What is the Best Kailh Box Switch? (Sound Test & Review)
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Kailh Box switches are popular right now, and for good reason!
They are quality switches that sound & feel great, and they’re affordable.
But what is the best Kailh Box switch?
This depends on the type of switch you’re looking for (linear vs tactile vs clicky). Here are my recommended Kailh Box Switches:
Type
Recommended Switch
Notes
Find them here
Linear
Kailh Box Black
The Kailh Box Blacks are great, but we recommend going with a different switch brand for linears (like the Gateron Milky Yellows, Ink Blacks, Cherry Blacks, or Akko Silvers)
Linear (Silent)
Kailh Deep Sea
The Deep Sea Oceans are a SILENT switch that still sounds crackly and feels great! #1 silent switch
Tactile
Kailh Box Burnt Orange
Great tactility and a nice sound, Kailh doesn’t offer a ton of tactile switch options.
Clicky
Kailh Box Jade
Our #1 clicky switch recommendation of all time! Their loud, crunchy, and metallic sounding.
Clicky
Kailh Box White
The Runner-up. The Box White is another “click bar” switch similar to the Jades and Pinks, with a slightly different sound profile
Clicky
Kailh Box Pink
The Box Pink is similar to the Box Jades, but slightly less loud and metallic. It’s a good balance!
But before you go buy some—keep reading to learn a BIT more details that’ll make sure you’re getting the correct switch for your keyboard :)
What are Kailh BOX switches?
There are a few features that set “BOX” switches apart from normal Cherry MX style switches:
- Internal “box” compartment
- Shape of the stem
- A “click bar” mechanism (clicky switches only)
Internal box compartment
The “box” in Kailh Box switches actually refers to the box compartment located within the switch housing.
Inside a Kailh BOX switch
This tiny box has a small lid, which covers the copper actuation leaves and has a tiny colored plastic “nob” that sticks out of the box.
This box protects against dust and water, to a degree!
The stem features an additional box shape
Copper (non box), Red Bean Pudding (box), and Deep Sea Ocean (circle, box)
Although Kailh Box switches are still “Cherry MX style,” meaning the stems have the standard cross shape (and will fit standard MX-style keycaps)—the stems on Kailh Box switches have an additional box (or circle) outlining the cross.
The goal of the shaped stems is to produce a smoother, more consistent keystroke with less wobble.
Click bar mechanism (clicky switches only)
For the Kailh Box Jades, Pinks, Navys, Pale Blues, Whites, etc---these clicky switches function differently than normal clicky switches (like Cherry Blues, etc).
inside a Kailh Box CLICKY switch (click bar mechanism)
The click bar switches have a much more pleasant click sound, and generally feel a bit thicker than normal clicky switches.
The Kailh box clicky switches are hugely popular in the mechanical keyboard communities!
So while Kailh Box switches do have a few minor differences between “normal” switches, it’s worth noting that the differences in sound and feel are still pretty small!
What’s the Best Kailh Box LINEAR Switch?
A tactile switch is one that has a small “bump” feel part of the way through the key press. This bump provides “tactile feedback” to your finger, helping you “feel” when the key has actually registered to the computer.
Here are the Kailh Box tactile options:
- Box Brown
- Box Silent Brown
- Box Burnt Orange
The Kailh Box Orange switches are the best tactile switch from Kailh, and it’s not even close!
The Box Browns (45g actuation force) feel cheap and sound scratchy. They also have a bit of stem wobble.
The Box Orange switches are MUCH heavier (60g actuation force, similar to the Box Blacks), and produce a satisfying tactile bump.
Plus, they tend to run much cheaper than other premium tactile switches (like the Drop Holy Pandas, Glorious Pandas, Boba U4T, etc).
See our full tactile switch recommendations here.
What’s the Best Kailh Box CLICKY Switch?
When it comes to clicky switches, the Kailh Box switches are the best on the market. This is mostly due to the “click bar” mechanism that sounds and feel much better than standard clicky switches.
You have several Kailh Box clicky switches to choose from:
Clicky Switch
Actuation (Operating) Force
45g light
50g medium
50g medium (silent switch)
55g medium
60g heavy
75g super heavy
Out of all the Kailh Box clicky switches, the Jade, Pink, and Whites are my personal favorite—but they’re all best in class!
You should choose one of these based on the resistance you prefer:
- Lighter actuation force (Box White): Slightly easier to press in, faster, and higher in pitch
- Heavier actuation force (Box Navy): Slightly “thicker” to press in, smoother, deeper in pitch
There’s no “right answer.” All of the Kailh box clicky switches use the click bar mechanism, and sound and feel roughly the same. Some people prefer the Box Whites, and some the Box Jades or Box Pinks!
Here’s two sound test between my personal favorites:
Kailh Box Pink sound test
And here’s the slightly different Box Jades:
Kailh Box Jade sound test
As you can see, the differences are small, but all of the Kailh Box clicky switches are amazing. Choose one based on the heaviness you prefer.
Here’s our post on the best clicky switches!
Conclusion: What’s the best Kailh Box switch for me?
There are several excellent mechanical switches from Kailh, and the switch you choose will come down to what type of switch you want.
- For a linear switch, I recommend the Kailh Box Black (thick and smooth)
- For a tactile switch, the Kailh Box Burnt Orange switches are plenty tactile and heavy
- For a clicky switch, I personally suggest the Kailh Box Jades, Pinks, or Whites (but the Pale Blue and Navy switches are still excellent clicky switches).
That’s it! Go enjoy clacking on your Kailh box switches :)
Kailh Box Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Kailh switches are clicky?
Here’s a list of clicky switches from Kailh:
Switch
Switch Design
Operating Force
Speed Bronze
Normal Cherry MX style
50g
Speed Gold
Normal Cherry MX style
50g
Speed Navy
Normal Cherry MX style
70g
Pro Light Green
Normal Cherry MX style
50g
Box Jade
Box switch
50g
Box Mute Jade
Box switch
50g
Box Pink
Box switch
55g
Box Silent Pink
Box switch
55g
Box White
Box switch
45g
Box Pale Blue
Box switch
60g
Box Navy
Box switch
75g
Is Kailh Box red clicky?
No. The Kailh Box Reds are a linear switch (with no tactile bump and no click mechanism). The Kailh Box Blacks and Dark Yellows are also linear switches. In fact, most mechanical switches that refer to the color “red” are linear switches (including Cherry MX Reds, Gateron Reds, Akko Rose Reds, etc).
Is Kailh Box better than Cherry?
Not necessarily. This will depend on the type of switch you’re looking for (linear, tactile, or clicky). Cherry MX Reds and MX Blacks are community favorites, and probably better than Kailh Box linear switches. However, Kailh Box tactile and clicky switches (like the Box Burnt Orange and Box Jades) are excellent switches and often preferred to Cherry MX Browns, Clears, Blues, and Greens. Click here to read more about Kailh Box vs Cherry switches.