When purchasing a keyboard for long hours working and gaming, the number of options is essentially narrowed down to two: membrane keyboards and mechanical keyboards. While membrane keyboards generate virtually no noise, mechanical keyboards do, also depending on the type of switch used.
For some users, the noise it generates is a problem, not only on a personal level but also for the environment in which they use it. However, once you have tried a mechanical keyboard, it is impossible to go back to classic membrane keyboards, they no longer offer the same haptic sensation which confirms that you have pressed the key.
The solution is not to look for a quieter mechanical keyboard and make a significant investment again, because these types of keyboards aren't exactly cheap.
Why do mechanical keyboards make noise?
Mechanical keyboard switches use a mechanism that, when moved all the way, bottoms out and produces a characteristic sound that depends on the type of switch used.
Blue switches generate the most noise because they include an additional mechanism that provides the feedback the user needs to know that they have pressed the key correctly.
How to Reduce Mechanical Keyboard Noise
If you like the keyboard you use but are forced to look for a solution to the level of noise it generates, below we show you the best options to achieve this without having to buy a quieter mechanical keyboard or go back to a membrane keyboard.
Keyboard dampers
Using suppressor rings is the quickest and most comfortable way to reduce the noise of any mechanical keyboard when you press its keys. These rings are located above the switch, below the key and, in addition, they are also responsible for reduce vibration.
The main advantage of using shutter rings is their compatibility with all keyboards using mechanical switches. They are made of transparent silicone, so it does not affect the keyboard lighting and it has a very economical price.
foam stickers
Another great option for reducing the noise level of mechanical keyboards is to use foam stickers placed under the keyboard switch.
Some latest generation keyboards with mechanical switches incorporate this system to reduce the noise level they generate.
The problem with this solution is that we can only use it on keyboards where we can extract the mechanical switches to replace them with others, since they are located between the PCB and these.
Padding foam
In addition to the two options mentioned above, you can also purchase a strip of foam which is placed between the switch and the keys and which is responsible for capturing a large part of the sound generated with each press.
The problem with this option is finding the perfect size for our keyboard. Most of these types of foam padding are intended for compact keyboards, that is, without numeric pads or scroll arrows.
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