Quite a few people have opted for mechanical keyboards over the last few years, and they are not losing popularity by any means. People like them because of their stability while being very precise playing games. They also offer a level of speed that when in the right hands, can give players the right amount of skill to succeed.
Unfortunately, what has kept mechanical keyboards in the shadows at times has been just how loud some of them are. It can be very distracting, especially when a person is trying to play a game and they want to hear all the audio.
The way that mechanical keyboards are set up makes it impossible to eliminate all sounds. However, there is such a thing as quieter options that a lot of people can get behind.
The technology is always getting better and better, and that means quiet mechanical keyboards are becoming more affordable and more prevalent.
These are the best of the best currently on the market. They vary in price, so people can find exactly what fits in their budget. All are meant to last for quite a while, so take good care of them and they will stay quiet for a long time.
1. SteelSeries Apex M750 Mechanical Gaming keyboard
A lot of gamers who take gaming seriously and do not mind paying a little bit of money have turned to this mechanical gaming keyboard from SteelSeries (Amazon).
It is pretty flashy overall, and has the ability to be customized in as many ways as a person could imagine.
It is one of the best gaming experiences out there overall, and it seems like the company is always trying to deliver new and exciting features.
There are a few things that make this mechanical keyboard worth the money, as it stands out in the crowd.
For example, the software that is included with the keyboard allows for a few different lighting options for people to get exactly what they want.
It looks impressive and it is perfectly fine when using, and a lot of people love making it feel like it is their own.
There are also the floating keys that are used, as it is a great way to feel lightweight despite being a mechanical keyboard.
That is one complaint that a lot of people have, as mechanical keyboards can get pretty heavy if a person does not search around.
Not only do these keys feel lightweight on the fingers, but they are still sturdy enough that they are not going to make much sound.
The packaging says that it is guaranteed up to 50 million keypresses, which does add up for serious gamers, but it will last a long time well.
It is also something that will likely last well past that time, but the company only guarantees the keyboard to be working properly up until then.
As far as sound is concerned, the only real sound people here is if they are pressing some of the big, main keys.
The space bar and enter button are two examples of that, but the click is also meant to provide some feedback to gamers.
In that case, it is actually a good thing that it is not completely silent, because then people will not be able to gauge exactly what is going on.
All in all, gamers love the overall performance of the keyboard, and the bonus features are always nice as well. There are not many better overall options out there right now, so it is worth the extra bit of money if people can afford it.
Pros
- Gamers love the overall set up.
- Plenty of bonus features.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- Pretty expensive.
- Audible clicks for bigger keys might the annoying.
2. Cherry G80-3000 Keyboard
Cherry is a very trusted name in the mechanical keyboard world, and they have a few different models for people to choose from.
Out of all that they offer right now, this is the best overall value that one can find. The Cherry G80-3000 (Amazon) has been around for a while, but it keeps on delivering because of its durability and overall versatility.
It is a keyboard that can be used for multiple things, and it never looks out of place by any means.
One thing that does keep some people away from a mechanical keyboard is that it stands out as so much different from a standard keyboard.
That is not the case at all with this Cherry switch option, as it really looks like a standard keyboard one can also find in an office.
In fact, some are going to go ahead and use this mechanical keyboard for tasks, as well as gaming or anything else they can think of.
This versatility makes it easy to transfer from work one minute, and gaming the next. The keyboard is very silent, and it is built to stay silent for a long time.
While a lot of other companies will try to take some shortcuts with manufacturing a keyboard, the little things are what makes a little bit of a difference with Cherry. The biggest example is that the letters are lasered onto the keys. That might not seem like it is
that big of a deal at first, but when a person is using a keyboard for hours and hours each day, it certainly comes in handy.
While other companies will have the keys rubbing off, everything looks as good as new even after some pretty heavy usage.
The recommendation is this Cherry keyboard, but it is not to say that all the others are bad by any means.
If this one seems close to perfect but maybe missing just one thing, take a look around their entire line and see if anything else stands out.
Chances are, Cherry has something that will fit just about any person who is a mechanical keyboard user.
Pros
- Trusted brand.
- Well-rounded option.
- Built to last a long time.
Cons
- Name brand comes with a slightly high price tag.
- Not that portable.
3. Logitech G513 Mechanical Keyboard
Yet another trusted name that most people are going to recognize is Logitech. They are not quite as well-known in the mechanical keyboard space as some other brands, but the Logitech G513 (Amazon) is a versatile option that allows for work and play.
The comfort of this keyboard is one that will really stand out to a lot of users out there. It has a wrist rest that will certainly come in handy for people who need it.
The wrist rest is something that might not seem like it is that big of a deal at first, but it ends up being perfect because they use memory foam in the area.
This is certainly no cheap material, as Logitech understands that no one wants to feel fatigued in the end.
If a person wants to make this a very customizable, flashy keyboard, they can do that. There are plenty of customizable lighting options, and it can stand out in a way that many love.
As far as quietness is concerned, this is certainly not the best of the best. However, for some people, they are still going to be fine, because they do want that little bit of feedback and sound that comes with clicky switches.
There is not any excessive noise, but it provides that necessary feedback that some players are looking for so that they have a great time playing every single time.
Not every gamer needs this amount of tactile feel and feedback, but those the deal will appreciate what it brings to the table.
Logitech has a few other options for people if they do not feel like this is the mechanical keyboard for them, so keep an eye out for that as well.
Pros
- Works very well for gamers.
- Plenty of customization with lighting.
- Blends in for work when needed.
Cons
- Keyboard is fairly loud thanks to the clicky switches.
- Memory foam takes a little bit of time to mold to a person’s wrists.
4. Rozier Black Widow Elite Mechanical Keyboard
Mechanical keyboard options come in many shapes and sizes, and Rozier feels like they have one of the best with the Black Widow Elite (Amazon).
It is a mechanical keyboard that still has a tactile feel, but it is one of the quietest one can find.
Instead of relying on something audible, the way the keys are shaped provides the feedback someone needs to make sure that they are always lined up correctly.
The way the Rozier takes care of things is that they have very sharp edges on the keys. It is a little bit of a different feel than some of the other brands out there, but it works well for people who are trying to find where they need to place their fingers at all times.
Beyond the standard use, there are some ways to make this keyboard stand out and be a little flashy overall.
It has some design features that really make a difference, and customization is always going to be available for those who want it.
Players who are really into games do not have much fear when it comes to the keyboard moving around either.
There are rubber pads on the bottom that do a great job of keeping everything in place so that a person is never having any issues in that regard.
Like a lot of mechanical keyboards, there is a wrist rest, and it works pretty well. It is not quite as comfortable as some of the other companies have, but the technology in the foam will allow a person to get the customized feel that they are hoping for.
The final standout feature is that there are dedicated media keys for gamers. In certain game scenarios, this makes a very big difference.
It helps with the overall performance, and it will also make the keyboard a little more durable as well. It is also made of some high-quality material, so do not expect to see a breakdown anytime soon.
Pros
- Very quiet.
- Durable build.
- Plenty of customization options.
Cons
- Very heavy.
- Tactile keys take a little bit to get used to.
5. ROCCAT Vulcan 100 Aimo RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The final option to make this list is one of the most beautiful looking keyboards out there. It is a sleek and modern mechanical keyboard that a lot of people will be drawn to from the very beginning, and then fall more and more in love with when they find all the features out.
The ROCCAT Vulcan 100 Aimo (Amazon) looks the way it does because of the brushed aluminum used.
Inside each key is a high-quality LED light that lights up as it should. It is a nice touch for players who are trying to really get the most out of their set up.
Gamers who are also working on the same computer can use the keyboard just the same, as it is quite enough to do exactly that. There is no need to switch things out, as a person will not lose any type of productivity.
The Vulcan 100 does a great job of figuring out how to make a keyboard that is tactile, yet also quiet. It is going to fit right in with an office keyboard, but the gamers will be able to transition as well.
The materials used cut down on the shaking and rattling that often occur with some cheaper mechanical keyboards, and the one trade-off is that it is a pretty heavy option.
It would be great if this keyboard was completely wireless, but most people are not going to need to have that option anyway.
As long as a person is willing to take a little bit of time to get used to a set up like this, they are going to be more than satisfied with this investment.
Pros
- Very elegant design.
- Great stability.
- Built last a long time.
Cons
- Wired keyboard.
- Heavy.
Buying guide for mechanical keyboard
Anyone reading this article understands that the amount of sound it makes is a big factor worth considering when shopping around. These are some of the other buying attributes to keep in mind.
Pitch
The overall sound of the keyboard makes a big difference, but so does the pitch of the sound. If it is a higher pitch, the sound travels further and can be pretty annoying overall.
That is why so many people are looking for the lowest pitch possible when it is making sound.
This is the best way to have a little bit of sound that does come from the keyboard to be blending in and fairly unnoticeable overall.
Switch Type
There are three types of switches that are the most popular for mechanical keyboards. Linear, tactile, and clicky switches are all options that bring something slightly different to the table.
From a sound perspective, the type of switch will also make a big difference as well.
If people are looking for the quietest keyboard overall, they should look for linear switches. They do not give quite as much feedback to users, but some people are willing to make that sacrifice.
For those who want to have a good amount of feedback and are not afraid to get a little bit more noise, tactile switches might be the best way to go.
If sound is really something that bothers users, clicky should be avoided at all costs. As one might expect from a name like that, these are not quiet by any means.
The switch types are for people who do not mind having a lot of sound when they are using them.
Quality
Mechanical keyboards come in all types of quality, and price usually is dictated by the materials used and the overall construction.
Something that costs a lot of money should not be rattling around by any means, even if it is used intensively during gaming.
Try to avoid plastic keyboards if the goal is to be as quiet as possible. They are not as stable as something made out of steel or aluminum.
The simple thing to keep in mind is that if the material is light, it will carry a good amount of sound.
Most of the top options are going to be made of some type of metal, or maybe an acrylic. Pay attention to the material used and double check to make sure that it fits in the right of the description.
Stabilizer
Stabilizers are a big part of the mechanical keyboard, as they need to reduce any rattling around and overall movement.
These are mostly going to be located under the largest keys on the keyboard, and since they are used a lot, it can dictate the sound.
If the stabilizers are smooth and secure, the keyboard will perform very well. However, not all companies do a great job with the stabilizers, and there might be some rattling around.
Maintenance
Every single keyboard needs a little bit of maintenance so that they are performing at a high-level. Some mechanical keyboards make it easier to maintain than others.
For people who are going to try to be a big stickler for cleaning and maintaining a keyboard, they might want to offer something that makes it easy for the user.
There is nothing worse than investing in a quiet keyboard, but then something gets stuck underneath.
Maybe it is a crumb of food, or it could just be a random piece of debris. Whatever the case is, it needs to be dealt with or it is going to get worse.
Try staying fairly routine with regular maintenance so that the keyboard never gets too crazy. A lot of people put off cleaning a keyboard for longer than they should, and it ends up coming back to bite them.
Final Thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards
Like any type of keyboard, most people are looking for something that is as quiet as possible. It might not always be achievable to hear absolutely nothing, but keyboards that start out quiet can remain quiet as long as they are maintained well.
Finding a new keyboard is challenging, but it definitely makes a difference in the end.
Most people are very satisfied with their first ever mechanical keyboard, and upgrading to something new is a way to speed up everything just a little bit more. They are well worth the investment, especially for gamers.