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The 5 Best Quiet & Silent Gaming Keyboards in 2023

, by Danielle Slauter, 8 min. read

Whether you’re in a dorm and trying to be courteous of your roommates or you just can’t stand the constant “click click click” noise, finding a quiet gaming keyboard can be a bit of a challenge. And is there even such a thing as a truly silent gaming keyboard? We’re here to give the rundown on everything you’d want to know about quiet mechanical keyboards, down from switches to O-rings.

Below are the best and quietest gaming keyboards you can go out and purchase right now. With both wired and wireless options, plenty of customization, and silent switches, you’ll find your perfect fit. Just be sure to use your Student Beans discount to save extra money before you buy your new quiet gaming keyboard!

1. Razer BlackWidow Elite

Manufacturer: Razer | Weight: 3.69 lbs | Connectivity: USB | Switch: Yellow | Price: $$

The Razer BlackWidow Elite is our overall pick for the best quiet gaming keyboard. With this model, you’ll find the perfect balance between price and ergonomics, all housed within a beautifully backlit keyboard. Depending on your preference, you can opt for Yellow or Orange keyboard switches, allowing you to go almost completely silent.

Aside from being on the the most quiet gaming keyboard available, the Razer BlackWidow Elite is also fully RGB backlit. There’s also the added bonus of the lower wrist pad and versatile media keys. This well-rounded silent gaming keyboard should be at the top of your list.

ProsCons
· Attached lower wrist pad
· RBG lighting customization
· O-rings add to sound dampening		· Not wireless
· Little customer support
· Issues with media controls

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2. Corsair K70 RAPIDFIRE

Manufacturer: Corsair | Weight: 2.64 lbs | Connectivity: USB | Switch: Cherry MX Speed | Price: $$

Corsair is known for their high-quality gaming peripherals, and this quiet gaming keyboard is no different. The brushed aluminum frame on the Corsair K70 RAPIDFIRE already elevates the quality and style, not to mention adding style and durability. The included anti-ghosting software means there’s almost zero latency while allowing you to customize your quiet gaming keyboard to the max.

Thanks to the textured keycaps, you won’t have to worry about missing presses, even though it’s a virtually silent gaming keyboard. The Cherry switches add to quiet, with little to no noise, even if you’re typing fast. Just be sure to note this keyboard is fairly large, and the stabilizers can come loose after awhile.

ProsCons
· Durable aluminum frame
· Anti-ghosting iCUE software
· Internal memory can retain three different profiles		· Loose stabilizers
· Large keyboard size
· Complex when it comes to customizing

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3. Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT

Manufacturer: Corsair | Weight: 0.94 lbs | Connectivity: USB | Switch: Rubber Dome | Price: $$

The game changed when Corsair released the K55 RGB PRO XT. This full-sized gaming keyboard is the best of the best when it comes to silent gaming. The rubber dome switches are virtually silent, ensuring you won’t wake anyone up during your late night gaming sessions. It’s also water resistant, meaning it’ll still work if you spill something on it.

Now, on to the fun features. There’s six different lighting effects to choose from, and iCUE integration allows for your keyboard lighting to respond to what’s going on in the game. There’s even a handy little wrist rest to ensure you’re comfortable for hours on end. We seriously can’t gt over how cool this quiet gaming keyboard is.

ProsCons
· Totally silent
· Great for a budget
· Customization		· Keys feel heavy
· Not top notch build

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4. SteelSeries Apex Pro

Manufacturer: SteelSeries | Weight: 2.14 lbs | Connectivity: USB | Switch OmniPoint Adjustable | Price: $$$

Looking for a quiet gaming keyboard that has all the extra bells and whistles? Then allow us to introduce you to the SteelSeries Apex Pro. Equipped with an aluminum alloy case, OLED smart display, and anti-ghosting software, this silent gaming keyboard has just about everything you could want. This keyboard is also built to be personalized thanks to the RGB lighting, the ability to store five user profiles, and allowing you to customize the actuation point.

Although it’s not the quietest gaming keyboard since it uses Cherry MX Brown switches (and the O-rings don’t help in this regard, either), the Apex Pro from SteelSeries is still a solid option when it comes to more quiet gaming keyboards. Just note that if you lower the actuation point too far, you’ll likely miss some keypresses.

ProsCons
· Aluminum frame
· Anti-ghosting software
· Customizable actuation point		· Large keyboard size
· Lacking customer support
· O-rings can sometimes block keystrokes

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5. Logitech G915

Manufacturer: Logitech | Weight: 3.63 lbs | Connectivity: USB or Bluetooth | Switch: Low-Profile GL | Price: $$$

If you’re looking for the quietest gaming keyboard that also offers wireless capabilities, the Logitech G915 is the perfect choice. Although it’s certainly not the quietest gaming keyboard on the list, the switches offer a blend between tactile and silent. Unfortunately, the Logitech G915 doesn’t offer any true noise-dampening capabilities. It relies fully on the key switches for the reduction in noise.

The software options aren’t the best, either. Between sessions, you’ll likely lose your presets and lighting customizations. The price might deter some people, but if a quiet and wireless gaming keyboard is a must for you, there isn’t a better option available.

ProsCons
· Thin and durable frame
· Wired or wireless option
· Intuitive customization and programming		· Price
· Key covers feel cheap
· Loses presets and lighting effects

How To Make Your Mechanical Keyboard Quieter

There are a few different options to make your mechanical keyboard quieter. The easiest and least expensive option is to invest in a quality desk mat. The fabric underneath the keyboard will help to absorb some of the excess noise.

Other, more technical, options include inserting foam into the base of the keyboard or lubricating the key switches. But if your keyboard has truly “clicky” switches, the only way to soften the noise is to replace the switches with linear switches. Below, we talk about the quietest types of mechanical switches.

Quietest Mechanical Switches

If you’re planning on buying a mechanical keyboard or replacing the switches on one you already own, be sure to look for the two quietest keyboard switches on the market.

The Cherry MX Red is by far the quietest when it comes to mechanical keyboard switches. The only downside is that, because it’s so quiet, you might not actually register the feeling of hitting the key while you’re typing or gaming. If this isn’t an issue for you, and silence takes precedent above everything else, be sure to get the Cherry MX Red.

The Cherry MX Brown is a nice middle ground. While it’s still incredibly quiet, it offers more feedback when you strike a key on your keyboard. Most people who do a lot of typing on their mechanical keyboards prefer the Cherry MX Brown since it does offer them some kind of feedback as they’re working.

Desk Mats To Reduce Keyboard Noise

As we mentioned earlier, using a desk mat is an easy and affordable way to reduce keyboard noise without having to go out and buy a new keyboard or fiddle around with the current one you have. The logic behind this method is this: Every time you strike a key on your keyboard, it vibrates on your desk, thus amplifying the noise. By adding a desk mat, you’re dampening that sound.

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Need a headset to go with your new keyboard? Read through our picks for the best Logitech gaming headsets. And be sure to check out how we ranked every single JackBox Party Pack!

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