Gateron Brown
vsKailh Box Crystal Royal
Hear them
Side by side
| Gateron Brown | Kailh Box Crystal Royal | |
| Type | Tactile | Tactile |
| Sound | Balanced | Recorded |
| Loudness | -41.5 dB | -43.2 dB |
| Pitch | 1,507 Hz | 2,273 Hz |
| Spring weight | 59.3 g | 59.1 g |
| Actuation force | 38.6 g | 36.5 g |
| Bottom-out force | 74.8 g | 69.7 g |
| Total travel | 3.8 mm | 4 mm |
| Tactile bump | 29 g | 53 g |
Force curves compared
Both curves modeled from each switch's measured actuation, bottom-out and tactile-bump values.
Which should you pick?
The Gateron Brown and Kailh Box Crystal Royal are both tactile switches, but they feel and sound different enough to be worth comparing directly.
Gateron Brown runs the heavier spring at 59.3g versus 59.1g — about 0.19999999999999574g more — so it feels more deliberate under the finger, while Kailh Box Crystal Royal is quicker and lighter to press.
On sound, Gateron Brown is the louder of the two at -41.5dB versus -43.2dB (1.7000000000000028dB quieter), pitched lower at roughly 1,507Hz. It reads as balanced, while Kailh Box Crystal Royal comes across more recorded.
Both are tactile, but Kailh Box Crystal Royal has the stronger bump at about 53g versus 29g.
Pick Gateron Brown if you want a heavier, more controlled press and a louder, more present sound. Pick Kailh Box Crystal Royal if you'd rather have a lighter, faster press and a quieter typing sound. Use the players above to hear which one you actually prefer.
Full pages
Hear the difference for real
Load either switch into the live simulator and A/B them with your plate, case and keycaps.
Open the simulator →