For users who spend long hours typing at home, in shared offices, or during late-night gaming sessions, keyboard noise can quickly become an inconvenience. Mechanical keyboards are well-loved for their feel and durability, but some switch types are noticeably louder than others. In this guide, we explore what are the quietest keyboard switches, how they work, and what you should consider when choosing a low-noise solution.

What Are Quiet Keyboard Switches?

Quiet keyboard switches are mechanical or hybrid switches designed to minimize typing noise while maintaining a smooth and responsive feel. Unlike clicky switches—which include a deliberate “click” mechanism—quiet switches reduce both the top-out noise (when a key is pressed down) and bottom-out noise (when a key returns). Manufacturers achieve this through:

• Integrated silicone or rubber dampeners
• Reduced stem travel noise
• Precision-lubricated internal components
• Modified housing material to reduce resonance

Quiet switches are popular among office workers, students, late-night gamers, and remote professionals who share living spaces. According to enthusiast communities on Reddit and Deskthority, silent linear switches consistently rank among the least intrusive for everyday use, particularly in professional environments.

Types of Quiet Switches — Linear, Tactile, and Scissor/Capacitive (Which Is Quietest?)

1. Linear Silent Switches (Quietest Overall)

Silent linear switches are widely considered the quietest due to their smooth travel and built-in dampeners. Examples include HMX Sakura Silent and Outemu Honey Peach V3. Real-world tests show noise levels around 40–45 dB.

2. Silent Tactile Switches (Quiet, but Slightly Louder)

These switches keep the tactile bump but remove the audible click. Options like HMX Volume 0 T typically produce 45–50 dB, still significantly quieter than standard tactile switches.

3. Scissor / Capacitive Switches

Found in laptops and low-profile keyboards, scissor switches rely on short travel and provide moderately quiet performance. Capacitive switches such as Topre offer cushioned feedback with minimal sound.

Which Is the Quietest?

Most tests conclude: Silent linear > Silent tactile > Capacitive > Standard tactile > Standard linear > Clicky, making silent linears the best choice when noise reduction is the priority.

Top Quiet Switches to Consider

Switch Name	Type	Noise Level	Feel	Best For
HMX Silent Sakura V2	Silent Linear	★★★★★	Smooth	Office, gaming
Outemu Honey Peach V3	Silent Linear	★★★★★	Soft, lightweight	Quiet environments
HMX Volume 0 T	Silent Tactile	★★★★☆	Strong bump	Typing-focused work
Outemu Butterfly	Silent Linear	★★★★★	Thick, dampened	Hybrid usage
Topre 45g	Electro-capacitive	★★★★☆	Cushion-like	Professional typing

 

Switch Category	Estimated dB	Notes
Silent Linear	40–45 dB	Quietest overall
Silent Tactile	45–50 dB	Tactile bump adds mild noise
Low-profile Scissor	45–52 dB	Common in laptops
Standard Linear	50–55 dB	Noticeably louder
Clicky Switches	60–65 dB+	Loudest category

If you want to explore more options, browsing full collections of keyboard switches can help you compare noise profiles, weights, and build types.

How to Make Any Keyboard Quieter (Lubing, Dampening, Stabilizers, Keycaps, Foam)

1. Lubing Switches

Lubing reduces friction and scratchiness, resulting in a softer, quieter keystroke.

2. Using Switch Films or Dampeners

Films improve switch tightness while O-rings and landing pads soften bottom-out noise.

3. Stabilizer Upgrades

Stabilizers often cause the loudest rattles. Lubed or screw-in stabilizers drastically reduce noise.

4. Changing Keycap Material

Thicker PBT keycaps absorb more sound compared to ABS, resulting in deeper and quieter acoustics.

5. Keyboard Foam & Case Dampening

Adding foam layers between plates and case interiors reduces resonance dramatically.

6. Choosing a Quieter Desk Surface

Desk mats reduce vibration noise significantly compared to hard tabletops.

Choosing the Right Quiet Switch for Your Use Case

Office / Shared Workspace

Recommended: Cherry MX Silent Red or Gateron Silent Red. Extremely quiet and professional.

Gaming (Late-Night or Shared Room)

Recommended: Gateron Silent Black or Durock Silent Linear.

Hybrid Work

Recommended: Boba U4 Silent or Durock Silent T1.

Students / Shared Dorms

Silent linears or scissor switches minimize disturbance during study sessions.

Professionals Requiring High Accuracy

Silent tactile switches offer feedback without extra sound.

When choosing the right switch, consider noise sensitivity, tactile preference, weight, and environment.

Conclusion

Quiet keyboard switches offer a comfortable and unobtrusive typing experience for workers, gamers, and remote professionals. Silent linear switches consistently provide the lowest noise levels, while silent tactile and capacitive options also deliver excellent performance for users who prefer feedback. Combined with modifications such as lubing and case dampening, you can significantly reduce overall keyboard noise and build an enjoyable typing setup.

To explore more switch types, browse high-quality keyboard switches and discover options tailored to your needs.

FAQs

What switch types are naturally the quietest?

Silent linear switches are generally the quietest due to their smooth travel and integrated dampening.

Will lubing switches make them silent?

Lubing helps reduce friction noise but won’t make inherently loud switches completely silent. It works best combined with silent switch designs.

Do silent switches affect typing performance?

Silent switches may feel slightly softer due to dampeners, but most users experience minimal impact on typing or gaming performance.