Neobox Review

Price	Etsy
Release	May 2, 2023
Compatibility	NS / PS4 / X360 / PC
Dimensions	12.4″ x 5.6″ x 0.5″
Weight	1.73 lbs

Introduction

The Neobox by neoinput is an enlargement of the open source Flatbox. Basically, it has a Flatbox PCB with a larger panel on top in case the Flatbox is too small for you. The Neobox also spares you from building a Flatbox yourself.

The housing is thinner than a penny standing up. Even with the buttons and switches, it is still thinner than the height of a quarter.

The button layout is the standard one with a 30 mm button as the jump button, which is larger than the rest. Furthermore, there are anti-slip rubber pads at the bottom as well as a recessed USB-C port for cable strain relief, and most recent USB-C cables should fit.

With hot swappable sockets, the switches used by the Neobox are Kailh Choc low profile ones. Note that neoinput also offers different colors of 3D printed PETG keycaps and acrylic tops.

The firmware used by the cast acrylic Neobox is the critically acclaimed GP2040-CE. SOCD cleaning includes neutral, up priority, and last priority.

Performance

The Neobox passed an input check as well as a gameplay test, including on the Steam Deck. If the 3D printed keycaps do not give you your desired feel, you may be able to opt for resin keycaps instead from some other source.

The buttons of the Neobox sound quite clicky. The six auxiliary buttons are the tiny type that may not be as convenient for you.

On the bright side, the Neobox should not be malleable when you press on it, and its width is convenient for lap play. For table play, two anti-slip pads cover each bottom side, and they are effective.

You may be glad to know that the Neobox is available in a southpaw layout. If you are left handed, this may come in handy (pun unintended).

The presence of Kailh Choc V1 switches in the Neobox may mean you can only replace them with other Kailh Choc V1s. Luckily, there is a variety of them, including clicky, linear, and tactile.

Hardware

The Neobox is an acrylic sandwich controller. Let us dissect its six layers from top to bottom:

Button cutouts (including auxiliaries)
Plain color
More button cutouts
PCB and its housing
Even more button cutouts
Anti-slip pads

Take care when disassembling the controller as some of the acrylic may be fragile. Otherwise, this controller has some decent weight to it, but carrying it around should not be a problem, making it a win-win situation.

If you would like to change the keycaps, you can use something like a flathead precision screwdriver to prop them up for extraction. The same screwdriver can be used to unscrew the bottom panel’s eight screws.

The USB port can be found in the back center and a bit to the right. Since it is the recessed type, a right angle converter may not fit in.

Appearance

The Neobox has a simple rectangular look. It can come in different colors visible through the top panel. The keycaps come in different colors too. The Neobox can also accept custom art. Need some? Our artists can help you like they helped other Neobox owners: