Top 5 Quiet Mechanical Keyboards with Reviews & Ratings

These days, mechanical keyboards aren't just for coders, typists, and underground eSports players; they're standard equipment for any PC user. Everybody who is specific regarding efficiency and smoothness today uses a mechanical keyboard, and the quiet quiet mechanical keyboards are much gentler on the ears - so a win-win.

Mechanical keyboards are not always loud, contrary to popular belief. Keyboards designed specifically for quiet operation are available from many manufacturers. What do they do to accomplish this? The right switches and rings should be placed below the keys in order to create a dampening effect. You can make it quieter if you own some mechanical keyboards and don't want to invest in another keyboard. Check out our mechanical vs. membrane keyboard guide here if you wish to see how to do that with just O rings and switches.

If this has piqued your interest and you'd like to learn more about purchasing a quiet mechanical keyboard, we have everything for you below.

5 Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboards

When it comes to finding the perfect mechanical keyboard, many users prioritize quietness, especially if they work in shared spaces or prefer a more silent typing experience. In this blog, we review the top 5 quiet mechanical keyboards available in the US market in 2024, detailing their pros, cons, and what makes each product stand out.

1. Logitech G915 TKL

RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

13,098 reviews

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Pros:

• Low-Profile Mechanical Switches: The GL tactile switches offer a quiet yet responsive typing experience.
• Wireless Connectivity: Features both wireless and Lightspeed wireless, providing flexibility and a clutter-free desk.
• RGB Lighting: Customizable RGB backlighting for personalized aesthetics.
• Battery Life: Long-lasting battery with up to 40 hours on a single charge with RGB lighting on.

Cons:

• Price: On the higher end of the price spectrum.
• No Numpad: TKL (Tenkeyless) design means no numeric keypad, which might be a downside for some users.

What We Love: The Logitech G915 TKL combines quiet mechanical switches with a sleek, wireless design, making it a top choice for both gamers and professionals seeking a silent mechanical keyboard.

2. SteelSeries Apex Pro

HyperMagnetic Gaming Keyboard

3,916 reviews

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Pros:

• Adjustable Actuation: OmniPoint switches allow users to customize actuation points for each key.
• Quiet Operation: Designed to be one of the quietest mechanical keyboards on the market.
• OLED Smart Display: Integrated display for notifications and customization.
• Durable Build: Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame.

Cons:

• Price: One of the more expensive options available.
• Learning Curve: Takes some time to fully utilize the customizable features.

What We Love: The SteelSeries Apex Pro stands out with its customizable actuation and quiet operation. Its innovative features and premium build make it a top contender for those seeking a high-end silent mechanical keyboard.

3. Das Keyboard 4 Professional

You'll find one of the best-looking mechanical keyboards is the Das Keyboard 4 Pro. In any office scenario, the keyboard looks right at home in an executive office desk accessory. As the Cherry MX Brown switches aren't exactly silent but quiet enough for work environments, we recommend installing blue O-rings on these keys. These keyboards can be used in any environment and are popular among gamers' computer accessories.

Pros:

• Cherry MX Brown Switches: Provide a quieter typing experience with tactile feedback.
• Sturdy Construction: Built with a robust aluminum top panel.
• Dedicated Media Controls: Large volume knob and dedicated media keys.
• USB Hub: Includes a convenient 2-port USB 3.0 hub.

Cons:

• Size: Larger footprint may not suit smaller desks.
• No Backlighting: Lacks any form of key backlighting.

What We Love: The Das Keyboard 4 Professional Soft Tactile is known for its premium build quality and quiet performance, making it a top choice for professionals who need a reliable and silent mechanical keyboard.

Das Keyboard 4 Professional

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Specifications

Layout	104-key US layout, 105-key for UK, NO, and DE layouts
Switches	Cherry MX mechanical key switches
Dimensions	18" x 6.8" x .80"
Elevated height	1.2"

4. Keychron Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

The keyboard has several details that contribute to an unobtrusive but filling typing experience. In addition to the sound-dampening lather (two layers) inside the board, there are stabilizers and mechanical switches to help absorb any noise that might come from them. 

Besides having a "gasket-mounted structure," this best quiet mechanical keyboard also has an inner circuit board mounted within its case. Because of this design, you do not hear the punitive thud when bottoming out the keys. It is because the suspension supplements bounce and flex, which makes the sound quieter and softer.

Keychron Q2 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard

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Specifications

Layout	65% layout
Switches	Gateron G Pro (Fully Assembled Version)
Keycaps	Double-shot PBT keycaps, not shine-through, OSA Profile (OEM height, SA shape)
Backlight	South-facing RGB LED

5. Logitech G613

Logitech's G613 keyboard is an excellent gaming keyboard overall. Due to its wireless nature, you'll have fewer cords to deal with while gaming. Aside from this, the device is wireless-enabled and works seamlessly with Windows, Mac, Android, and Chrome OS. 

As for the G keys, they can be easily programmed on the device. Accessing app commands and creating custom macro sequences is a welcome benefit. Additionally, the keyboard features mechanical switches to ensure a seamless gaming experience. It has a lifespan of 70 million clicks, which means you can use it for a very long time.

Logitech G613

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Specifications

Number of Keys	104
Special Feature	Wireless, wireless
Lightspeed	Wireless technology for super-fast 1 ms report rate
Keyboard backlighting color support	Single Color

Benefits of Quiet Mechanical Keyboards

• Speed

Mechanical keyboards have the advantage of being very easy to use. You can only price this quality if you type or play games requiring frequent key presses.

These quiet keyboards have a substantially quicker response time than membrane keyboards.

• Reliability

You and your fingers will love the mechanical keyboard's responsiveness and speed, and you won't need to apply much force to press its keys.

• Durability

Compared to membrane keyboards, which typically have a maximum endurance of 5 million keystrokes, mechanical keyboards typically have a lifespan of 20 to 80 million keystrokes per key (Cherry MX, Outemu, or Razer).

• Improved human-computer interface

It's no secret that mechanical keyboards are preferable to membrane ones for ease of usage. Improved user-computer interface is facilitated by combining a hundred percent click registration, shorter key travel, and tactile feedback. As a result, there are fewer accidental mouse clicks.

• Less noise

Many people enjoy the satisfying click of a mechanical keyboard, but it can become annoying if you use one too often. A mechanical keyboard with silent keyboard switches significantly reduces typing noise to create a serene environment.

Drawbacks of Quiet Mechanical Keyboards

• High cost

Mechanical keyboards can be quite costly due to the high quality of their quiet keyboard switches and construction. This is the most annoying thing about using a mechanical keyboard: it costs considerably more than regular keyboards.

• Ergonomic flaws

Mechanical keyboards are not for people that prefer ergonomic keyboard and mouse, except for one particular style. These keyboards don't provide hand or wrist support, and you might not feel the strain of typing at first, but as time passes, it becomes apparent.

• Very heavy

A heavier keyboard is more stable, but it is also more cumbersome to carry along. The burden is especially bothersome if you prefer to use the keyboard while sitting on your lap.

Buying Guide For Quiet Mechanical Keyboards

Form Factors

There are many types of keyboards, and the full-size keyboard layout is the most popular among manufacturers and users. A full-size keyboard has 104 keys, excluding the tenkeypad and Numpad cluster. This keyboard is good for numbers or general use.

TKL, or 80% of design factors, is available for smaller keyboards. A tenkeyless configuration decreases the number of keys to 88 and frees up desk space by deleting the Numpad cluster of 10 keys. Gamers and programmers utilize it most.

If a tenkeyless or 80% form factor is too hefty, the 75% form factor is a good compromise between portability and space savings. It's similar to the tenkeyless or 80% form factor, with fewer keys and more confined keyboard size, with keys close together.

Lastly, the smallest form factor, the 60%, is designed with aesthetics in mind, and it lacks function and navigation keys for portability.

Layout

When buying a mechanical keyboard, the layout should be considered more than the design. The ANSI, ISO, and JIS are the global layouts.

American, Canadian, and Western European keyboards use the ANSI layout, while Japan uses JIS keyboards, and Europe uses ISO. The most common keyboard layout is ANSI, followed by ISO.

Functional layouts might need to be clarified when choosing between these mechanically based principles. Therefore, most keyboards use QWERTY, while DVORAK is another popular alternative, but most keyboard sets don't have it.

Many brands have also introduced mechanical left-handed keyboards to cater to left-handed people, so look for the one that suits you best.

Switches

Switch type is crucial when thinking about the typing performance on a silent keyboard. Do you favor ultra-thin keyboards or those that seem more like classic computer keyboards?

If you like a keyboard with low-profile and soft-touch keys, a membrane keyboard or rubber dome switches is a good option, while a mechanical keyboard with a mechanical "clicky" feel will be a quiet and reliable option.

Key rollover (KRO)

A keyboard with key rollover can detect many simultaneous key presses. N-Key rollover (NKRO) is a feature on modern mechanical keyboards that allows several key presses to be registered simultaneously. The keyboard's connection type is a determining factor in a key rollover. Unlike the PS/2 port, which supports N-Key rollover, the USB port provides compatibility for anywhere from 4 to 6 Key rollover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between blue, brown, and red switches?

Blue switches are tactile and clicky, providing a satisfying typing experience but producing more noise. Brown switches are also tactile but quieter, making them suitable for both typing and gaming. Red switches are linear and quiet, offering a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback and producing minimal noise. The choice between these switches depends on personal preference, with blue switches being louder, brown switches striking a balance between feedback and noise, and red switches providing a silent typing experience.

Can you change the backlighting of your quiet mechanical keyboard?

Many quiet mechanical keyboards on the market do come with customizable backlighting options. These keyboards often feature LED lights that can be adjusted in terms of brightness, color, and lighting effects. Some keyboards may even offer software or onboard controls to personalize and customize the backlighting to suit your preferences. It's important to check the specifications and features of a specific keyboard model to determine if it offers backlight customization.

How do you use the function keys on a smaller 60% keyboard

On a 60% keyboard, the function keys are typically accessed by holding down the FN (Function) key located near the bottom right corner or on the side of the keyboard. While holding FN, pressing the designated key will activate the desired function. Common functions include media controls for play/pause, volume adjustment, and track skipping. Some 60% keyboards allow for custom function layers, which can be programmed using dedicated software. Specific key combinations and functions may vary, so consulting the keyboard's manual or manufacturer's website is recommended for detailed instructions.

Why are mechanical keyboards good for designers?

Designers should utilize a mechanical keyboard since it allows them to type more quickly. Mechanical switches, found on many of the best keyboards for design work, provide tactile feedback and a perceptible bounce to aid in reducing fatigue and increasing input speed. Due to the quiet mechanical keyboards' functionality and quiet silent switches, designers prefer these the most.

Are mechanical keyboards louder than membrane keyboards?

Mechanical keyboards make more noise than their membrane counterparts; however, their total noise is usually comparable to a normal workplace environment.

Are mechanical keyboards better for gaming?

There are several reasons why a mechanical keyboard makes an excellent gaming accessory. They're responsive, long-lasting, have N-key rollover, are highly customizable, and provide a gratifying experience overall.

In addition, quiet mechanical keyboards have many other fascinating features, such as silent keyboard switches that are tailor-made for gamers.

Final Thoughts

The idea of a silent mechanical keyboard was comical in the past, but that is no longer the case. With the advent of quiet keyboard switches and other noise-reducing keyboard features, it is now possible to obtain a somewhat silent keyboard without giving up the great typing sensation that mechanical switches provide.

All the details you need are laid out above; therefore, the only thing left is to go out and get one. Get your keyboard now and enjoy the experience.