Hi all
I'm wondering if someone could recommend a nice quiet mechanical keyboard for typing. No need for Leds but quiet is good due to video conferencing. Can be wired or wireless either is fine. I'm a bit confused with all the options out there! Ideally sub $100.
Thanks for any recommendations.
Update: many thanks for the detailed replies. Sounds like I need to stick to non mechanical and improve my mic setup. Cheers all.
Neither does a budget of $100!
This is probably the closest you will get to something that will last
Wireless https://www.centrecom.com.au/logitech-g613-wireless-mechanic…
Wired https://www.centrecom.com.au/logitech-g512-rgb-mechanical-ga…
I looked into it and decided it wasn't worth it and ended up getting a scissor-switch KB mouse combo which I am really quite happy with https://www.logitech.com/en-au/product/mk470-slim-wireless-c…
You might need to hunt a little though, I bought it from CPL last week but can't seem to find it anymore, suspect it is out of stock.
Cherry MX Red switches are somewhat quiet (for a mechanical keyboard).
You mean brown switches.
Red/black are about the same. Corsair has a "Silent" switch which to me is a lot like the red/black but a little mushier. Browns are similar (apart from being tactile), but I would still put red/black as quieter than brown.
Browns are the 'quiet' switches. I have browns and honestly they aren't particularly quiet.
Acceptable volume depends on a few things.
One - location of mic. I use my webcam's mic on top of my monitor, and with some adjustments it doesn't pick up the keyboard sound.
Two - other people working with you. If my wife is a metre or two away, she finds it annoying. 2 or 3 or more it's okay.
You could also just use a push to talk function so you are only emitting sound when you want. Quite fast to get to used to that.
I use brown switches (cheap Velocifire TKL keyboard from Amazon) and it annoys the heck out of everyone when I start typing on it during meetings :P
Remember to press your mute key when you're bashing on your keyboard, or use a microphone that is unidirectional (picks up sound only from one direction)
How do you find this keyboard? I have bought one last week (although a different model). Are the switches must different from the Cherry MXs?
I have only ever used one genuine Cherry MX switch in my life, which is the Black so I have no idea how Outemu brown compares to the Cherry Mx brown kb.
https://www.mwave.com.au/product/cherry-mxboard-20-usb-keybo…
Basic no bells and whistles. Brown switches and made by Cherry themselves, for only $80.
It depends on what you mean by quiet.
The noise from a mechanical keyboard comes from two sources - (1) the keycaps hitting the metal plate, and (2) the actuation of the switch.
You can reduce the actuation sound by changing the switch that you use. For example, a blue switch is quite loud because it is clicky. If you go to a brown switch, it'll be even quieter because it's less clicky. Going to a red switch will mean that the actuation of the switch is completely silent. However, the keyboard will still be loud because the keycaps will still be hammering into the metal plate as you type. No variation in key switch can change this.
People used to put on their switches which apparently made them quieter, but I've never tried this before. Another option is to choose a good quality non-mechanical keyboard, of which there are many. Scissor switch keyboards have become particularly good over the past few years. Something like the Logitech MX Keys is a really nice keyboard with a scissor switch.
That said, if you want to reduce the noise on a video conference, you need to put the mic closer to you and isolate it. This means getting a proper mic, a boom arm and a shock mount.
Nice post.
People used to put on their switches
What do they put on their switches?
O-rings under each key.
Thanks for your detailed reply. I should look into a mic you're right. My current webcam mic is super sensitive and pics up noise in the next room, so I've always got my finger on the mute button!
I just got my first mechanical keyboard from Redragon. Got the k580-pro with brown switches and it came in at around $130 which is slightly higher than your budget. Fantastic to work on all day however as already noted Brown is not quiet.
Personally I don't mind the noise, but everyone else in the house hates it when I'm working.
For video conferencing you are better getting a non-mechanical keyboard as I always get the comment from others when conferencing (phone and video) that it sounds like I'm using a keyboard from a couple of decades back.
I've order some o-rings to see if that dampers the sounds as apparently this will help with reducing the clicky-clack.
Seems like you and others are right - best to avoid mechanical for my use.
Yeah I went through this search recently.
Mechanical + quiet are mutually exclusive. Need to pick one!
If its productivity, I recommend you stretch your budget a little (tax deduction!) and look into the Logitech MXKeys - wireless or wired, low profile and great build quality. I know mechanical is all the rage for gamers, but honestly typing is a lot faster on a low profile chiclet board.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=logitech+mx+key…
Good luck!
Thanks, I've had bad experiences with low profile before but they were cheap. Will check it out.
brown switches with o-rings added to (partially) silence the noise when the key bottoms out aren't too bad noise-wise; i use one in an open-plan office and it isn't noticeable. kogan's brown switch board is currently $46 + delivery.
Yep. O-rings help a lot. I actually use browns in an open Office with O-rings. No complaints, though it's IT and a few of us have clacky keyboards.
Just mute yourself on video conferences? Or are you typing and speaking at the same time?
Most of the time I'm on mute but often I need to keep the mic open while taking notes.
I bought one of these on the weekend. Sub $100. Genuine Cherry browns. No rgb, and it hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on quality:
https://www.catch.com.au/product/azio-armato-red-backlit-gam…
I was also tempted to try this one, but I talked myself out of the red switches. Really good reviews on this board though:
https://www.catch.com.au/product/mionix-wei-gaming-mechanica…
If these are of interest there are some discounted Catch gift cards coming up in a few days time?
I bought this when I first started working from home. It's not quiet but it's quite nice and fits your budget of <$100.
https://www.amazon.com.au/XPG-INFAREX-K20-Mechanical-Anti-Gh…
Gigabyte FORCE K81 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Kailh Red Switch $79.95 Delivered — Don't believe the product title of Cherry MX Red. It uses Kailh Red switches. If you want Cherry then look for K83.
Thank you so much for all the replies and advice.
Silent Red MX Switches ftw :P
Quiet and mechanical don't really go together in keyboards.