🔧 Switch Manufacturer Deep Dive (Part 2): Kailh

Standard MX · BOX Sealed · Lunar Switch · Cross‑stem Breakthrough · Dry & Smooth

📌 In This Article

• 🏭 Kailh’s Philosophy
• 🔘 Standard MX
• 📦 BOX Sealed
• ⚖️ BOX Trade‑offs
• 🌙 Lunar Switch
• 🍫 CHOC Low‑Profile
• 🎯 Buying Guide

🔍 Click to jump – explore Kailh’s full lineup and the innovative Lunar Switch.

🏭 Kailh’s Philosophy: Quality First, Feel Above All

As one of the veteran Chinese switch manufacturers, Kailh has always been synonymous with exceptional reliability. Their switches boast outstanding durability among domestic brands, and the stem stability – whether from dust‑proof walls or the BOX structure – is top‑notch.

Kailh’s current tuning focuses on a crisp, dry smoothness that feels fantastic under the fingers. Thanks to precise mold engineering, the return is snappy and responsive – whether light or heavy actuation, the feel is consistently excellent. In short, Kailh switches are a prime example of feel prioritized over sound.

🔀 Kailh’s Three Main Switch Families

🔘 Standard MX – The Balanced Choice

Kailh’s standard MX switches (e.g., Platycodon, Cardamom) use a traditional cross‑stem, some with dust‑proof walls. Their advantages:

• Direct feel – No extra casing, purer keystroke feedback.
• Better sound – Easier to achieve Hi‑Fi typing acoustics.
• High value – Usually more affordable than BOX equivalents.

If you want a balance between feel and sound, Kailh’s standard MX switches are the way to go.

📦 BOX Sealed – Full‑Surround Dustproof Stem

Kailh BOX switches have always used a full‑surround dustproof wall stem. This design encloses the standard cross‑stem in a plastic box, effectively keeping out dust and moisture while improving stem stability. The result is superior dust resistance and an exceptionally long lifespan.

BOX switches excel in harsh environments, making them ideal for gamers and office workers who demand reliability.

Popular BOX series include: BOX White, BOX Jade, BOX Navy, BOX Crystal Jade, BOX Summer, BOX Autumn, BOX Winter, and the Ice Cream series.

The click‑bar (torsion spring) switches are the most distinctive BOX variants, offering a uniquely crisp and loud click.

⚖️ The BOX Trade‑off: Dust Protection vs. Sound

No product can excel in every area – trade‑offs are inevitable. By adopting the full‑surround dustproof stem, BOX switches sacrifice sound quality.

Kailh has received plenty of feedback from enthusiasts saying BOX switches sound “a bit off.” The reason is simple: the dustproof wall occupies a large portion of the internal cavity, leaving little room for sound resonance. The compressed cavity limits harmonics and tonal richness.

You might ask: “If Kailh knows BOX switches don’t sound great, why not optimize them?”

The answer lies in Kailh’s long‑standing product line division:

• BOX structure – Focused on dust/water resistance, longevity, and ultimate smoothness. The full‑surround stem combined with the sealed box creates a dual defense against contaminants, keeping the switch buttery smooth even after heavy use.
• MX structure – Dedicated to sound optimization. Kailh puts its acoustic R&D into MX switches, refining their sound profiles.

This division has allowed Kailh to offer hundreds of switch models over the years, each excelling in its intended domain.

🌙 Lunar Switch – Breaking the “Gentleman’s Agreement”

This new release breaks the traditional division. Switching the BOX structure from a full‑surround stem to a standard cross‑stem was no accident.

🎯 Responding to Community Voices

Enthusiasts have been asking for a BOX switch with better sound – a switch that delivers both durability and pleasing acoustics. The cross‑stem provides a sharper, more defined bottom‑out, allowing the sound trapped inside the cavity to finally breathe and project.

⚙️ The Result of Years of Refinement

After years of real‑world testing, Kailh has already achieved a very high level of durability and reliability. By putting a cross‑stem into the BOX structure, they maintain the BOX’s legendary lifespan while freeing up cavity space, resulting in a louder, more pleasant sound. It’s not a revolution, but a precise “small‑step” evolution.

🔧 Wider Stem Platform + Post‑Polishing

Two other noteworthy features: a wider stem platform and a post‑polishing surface treatment. The wider platform increases contact area with the housing, reducing wobble; the post‑polishing creates a mirror‑like glide surface, taking smoothness to another level. These two enhancements are largely responsible for the switch’s stability, smoothness, and pleasant sound.

This is a switch you need to experience first‑hand – feel the stem stability, the gentle return sound, and the crisp bottom‑out.

🌕 Naming & Color: Lunar Switch

The switch is named “Lunar Switch”, and Kailh chose color 9224U – the shade closest to the Moon’s surface. As the first BOX switch with a cross‑stem, we hope it becomes a unique and beloved part of your custom keyboard builds. Just as the Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite, accompanying our planet for billions of years, this switch aims to be a lasting companion on your typing journey.

🍫 CHOC Low‑Profile – Thin, Portable, Still Satisfying

In 2017, Kailh developed a range of ultra‑thin keyboard switches – the CHOC series – which quickly became a favorite for gaming laptops. These switches take up less vertical space while still offering a precise, enjoyable typing experience. The name “CHOC” is a playful reference to a delicious square of chocolate.

The Lofree × Kailh All‑POM low‑profile switch is a perfect blend of innovative design and advanced materials – smooth, durable, portable, and hot‑swappable. A top choice for keyboard enthusiasts and professionals alike.

CHOC switches are available in linear, tactile, and clicky variants, perfect for those who want a thin keyboard without compromising on feel.

🎯 Kailh Switch Buying Guide – At a Glance

Summary: Kailh switches are generally about feel over sound. Traditional BOX excels in durability and dust protection but sacrifices sound; standard MX offers better acoustics. The all‑new Lunar Switch, with its cross‑stem and advanced platform/polishing, retains BOX longevity while delivering crisp, pleasing sound – a breakthrough worth trying for every custom keyboard enthusiast.

✅ Coming Up Next

This is the second installment of our “Switch Manufacturer Deep Dive” series. We’ve analyzed Kailh’s product strategy and the groundbreaking Lunar Switch. Next, we’ll cover TTC, Gateron, Cherry, and other major brands – stay tuned!

📖 For more switch knowledge: Keyboard University Switch Guide | Tom’s Hardware Best Switches

© 2025 Switch Lab | Kailh In‑Depth Analysis. Based on real‑world testing and industry data. Free to share with credit.