If you're building or upgrading a low-profile keyboard designed for Kailh Choc V2 switches, like the Iris LM-K, Nyquist LM, or Quefrency LM, you've got a small but carefully curated set of options to choose from. Keebio sells four different variants at the moment. They share the same MX-compatible + stem and Choc V2 footprint, but they diverge in feel, sound, and actuation weight in ways that matter quite a bit for daily typing.
Here's a full breakdown of every Choc V2 switch Keebio carries.
A Quick Note on Compatibility
Before diving in, this is worth repeating: Choc V2 switches are not interchangeable with Choc V1 switches, even though they share the same hotswap socket. The V2 housing requires a larger center hole in the PCB, so unless your board explicitly lists V2 support (like the Iris LM-K or Quefrency LM), don't assume compatibility.
They're also completely incompatible with standard MX keyboards - the pin positions and stabilizer design are entirely different.
The Silent Line: Kailh Deep Sea Mini Switches
The silent lineup has three variants, all part of Kailh's Deep Sea Mini series. These switches include built-in silencing dampeners that quiet both the downstroke and upstroke, making them noticeably quieter than the Black Cloud.
All three Deep Sea Mini switches share the same core specs:
- Pre-travel: 1.3 mm
- Total travel: 2.8 mm
- Pins: 2 metal pins
- Stem material: POM
The differences come down to switch type and actuation weight.
Deep Sea Mini Whale - Silent Tactile
The Whale is the tactile option of the Deep Sea Mini family, and the direct silent counterpart to the Black Cloud
. It has a brown POM stem and delivers a muted tactile bump on each keystroke.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Silent Tactile |
| Stem Color | Brown POM |
| Operating Force | 45 gf |
| Tactile Force | 55 gf |
| Pre-travel | 1.3 mm |
| Total Travel | 2.8 mm |
The actuation forces match the Black Cloud almost exactly - 45 gf operating, 55 gf tactile - but the silencing dampeners absorb the sound on both the down and up stroke. You still feel the bump; you just don't hear the keyboard nearly as much.
Best for: Anyone who loves tactile feedback but needs to type quietly - in an office, at night, or anywhere noise is a concern.
Deep Sea Mini Islet - Silent Linear (43 gf)
The Islet is the heavier of the two silent linear options. No tactile bump, no click - just a smooth, consistent keystroke from top to bottom.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Silent Linear |
| Stem Color | White POM |
| Operating Force | 43 gf |
| Pre-travel | 1.3 mm |
| Total Travel | 2.8 mm |
43 gf is a fairly standard actuation weight for linears - light enough for fast typing and gaming, but with enough resistance that you're less likely to trigger accidental keypresses. The white POM stem keeps the travel smooth throughout.
Best for: Typists or gamers who want a fast, quiet, no-fuss linear with a conventional actuation weight.
Deep Sea Mini Pink Island - Silent Linear (35 gf)
The Pink Island is the lightest switch in Keebio's entire Choc V2 lineup. Same silent linear profile as the Islet, but the actuation weight drops to 35 gf.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Silent Linear |
| Stem Color | Pink POM |
| Operating Force | 35 gf |
| Pre-travel | 1.3 mm |
| Total Travel | 2.8 mm |
35 gf is genuinely light - noticeably so compared to the Islet. Keystrokes require minimal effort, which can reduce finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The tradeoff is that some typists find very light switches prone to accidental actuation until they adjust their typing technique.
Best for: Typists who prioritize effortless keystrokes and want the quietest, smoothest possible experience.
How They Compare at a Glance
| Switch | Type | Sound | Op. Force | Tactile Force | Pre-travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Cloud | Tactile | Standard | 45 gf | 55 gf | 1.6 mm |
| Deep Sea Whale | Silent Tactile | Silent | 45 gf | 55 gf | 1.3 mm |
| Deep Sea Islet | Silent Linear | Silent | 43 gf | - | 1.3 mm |
| Deep Sea Pink Island | Silent Linear | Silent | 35 gf | - | 1.3 mm |
The Non-Silent Line: Kailh Choc V2 Low-Profile Switches
Keebio currently stocks one variant in the standard (non-silent) Choc V2 lineup.
Black Cloud - Full POM Tactile
The Black Cloud is a tactile switch built entirely from POM (polyoxymethylene) plastic - top housing, stem, and bottom housing alike. POM is prized in the keyboard hobby for its naturally slick, self-lubricating surface, which gives switches a smooth, slightly springy feel without any manual lubing required.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Tactile |
| Material | Full POM |
| Operating Force | 45 gf |
| Tactile Force | 55 gf |
| Pre-travel | 1.6 mm |
| Total Travel | 2.8 mm |
| Pins | 2 metal pins |
The tactile bump is noticeable but not sharp - the 55 gf tactile force gives you clear feedback without fatiguing your fingers over long sessions. Pre-travel is slightly longer than the silent Deep Sea variants (1.6 mm vs. 1.3 mm), which some typists prefer for a more deliberate, controlled feel.
One thing worth knowing: the Black Cloud shares its specifications with the Lofree Phantom switch. If you've seen the Phantom listed elsewhere, it's the same switch in a different-colored housing.
Best for: Typists who want tactile feedback without silencing, and who appreciate the smooth, natural feel of a full POM build.
Which Should You Pick?
Want tactile feedback and don't care about noise? Go with the Black Cloud. The full POM construction gives it a distinctive, smooth-yet-snappy character, and it's the only non-silent option in the Choc V2 lineup at Keebio.
Want tactile feedback but need to stay quiet? The Deep Sea Mini Whale is your match. It delivers nearly identical actuation feel to the Black Cloud with effective sound dampening on both the down and upstroke.
Want a silent linear at a conventional weight? The Deep Sea Mini Islet at 43 gf is a solid all-rounder - smooth, quiet, and unlikely to surprise you.
Want the absolute lightest touch? The Deep Sea Mini Pink Island at 35 gf is built for long typing sessions where fatigue is a real concern. Give yourself a day or two to adjust to the light weight before judging it.
Want to know for sure? You can buy individual switches at Keebio instead of needing to buy a full pack, or you can purchase a Switch Tester to try out a variety of switches, including MX-compatible ones, Kailh Choc V1, Kailh Choc V2, and Gateron KS-33 Low-Profile ones: Keebio Switch Tester
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