Hi all,
I've started to get complaints about my RK61 with brown switches being quite loud around family members. I've started to use a desk mat and installed o-rings which have dulled down the sound but still clack at the same volume as before.
That being said, are there any mechanical keyboards that are super silent? Or is my next best option something non-mechanical such as the (imo quite pricey) mx keys?
I use an Apple chiclet keyboard on my PC and one is built into my MacBook, it's not silent but it's very quiet. If you type gently it's even quieter. Mechanical keyboards are very annoying and you should get another one. Even noisy mice can be annoying, hearing frantic clicking from the other side of the house.
For windows users, I can recommend the HP Envy Dual mode Wireless keyboard from JB HiFi.
Paid $79 when it was on sale for $89 and used the $10 off JB Perks voucher. It didn't seem like any "clearance" so just regular sale price I predict it will go on sale again.
https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/hp-envy-dual-mode-wireles…
It's really well made and basically the windows chiclet equivalent of a Apple Magic keyboard. Very quiet and encourages typing lightly which makes it even more quiet. I think I wrote a review for JB if you can find it.
The only issue I found was the keyboard angle is quite "flat", which was solved easily by sticking a long strip of adhesive foam from bunnings on the top edge of the back. I made sure it was dead straight and went all the way across so the keyboard still keeps it's perfect stability.
Mac keyboards work great in Windows. The media controls work after putting drivers on, and the command key is just the windows key, option is alt, other than that they are exactly the same. You can get the 2007 era keyboard with numpad for cheap second hand, one of the best keyboards ever made. The latest keyboard is probably just as good, but it's like $179. You can get the 2007 era one for $10 on eBay sometimes.
I get you, but using Mac keyboard on Windows machine would not cut it with most people e.g. dumb consumers like myself.
I like having the Windows key and Fn key with their own icons in their own spot. The HP Envy Dual mode also has Function Lock key, so you can keep the top row as F keys by default instead of media keys, extremely useful if you use those Windows shortcuts frequently (F2 for rename etc).
I forgot to mention the best part of the HP Envy Dual mode and I would only use it with this connection mode. It supports 2.4Ghz and comes with a USB transceiver dongle. No lag on wake up and 12+months of battery life with regular use from 2x AAA batteries. Just get a pair of Eneloops when the included ones run out and you are basically set for life.
The fact it is a full sized premium feeling chiclet keyboard is just the icing on the cake. As I mentioned the only downside is the default typing angle.
@harshbdmmaster718: Mac keyboards have a labelled function key. Though I think the default might be media keys and you need to hold the function key to get the functions.
@AustriaBargain: The Function Lock key on the HP allows alternating between which keys are single press by default. Media or F1-F12 keys. I think this feature is sorely missed on many modern full size keyboards and with the keyboard being that big there is no real excuse because there is enough room to add a dedicated Function Lock key.
I might be a minority but I actually kinda dig the butterfly keys on my Mac. Just hate the issues that have come with it as I've had to replace my MB Pro keyboard twice.
Last time i used the Apple chiclet keyboard it felt a bit "cheap" to me, but I think that was a few generations ago.
I'm using boba u4 switches at work, pretty silent, no complaints from coworkers
Do you know any place that has local stock of those that are reasonably priced? They seem to cost a fortune.
Only comes with 10.
Don't feel comfortable myself spending more than $50 on upgrades
@Gustavo Fring: Alright unfortunately that seems like a pretty standard price. $1 per switch.
When you hear 50c/70c a switch that's usually in USD. So exchange rate + Tax and it becomes pretty close to $1 a switch.
@Gustavo Fring: Actually I just remembered something.
From this post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/698983
Kailh Hush Deep Sea silent switches linked at the bottom are $6 per 10 + $10 postage apparently. Even with postage seems to be a better deal than other places right now.
Nah they are pretty pricey. The alternative budget option could be the outemu greys: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003981373212.html?spm=a2…
Ooh thanks, that seems pretty good. I feel like at this point I should probably just get another mech keyboard if I have to spend this much time thinking about upgrades and such.
Mx Silent Blacks with lubrication will give you a quiet typing experience.
Here's what it sounds like https://youtu.be/5pWOhqtYSNA?t=146
Other ways to reduce noise is to place the keyboard on a deskmat, which will absorb some of that noise.
If noise is a problem for others, probably consider getting a Logitech MX Keys.
They aren't as satisfying as mechs but it is still pretty comfy to type on (it's possibly one of the best membrane kb's in the market), the keycaps have a nice concave shape that aids in touch-typing and it's definitely still quieter than a fully tricked out mechanical keyboard with lubed switches.
+1 for the MX Keys
My deskmat does help indeed, Still Might pickup up a used mx keys tho. I feel like a big part of it is that I type quite hard which of course amplifies the noise.
London to a brick it isn’t the sound of the keyboard that is the problem.
Might want to go ask around the mechanical keyboard subreddits, will probably know a bit more than the OzB crowd. Plenty of YT videos too on silent switches, if you do want to go down the custom board route to really tweak the sound and feel to your liking.
You're probably right. Though like ever since the rise of the custom mech keyboard scene, every mechanical keyboard forum/subreddit is full of people trying to make them sound more clickier, louder, making them sound more "satisfying" while I'm trying to do the opposite.
I was just watching this. Amazing. Too much work though!
I bought the Logitech Craft keyboard which is like the MX Keys. I really didn't like going to such shallow keys from MX browns and blues.
There are certainly quiet/silent mechanical switches but I have blue switches and find a non mechanical keyboard is just as loud simply due to the way I type.
The quietest mechanical is the Logitech Tactile ones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpHt2s_2csY&t=2s
The best feeling, non mechanical quiet ones are Logitech MX ;)
Things that can reduce volume:
Linear switches
O-Rings
Stabilizers (they can add rattle, but they reduce pinging and thock)
Optical switches
Small enclosure size
PCB dampening
In terms of keyboards that achieve most of this without mods, the Razer Huntsman Mini in Linear with O-rings added would b a very quiet option.
I thought about that, the Huntsman is unfortunately not wireless.
Isn't reds quieter than browns?
Really depends on how you type. They can be as loud/louder if you bottom out your keys.
Change your switches for silent ones!
I've been working on a silent keyboard and I've tried everything while waiting for my silent switches to arrive. I reckon I was only able to reduce the sound by 20% without changing the switches. With the silent switches in, I think the board is 90% quieter than when I started
I use cherry mx silent red. People made comments about how quiet it is at work.
Switches with slicone dampeners installed inside (cherry mx silent black, silent red, boba u4 etc etc) are fairly quiet imo. If you want them quieter you can lube the stabilisers and switches, fill the keyboard with sound dampening material (i just use those foamy shelf liners).
Cherry silent reds are quieter than a membrane keyboard. If you want to go full custom there are Silent Alpacas and Bobs U4s as switch options, but they will be close to 3x the price of Cherry Silent Reds.
probably recommend a Topre capacitive switch. I've been using my Topre Type Heaven for work since 2014, it's the most silent I've heard to date.
I believe they are designed for banks (the special keyboard tellers/bankers use) so its a very work/sound-friendly keyboard around.
They have a spring switch under with a rubber dome on top to dampen the sound so it's all about feel and less about the sound.
not to be confused with faux mechs like Razer Ornata where its the opposite, membrane under and spring ontop to simulate mech kb.
Last time I checked no matter where you buy from a Realforce keyboard (genuine topre) ends up costing $600+. Not exactly a bargain.
While it's not perfect, I use an old white t-shirt folded a few times under my keyboard and it greatly reduces the noise (the super soft undershirt kind).
It also helps act as a rag during the occasional coffee spill, and is easy to switch out…
O rings on brown switches?????????????
Just use a touch screen.