Kailh switch: history, models and everything you need to know
Table of contents:
- Plan C: the Kailh switch
- Kailh Box switch
- Kailh Speed switch
- Recommended Keyboards with Kailh Switch
- Sharkoon SKILLER Mech SGK3
- Patriot Viper V765
- Final thoughts on Kailh
The Kailh switch is the third switch famous for being a clone of the German Cherry . Possibly it is the most successful of the three and it is the company that has created the most models of switches. Today we are going to review a little of its history, products and history in the world of switches.
In this last article in the trilogy, we will investigate the history and development of this eastern company. From when they started their adventure in the world of switches, to what kind of switches they have and how they differ. If you are researching which color or which switch to choose, stay here and we will show you.
Index of contents
Plan C: the Kailh switch
We are living a moment of change in the world of peripherals. A few years ago Cherry MX was the only competitor running, but after opening the race to anyone who wanted, new contenders appeared.
Different Models of the Kailh Switch
pink
1.7 ± 0.6mm
Gaming (short haul)
Red
Brown
Burgundy
Hybrid (short haul)
Hybrid
Hybrid (tough + short travel)
blue
Writing (short haul)
Write (sturdy + short travel)
- Linear: Quick press, no sound and no noticeable physical response. Touch: Balanced / long press, with acceptable sound and slight physical response. Tactile (clicky): Balanced / long press, with characteristic sound and remarkable physical response.
Kailh Box switch
Kailh Box Switch Red, Black, Brown and White
The Kailh Box switch was one of the first switch designs that the company developed. The goal of this switch is to offer a robust part that is durable, reliable, and has the typical response of a mechanical keyboard. The company guarantees a useful life of about 80 million keystrokes.
As a curiosity, Razer switches have a fairly similar structure. And although they have stated that they assemble the parts, it has been confirmed that other manufacturers such as Kailh or Greetech are helping them. Since Razer is very reluctant to offer information, we have nothing confirmed, but everything points to Kailh having some kind of agreement with the peripheral company.
The Kailh Box switch can come in nine different colors very similar to what the Kailh Pro offers and they are as follows:
| Sensation | Actuation Force | Actuation distance | Total distance | Purpose | |
| Red | Linear | 45 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3 mm |
Gaming |
|
Black |
Linear | 60 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3mm | Gaming (rugged) |
| Yellow | Linear | 70 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3mm |
Gaming (very resistant) |
|
Brown |
Tactile | 60 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3mm | Hybrid |
| Orange | Tactile | 60 ± 15 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3mm |
Hybrid (slightly resistant) |
|
Jade |
Touch (clicky) | 50 ± 15 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3 mm | Writing (soft) |
| White | Touch (clicky) | 55 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3 mm |
Writing |
|
Navy blue |
Touch (clicky) | 65 ± 15 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3 mm | Writing (slightly resistant) |
| blue | Touch (clicky) | 70 ± 10 gf | 1.8 ± 0.3mm | 3.6 ± 0.3 mm |
Writing (resistant) |
- Linear: Quick press, no sound and no noticeable physical response. Touch: Balanced / long press, with acceptable sound and slight physical response. Tactile (clicky): Balanced / long press, with characteristic sound and remarkable physical response.
Kailh Speed switch
This last switch is mainly aimed at the large community of gamers. Taking into account that they are the main buyers of peripherals, we can understand the company's decision.
Kailh Speed Pink, Gold, Silver and Bronze Switch
Why is it designed for gamers? The answer is simple. The Kailh Speed switch has the unique feature of having a very short travel distance, so the time between pressing and reacting is less than that of other keys. Life expectancy is around 70 million keystrokes.
Now let's review the different colorations that we can find in this Kailh switch model :
| Sensation | Actuation Force | Actuation distance | Total distance | Purpose | |
| Gray | Linear | 40 ± 10 gf | 1.1 ± 0.3 mm | 3.5 ± 0.3mm |
Gaming (smooth) |
|
Orange* |
Linear | 70 ± 15 gf | 1.1 ± 0.4 mm | 3.0 ± 0.4mm | Gaming (very resistant + short total travel) |
| Yellow* | Linear | 70 ± 15 gf | 1.1 ± 0.4 mm | 3.5 ± 0.4mm |
Gaming (very resistant) |
|
Brown |
Tactile | 50 ± 10 gf | 1.1 ± 0.3 mm | 3.5 ± 0.3mm | Hybrid |
| pink | Touch (clicky) | 50 ± 10 gf | 1.1 ± 0.4 mm | 3.5 ± 0.4mm |
Hybrid (soft) |
|
Bronze |
Touch (clicky) | 60 ± 10 gf | 1.1 ± 0.3 mm | 3.5 ± 0.3mm | Hybrid |
|
Golden |
Touch (clicky) | 60 ± 10 gf | 1.4 ± 0.3mm | 3.5 ± 0.3mm |
Hybrid (normal ride) |
| Blue* | Touch (clicky) | 70 ± 15 gf | 1.1 ± 0.5 mm | 3.5 ± 0.4mm |
Hybrid (resistant) |
|
Navy blue* |
Touch (clicky) | 70 ± 20 gf | 1.2 ± 0.5 mm | 3.0 ± 0.5mm |
Hybrid (tough + short total stroke) |
- Linear: Quick press, no sound and no noticeable physical response. Touch: Balanced / long press, with acceptable sound and slight physical response. Tactile (clicky): Balanced / long press, with characteristic sound and remarkable physical response. *: The switches have a life expectancy of 50 million keystrokes.
We recommend our complete guide on switches
Recommended Keyboards with Kailh Switch
As we see, the Kailh offers an immense number of switches, so we have a good number of mechanical keyboards. Still we have to emphasize that, mainly, this serves to create custom mechanical keyboards. Next we will recommend some keyboards already mounted by some brands.
Sharkoon SKILLER Mech SGK3
The Sharkoon is a mechanical keyboard with an elegant metal body and very measured dimensions.
Sharkoon SKILLER SGK3 mechanical keyboard with Kailh Pro
It is true that it is not a well-known brand, but we can assure you that it is a product with a good quality. Its design is simple and quite compact with a light aluminum body.
The lighting of the device is very good, which we can edit with the desktop application. In addition, its price is not very high, so it is within the reach of most users.
As a negative point we must emphasize that we do not have a wrist rest to rest on while we write and, perhaps, the lack of any extra features such as extra macro or multimedia buttons.
Sharkoon SGK3 - RGB Spanish Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Metal, KAILH RED, Black 65.49 EURPatriot Viper V765
Similar to ThermalTake , this keyboard comes from the hand of a company that is not usually dedicated to the creation of peripherals, however, it seems to us a spectacular Kailh option.
Patriot VIPER V765 Mechanical Keyboard with Kailh Box White
The Patriot Viper V765 is a full keyboard with a very attractive design and IP56 resistance. The keyboard stands out thanks to its metallic color body in contrast to the black keys with Kailh Box White switches .
In addition, the RGB light is quite strong and we can see it from different areas of the device, so it leaves a pleasant feeling. We also have an acceptable wrist rest that neither stands out nor leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
As we have seen in some other brands, we lack software that allows us to customize anything, which we regret. On the other hand, note that it has multimedia buttons, but we believe that the position of these is not very accurate.
Patriot Memory Viper V765 RGB Multicolor Backlit Mechanical Gamer Keyboard with Multimedia Keys - DIP LED Kailh White Box Switches - International Layout - PV765MBWUXMGM EUR 139.90Final thoughts on Kailh
From what we have seen throughout the article we can conclude that Kailh (or Kaihua Electronics) is a competent company. Ready to invest in new ideas, she has offered us two different alternatives to Cherry's classic switches, and we think that this is the brand's strong point.
In the world of switches, Kailh Pro's don't have much to do, as others sell switches of equal or higher quality. However, the other Kailh models (Box and Speed) are very attractive options especially for advanced users who know if they like responsive or quick keys more.
In addition, we have many colorations with unique characteristics, which sweetens the experience of users who create custom keyboards. If you want to buy a quality mechanical keyboard, we recommend the Kailh switch, but, above all, the Box and Speed , since they will offer you an experience that you cannot get in other brands.
Do you have a keyboard with a Kailh switch? What do you think of the brand? Tell us your ideas in the comment box.
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