While a lot of us like to hear our keyboards screaming out those clicky-clacky sounds while we type, there can be a lot of users who aren’t a fan of them at all.
Mechanical keyboards, in general, are identified by two main things, viz. the feel of the keys and the sound at each keypress. If a particular user wanted just the former and not the latter, the ideal choice for them would be to go for a quiet mechanical keyboard.
And that’s the beauty of them. With a quiet mechanical, you can enjoy the sensation of the deep depressions every time you press down on a key without having to listen to the clack! that inherently accompanies it. For people who love to work in silence, this is the best of both worlds.
Nowadays, mech-dome keys are quite popular. They are somewhat similar to mechanical ones, but they are, in reality, just the good old membrane type. You could, if you aren’t careful, be duped by some seller and end up with a membrane keyboard while thinking you have a mechanical one.
So, why don’t you play it safe and take a gander at the list we’ve prepared instead? Go on and scroll down to see some awesome quiet mechanical keyboards that you can buy in 2023.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks for the quietest mechanical keyboards in 2023!
Best Overall
Premium Pick
Runner Up
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What are Mechanical Keyboards?
Okay, so let’s get started.
What is a mechanical keyboard? Mechanical keyboards are those in which each of the keycaps has a separate and individual switch underneath it. Unlike membrane ones, these keyboards don’t have a single sheet or surface underneath the keycaps.
Let’s explain that a bit so that you can understand the difference a little better.
In membrane keyboards, there is a sheet underneath all the keycaps. On different parts of this sheet, the various alphabets and letters are inscribed. When a keycap is pressed, it goes down and touches the spot directly underneath it on the sheet. This triggers the command that the user has entered a certain alpha-numeric value or sequence etc.
On the other hand, in mechanical keyboards, there is no membrane or sheet below the keycaps. Instead, all of them have an individual and separate plastic switch underneath.
That is the technical difference in the structure. However, by virtue of these two different mechanisms, the two types of keyboards are different in longevity, feel and keypress sensation etc.
Why Should You Buy a Mechanical Keyboard?
Now that we are done looking at what these things are, let’s look at why you should buy one. Here we go…
1. Better and Faster Typing
This is probably the main (and, for some people, the ‘only’) reason why you would want to switch over to a mechanical keyboard. In essence, mechanical boards give a better and faster typing experience because the keys are more easily pressable.
To explain, that means that you don’t have to spend as much time or force pressing down on a key in a mechanical keyboard as you would have to with a membrane one.
In the latter type, the key is registered once it goes all the way down and touches the bottom. That could be a very negligible distance, viz. from the original position to the bottom, and you may not feel as if it’s a big deal.
However, in mechanical keyboards, the switch is considered to be pressed once it goes down 50%. Since the travel distance is lesser, you can quickly switch over to the next key.
Conclusion? Mechanicals are quicker to type with…voila.
2. A Sound And Feel of Your Choice
Another awesome feature of mechanical keyboards is that there are different types of switches that you can choose from to get the right sound and feel.
There are three main types which include linear, tactile, and clicky.
Linear switches are those that have a short travel distance. They’re like the briefly pressable buttons you would find on a laptop. The sound created by these switches is also minimal/nil.
Tactile is one step ahead of simple linear switches. They have slightly more compressibility, and they give out a louder sound when pressed.
Clicky are, well….they’re clicky. Each key, upon being pressed, makes a loud click and goes down quite a bit.
Hence, with the availability of these different types of switches, it can be a bit easier for you to find the right one for yourself and make your typing experiences tailored to your preference.
KLIM Chroma Quietest Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Top Recommendation
KLIM Chroma Quietest Wireless Gaming Keyboard- Extra durable
KLIM Shift Quietest Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – Best Price to Quality Ratio
1. Logitech G413 – Best Overall
Let’s start off with something nice and simple, shall we?
The Logitech G413 comes with some decent features and perks with quite a reasonable price tag (~$89.99). The keys feature Romer-G switches, which give an excellent typing experience and keypress response. Each key is individually backlit instead of having a single big light behind the whole layout.
The main body of the G413 is made using aircraft-grade, brushed aluminum. If there’s anything that says ‘premium’ about this device, it’s the skeleton.
One interesting thing about the G413 is that it comes with just red backlighting. That can be a bit of a surprise, seeing that the G213 (which is a much cheaper model) comes with 16 million + coloring options across five different zones on the board.
Besides the usual keys, the G413 does not have any other media or dedicated programmable buttons. While you can tinker with the functionality of the F1 – F12 keys, there aren’t any ‘G’ buttons; as is seen in some other devices offered by the company. There are, however, two LED indicators above the number pad.
Why is The Logitech G413 The Best Quietest Mechanical Keyboards in 2023?
The Romer-G switches are made to provide excellent performance and durability. For people who have to do some rigorous typing, only performance isn’t enough. It is important for the keys to be tough and hardy so that they don’t come off while you are whacking away.
That’s why the G413 is a good choice for typists and writers.
2. Corsair STRAFE MK.2 – Premium Pick
Okay, let’s take things up a notch.
The Corsair STRAKE MK.2 comes with a whole galore of awesome, mouth-watering features. There is nothing, or very little, that leaves to be desired with this product. Awesome key response, excellent volume control, RGB lighting options and integrated palm-rests all make up an outstanding arsenal of remarkable perks.
We want to leave some space for the other products as well, so let’s talk about only the truly distinguished parts of this board.
Firstly, check out the volume control up on the right corner. That isn’t your standard button adjuster, no, sir. For bringing the volume up and down, you get to scroll a nice and feelable wheel.
With the Corsair iCUE software, you can get in deep with the lighting customization and the macro programming.
Oh, and did we mention? The keys are all linear and silent.
3. Logitech G513 – Runner Up
Here’s the thing; all the keyboards that we are listing in this review share some common, yet awesome, basic features like the key feeling and the design etc. Mentioning these types of points repeatedly will be a bit redundant. So, for every product, let’s keep our eyes on the unique and special aspects. Y’all follow?
And coming to the G513, the distinct and special features are the detachable palm rest and the variety of available switch options.
Let’s talk about the palm rest first.
There are some keyboards, like the G213 (which is not a mechanical one, by the way), that have a bulky rest perpetually attached to ’em. If someone ever has the need to remove it, they can’t. Yikes.
On the other hand, there are some products like the G413 that don’t have a rest at all. If someone ever has the need to use one, they can’t. Yikes again.
But with the G513, you get a memory foam rest that you can attach and detach whenever you like. Apart from the detachability, the material itself is excellent. Rests are usually made from plastic. Think about sinking your hands down on that cushiony foam…
Secondly, there are different variants and types that you can choose from when buying this product. Obviously, since our topic of discussion is silent keyboards, we will stick to mentioning the one with the linear switches. However, should someone require a different experience, it’s good to know that there are choices available.
4. Code V3
We’ve seen some flashy and glittery products till now, so let’s look at something calm and simple.
The things we like about the Code V3 are the 1) bare and clean appearance, and 2) the minimalist white lighting.
There are no bulky controls or flashy, curved logos on this device. It’s just a clean and simple board with a monochrome façade. The black keys and body matched with the simple white lights give this keyboard an extremely aesthetic look. If you are someone with a mature and refined taste, this might be just the thing for you. (Hey, we’re not saying RGB is immature. Calm down)
As for the white lighting, there are seven different levels of brightness that you can choose from. Depending on the usual lighting of your surroundings, just one level of brightness would have been either too dim or too bright.
5. Anne PRO 2
Oh boy, somebody cut off some limbs from that one, didn’t they?
Well, no, that’s actually how it’s made to be. That is a 60% keyboard, gentlemen, and it’s quite a useful thing to have.
If you have a small desk with limited space to place all your peripherals, you should try going for something other than the full, 100%, 101-key boards. 60% percent keyboards, like the Anne PRO 2 here, can be a great choice.
In these boards, you get the necessary keys for your typing needs. Extra stuff, like the F-key strip and the number pad etc., is not included in them. But then again, you can make do without those.
The second awesome thing about the Anne PRO 2 is the portability. How much space will that thing take up? You can easily carry it around in your bag or case without worrying about it getting warped or bent out of shape.
6. Fnatic miniSTREAK
The Fnatic miniSTREAK is a good choice for those users who, while not wanting to go for a full-sized keyboard, aren’t very comfortable with 60 percenters either. In other words, this product is bigger than the Anne PRO 2 we saw just now, while it is smaller than the standard boards like the Logitech G413 and G513.
There are different variants and versions available for this product as well. The ‘Red’ switches are the silent ones, so that is what you should be buying for a quiet experience.
The unique and excellent feature of the Fnatic miniSTREAK is the palm rest. The detachable rest is made of leather and can be adjusted at three different levels. If you aren’t comfortable with the default setting, you can tinker with it a bit and set it at a level that you are easy with.
7. Das Keyboard 4
And rounding up our list, we have the Das Keyboard 4.
This thing is slim, boys. If you have ever felt like you could do with a keyboard that doesn’t rise too much from the tabletop, try this one out. The total height of this device is 0.80 inches.
The keys on the Das Keyboard 4 aren’t backlit. However, there are some aesthetic controls above the num-pad which add a pretty nice touch of elegance all the same. That red circle is the volume control. Don’t worry; it is raised above the surface of the board for easy gripping.
One thing that you should know before you start running to the store to buy this one is that it is expensive. With a price tag of $169.99, this could be out of the reach of users who are looking to buy something on a budget.
How to Choose the Best Mechanical Keyboard in 2023? – Buying Guide
In this list, we have tried to cover products in different price ranges so that users with all kinds of budgets can find something good to buy. But, if you don’t fancy any of the above keyboards, you can take to the shops yourself and buy something that ‘clicks’ with you.
Before you do that, however, you should take a minute to understand the various features and qualities that should exist (and not exist) in a good keyboard. Let’s take a look at some factors that you should keep an eye out for when buying a mechanical keyboard:
Switch Type
Always remember, linear is the most silent type of switch. If you want a quiet experience, go for linear switches. Tactile and clicky are noisier.
Before going ahead with your purchase, you should check and double-check what the description says about the switch type. And also, make sure you click on the right variant when adding the product to your cart.
Backlighting
Backlighting, even if it is not the flashy and fancy RGB one, is a welcome feature that you should try and snag. In dark surroundings, having a light underneath the keys can be helpful. If you get some additional control or functionality in the backlight, like the Code V3 has different brightness levels, it’s all the more awesome.
Number of Keys
If you are in the habit of using the full layout, viz. the number pad, F-keys, arrows keys etc., then you should not try and switch over to a keyboard that has a lesser body percentage. You could, but it will take you some time to get familiar.
On the other hand, if you want a device that you can easily carry around, then you should buy something smaller so that it doesn’t become too cumbersome to lug around.
Wrist Rests
Having a rest below the keyboard can be very helpful and healthy for typists who have to write out long documents and reports throughout the day. The desk surface and the edge of the board itself can dig into the palms and wrists, which can be quite uncomfortable.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. This post should have sufficiently educated you about mechanical keyboards. There is a lot more to know about them, but this did cover the basic stuff.
In the end, our recommendation is to buy the Logitech G513. It is a bit on the expensive side, but if you can afford it, the detachable palm rest, aluminum body, smooth and responsive keys topped with the backlighting can be a very awesome package of features.
But, if you are looking for something more inexpensive, then you should consider all the options equally and choose the one that you feel most comfortable with. In the end, it’s about your ease and convenience.
(5 votes, average: 4.60 out of 5)
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