Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboards for Office Use

Quiet mechanical keyboards are specially designed to reduce noise while maintaining the satisfying feel of traditional mechanical keyboards. They achieve this through features like silent switches and sound-absorbing materials. This makes them ideal for office environments where noise can disrupt concentration.

The best quiet mechanical keyboards for office use combine performance with minimal sound. They come equipped with silent switches that offer a smooth typing experience. Many also feature durable keycaps made from materials like PBT and POM, ensuring longevity and comfort during long hours of work.

How do mechanical keyboards produce sound?

When you press a key on a mechanical keyboard, several parts interact to register your action. Unlike rubber dome vs. mechanical keyboards, where keys compress a soft membrane, mechanical keyboards rely on low-noise mechanical switches to trigger keystrokes. 

These switches consist of individual parts each with unique sounds. First, there’s the keycap itself, which may jiggle and hit the surrounding structure. Next, the switch’s stem moves down and interacts with a metal spring, creating friction and noise. 

Finally, as the spring compresses and releases, it hits the switch cover and the bottom casing, producing the familiar “click.” For an added layer of complexity, some mechanical keyboards come with a metal positioning plate. 

This plate can amplify sound by creating reverberations when a key is pressed. Additionally, traditional switches produce sounds not only when pressed down but also when they return to their original position. 

Part of Keyboard	Sound Produced
Keycap	Rattling and shaking
Switch stem	Friction noise
Spring	Compression and rebound noise
Positioning plate	Reverberation in the casing

What makes a mechanical keyboard silent?

The secret behind a quiet mechanical keyboard lies in special designs that dampen each of the above noises. Silent switches are the heart of these keyboards, engineered with rubber pads that act as shock absorbers, reducing the sound from the stem hitting the case. 

Unlike standard switches, which leave sound unmanaged, silent tactile switches for typing ensure that each keystroke is smoother and quieter. This way, you get the feel of a regular mechanical switch without the noise, making them perfect for office environments.

Keycaps also play a significant role in noise reduction. Noise-dampening keycaps made from materials like PBT and POM are thicker, which softens the sound of each keystroke. 

These materials also absorb sound more effectively than standard plastic keycaps, creating a quieter typing experience. Besides the material, many manufacturers add sound-absorbing foam or pads to the keyboard structure. 

These layers prevent internal vibrations and keep the noise level down, achieving a silent typing experience suitable for shared workspaces.

Best silent mechanical switches

Silent switches are ideal for those seeking a silent mechanical keyboard for office use. Let’s look at two popular Akko silent switch options that offer a great balance between performance and quietness.

Akko Penguin Switch

The Akko Penguin Switch is an excellent choice for quiet typing. With its 35g actuation force and smooth, 5-pin linear design, the Penguin provides a soft, noise-free keystroke. 

This switch is designed with rubber pads that dampen sound when keys are pressed and released, making it perfect for quiet workspaces. Many users report that this switch offers a silent typing experience without sacrificing speed or comfort.

Akko Fairy Switch

The Akko Fairy Switch offers another level of silence and responsiveness. Its sound-dampening features allow for swift, quiet keystrokes, making it ideal for typing and gaming in office settings. 

Compatible with most mechanical keyboards, the Akko Fairy Switch brings durability and quietness together, ensuring smooth operation without disturbing coworkers.

Benefits of using silent mechanical keyboards

Choosing a quiet mechanical keyboard for your office can make a world of difference in terms of productivity and comfort. A quiet keyboard reduces background noise, allowing you to focus better on your tasks. For example, the quietness of a silent mechanical switch helps in reducing distractions, keeping both you and your coworkers happy.

In addition to noise reduction, these keyboards provide tactile feedback that is less fatiguing for extended typing sessions. Unlike scissor switch quiet keyboards or membrane keyboards. 

Low-noise mechanical switches maintain durability and offer a consistent typing feel, which is essential for professionals. The benefits of quiet keyboards in office settings are clear—they enhance your typing experience and promote a better work environment.

Comparing Silent Mechanical Keyboards with Other Quiet Alternatives

1. Rubber Dome and Membrane Keyboards

Rubber dome and membrane keyboards are generally quiet, making them a common choice for those seeking quiet office keyboards. However, they lack the durability and responsiveness of mechanical switches. 

Rubber domes tend to wear out faster, losing their springiness, and membrane keyboards offer less tactile feedback. While they’re quieter by nature, they simply don’t provide the same typing experience as a quiet mechanical keyboard.

2. Laptop-Style Keyboards

Laptop-style keyboards, also known as scissor switches, are another quiet keyboard alternative. They have a short key travel and produce minimal noise, which is good for offices. However, scissor switch quiet keyboards lack the durability and responsiveness of mechanical switches. 

They may be comfortable for short sessions, but they’re not the best for long hours of typing, as they can cause finger fatigue more quickly than a mechanical keyboard.

3. Regular Mechanical Keyboards with Dampening Mods

If you already own a mechanical keyboard and want to reduce noise, noise-reduction keyboard mods are an option. Adding O-rings to the keycaps, lubricating the switches, or installing foam pads can dampen sound to a degree. 

However, this method may not provide the same level of quietness as a fully silent keyboard and requires a bit of DIY effort. For those who are handy with mods, this is a good way to get a silent typing experience from a traditional keyboard.

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Choose the silent mechanical keyboards

Finding the best quiet mechanical keyboards for office use involves considering both pre-built silent keyboards and custom options. Here’s how to make the best choice based on your needs.

1. Choose the pre-built silent mechanical keyboards

Pre-built silent mechanical keyboards come in a range of prices and offer different levels of noise reduction. If you’re looking for a hassle-free experience, pick a pre-built keyboard with silent switches and sound-dampening materials like PBT keycaps. 

Popular brands like Akko, Ducky, and Keychron produce excellent office-friendly models. Look for a reputable brand with good after-sales service, which ensures that any issues with the keyboard will be resolved quickly. 

2. Custom-build silent mechanical keyboards

For keyboard enthusiasts, building a custom silent mechanical keyboard is a rewarding project. This approach allows you to choose every part, from the silent switches and keycaps to the sound-dampening foam in the case. 

Selecting components such as Akko Penguin or Fairy switches and POM keycaps enables you to create a keyboard that matches your exact preferences in sound and feel. 

Although custom builds can be more expensive and time-consuming, they provide full control over the keyboard’s sound and typing experience, making them ideal for those passionate about a noise-free office setup.

Conclusion

Silent mechanical keyboards are a fantastic choice for offices, where maintaining a quiet environment can help boost focus and productivity. They provide the satisfying feel and precision of mechanical switches without the usual noise, making them ideal for shared workspaces. With options like the Akko silent switches and noise-dampening keycaps, it’s easy to find a setup that works well for any office setting.

Whether you go for a pre-built or custom model, investing in a quiet keyboard can make work more enjoyable and help minimize distractions. These keyboards are designed for durability, comfort, and quiet performance, meeting the demands of a modern office while keeping noise levels low.