Navy has a heavier typing experience overall. The Box Navy requires 60 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 90 grams to bottom out, making it a heavy switch. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown is lighter in comparison, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, providing a medium-light typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions or gaming, the Crystal Brown would be the preferable choice. Alternatively, for users who enjoy a more robust typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Box Navy would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Kailh Box Navy clicky switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Outemu Crystal Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Kailh Box Navy. For those who prefer a switch with a shorter travel distance, the Box Navy would be the better option as it offers a quicker response time, ideal for gamers looking for speed. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown's longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for travel distance and the type of typing experience desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Kailh Box Navy comes in at $5.50, whereas the Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10.
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 Navy clicky switch is known for its resonant and crunchy sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience reminiscent of vintage buckling keyboards. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has no known sound description. If you prioritize sound in your typing experience, the Box Navy switch would likely provide a more intense and distinctive clicky sound compared to the Crystal Brown switch.
Moving on to feel, the Box Navy switch is noted for its sharp, invigorating, and stiff tactile feedback, offering a high level of feedback intensity and a snappy feel with each keypress. In contrast, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch has no known feel description available. If tactile feedback is crucial for your typing preferences, the Box Navy switch would likely provide a more pronounced and firm tactile bump compared to the Crystal Brown switch.
Considering all the available information, if you are looking for a heavy typing experience with a distinct clicky sound and sharp tactile feedback, the Kailh Box Navy switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you are interested in the Outemu Crystal Brown switch, it may be necessary to gather more information on its sound and feel qualities to make a well-informed decision. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, and experimenting with both could provide insight into which one suits your typing style best.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are someone who enjoys a heavy typing experience with a loud and crispy clicky sound, then the Kailh Box Navy switches would be the ideal choice for you. The 90-gram bottom out force and sharp, invigorating tactile feedback make them perfect for those who love a tactile and satisfying typing experience reminiscent of vintage mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing feel with a medium-light bottom out force, the Outemu Crystal Brown switches may be more suitable for you. While they lack the distinctive sound signature of the Box Navy switches, the Crystal Brown switches still offer a tactile bump and moderate feedback for a comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound, so consider these factors carefully before making your decision.
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