Last Updated on December 26, 2022
In this post, we would like to recommend the Quietest Mechanical Keyboards on the market today. We will discuss in detail each of these keyboards in terms of design, build quality, component quality, features, and several other important aspects.
So, Let’s get started!
Mechanical keyboards have evolved from being a specialized accessory preferred by enclaves of retro conservationists, programmers, typists, and rebellious eSports pros to becoming a commonplace component of the mainstream PC gaming scene.
Anyone who is serious about gaming these days enters the fray equipped with a mechanical keyboard. Moreover, quiet mechanical keyboards are more comfortable for the ears.
Of course, compared to their non-mechanical cousins, mechanical keyboards have real advantages. the gratifying audible click and physical feedback that each keypress produces. And the quickness and accuracy that come with being absolutely certain that each keypress has been registered.
Another benefit of mechanical keyboards is their capacity to register a much higher number of simultaneous key presses than non-mechanical keyboards, as well as the diversity of switches they offer to accommodate various tactile preferences.
The durability of mechanical keyboards over non-mechanical keyboards is another benefit. Non-mechanical boards have a much shorter lifespan and over time harden and lose their springiness.
This entails purchasing a replacement once or twice a decade rather than every year or two given the frequent, quick key pushes that characterize modern gaming.
Despite all the real performance benefits, mechanical keyboards can be annoyingly loud at times. There are times when we’d love mechs to make less noise, from the audible tappity-tap that spills into your favorite streamer’s mic to those choice words from housemates startled by the frenzied click-clack of.
In light of this, we wonder whether mechanical keyboards are the quietest currently available.
However, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions that minimize noise without compromising any of the qualities that make mechanical keyboards the preferred accessory for gamers.
Our Top Picks for The Quietest Mechanical Keyboards
| The Mechanical Keyboards | Award |
| Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 | Best Overall Quietest Mechanical Keyboards |
| Corsair K68 | Runner Up for Quietest Mechanical Keyboards |
| Das Keyboard 4 Professional | Great Quiet Keyboard for Productivity |
| Durgod K320 And Durgod K310 | Quiet Mechanical Keyboard for Office Work |
| Keychron K6 | Quiet Mechanical Keyboard for MAC Users |
| SteelSeries Apex Pro | Best Quiet Keyboard for Gaming |
| Kinesis Freestyle Pro Quiet | Ergonomic and Quiet keyboard |
| Realforce R2 | Quiet keyboard with Topre Switches |
| Ducky One 2 Mini | Best Compact Quiet Keyboard |
| iKBC CD108 | Affordable Quiet Mechanical Keyboard |
The Quietest Mechanical Keyboards
Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2
| Pros | Cons |
| Cherry MX Silent switches Excellent gaming experience Great RGB backlighting Media Keys USB Pass-through Comfortable Wrist Rest iCUE Gaming Software | Expensive |
The Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 is among the company’s lineup of some of the greatest PC accessories available. The keyboard is an improved version of the original Strafe keyboard with a few thoughtful changes and a larger price tag, as implied by the MK.2 naming tradition.
Cherry MX Silent switches may be found on the Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 case. They mimic the responsiveness and smooth actuation of Cherry Red switches, the industry standard, but are engineered to produce less operating noise by muzzling the audible clicking that is characteristic of Red switches.
With a linear design, Cherry MX Silent switches are up to 30% quieter than the company’s other switches. In use, the tactile sensation is precise and smooth, and the auditory noise is amazingly minimal for a mechanical keyboard.
No matter how quickly or how many keys you press at once, 100% anti-ghosting with full-key rollover effectively registers every keypress. For those who like a more tactile sensation from their keys, Corsair even offers a set of textured and curved keycaps.
While the Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2’s quiet keypresses—a crucial quality for the finest quiet mechanical keyboards—are its main selling point, Corsair has also thrown in a slew of additional functions. You can save up to three profiles with customizable lighting, macros, and shortcuts in the 8MB of onboard memory. You can connect a mouse or other peripheral without taking up a valuable on-PC port by using a USB pass-through port that is positioned on the rear next to the cord.
On the brushed metal trim of the keyboard, there are also multimedia controls (play/pause, stop, forward, back), as well as a useful volume roller. The keyboard has excellent key spacing and a detachable soft-touch palm rest for enhanced comfort, which together provide for a pleasurable typing experience.
The Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 is well-equipped with per-key RGB backlighting that can be customized using Corsair’s iCUE software on the RGB front. Although functional, the software requires a lot of menu hopping to complete simple tasks.
Overall in terms of components, build quality, and features, the Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 is one of the quietest keyboard options on the market today despite its price tag.
Corsair K68
| Pros | Cons |
| Cherry MX Red Great Build Quality Comfort Wrist Rest Great for Gaming Great RGB Backlit | No Extra Features |
Here is yet another excellent choice from Corsair. These keyboards are remarkably similar to one another.
They both have a few distinct media keys, real Cherry MX red linear switches that are smoother and softer, etc.
But the K68 is also stain- and dust-resistant (IP32 rated). Additionally, it has a significantly distinct look (but not by much). It appears to be lighter than the MK.2 above, however it does NOT feature USB pass-throughs.
Corsair K68 is one of the quietest mechanical keyboard choices that has quite complete features, great component quality, reliable build quality, and can support ergonomics with a comfortable wrist rest that it carries.
SteelSeries Apex Pro
| Pros | Cons |
| OLED smart display ON the keyboard with actuation switches that are adjustable great options for switches removable wrist rest that is magnetic | Expensive |
Even though SteelSeries mechanical keyboards are mostly marketed for gamers, everyone can enjoy them.
(Apex 3, Apex 7, and Apex 570 are all worthwhile searches and pretty similar.)
Gamers will especially enjoy the volume and media controls on the Apex Pro, which also boasts an OLED smart screen that can display notifications from Discord and other services.
That’s really awesome.
And to hush it down?
On the Apex Pro, they provide the following switch options:
- Red (the conventional, still-soft linear)
- A silent switch called “Whisper Quiet”
- A switch with adjustable “Omnipoint”
With the Omnipoint switches, you can change the distance needed to activate the switch (from 0.4 mm to 3.6 mm), which mostly impacts speed but also has an impact on sound. This switch is one of the fastest switches for mechanical keyboards on the market today.
Logitech G513
| Pros | Cons |
| Romer-G linear switches Minimalist design Comfort wrist rest Great for Typing | No dedicated media keys |
We suggest the Logitech G513 for people who prefer the swift, fluid keystrokes and low resistance of linear switches.
Romer-G linear switches, which are exclusive to Logitech and have a shallower actuation point than Cherry MX switches, are used on the keyboard. Keypresses are quick and fluid, need little force to operate, and are also remarkably quiet. No matter how hectic the in-game action becomes, 26-key rollover and anti-ghosting help ensure that every keypress registers.
The Logitech G513 is encased in a sleek aluminum-magnesium alloy chassis that is comparatively simple but appealing. A sturdy, detachable wrist rest made of leatherette and stuffed with luxurious memory foam is included. Rests are typically an afterthought, but the G513 deserves all the praise in the world. The keyboard continues to be incredibly comfortable to use, even after extended use.
Additionally, the Logitech G513 has fully customizable Lightsync RGB backlighting, USB pass-through, full function keys with a toggle off game mode to prevent accidental keypresses (these also function as media controls), a 12-piece set of contoured keycap replacements, and the ability to program macros through the Logitech G Hub. With a ton of presets, game-state integration, screen sampling, an audio visualizer, and per-key programming, the RGB characteristics are nothing short of astounding.
Romer-G Tactile switches are available on an alternate G513 model from Logitech for individuals who desire them. They minimize noise to a minimum while providing that recognizable audible “bump” feedback. Although it isn’t as quiet as the Romer-G linear, that model is still quiet enough to be considered a mechanical keyboard.
Logitech G513 is one of the quietest keyboard options equipped with a comfortable wrist rest to support your ergonomics. This keyboard also has a minimalist design and build quality is quite good.
Durgod K320 And Durgod K310
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for Typing and Gaming Cherry MX Silent Great Build Quality Nice Software Support | Not a lot of room for later mod customization |
First off, the Durgod keyboards are excellent for EVERYONE, whether they are using them at work or at home, playing games or typing, loud or gentle.
They’re well-built, offer a ton of switch possibilities, and even come in a variety of colors directly off Amazon!
But it also has a computer-like appearance (specifically in the Space grey color).
And for a little bit more money, they also sell Cherry Silent Red switches in addition to the softer Cherry Red switches.
Different “stem” designs that actually absorb more sound are used in the construction of the “quiet” mechanical switches. These are going to be your greatest option for using a mechanical keyboard while typing in absolute silence. Period.
The K310 is a full-size with the numpad, whereas the K320 has a TKL layout (i.e., no numpad). To reduce desk space, I personally prefer the smaller Durgod with TKL layout; but, if you must a numpad, choose the K310.
Das Keyboard 4 Professional
| Pros | Cons |
| For use at work or for gaming, Minimalist Black Dedicated Media keys controller and a volume knob More Optional Cherry MX switches Aluminum top 2-port USB 3.0 Passthrough | Don’t provide alternatives for linear switches a little heavy |
Das Keyboard 4 Professional is a quiet mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red that is very reliable to support your productivity. This keyboard is quite fun to use to type.
With dedicated media keys and a volume wheel, this keyboard is a pretty good mechanical keyboard choice for multimedia needs.
Although it has excellent functionality, the Das Keyboard 4 isn’t quite as quiet (or work-friendly) as the Durgod keyboards.
The Cherry MX brown switch, which they refer to as a “soft tactile” switch, is the version we advise purchasing because it will be less loud than the clicky blue option.
They also come in versions with Mac keycaps (and even some blank keycap versions).
Kinesis Freestyle Pro Quiet
| Pros | Cons |
| A split keyboard for improved ergonomics A reasonable cost for that kind of keyboard Cherry MX Silent Switches | Split ergonomics is still pricey, therefore not everyone should use it. |
The $150–180 range is actually on the more affordable side of all the “split” keyboards that you can get.
And one of the more well-known ergonomic mechs available today, the Kinesis Freestyle, comes with Cherry MX Silent switch options!
It is fully programmable, has many user profiles, and even comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty (mechanical keyboards typically don’t have warranties like this). Send it back if something changes in two years.
Keychron K6
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for Mac Users 65% Layout Gateron G Pro Red switches Wireless | Not the quietest keyboard on this list, maybe. |
I’ve used Macs for a very long time, and I LOVE Keychron keyboards!
Windows, however? No issue. On the back of the keyboard, there is a physical toggle that makes switching between Mac and Windows simple (and also wired and wireless).
My preferred layout, the 65% Keychron K6, is available, but there are also a number of other sizes.
Purchase the Gateron Pro Red switches only; the brown or blue ones will be noisier.
The Keychron keyboards are also, in general, a little bit more resonant, I’ve noticed. There is a difference, although a small one.
Additionally, you can get a hot-swap version of the Keychrons if you wish to quickly test out various switches in the future. (It makes switching out switches really quick and simple).
Ducky One 2 Mini
| Pros | Cons |
| 60% Layout Quality PBT Keycaps Lot of switch options Great Build Quality | Not everyone prefers the 60% layout. |
Smaller than a full-sized 100% keyboard, the Ducky One 2 Mini is a 60% tiny mechanical keyboard.
These are lacking…
- An operation row
- Key arrows
- The numpad
- Home cluster (delete, home, end, page up, etc)
Because of this, 60% keyboards are more compact and portable. (Also, these keys ARE usable; they are typically entered using a Function key shortcut, etc.)
The mechanical keyboard community adores Ducky’s keyboards, which are all well-made (I’ve always liked the straightforward design and form of the case).
The Switches Options:
- Cherry MX Red
- Cherry MX Silent Red
- Gateron Yellows
- Kailh Box and many more.
You can find TONS of examples of the Ducky One 2 mini in use on YouTube, where you may also decide whether to switch!
Cherry G80-3000
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple, Vintage style Ideal for productivity-oriented tasks Durable Cherry MX Switches | None of the extras Not the most attractive keyboard. |
Not everyone prefers blinged-out gaming keyboards, so if you prefer a keyboard that blends in with the office decor but still wants silent operation, we propose the understated but superb Cherry G80-3000.
The Cherry G80-3000, which draws heavily on workhorse mechanical keyboards from the past, could be considered retro if only for its straightforward, somewhat drab aesthetic and useful design.
With almost a kilogram, it is substantial. It feels practically unbreakable in the hands, suggesting years of constant use. The keyboard will last for about 50 million keystrokes until it breaks down.
Excellent linear MX switches that are smooth, quiet, and responsive are produced by Cherry. Accidental key strokes are uncommon, and every keystroke seems accurate. Despite lacking the tactile feedback of non-linear switches, the in-hand feel is precise.
It’s the trade-off you make for the Cherry G80-far 3000’s less operational noise. As said above, the noise is compared to other mechanical keyboards, so if you want truly silent operation, think about a membrane choice.
There aren’t any extras, to put it simply. No media controls, RGB lights, USB pass-through, or macros. However, the Cherry G80-3000 falls short when it comes to gaming. It excels for data entry, typists, and coders. Therefore, if you want all the RGB trimmings and flashy “gaming” appearance, avoid this one.
One drawback is that a gaming keyboard would offer considerably more for the same price as the Cherry G80-3000, which is expensive for what it offers. However, if you work as a professional typist, you can justify spending that much money for a top-notch typing experience.
however, Cherry G80-3000 is a reliable quality mechanical keyboard for typing. If you want the quietest mechanical keyboard that is a pleasure to type on, the Cherry G80-3000 is the choice you should consider.
SteelSeries Apex M750
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek and small design Rapidly acting linear switches Great Customization of RGB | Poor typing experience No extras like multimedia controls or USB pass-through |
Given that the SteelSeries Apex M750 is by far the loudest of our suggestions, we debated whether it belonged on our list of the quietest mechanical keyboards.
However, the SteelSeries Apex M750 is a top pick for dedicated gamers who are willing to put up with a little bit extra noise in exchange for a gaming experience that is tailored exclusively for them because to its quick, tight, responsive feel, pleasing bounce back, and comfortable on-finger feel.
However, rest assured that the Apex M750’s working noise is below average for mechanical keyboards.
The keyboard has exclusive QX2 linear mechanical switches from Steelseries, which are quieter and generally comparable to Cherry MX Reds. They provide low working force, fast, smooth, consistent key pushes, and little resistance as linear switches.
The SteelSeries Apex M750 boasts an aluminum alloy chassis that seems solid and durable in terms of design. The design is straightforward, even plain, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially for those who are leery of cluttered, showy keyboards.
With its fully configurable RGB illumination, flexible SteelSeries Engine software, and Discord/game-state integration, the SteelSeries Apex M750 more than makes up for its lack of flare. There are no media controls, macros, or USB pass-through because SteelSeries has omitted all the frills.
We find it challenging to recommend the SteelSeries Apex M750 for anything but gaming. Coders and typists ought to look elsewhere. Fast-fingered gamers will benefit from the limited travel distance and actuation point, low resistance, and twitchy sensation, which are not ideal for a comfortable prolonged typing session.
However, if you’re looking for one of the quietest mechanical keyboards, the SteelSeries Apex M750 is a not bad and reliable option for gaming.
iKBC CD108
| Pros | Cons |
| Cherry MX Silent Affordable Price Quality Double shot PBT keycaps | No Extra Features |
It is not hot-swappable or wireless. There aren’t many nicer volume dials, media controls, or USB pass-through connectors…
But it’s peaceful and inexpensive.
The larger, 108-key variant is called the iKBC CD108, while the ten-keyless iKBC CD87 is smaller.
It feels nice, looks simple, and sounds simple.
If you want a quiet mechanical keyboard at a very affordable price, the iKBC CD108 is the option you should consider!
Realforce R2
| Pros | Cons |
| The Topre Quiet Switch Great for Typing Great Quality Keycaps Nice Build Quality | Expensive Lacks ini keycaps compatibility |
Since I haven’t used the Realforce, I can’t recommend it because I can’t bring myself to spend more than $250 on a mechanical keyboard that isn’t very adjustable or has excellent features.
The topre switches are the only genuine draw in this (and rubber-dome elecro-capacitive switch that requires only a gentle keypress in order to activate).
These things are quite soft to type on, but they are somewhat more expensive.
A Niz X87 keyboard is another option, but these are pricey and difficult to come by.
The Realforce R2 is a mechanical keyboard that uses one of the quietest switches on the market today. But you will get in trouble because this keyboard is not easy to find replacement keycaps in case you have broken keycaps in the future.
What Makes a Silent/Quiet Mechanical Keyboard?
Naturally, mechanical keyboards are more likely to produce louder noise compared to other types of keyboards. There are a few things you should keep in mind in order to find a quiet keyboard or maybe a noise-producing keyboard:
Switches
Mechanical keyboards are divided into 3 types if divided based on the type of switches they use:
- Linear: This is the smoothest type of switch and produces the quietest typing sound. If a mechanical keyboard uses linear switches, they are smooth and quiet keyboards.
- Tactile: This is a type of switch that produces a slightly louder typing sound compared to a linear switch. When a mechanical keyboard uses tactile switches, it is a mechanical keyboard that has tactile feedback (but no click) and produces a slightly louder typing sound.
- Clicky: This is a type of switch that provides tactile and click feedback. If a mechanical keyboard uses a clciky switch, it is certain that it is a mechanical keyboard that can produce very loud typing noise and sound.
Note: Lubricating the switches can also significantly make a mechanical keyboard quieter. Unfortunately lubricating switches only applies to linear and tactile switches. We do not recommend that you lubricate the clicky switch.
Keyboard Modifications
There are several mechanical keyboard modifications that can make it quieter and smoother, such as the following:
Stabilizers Modification: Modifying the stabilizer on a mechanical keyboard using the “Band-Aid, Clip, and Lube” method can significantly make the keyboard quieter, but this modification only applies to large keyboard keys such as spacebar, shift, enter, backspace , and caps lock.
Add Damping Foam Into the Keyboard Case: The easiest modification to make a mechanical keyboard quieter is to add dampening foam to the keyboard case. This aims to reduce the resonant sound space inside the keyboard casing, so that the resulting typing sound becomes quieter.
Installing O-Rings: Installing O-rings on mechanical keyboard keycaps can also significantly make the keyboard quieter. But you have to sacrifice a little fun typing because o-rings can make the keys feel softer.
Using a Thick Desk Mat: Using a thick desk mat as a mechanical keyboard base can also help a mechanical keyboard be quieter. The desk mat can reduce direct reflections between the keyboard and your desk.
Lubricate the Switch: Lubricating the switch can also make a mechanical keyboard smoother. But this only applies to keyboards that use linear and tactile switches.
The Quietest Mechanical Keyboards We Selected
Given the scope of our recommendations, we preferred mechanical keyboards with little to no noise. It’s important to note that the term “quiet” is relative, so don’t expect it to operate as quietly as a membrane keyboard if that’s what you’re hoping for. In contrast, mechanical keyboards—even those that are purported to be “quiet”—always produce audible noise.
We depended on the type and quality of the mechanical switches in addition to their quiet functioning. Overall value and on-finger feel of each keyboard were assessed using build quality and workmanship. Of course, we also took the cost into account.
Considerations and features
We took into account desirable but optional features like palm rests, programmable keys, and macros. Along with some of the more dubious visual perks like programmable backlighting, were nice features like media controls, responsive game-state/app RGB, and USB pass-through. For the optimum quiet mechanical keyboard experience, these are not necessary. They’re nice, though.
We ultimately reduced our list of suggestions to four outstanding choices. To learn more about each, as well as their strengths and weaknesses, continue reading. Let’s begin.
Tips: How to Make Your Keyboard Quieter
You may have already guessed this, but there are A LOT of things that affect keyboard noise, and there are a few easy modifications you can make to your keyboard to reduce noise:
1. Use linear switches instead: Since linear switches lack a tactile bump or click, they are inherently gentler.
I love these linear switches over all others:
- Cherry MX Silent Reds
- Cherry MX Red
- Cherry MX Black
- Gateron Milky Yellows
- Tecsee Carrots
- Gateron Silent Black
- Gateron Silent Yellow
2. Use “silent” switches instead: These typically have an additional “dampener” connected to the switch stem in order to make it as quiet as possible, similar to the Cherry MX silent switches.
3. Use a thick desk mat: On Amazon, you can purchase lots of inexpensive cool desk mats (and extra-large mouse pads) that will significantly improve the sound of your mechanical keyboard. You can pick from basic hues or hip patterns, felt or leather, etc.
4. Inside your keyboard case, add some padding.
5. Add O-rings under your keycaps
6. Mod your stabilizers
FAQs
Are there mechanical keyboards that are silent?
Yes. There are several keyboards that are more quietly constructed (due to increased padding or other modifications). Also particularly quiet are mechanical keyboards with linear “silent” switches.
What mechanical gaming keyboard is the quietest?
In actuality, any mechanical keyboard with linear switches will be softer than those with tactile or clicky switches; however, the Corsair Strafe RGB MK.2 and Das Keyboard 4 are our top three picks for quiet keyboards. These keyboards are all equipped with Cherry MX Red switches (but have other silent switch options as well).
Are Quiet/Silent Mechanical Keyboard Worth it?
Your own needs and tastes will determine this. They are generally worthwhile, but it actually depends on the individual.
