What's the quietest mechanical switch?

[mikes41720]

The office I work in is pretty darn silent for the most part, and I'm wondering what would be the best mechanical switch for me to use.

I used to have a Ducky DK9087G2PRO TKL with Cherry MX Blues and those things were noisy as hell!

Traded that board for a Ducky Shine 3 with Cherry MX Browns + Cash. But I'm afraid the browns are still a tad bit noisy for this environment.

I replaced the keycaps from ABS to PBT and that helped a bit, do you think o-rings will help? I don't want to consider getting linear switches like Reds & Blacks.

Are Topre boards or boards with MX Clears any less silent? I try my best not to bottom out but the spacebar is generating most of the noise, IMO.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[darkspider]

Topre for you.

[mikes41720]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

[Sniping]

I think the dampened Matias switches are quieter than topre.

[darkspider]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

Yes, it is.
It is by far quieter than any types of MX switches.

[mikes41720]

@Sniping -- I don't know if I'd have access to any of the Matias switches. Maybe I'll get to try them out someday!
@darkspider -- Noted! I hope it works out for me then.   

[Neo.X]

I have four keyboards in my office, one red, one black, one topre and one Matias silence. I can tell you the quietest one is the Lubed Red switch with Thick WYSE keycap.
 Yes, the keycaps make a lot of different on feel and sound. I tried all different type of keycaps, thin double shot ABS, thick PBT, thick double shot ABS, etc, and the thick WYSE is the quietest one.

 

[CPTBadAss]

Topre, Matias Quiet, Jailhouse Blues

[strict]

My silenced and lubed Topre is super quiet, even quieter than my office mates chiclet board. Standard Topre boards will be much quieter than pretty much all Cherry boards but will have a volume comparable to a standard office keyboard like those cheap HP or Dell keyboards that come with the computers (it will sound much nicer but volume will be similar).

[azhdar]

I have four keyboards in my office, one red, one black, one topre and one Matias silence. I can tell you the quietest one is the Lubed Red switch with Thick WYSE keycap.
 Yes, the keycaps make a lot of different on feel and sound. I tried all different type of keycaps, thin double shot ABS, thick PBT, thick double shot ABS, etc, and the thick WYSE is the quietest one.

 

Very true, caps affect a lot the sound of the typing, and lubed mx red are very quiet.

[demik]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

This is the best decision you'll make keyboard wise. Sadly, your time here will be short because you just ended your search for the perfect keyboard. Everything else will be a downgrade.

[azhdar]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

This is the best decision you'll make keyboard wise. Sadly, your time here will be short because you just ended your search for the perfect keyboard. Everything else will be a downgrade.

Unless you buy HHKB !

[merlin64]

If you're open to using o-rings. I've found that reds, blacks, browns and clear get pretty silenced with them on. The linears are even more silent than the tactile ones.

In my experience out of all the keyboards I've typed on..... from quietest to loudest. If keycaps aren't mentioned assume stock. I don't bottom out hard as well when I type.

Cherry Mx Black with 55g korean springs + O ring + GMK Dolch keycaps (Duck Viper)
Matias Quiet Click + O-ring (Assumed from my experience below...)
Matias Quiet Click and Topre sound about the same (Matias Ergo Pro, Realforce 45g, Novatouch (imsto thick pbt))
Vintage Cherry MX Black + O ring, (Wyse WY60)
Cherry Mx Red with O ring (CM Storm switch tester)
Cherry MX Black
Cherry ML
Cherry MX Clear
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Green
....
...
..
Buckling Spring (IBM Model M)

[mikes41720]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

This is the best decision you'll make keyboard wise. Sadly, your time here will be short because you just ended your search for the perfect keyboard. Everything else will be a downgrade.

Unless you buy HHKB !

The Realforce is my endgame keyboard for the most part! Might just want to try out Alps, Buckling Springs or MX Clears for the heck of it after!

If you're open to using o-rings. I've found that reds, blacks, browns and clear get pretty silenced with them on. The linears are even more silent than the tactile ones.

In my experience out of all the keyboards I've typed on..... from quietest to loudest. If keycaps aren't mentioned assume stock. I don't bottom out hard as well when I type.

Cherry Mx Black with 55g korean springs + O ring + GMK Dolch keycaps (Duck Viper)
Matias Quiet Click + O-ring (Assumed from my experience below...)
Matias Quiet Click and Topre sound about the same (Matias Ergo Pro, Realforce 45g, Novatouch (imsto thick pbt))
Vintage Cherry MX Black + O ring, (Wyse WY60)
Cherry Mx Red with O ring (CM Storm switch tester)
Cherry MX Black
Cherry ML
Cherry MX Clear
Cherry MX Brown
Cherry MX Red
Cherry MX Blue, Cherry MX Green
....
...
..
Buckling Spring (IBM Model M)

That's a good list! I am open to trying out o-rings. Actually ordered some from China, I have no idea when they're arriving though. It's good to know that Topre is around top 3 as that's going to be my next board.

[clacktalk]

stock topre is surprisingly loud. i wouldn't recommend it as a quiet switch.

silenced topre has a more blunted sound, so maybe a type-s is what you're after. for mx, linears that don't bottom out (due to heavy springs) or have o-rings on them would be the quietest.

[Findecanor]

The "Type-S" Topre Realforce are silenced also on the topping-up, as are the Matias Quiet.
The standard Topre switches are not, but can be modified to be ... at the expense of some travel distance.
The Space bar on some Topre keyboards can be louder than on some keyboards with Cherry MX: that is true especially for the Novatouch.

I find that Cherry MX Clear does not make much sound when you bottom out... but they have a lot more sound from the topping-up and just from the action of the switch itself - and those things are not easily silenced.
The hard topping up comes from the spring being stiff...

[Firebolt1914]

I would not recommend using o-rings as they give the switches a mushy sort of feel. With MX Browns it felt like typing on some bad rubber domes.

[divito]

They're all fairly quiet if you don't bottom out. But I have no idea what that's like so...

[intelli78]

Matias silent switches, or Topre silent.

[Hyde]

I would not recommend using o-rings as they give the switches a mushy sort of feel. With MX Browns it felt like typing on some bad rubber domes.

^ Truth, I'd avoid o-ring they just killed the whole experience of using mechanical keyboards.

That being said, I use MX Brown at work and no one complained so far.

Otherwise I'd say from quietest to loudest:

Topre Silent, Topre, Matias Quiet, MX Black, MX Clear, MX Red, MX Brown, MX Blue, Matias Clicky, Buckling Spring.

Anything quieter than MX Brown I think are acceptable in the office, and anything that's Topre or Matias Quiet are probably equally loud as regular rubber dome so which in turn should be more than acceptable.

[mikes41720]

stock topre is surprisingly loud. i wouldn't recommend it as a quiet switch.

silenced topre has a more blunted sound, so maybe a type-s is what you're after. for mx, linears that don't bottom out (due to heavy springs) or have o-rings on them would be the quietest.

We probably all have different noise tolerance levels! Lots of people have been saying stock topre is just fine. But I don't think I could adjust to linear switches. Tried reds and blacks, and I just didn't like the lack of tactile feel!

The "Type-S" Topre Realforce are silenced also on the topping-up, as are the Matias Quiet.
The standard Topre switches are not, but can be modified to be ... at the expense of some travel distance.
The Space bar on some Topre keyboards can be louder than on some keyboards with Cherry MX: that is true especially for the Novatouch.

I find that Cherry MX Clear does not make much sound when you bottom out... but they have a lot more sound from the topping-up and just from the action of the switch itself - and those things are not easily silenced.
The hard topping up comes from the spring being stiff...

I was looking to venture into a board with MX Clears. I bottom out a lot on my Browns because I'm heavy handed, so I thought if I had Clears, it would solve part of the problem. I guess not.

I would not recommend using o-rings as they give the switches a mushy sort of feel. With MX Browns it felt like typing on some bad rubber domes.

I would not recommend using o-rings as they give the switches a mushy sort of feel. With MX Browns it felt like typing on some bad rubber domes.

^ Truth, I'd avoid o-ring they just killed the whole experience of using mechanical keyboards.

That being said, I use MX Brown at work and no one complained so far.

Otherwise I'd say from quietest to loudest:

Topre Silent, Topre, Matias Quiet, MX Black, MX Clear, MX Red, MX Brown, MX Blue, Matias Clicky, Buckling Spring.

Anything quieter than MX Brown I think are acceptable in the office, and anything that's Topre or Matias Quiet are probably equally loud as regular rubber dome so which in turn should be more than acceptable.

I'll give the o-rings a shot. Some people seem to love 'em, some hate them. We'll see how it fares. But it's probably not going to matter as much once my Realforce 87U 55g comes in...

[eddie]

cherry wise i think the mx black is the quietest

[njbair]

Just wanna throw in a +1 for Matias Quiet Clicks.

[FrostyToast]

Matias switches are the best option. They have a dampened downstroke as well as a dampened upstroke without sacrificing the feel of the board (i.e. topre)

[chyros]

How about the old linear Space invaders? The ones from my 725 are quieter than rubber domes.

[mikes41720]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

[chyros]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

That's not surprising, nowadays most people only know about Cherry switches xD .

Quiet Alps (I.e. White or cream damped ones) are most often found in the Apple Extended II and SGI "granite" board, both very solid in construction. See the link in my signature for a review and typing demo of the AEKII.

Matias switches are a clone of a simplified design of the original, "complicated" Alps switches, so named because they have a fairly high parts count. Simplified Alps feel a little different (slightly better IMO) and wobble less, but can't be bought new and the design is somewhat vulnerable to dust so you need to find a board in good condition. Matias switches can be bought new which is a great advantage; many people just buy loose switches and solder them into existing boards.

[mikes41720]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

That's not surprising, nowadays most people only know about Cherry switches xD .

Quiet Alps (I.e. White or cream damped ones) are most often found in the Apple Extended II and SGI "granite" board, both very solid in construction. See the link in my signature for a review and typing demo of the AEKII.

Matias switches are a clone of a simplified design of the original, "complicated" Alps switches, so named because they have a fairly high parts count. Simplified Alps feel a little different (slightly better IMO) and wobble less, but can't be bought new and the design is somewhat vulnerable to dust so you need to find a board in good condition. Matias switches can be bought new which is a great advantage; many people just buy loose switches and solder them into existing boards.

Thanks for the explanation! I'll try checking out your review and typing demo in a bit. Because there's currently a V60 on Massdrop right now that has Matias Alps switches. Would be pretty interesting, but maybe I might try Buckling Springs for home use first because of my love for Cherry MX Blues. Oh, if only I could use my Blues in the office and not disturb the people!

[chyros]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

That's not surprising, nowadays most people only know about Cherry switches xD .

Quiet Alps (I.e. White or cream damped ones) are most often found in the Apple Extended II and SGI "granite" board, both very solid in construction. See the link in my signature for a review and typing demo of the AEKII.

Matias switches are a clone of a simplified design of the original, "complicated" Alps switches, so named because they have a fairly high parts count. Simplified Alps feel a little different (slightly better IMO) and wobble less, but can't be bought new and the design is somewhat vulnerable to dust so you need to find a board in good condition. Matias switches can be bought new which is a great advantage; many people just buy loose switches and solder them into existing boards.

Thanks for the explanation! I'll try checking out your review and typing demo in a bit. Because there's currently a V60 on Massdrop right now that has Matias Alps switches. Would be pretty interesting, but maybe I might try Buckling Springs for home use first because of my love for Cherry MX Blues. Oh, if only I could use my Blues in the office and not disturb the people!

Heheheh, although buckling springs sound (and IMO feel) much nicer than MX blues, they're also much louder. Bring it to work and within an hour there'll be people with pitchforks coming for you xD .

[mikes41720]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

That's not surprising, nowadays most people only know about Cherry switches xD .

Quiet Alps (I.e. White or cream damped ones) are most often found in the Apple Extended II and SGI "granite" board, both very solid in construction. See the link in my signature for a review and typing demo of the AEKII.

Matias switches are a clone of a simplified design of the original, "complicated" Alps switches, so named because they have a fairly high parts count. Simplified Alps feel a little different (slightly better IMO) and wobble less, but can't be bought new and the design is somewhat vulnerable to dust so you need to find a board in good condition. Matias switches can be bought new which is a great advantage; many people just buy loose switches and solder them into existing boards.

Thanks for the explanation! I'll try checking out your review and typing demo in a bit. Because there's currently a V60 on Massdrop right now that has Matias Alps switches. Would be pretty interesting, but maybe I might try Buckling Springs for home use first because of my love for Cherry MX Blues. Oh, if only I could use my Blues in the office and not disturb the people!

Heheheh, although buckling springs sound (and IMO feel) much nicer than MX blues, they're also much louder. Bring it to work and within an hour there'll be people with pitchforks coming for you xD .

I already feel like people are staring at me when I'm typing on my Browns. Hahaha! Checked out some of your reviews. Great job! Your voice is also pretty savvy! All so very vintage, I didn't know most of the boards on there! Looks like I still have much to learn on this end.

[ileben]

The Realforce is my endgame keyboard for the most part! Might just want to try out Alps, Buckling Springs or MX Clears for the heck of it after!

You've basically just described my journey so far

I find Matias Quiet Pro quieter than stock topre, but I am not a big fan of that switch as I think dampening makes it feel bouncy in a cheap way. Not sure how silenced Topre compares yet (but I will find out very soon).

These are all much quieter than MX brown as long as you bottom out.

[chyros]

In that case, what would be the best board with Alps switches? Is there a difference between Matias Alps and just Alps? Sorry, I haven't really heard too much about those kinds of switches.

That's not surprising, nowadays most people only know about Cherry switches xD .

Quiet Alps (I.e. White or cream damped ones) are most often found in the Apple Extended II and SGI "granite" board, both very solid in construction. See the link in my signature for a review and typing demo of the AEKII.

Matias switches are a clone of a simplified design of the original, "complicated" Alps switches, so named because they have a fairly high parts count. Simplified Alps feel a little different (slightly better IMO) and wobble less, but can't be bought new and the design is somewhat vulnerable to dust so you need to find a board in good condition. Matias switches can be bought new which is a great advantage; many people just buy loose switches and solder them into existing boards.

Thanks for the explanation! I'll try checking out your review and typing demo in a bit. Because there's currently a V60 on Massdrop right now that has Matias Alps switches. Would be pretty interesting, but maybe I might try Buckling Springs for home use first because of my love for Cherry MX Blues. Oh, if only I could use my Blues in the office and not disturb the people!

Heheheh, although buckling springs sound (and IMO feel) much nicer than MX blues, they're also much louder. Bring it to work and within an hour there'll be people with pitchforks coming for you xD .

I already feel like people are staring at me when I'm typing on my Browns. Hahaha! Checked out some of your reviews. Great job! Your voice is also pretty savvy! All so very vintage, I didn't know most of the boards on there! Looks like I still have much to learn on this end.

Cheers mate, glad you like them . Yes, they're all vintage, as I can't really got new boards for free, and most new boards use Cherries which don't really do it for me (might like reds though, interested in trying them sometime). I make a review every other weekend.

If you think MX browns might be loud for your co-workers, you won't believe your ears with some older switch designs, especially buckling springs xD .

[opensecret]

My experience is that it's hard to get much quieter than a silenced Topre switch.  My three quietest boards are:  1.  Realforce 87USW; 2.  Mattias Mini Quiet Pro; 3.  Corsair K95 (Reds with O-rings).  Loudest by a good margin is a Model M. 

[jamster]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

This is the best decision you'll make keyboard wise. Sadly, your time here will be short because you just ended your search for the perfect keyboard. Everything else will be a downgrade.

'Cept for the same keyboard, but in White, so's you can use the damn thing in a dimly lit room.

I came this close [holds fingers 3mm apart] to ordering from Massdrop until I realised that having to worry about lighting levels to us a keyboard would annoy me enough that it wouldn't satisfy my long term cravings.

Now waiting for EK to get some whites in. They are out of stock :/

[jamster]

I replaced the keycaps from ABS to PBT and that helped a bit, do you think o-rings will help? I don't want to consider getting linear switches like Reds & Blacks.

And yes, o-rings do help. I have tried them on a couple of MX boards. They do dampen the annoying clack a bit.

[mikes41720]

Topre for you.

I just ordered the Realforce 87U 55g on Massdrop. Would you know if they are much quieter than MX Browns? 

This is the best decision you'll make keyboard wise. Sadly, your time here will be short because you just ended your search for the perfect keyboard. Everything else will be a downgrade.

'Cept for the same keyboard, but in White, so's you can use the damn thing in a dimly lit room.

I came this close [holds fingers 3mm apart] to ordering from Massdrop until I realised that having to worry about lighting levels to us a keyboard would annoy me enough that it wouldn't satisfy my long term cravings.

Now waiting for EK to get some whites in. They are out of stock :/

I think the grey/white looks pretty cool too, but since I'm going to be using the RF board in my well-lit office, it should be fine. For the most part, I've learned to type without looking at the legends anyway, except for a few unusual symbols here and there. 

[Hypersphere]

I've posted some audio and associated waveforms for assorted keyboards and switches over on DT:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/audio-and-waveforms-of-assorted-keyboards-t11269.html

Based on my tests and experience, I find that the quietest mechanical switches are Topre with silencing rings and Matias Quiet switches.

[jamster]

I think the grey/white looks pretty cool too, but since I'm going to be using the RF board in my well-lit office, it should be fine. For the most part, I've learned to type without looking at the legends anyway, except for a few unusual symbols here and there. 

Yeah, I can touch type okay. It's entering passwords or symbols like % that mess me up. Happens enough that it does bug me too ever use a purely blank keyboard.

[mikes41720]

I've posted some audio and associated waveforms for assorted keyboards and switches over on DT:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/audio-and-waveforms-of-assorted-keyboards-t11269.html

Based on my tests and experience, I find that the quietest mechanical switches are Topre with silencing rings and Matias Quiet switches.

Thanks! This is really informative and helpful. Can't wait to be confirming it with the RF 87U 55g. 

I think the grey/white looks pretty cool too, but since I'm going to be using the RF board in my well-lit office, it should be fine. For the most part, I've learned to type without looking at the legends anyway, except for a few unusual symbols here and there. 

Yeah, I can touch type okay. It's entering passwords or symbols like % that mess me up. Happens enough that it does bug me too ever use a purely blank keyboard.

I know what you mean, I put sadster keycaps on my 1-9 number pad, and it was still a bit disorienting. Ha!

[ctm]

Orings help a lot. IMO MX Brown with orings or Matias quiet switches are around the same noise level as regular rubber dome keyboards. Sometimes I even find my colleague's Microsoft ergonomic rubber dome keyboard makes more noise than my Matias.