Kailh Choc V2 Unmute Low Profile Switches, 3-Pin RGB/SMD/MX (Brown Tactile, 35pcs) Review (2026)

Who this switch pack is for

This pack targets people building or upgrading a low-profile split or compact keyboard that uses the Kailh Choc footprint, not a standard MX board. The Choc V2 Unmute version keeps the stem shape that accepts MX style keycaps, which matters to builders who want a wider pool of keycap sets than the usual Choc-only options allow. Brown tactile is aimed at typists who want to feel the actuation point rather than a smooth linear glide, useful on short-travel low-profile switches where linear presses can feel abrupt. It suits DIY and small-batch keyboard builders more than anyone shopping for a finished, ready-to-type product, since these are bare switches that need a compatible hot-swap or solder plate.

Travel, force and compatibility specs

Kailh rates the Choc V2 Unmute brown switch at 45±10gf to reach the tactile bump, rising to 55±10gf force at the bump itself, with 1.3±0.3mm of pre-travel before that point and about 2.80±0.25mm of total travel. The switch body itself is only around 8.6mm thick, which is what allows Choc boards to run thinner than standard MX designs. Wiring is 3-pin, and the housing supports RGB or SMD LEDs on compatible PCBs. The stem geometry is the key detail: Choc V2 uses a cross-shaped stem close enough to MX that many MX-profile keycaps can be adapted onto it, unlike the original Choc V1 stem shape.

Building and living with a Choc board

Installing these switches means confirming the target PCB or plate is drilled for Choc spacing, since they will not drop into a standard MX hot-swap socket. Once installed, the short total travel and quick tactile bump make for fast, low-effort typing that suits compact and split ergonomic layouts where deep key travel is not the goal. The Unmute naming refers to this version's clearer, less dampened sound compared with Kailh's silent low-profile switches, so it is not a silent option if noise is a concern. Because the pack holds 35 pieces, it comfortably covers a small split board using around 30 to 34 keys per half but will not stretch across a full-size layout.

Trade-offs against other low-profile switches

Kailh's own Choc red linear, sold in a similar sized pack, drops the tactile bump for a smooth press and rated slightly higher in this roundup, which suits people who prefer linear switches on low-profile boards. The plain Choc V2 keystem DIY MX switches trade some of the refined feel here for a lower price point aimed at experimenting builders. None of the close low-profile rivals solve the core limitation shared by this entire category: none of them fit a standard MX board, so the choice has to be made before buying a case or PCB, not after. Anyone unsure whether their board uses Choc or MX spacing should confirm before ordering switches at all.

Verdict and who should pick something else

Choose this pack if a low-profile or split build is already in progress on Choc-spaced hardware and a tactile, MX-keycap-compatible switch is the goal. Skip it if the target board uses standard MX switches, since these will simply not fit, or if a larger build needs more than the 35 switches included here. Builders who want a smoother, no-bump press on the same Choc footprint should look at Kailh's linear Choc options instead, and anyone wanting total silence should look toward Kailh's dedicated silent low-profile line rather than the Unmute version.

Frequently asked questions