Keyboard Key Switch Loudness Comparison
Ranking of Key Switch Noise Levels
Here's rank of noises of keyboard key switches. The ranking is based on practical use, not from pressing a single key. The ranking is from my own experience of using of keyboards since 1991 plus watching many internet videos.
Crazy Click-Clack Loud
- Buckling Spring Key Switch. Loudest.
- Cherry MX Blue switches.
- Cherry MX Red switches. MX Red is silent if you press it slowly. But the noise came from key hitting bottom.
Loud
- Cherry MX Brown switches.
- Cherry MX Black switches.
- Gateron Red switches.
- Topre Switch 45g. e.g. HHKB
- Logitech Romer-G Tactile Switch. 〔see Romer-G Switch〕.
Some Noise
- Topre Switch silent. e.g. HHKB Pro HYBRID Type-S, 2019
- Cherry MX Silent Black switches.
- Cherry MX Silent Red switches.
- Niz Switch topre clone.
Your Wife is Sleeping Quiet
- Kailh BOX Silent Pink switch. (available on Ultimate Hacking Keyboard V2)
- Chicklet key rubber dome scissor switches. e.g. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
- linear Kailh Choc Switch
- Laptop keyboards. 〔see Evolution of Laptop Keyboard〕
Where Does the Key Noise Came From
Some switches intentionally make a noise, such as Cherry MX Blue Clicky and Buckling Spring Key Switch
Most switches do not make much noise if you press them slowly.
The noise came from:
- The key hitting bottom. (try hit a key hard and fast, and hear the sound hitting bottom. This sound is similar if you hit desk with your finger fast. Try it. You get knocking sound.)
- Key bouncing back. (try this: press down the key slowly all the way, then move finger side way off suddenly. The key pops back by spring, “hits top”, makes noise.)
- Key housing. For example, the spacebar. The spacebar make the loudest noise, especially those from cheap rubber dome computer keyboards. e.g. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
- Friction noise. The spring, stem, keycap, together makes noises. Especially on cheap rubber dome computer keyboard.
Rubber O-Ring Noise Dampener (No Good)
One way to reduce noise is to buy those rubber ring switch dampeners. You put them in each key yourself.
I do not recommend it. Too much trouble, also it doesn't help much.
