Kailh BOX White switches are fantastic.

Submitted by neoxx1 t3_1151jw6 in MechanicalKeyboards

For real. Yesterday I bought a keyboard with Kailh BOX Whites and it's the best experience with mechanical keyboards I've had so far.

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The feel and sound is amazing. They are kinda like Cherry MX Browns when pressing fast in the way that they feel almost linear, but at the same time you can definitely tell when the key actuates. Compared to MX Browns they are smoother and the shorter travel distance is noticeable in a good way, but maybe it's just placebo. They certainly feel not as mushy as Gateron Blues. They're also supposed to be pretty light, but it feels to me that they're heavier than both MX Browns and Gateron Blues, which is weird considering that they're supposed to have equal forces. Even then, typing on them is less fatiguing than typing on Gateron Blues somehow.

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When it comes to the sound, they are very crisp and compared to Gaterons the sound is lower pitched and kinda longer and more "well-defined". It might feel like this since these switches click two times instead of one, which adds a little bit of depth to the sound. Overall my keyboard sounds pretty damn thocky for one with clicky switches, which I really like. It's probably mostly due to the materials of my board and keycaps though, but the sound of the switches itself is very pleasant.

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Just after a day of using BOX Whites I'm able to type at 10-15 more words per minute than I ever could with any other mechanical switch and I've used plenty of them, mainly tactiles and clickys. I always loved Cherry MX Browns and Gateron Blues, but after trying out Kailh BOX Whites I don't think that I could ever use them again. I've also used Outemu Reds and Gateron Yellows, but tbh I just don't like linears and they're a big no-no to me. I should also mention that gaming on them is just as good as with linears, since they almost feel like ones and personally I find the tactile bump useful even for gaming so imo they're even better than linears for gaming.

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I regret waiting so long with buying these switches, I always associated Kailh with low quality and it took me quite some time to realize that their quality changed for the better and their switches are actually worth it. Overall both typing and gaming on BOX Whites is a 10/10 experience to me and they're definitely a very good buy, especially for the price they're being sold at.

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To anyone curious, my current keyboard is DreamMachines Dreamkey TKL and I'm thinking about reviewing it, since not many manufacturers offer Kailh BOX Whites in their keyboards and this one feels very solid for an affordable price.

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Thanks for reading (or not) my essay. No idea if it counts as a review, but atleast it has parts of a typical review I guess.

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Comments

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rlyon01 t1_j8zin0h wrote

The Kail Box switches have less stem wobble than Gateron Blues. My impression is that the keyboard feels tigher and more controlled. I prefer the Navies as they have a much higher operating force. Jades are also worth considering.

Keychron sell Kailh switches at a reasonable price in prepackaged 110 lots.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90rhgr wrote

I have the same impressions about the wobble etc. From what I've seen Navy's are really heavy, so they're definitely not for me. They sound better than Whites though, same with Jades. What I got from a video comparing Kailh BOX clickies is that heavier switches have a deeper and imo better sound, but Whites sound amazing anyways.

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rlyon01 t1_j97pzf8 wrote

I like the click but not the sound when the switch bottoms out. Fitted O-Rings which fixed that problem.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j9awudl wrote

Isn't the bottom out sound depending nearly entirely on keycaps? From my experience every switch sounds the same when bottoming out, but maybe I'm just deaf.

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rlyon01 t1_j9ekn6f wrote

The O-Rings are attached to each keycap stem. They dampen the bottoming. You are right about the switch. The Keyboard case seems to be an important factor. A light plastic case almost rings when the switch bottoms.

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Jaquendabox t1_j8ziij6 wrote

Kalih Boxes are probably my favorite switch type. I prefer the jades and pinks to the white, but it’s fantastic you love the whites!

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90r8eq wrote

Same. As far as I know Whites and other clicky Kailh BOX switches differ only with the operating force, so there's a pretty wide choice for people who'd like to give them a try. Unless we're talking about v2, I've heard they come pre-lubed.

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keeb-wtf t1_j941if7 wrote

My box pink silents are too sensitive. If I look wrong at them they actuate.

Love the feel tho.

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udoubleblue t1_j90dhqb wrote

I've been using box whites on all my boards since they were initially released. They're my favourite switch by far. They're light, tactile enough to know when they actuate, but not so tactile that it makes repeat presses in gaming annoying. It's also very easy to just clip off the click bar and turn them into box reds without even opening the switch.

Box switches don't get the same recognition they used to, but they're really incredible for the price.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90r1de wrote

I agree with the first paragraph, but turning clickies into reds... Why would anyone want to castrate their switches :(

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I think Kailh BOXes still have a ton of recognition, atleast when it comes to clicky switches. I searched for a new switch by typing questions like "Best clicky switches 2023" and 90% of reddit posts/articles included Kailh BOX switches. I'm thankful that people actually recommended them, otherwise I'd never give Kailh a try.

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udoubleblue t1_j91kwko wrote

I was in dorms for years, I was concerned someone might get annoyed

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NoOne-NBA- t1_j8zlieq wrote

Box Whites are my favorite switches ever, and are my dailies, for work.

At home, where I have to be on voice while gaming, I use Zeal Zilents, with Gateron White springs put into them, to lighten them up.
Those are quickly growing on me.
The tactility is excellent, and my teammates really appreciate the silence.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90sb1l wrote

I've never had any problems with my switches being heard over mic, but maybe it just depends on the microphone being used. Still, using any other switch is hard for me to imagine rn.

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Th3Kink t1_j8zubuy wrote

I’m a huge believer as well. All my coworkers love the sound, 1/2 of them went and bought keyboards with them. I’ve converted several other internet friends who also end up sucking more people in 😂 great switch!

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udoubleblue t1_j90dlu3 wrote

Back in university, I shared a tiny dorm with someone and was pretty worried he was going to hate the fact I use clickies. In reality he actually loved the sound of my white board and found it kind of calming apparently.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90rr84 wrote

I'm sharing an appartment with two people and all of us use clickies lol. We all hear each others keyboards, but it's not really a problem for any of us. I love the sound of clicky switches and it really is kind of calming sometimes. Like listening to a modern typewriter.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j90s1hd wrote

I think my housemate got converted by the sound alone. He agreed that my keyboard indeed sounds way better than his.

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Leopard854 t1_j91tl02 wrote

They’re my favorite clicky switches

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holdontosound t1_j92joea wrote

Seeing this post is funny to me, since I just finished my first real build with box whites and I love them! Coming from trying the popular Cherry MX switches (Reds, Browns, Blues), I was not sure if I wanted the Box Jades or Whites but decided on whites and it’s been so worth it.

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keeb-wtf t1_j941kme wrote

12.5 WPM increase from a switch change? seems dubious.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j96bixm wrote

Ik it does and I myself am surprised, but I went from like 55 average to 65 and I managed to beat my old record by 14 (62->76). 10-15 increase seems about right, but I don't have any actual stats to back me up.

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keeb-wtf t1_j978upa wrote

I think the practice/trying has more to do with it than the switch, especially at such low speeds. 10-20 mins of practice a day could net you rapid improvement and easily reach the 90s.

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neoxx1 OP t1_j9jgh38 wrote

Might be, but I haven't really typed more than on my previous switches. I had basically no progression swapping from MX Browns to Gateron Blues and for some reason I progressed very rapidly with BOX Whites.

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