I'm looking to replace my old Dell keyboard, which is starting to squeak. My main objective is to find a new keyboard that's both quiet and suitable for gaming. I'm not super picky since I've used a budget keyboard for years, but I do want something that gives a tactile response without being noisy. I play online and don't want my mechanical keyboard clacking picked up by my mic.
To sum it up:
- I'm in need of a gaming keyboard
- I prefer a tactile feel
- It shouldn't be clicky, or even moderately noisy
- Wired is a must to avoid battery issues
- Basic multimedia controls would be great (like volume and play/pause)
- Price isn't a major concern but I'd like to stay under $100, maybe $150 max for something exceptional.
Any suggestions?
7 Answers
Membrane keyboards or pre-lubed magnetic options like the Field 75 HE work well if you're after quiet. Very satisfied with mine!
You should definitely consider a keyboard with brown switches. They provide a tactile feel without the loud clicky sound that blue switches have. I've got a few myself that were under $40 on Amazon, and they perform really well. I recommend checking out my favorite one, it's been a fantastic investment for my gaming setup!
Thanks for the tip! I'll look into it, although I've heard mixed reviews about some breaking easily. But for that price, it might be worth a shot.
Do the brown switches actually reduce the noise level? I have a keyboard with Cherry MX Browns, and it still seems way too loud for me!
I snagged the SteelSeries TKL for about $40 and I love it! It doesn’t have all the fancy buttons, but it has pause and volume controls. Very quiet too!
That sounds promising! Is it really quiet during gaming sessions?
I recently got a Keychron V1 for about $100 and it's been great. The keys are tactile but not clicky, and you can even swap out the switches if you want to experiment later. Just keep in mind, you might hear a slight 'tick' when you press down fully, but most mics shouldn't pick it up. If you have a Micro Center nearby, try to test one out in-store!
I love the look of the K10 with that wood styling! Do all their models come with the same switches?
The Logitech G915 with brown switches could be a good match too. It's modern, sleek, and designed for quiet performance. Have a look at it; I think you might like it!
Thanks! Have you used this one personally?
Check out the magnetic models from Epomaker; they're really quiet. They don’t have much tactile feel but typing on them is smooth! I have their 68% model, but they offer different sizes.
What do the different size percentages mean in terms of functionality?
For a super quiet option, low-profile membrane keyboards are great, though they lack tactile feedback. If you're curious about something different, magnetic or Hall effect keyboards are also quiet but require a different typing style.
Is the Field 75 HE really silent? I need something that won’t disturb others.