Kailh BOX Pale Blue

Switch Specifications:

Switch Type:	Clicky
Mount Type:	Plate Mount
Travel Distance:	1.8mm Actuation | 3.6mm Total
Force:	60g Operating | 80g Bottom-out
Price:	$10.80 (36 pieces) on NovelKeys

The Kailh BOX Pale Blue is a heavier Kailh BOX White switch and is intended for heavy handed users.

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Here’s the video review if you prefer watching content:

TL;DR

Unlike the two previous heavy switches, the Pale Blue is the only one I would consider to be above satisfactory – in a sense that it is a heavier version of the Kailh BOX White – nothing more, nothing less.

Smoothness: 6/10

On-centre keypresses are very smooth with no obvious binding or scratchiness present at all. I couldn’t even detect any inconsistencies which is impressive.

Off-centre keypresses are much less impressive with scratchiness and binding present across most switches – especially on stabilized keys. Plus, there is a level of inconsistency present with some of the switches.

Overall, whilst it is pretty much perfect in one area, it suffers in another which makes it less impressive as a whole.

Kailh BOX Pale Blue switch disassembled switch disassembled.

Weighting: 8/10

According to NovelKeys, these switches have an actuation force of 60g at 1.8mm and bottom-out force of 80g at 3.6mm.

In the real world, I very much enjoy the weighting, and unlike the two previous Kailh heavy switches, this one feels the most “correct” and balanced.

Now, just like the two previous switches (and like most Kailh switches in general), inconsistencies are still present, but they aren’t as prominent on this switch. This could be a sign they were part of a good batch or that Pale Blue switches are just better made. We’ll never know.

Overall, the weighting is excellent with only some minor inconsistency issues letting it down.

Sound: 7/10

I like it. Click bars with the combination of an aluminium case make for an extremely metallic sounding switch – which for those wondering, was the sound signature I was hoping to achieve with this build… anyway.

The closest rival to click bar switches are click jacket switches, one of them being the Cherry MX Blue. In comparison, click bar switches sound crisper and fuller throughout the travel. However, they are still both high pitched, so they could easily annoy anyone nearby (including yourself).

Overall, I’d still choose these over any click jacket-based switch. They’re just better.

Typing Performance: 7/10

Now, one of the biggest downsides of this switch is the mismatched click to actuation. This happens when a switch is actuated before a click is heard. In an ideal world, a perfect clicky switch is one that clicks and actuates at the same time.

Of course, the Pale Blue isn’t as bad as the NEC Oval Blue, but it is certainly noticeable which isn’t great for a clicky switch. And from my experience, this was a much rarer issue with click jacket switches.

Secondly, whilst the inconsistencies (and binding) of the Pale Blue wasn’t as severe as the previous Kailh heavy switches, they were still present which also isn’t great for a clicky switch as it leads to plenty of typos, especially when typing at speed.

Now for the good parts. In comparison to the Kailh BOX White, the biggest difference is of course the weighting. Everything else feels exactly the same – which is how it should be. Crisp, full and satisfying. Just like the BOX White, but with a bit more weight. Hopefully you get the picture.

Overall, I like the heavier weighting it offers a little bit more than the BOX White hence the extra point. Otherwise, they’re essentially the same switch.

Gaming Performance: 7/10

There’s a reason why many gaming keyboards these days are only offered in linear or tactile switch variants. Clicky switches aren’t suited to most gaming scenarios.

However, the Pale Blue performed more than adequately for me. It was mostly consistent and the slightly heavier weighting made sense as I prefer heavier weighted switches. All in all, it’s not a bad switch for gaming.

The biggest let-down is of course, is its clicky nature. It’s fine-ish for more intense games where you might not be paying attention to your equipment, but when it comes to quieter, movie-like games, the clicking in the background becomes less of an appreciation and more of an annoyance you’d rather get rid of.

Overall, it’s a strong performer and I like it for that. But I personally wouldn’t choose this as a primary gaming switch.

Final Score = 35/50 (70%)

 

Places to purchase this switch:

AliExpress | NovelKeys | Mechboards

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