Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Kailh BOX keyboard at this time—all functionality is hardware based.

Performance

The Kailh BOX keyboard supports full N-key rollover USB and 2.4 GHz, which then switches to the expected 6KRO in Bluetooth 5.0 mode. This all tested successfully using Aqua's test, with an example of NKRO seen above. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either, and you can see above what functions get dedicated keys on the base layer. Note that Fn then typically replaces R. Win, so there is an extra key that is not detected by the tool in the image above.

The Kailh BOX keyboard is a more typical 65% keyboard in that it provides 68 dedicated keys in a single bank without any wasted space, unlike the Ducky Mecha SF of 67 keys or recently announced Shurikey Gear Hanzo with 65 keys. As such, space efficiency is not an issue here, especially considering the case is not extending past the keys much to begin with. The dedicated Tilde key is funny to me. I would have personally preferred Home myself. There is no particular winner there, though, and the lack of key mapping makes it worse. On the plus side, the manual goes over the tied-in pre-programmed functions with the layers to where all those extra keycap legends nicely bring back the missing functionality from a TKL keyboard while introducing a few others, such as volume control, media playback, and even mouse functions.


With RGB in the feature list on the product box itself, you knew this section was coming. In addition to the aforementioned onboard controls are some tied to the R. Ctrl and arrow keys for toggling through preset static, dynamic, and reactive lighting effects, as well as brightness and speed as applicable. Granted, the keycaps themselves are terrible for this purpose, but the Kailh BOX keyboard still makes for an impressive light show with accent lighting in particular. A fully backlit set of keycaps would do wonders for those wanting to make the most of the SMD LEDs and light pillars on each of the 68 BOX Hush switches on board. Seen above is an example where I removed a keycap to show how much brighter the light is without the keycap installed. Not shown here is a quick test with a BOX Red next to the BOX Hush I conducted, which showed that the latter allowed more light up, and it was more uniformly distributed, too.

Wireless connectivity is another feature worthy of discussion, especially with there being both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 options. The battery inside is above average for the form factor, with the 2900 mAh capacity enough to power the keyboard with backlighting turned off for weeks on a single charge. Indeed, there are the expected sleep mode and backlighting turning off to further conserve battery life. However, charging takes longer than I would like with speeds restricted by the 500 mA maximum current limit of USB 2.0. The 2.4 GHz connectivity uses the included USB dongle, making for a more reliable and faster 1:1 connection, which most people won't notice much unless gaming, and Bluetooth 5.0 brings with it the ability to pair with up to three devices, with backwards compatibility as needed. The manual walks you through the set up and pairing processes, which were quite trivial with some devices asking you to enter a pairing code on the keyboard and others opting for a simpler confirmation approach, especially on mobile platforms. I had no issues pairing the keyboard to my phone and smart TV, let alone the usual laptop and desktop PC. Connectivity is absolutely fine since the predominantly plastic chassis does not affect signal strength much. There is a low battery warning with the associated indicator LED flashing rapidly, which also happens while charging. So that in itself is not a very useful battery status indicator except when it turns solid before off to indicate a full charge.


It would be fair to say that the Kailh BOX keyboard being tested here is merely a vehicle for the actual item of interest for Kailh and myself, which would be the all-new BOX Hush switch. I have spoken much about it on previous pages—both inside and out. Let me now add more technical information for those interested. The Kailh BOX Hush switch is a linear switch I would classify as a medium-force item with a rated actuation force of 50 +/-10 gf at 1.8 +/-0.4 mm travel. This is slightly under the usual 2.0 mm owing to the space taken up by the dampers at the top, but I would have also liked Kailh to tighten on those error bars by now. Total travel is 3.6 +/-0.3 mm, once again lower than the typical 4.0 mm owing to the bottom damping pad we saw used. The shorter spring with the higher Hook's constant results in a fairly linear response throughout, starting off with an initial resistance of ~15 gf. Travel is quite smooth with the switch design making use of the upstroke-dampening pads to also act as alignment supports for the slider, and the various contact surfaces are polished with a tight tolerance to further the smooth typing response. This goes hand in hand with minimal switch or keycap wobble, which is always nice to see. The large surface area available for the rubberized dampers also results in impressive noise reduction, as we shall hear below, and Kailh rates this switch at a "mechanical life" of 100 M keystrokes, although there is not much to define what that actually means.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Kailh BOX keyboard sample at ~85 WPM with the Kailh BOX Hush switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. As pointed out before, this is a BOX Silence switch and takes that silence aspect to a whole other level. I thought the V&S mouse switch was impressive in terms of noise reduction but then these came along. I was half tempted to take the keyboard into the sound lab at work, with Kailh showing multiple test certifications of these switches outputting under 35 dB in all the test conditions. Indeed, I had to turn the microphone up to get the recording in reasonably enough. This is quite possibly the quietest switch I have used to date.

Conclusion

Kailh plans to sell the new BOX Hush switches on its official Aliexpress store shortly, with the option for regional distributors to grab some for resale no doubt coming up if it hasn't already. Board partners are lining up already, with Hexgears likely making a retail version of the BOX keyboard we saw here and Ajazz readying an 81-key gasket keyboard with the BOX White and Hush switch options. Prices are yet to be determined, hence the absence of a full conclusion page here. Likewise, the Hexgears M105 mouse using the new Kailh V&S switches seems ready to go up for sale in retail channels, but there is not enough concrete information yet. I have asked representatives from all the named companies for more information on this and will update this section accordingly.

The Kailh BOX Hush is not the first silent mechanical switch, with the Cherry MX Silent marketed heavily at its launch a few years ago. The likes of Matias are also known for the Quiet Click switches, but the brand just is not that popular anymore. Even when it comes to Kailh, there were already the BOX Silent Pink linear switch and Silent Brown tactile switch options, but neither of those are truly quiet. The BOX Hush, on the other hand, can be described as such. Keep in mind that the rest of the keyboard matters a lot here, with the plate, keycaps, and case affecting things. The BOX keyboard used here does not do much special, there is barely any lube on the stabilizers, and there certainly is no sound-absorbing foam anywhere. What I am trying to get across here is that this switch should be high up your consideration for a quiet DIY custom keyboard. It won't be to everyone's taste since the dampers still inevitable feel somewhat mushy to type on and the sound of mechanical switches is an appeal to many. But for those who associate mechanical keyboards with noise, the Kailh BOX Hush will be a good way to silence them—pun intended.

[Update: Those interested in purchasing the BOX Hush keyboard switches or the V&S mice switches can contact Kailh directly now. Email Joanna (joannazou@kailh.com) for more information.]