Kailh Box Royal vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs, two options to consider are the Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp), both of which are tactile switches. The Kailh Box Royal is renowned for its unparalleled tactility, providing a sharp and binary feedback that is ideal for those seeking an aggressive typing experience. Additionally, its higher-pitched sound profile adds to its distinct character. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a unique blend of tactility and silence, making it perfect for individuals who value both a tactile switch and a noise-sensitive environment. With its medium bump and padded bottom-out feel, this switch guarantees a satisfying typing experience, all while keeping the noise subdued. Categorized as stepped, accented, muted, and polished, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a more polished and refined typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision about which switch is the best fit for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Kailh Box Royal and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) have different materials for their top housings. The Box Royal utilizes nylon while the Silent T1 uses polycarbonate. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, creating a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for accommodating RGB lighting. Thus, the top housing material of both switches greatly influences the sound and aesthetics.
Both switches have nylon as their bottom housing material. This material is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and sound-absorbing properties. As a result, both the Box Royal and the Silent T1 produce a similar sound when pressed down, creating a pleasing typing experience. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
When comparing the overall sound and feel of the switches, one can see that the top housing material has a more noticeable impact on the sound when releasing a key. The nylon bottom housing contributes to the consistent deeper sound profile of both switches, while the top housing materials differentiate their sound profiles. The Box Royal's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent T1's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. These distinctions in sound make each switch suitable for different preferences and typing styles.
Weight
When comparing the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, it is evident that they both fall under the category of medium-heavy switches. The Kailh Box Royal has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, while the actuation force of the Silent T1 is unavailable, but its bottom out force is 67 grams.
In terms of actuation force, the Kailh Box Royal requires a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Silent T1, as the actuation force of the Silent T1 is unknown. This lighter actuation force can be beneficial for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, allowing them to type for longer periods of time without fatigue.
However, when it comes to the bottom out force, both switches have a similar medium-heavy resistance. Bottom out force measures the force required to fully press the switch down, resulting in a more substantial typing experience. Therefore, both the Kailh Box Royal and the Silent T1 provide a satisfying tactile feedback for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Considering weight as a factor, individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Kailh Box Royal due to its lower actuation force. This can be advantageous for individuals who use their keyboards extensively, such as for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who seek a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Silent T1 or similar switches with heavier forces, as they provide a stronger push feel.
Overall, while the actuation force of the Silent T1 is unavailable, both the Kailh Box Royal and the Silent T1 fall into the medium-heavy category. Thus, depending on personal preferences, these tactile switches can offer similar results in terms of bottoming out force while providing slightly different actuation forces to cater to individual typing preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent T1 has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Box Royal has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with the Silent T1 switch, you will feel a greater distance traveled compared to the Box Royal switch.
Generally, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, with the growing popularity of gaming, shorter travel distances are becoming prevalent as they offer faster response times. Gamers, in particular, prefer switches with shorter travel distances to enhance their gaming performance.
Therefore, if you prioritize a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the Kailh Box Royal switch with its slightly shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a more substantial key press with a deeper feel, the Durock Silent T1 switch with its longer travel distance may be more appealing to you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preference for travel distance and the tactile experience you desire.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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
The Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is best known for its aggressive tactility, providing a sharp and binary bump with each keypress. This results in a highly tactile experience that is ideal for those who prefer a strong and distinct feedback. In terms of sound, the Box Royal produces a relatively higher pitched sound when pressed, giving it a sharp and crisp audio profile.
On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch excels in providing a tactile and silenced experience. It offers a medium bump, which falls between being overwhelming and subtle, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being too intense. The Silent T1 also has a padded bottom-out feel, further enhancing the typing experience. In terms of sound, the Silent T1 produces a muted sound, resulting in a softer and quieter typing experience compared to regular or clacky switches.
To summarize, the Kailh Box Royal tactile switch is known for its aggressive and sharp tactility, with a relatively higher pitched sound profile. It is perfect for those who enjoy a strong tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offers a medium bump and a silenced typing experience, with a muted sound profile. Both switches provide unique qualities and it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Depending on the choice of board and keycaps, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a highly tactile switch with a sharp and binary bump, and if you enjoy a higher-pitched sound profile, then the Kailh Box Royal would be the ideal choice for you. These switches offer an almost aggressive tactility and a distinctive feedback with each keypress. On the other hand, if you desire a tactile and silenced switch that provides a medium bump, a padded bottom-out feel, and a muted sound profile, then the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) would be the perfect fit. This switch is especially suitable for noise-sensitive environments, providing a subdued audio feedback. Overall, your decision should be based on your preferences for tactile intensity and sound.
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