Curious about mechanical keyboards but put off by the loud noise that makes them impractical in a quiet office or bedroom? Let me walk you through various keyboard options so that you can enjoy the benefits without the disruptive click-clack.

Why You Should Go Mechanical

There are many reasons why mechanical keyboards are so popular that they’ve garnered a cult following. The most significant is the significantly better typing experience that a mechanical keyboard provides. Unlike the soft, mushy feel of a regular membrane keyboard that relies on the pressure transfer from rubber domes to the membrane layers, mechanical keyboards use individual switches for each key to provide a consistent, precise, and responsive tactile feel.

Whether it’s the distinct bump of a tactile switch or the smooth action of a linear one, there’s a satisfying sense of feedback that you just don’t get with a membrane keyboard. Another major advantage is the high level of customization mechanical keyboards offer. Whether it’s switches, keycaps, or the boards themselves, the choices are nearly endless. You can fine-tune how your keyboard feels, looks, and even how much sound it makes—or in your case, how quiet it is.

If you’re focused on productivity, you should know that a mechanical keyboard can make a fast typist type even faster. The benefits of mechanical keyboards don’t end with typing—they’re better for gaming, too. Mechanical keys are better for key spamming and support N-key rollover, ensuring each key press gets registered—two essential features for MOBAs and RPGs.

Also, some switches have quicker response times, as they register early in the key’s travel. Hall Effect switches (which are in a category of their own), for example, can register a key press as early as 0.1mm, so you barely need to touch the keys when typing or gaming.

Finally, mechanical keyboards are more durable. If a membrane keyboard starts having issues, like keys not registering or double-registering, your options are limited. Mechanical keyboards, however, allow you to easily swap out faulty switches, whether it’s a hot-swappable board or one that requires basic soldering.

1
Try Silent Mechanical Switches

I built a silent mechanical keyboard earlier this year, and I can confidently say that it’s incredibly quiet. Other than the sound of my fingers touching the keycaps, there wasn’t much noise, especially when I tried not to bottom out the keys.

In fact, I’d argue that my silent keyboard is quieter than a typical membrane keyboard. When my partner and I work in the same room, the only audible sound is from her laptop, not my silent mechanical keyboard.

The secret? I used silent switches—the Outemu Silent Peach V3 switches, which not only keep things quiet but also feel great to type on and are very affordable. Silent switches are similar to regular switches in design and feel, but they have added rubber pads at the top and bottom of the stem to absorb vibrations as the key moves up and down. Combined with proper lubrication and the right housing materials, they’re nearly inaudible.

Like regular mechanical switches, silent switches use standard measurements, so they fit most mechanical keyboards and keycaps. They come in various types, from light and tactile to heavy and linear. Generally, linear switches are quieter than tactile ones and lighter switches require less force, which helps further reduce noise.

If you’ve used a type of switch before and liked it, you can often find a silent version available or a similar option from another brand. For example, the Gateron G Speed Silver Pro 3.0 has a silent counterpart in the Gateron Zero Degree Fully Silent Silver switch.

2
Buy or Build a Keyboard Optimized for Silence

For my silent build, I used the Ajazz AK820, which already features a few layers of sound-absorbing foam and a silicone pad. I didn’t need to make any additional modifications to enhance its quietness. Other good options for a silent build are the AULA F75 Pro, the AUSDOM 98Pro (which has included silent switches), and the Varmilo Minilo VXH67 (which also has silent switch options).

The good news is that modding a mechanical keyboard to be quiet is relatively straightforward should you opt for a board that isn’t silent out of the box. A few layers of poron foam beneath the PCB go a long way.

O-rings under the keycaps are another option, though they can make typing feel mushy and aren’t really necessary if you’re already using silent switches. Remember, when choosing your keyboard, ensure that it’s hot-swappable, as it allows you to easily replace the switches with a silent option.

3
Try a Low-Profile Mechanical Keyboard

If you’re not a fan of regular mechanical keyboards and their large, bulky keys, you’ll be delighted to hear that low-profile mechanical keyboards exist. These keyboards use “choc” style switches with thinner keycaps and a slim case, giving them a unique look reminiscent of scissor-switch keyboards.

Low-profile mechanical keyboards are naturally quieter because they have a shorter key travel and are lighter compared to their full-size counterparts. The best part is that even choc switches come in silent versions, such as the Ambients Silent Choc Switches, allowing you to create a completely silent low-profile keyboard.

Another nice benefit of low-profile keyboards is that they’re quite portable. Since they’re so lightweight and slim, they can easily fit into most backpacks—perfect for working on the go without drawing any attention due to noise.

4
Try a Hybrid Keyboard

If you’re not drawn to traditional mechanical keyboards but still want a quiet and pleasant typing experience, you’re not out of options. There are a couple of hybrid switch options that combine a rubber dome with elements of a mechanical switch, offering a unique and quiet typing experience.

The first type of hybrid switch that you’re likely familiar with is the scissor switch. These keyboards use two interlocking plastic pieces that provide stability and tactile feedback as you press down on the keys. Scissor switches are common in laptops, but you can also find them in low-profile designs like the Logitech MX Keys S and Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s.

The other type of hybrid switch is Topre, which uses a plunger and conical spring inside a rubber dome to provide satisfying tactile feedback. Topre switches aren’t any quieter or louder than traditional membrane switches, so you won’t stand out if you use one in the office.

It’s worth noting that neither Topre nor scissor switches are as silent as a mechanical keyboard equipped with silent switches and modded for quietness, but they are still much quieter than standard mechanical keyboards.

5
Use a Thick Desk Mat

One often-overlooked solution for reducing typing noise is using a large, thick mousepad or desk mat. This can absorb vibrations to reduce the sound of typing while also offering additional benefits, such as enhanced wrist comfort and better stability.

While your choice of keyboard still has more impact on overall noise levels, a thick desk mat is a low-cost solution that can make any desk quieter. Good options for premium, thick mousepads include the SteelSeries QcK XXL and Razer Gigantus V2 XXL.

Hopefully, this article has proven to you that there are many ways to get a better typing experience without having to live with the noise traditionally associated with mechanical keyboards. By opting for silent, low-profile, or Hall Effect switches in a keyboard optimized for quietness, you can achieve a truly silent typing experience—one so silent that’ll put the quietest membrane keyboards to shame!