How to Silence Your Mechanical Keyboard? 6 Easy Tips

Certain everyday things do not seem like a problem until you notice them, such as having a loud keyboard. Once you realize just how much noise you make when you are typing, you will consider getting yourself a quiet mechanical keyboard from Autonomous. 

There are so many advantages to making this kind of investment. If you have been struggling with your keyboard for a while now, you have come to the right place. At Autonomous, you will not only get a wide range of computer accessories, but you will also get access to some of the best advice when it comes to taking care of your keyboard. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of having a silent mechanical keyboard, tips to make yours quieter, as well as look at some great options for those interested in buying one. Read on and find out more about silent keyboards. 

Six Easy Tips You Can Try at Home

If you are looking for the quietest mechanical keyboard on the market, you will probably have to pay a little extra than you would for a normal keyboard. This means if you are on a tight budget, buying a new silent mechanical keyboard may not be the ideal solution. 

However, don’t worry because we have a few tips that you can apply at home to your existing keyboard. If you want to turn your loud and ordinary keyboard into a quiet mechanical keyboard, try the following awesome tips:

Replace Your Switches

It’s very simple to replace your switches if you know how to do it. Keyboards usually come in three types, which are linear, clicky, and tactile. A linear keyboard is your best bet to getting a silent mechanical keyboard, with a tactile keyboard coming in second. 

If your keyboards happen to be the clicky type, you can replace them by buying the quieter types. It will take some time to adjust to the rubbery feel of a quiet mechanical keyboard, but once you do, you will be glad you made the switch.

Add Some Lube

Some lubrication added to your switches will do wonders when trying to reduce the noise made by your mechanical keyboard. The only downside of this option is that it can be a bit time-consuming, especially if you want to lubricate every switch. 

However, if you have about two hours to spare, we highly recommend this option. When adding your lube, you want to apply it directly to the spring system of each switch, which is where the friction and noise are centered.

Modify Your Stabilizers

This method requires a bit more skill than the others on this list, but if you can nail it, you will have one of the quietest mechanical keyboards ever. To silence your keyboard in this way, you will need to follow a three-step process using a band-aid, clip, and lube. 

• Add the band-aid to the exact place where your stabilizer strikes the PCB of your keyboard to dampen each keystroke
• Use the clip in the bottom part of the stabilizer to give it more of a solid and flat surface to anchor on
• Finally, add some lubrication on the stabilizer as a finishing touch to eliminate any sound the keyboard is still making

Use Some Rubber O-Rings

Rubber o-rings come in many sizes, and if you search properly, you will find ones that fit your keyboard switches. You will simply need to remove the keycaps and place the o-rings underneath them. 

The rubber o-ring will absorb any impact you make when you hit your switches which will greatly dampen the sound. Adding o-rings may make your keyboard feel a bit strange at first, which may take some time to get used to. However, once you are used to it, your keyboard will be a pleasure to use.

Add Foam Inside Your Keyboard

How about adding some foam inside your keyboard? It is affordable and easy to install, and if you use the right kind of foam, the results will be amazing! There are four basic kinds of foam that we recommend for you, which are: 

• Packing foam
• Shelf-liner
• Neoprene
• Sorbothane 

Installing the foam requires you to unscrew the keyboard and place your chosen foam between the bottom case and the PCB. Done right, this process will only take a few minutes to complete. 

Use a Desk Mat

The cheapest and simplest method to having a quiet mechanical keyboard is to use a desk mat. A large part of the noise your keyboard makes is due to the vibration between the board and the desk. This is why you may have noticed that your keyboard sounds a lot quieter when you are typing from your lap. 

By using the right desk mat, any vibrations being made by your keystrokes will be absorbed by the mat, thus giving you a very quiet mechanical keyboard. All that is required is to be careful when choosing the right mat. A very hard one will still make noise, while one that is too soft will make your keyboard unstable and difficult to work on. 

Mechanical Vs. Membrane: Which Is Best for Gamers?

When it comes to the question of a membrane vs. a mechanical keyboard, it is all about personal preference. A mechanical silent gaming keyboard can be just as good as a membrane keyboard when it comes to reducing noise. 

Many gamers prefer the feel of the mechanical keyboard over that of the membrane one. However, as long as you give yourself time to get used to them, both types of keyboards are great for gaming.

Buy One of These 10 Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboard Options

The following are some great options for those interested in buying a new quiet mechanical keyboard: 

1. Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Split Mechanical Keyboard

With the Cloud Nine ErgoTKL, you get the benefits of a split mechanical keyboard and silent typing all in one. This keyboard separates up to 6.5 inches, which allows you to place either piece in the most ergonomic position you want. It comes with premium vegan leather palm rests which not only give you a place for your palms but are also environmentally friendly.

Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Split Mechanical Keyboard

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2. Royal Kludge RK61 Wireless 60% Triple Mode Mechanical Keyboard

This beautiful, white keyboard is pure simplicity at its best. You can have the RK61 keyboard in either the ordinary size or the much smaller portable version. If you want to change the switches to some quieter ones, the process is easy on this hot-swappable keyboard. 

You will also enjoy the blue LED backlighting, which will enhance the look and make it a great option for those looking for a silent gaming keyboard. 

RK ROYAL KLUDGE RK61

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3. Royal Kludge RK Anne Pro Mechanical Keyboard: Gateron Brown Switch

With 61 keys, RGB backlights, and Bluetooth connectivity, what more could you want in a quiet gaming keyboard? The Royal Kludge RK84 also comes with professional software and a Gateron Brown Switch. Get it now from Autonomous on a one-year warranty. 

ANNE PRO 2

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4. Royal Kludge Redragon K617 Fizz 60% Wired RGB Gaming Keyboard

Another great item on our list, the Anne mechanical keyboard, is one of the most compact and affordable silent mechanical keyboard options on this list. It is portable and employs a minimalist approach that makes it the ideal choice for those wanting a keyboard that easily blends in with other types of accessories. 

Redragon K617 Keyboard

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5. Das Keyboard 4 Pro

The switches of the Das Keyboard 4 Pro are not silent enough to make this the quietest mechanical keyboard on this list, but they are good enough for a quiet office environment. If you are unhappy with the keyboard sound, it is easy to add some o rings to make the keyboard quieter. 

6. Razer BlackWidow Silent Mechanical Keyboard

A lot of work has gone into the technology behind the Razer BlackWidow silent mechanical keyboard. Not only does it come in a striking black color, but the keys are also silent, which makes it a great option for both gamers and office employees.

7. Logitech G613

One look at the Logitech G613 and you will identify it for what it truly is, which is a quiet gaming keyboard made for the modern gamer. This keyboard comes with great Bluetooth connectivity which is compatible with any operating system. 

8. Keychron Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The Keychron Q2 QMK has built-in layers of foam that are ideal when it comes to sound dampening. If you are looking for one of the quietest mechanical keyboards on the market, this is a worthy option. 

9. Corsair K55 RGB Pro XT

This K55 RGN Pro XT from Corsair has rubber domes beneath the switches to kill off any punishing vibrations that make other keyboards very loud. It was designed to be a silent gaming keyboard but its sleek design also makes it ideal for an office environment if you do not mind the RGB lights feature. 

10. Fnatic Streak 65

With an Aluminum frame and compact design, the Fnatic Streak 65 is a great choice if you are looking for a long-lasting option. It has beautifully arranged RGB lights that will help take your gaming experience to the next level without making the noise made by ordinary keyboards.

Is a Silent Mechanical Keyboard Really Worth It?

One of the advantages of investing in the best wireless mechanical keyboard is that it will be quieter than ordinary click-keyboards. However, do you really need to fork out the extra cash needed to buy a silent mechanical keyboard? 

To answer that, let us look at some of the reasons why a quiet mechanical keyboard would be great for you: 

Sound Can Be Irritating

Once you realize how much noise every keystroke is making, the sound will be very annoying. In fact, in a very quiet environment, a noisy keyboard can distract you enough to reduce your productivity. 

In situations where you are rushing to meet a deadline, the last thing you want is to start typing slower because you are subconsciously trying to reduce your keystroke noise. A quiet mechanical keyboard will let you focus on the business at hand.

Great When Using the Phone

When you need to multitask by typing and speaking on the phone at the same time, you don't want your keystrokes to be so loud that the person on the other end of the line can hear them. Not only will this make it difficult for you to hear each other properly, but the sound of the keyboard can also cause enough distraction to make you lose your train of thought. 

The constant sound of typing while you are talking can also make the other person feel that you are not giving them your full attention, which is a bad impression when you are talking to customers. However, if you have a very busy schedule, you have no choice but to multi-task, which is where having a silent mechanical keyboard comes into play.

Perfect for Late Night Gaming

A quiet gaming keyboard is a must-have for any serious gamer. If you regularly play PC games, you will know that it is very difficult to control how hard you hit those keystrokes when you are playing an intense game. 

Now imagine trying to enjoy your games late at night when everyone else is fast asleep. If you want to avoid making noise for your family, get a silent gaming keyboard and enjoy your games in peace.

Final Word

The joy of having a silent mechanical keyboard is highly understated. Choose any of these great options from Autonomous and improve your typing experience. If your budget has no room for a new keyboard, then the tips we have shared will help you improve the one you already have.