What Type of Switch Is the Quietest?

What Are Mechanical Switches?

Mechanical switches are the heart of a mechanical keyboard. Unlike membrane keyboards, mechanical switches rely on individual mechanisms to register keystrokes. The mechanical switch is triggered by pressing the stem to achieve up and down movement so that the stem connects the contacts on the metal spring.

The mechanical keyboard switch can be roughly divided into 4 parts: switch cover, housing, stem, and spring. And some switches also have special structures, such as light guides. These components influence the typing experience, including noise levels.

Switches are generally categorized into three types:

• Clicky: Known for their audible "click" sound.
• Tactile: Provides a bump for feedback but with less noise than clicky switches.
• Linear: Smooth keystrokes with minimal feedback and typically quieter than the others.

Factors That Determine Switch Noise

1. Switch Type

Diffent types have different noise, just like clicky switches have a deliberate noise component, while linear switches avoid this entirely.

2. Stem and Housing Material

The biggest source of the switch noise we hear is the collision of the stem inside the switch. Just like clicky switches, the distinctive 'click-click-click' sound that people either love or dislike occurs when the lower part of the stem (slider) quickly passes over the raised portion of the moving piece and strikes the bottom.

Different stem and housing materials have different hardness and elasticity, which will affect the rebound speed and sound of the switch.

3. Spring Material

The material and design of the spring will also affect the sound of the switch. High-quality springs can reduce friction, make the switch smoother, and thus reduce the sound.

4. Lubrication level

Different types of lubricants have different effects on the sound of the shaft. For example, using a high-viscosity lubricant can increase the smoothness of the shaft, reduce friction, and thus reduce the sound.

5. External Factors

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect the friction coefficient of the shaft and the elasticity of the spring, thus affecting the sound. For example, in a dry environment, the friction of the shaft will increase, causing the sound to become louder.

In addition, different desk materials absorb and reflect sound differently. For example, a wooden desk may absorb some sound, while a glass or metal desk may reflect the sound, making it sound louder.

What Makes the Switch Quieter?

If you want to make the switch quiet, the most important thing is to eliminate the sound of the stem hitting the bottom and the top.

Generally, quiet switches reduce the noise by adding rubber bumpers on the stem, especially at the bottom and top. This is to help absorb and dampen the sound from the bottom, as well as when the stem hits the top housing as it rebounds.

At the same time, while reducing the sound, it will also effect the typing experience.

1.  Akko Fairy Switch

• Type: Linear
• Operating Force: 55±5gf
• Total Travel: 3.3 mm
• Pre Travel: 2.0±0.5 mm
• Characteristics: The Akko Fairy Switch is designed to provide a smooth and quiet typing experience, with a soft and gentle feel on each keystroke. It’s ideal for users seeking a quiet, smooth switch without tactile feedback or loud noise.
• Sound Level: Very quiet, with a gentle bottom-out noise due to its smooth travel and dampened design.
• Best For: Office work, quiet gaming, and minimal noise environments.

2.  Akko Penguin Switch

• Type: Tactile
• Operating Force: 50 ± 5gf
• Total Travel: 3.3mm
• Pre-Travel: 2.0 ± 0.5mm
• Tactile Travel: 0.4mm
• Tactile Force: 65gf ± 5gf
• Characteristics: The Akko Penguin Switch is another excellent option from Akko, offering a soft and quiet typing experience. It’s designed with a focus on smoothness, providing a comfortable, nearly silent keypress.
• Sound Level: Silent with a slight but minimal bottom-out sound. The switch is designed for users who want a quiet typing experience without sacrificing smoothness.
• Best For: Quiet typing sessions and those who prefer linear switches with a soft actuation feel.

3.  Cherry MX Silent Red

• Type: Linear
• Characteristics: The Cherry MX Silent Red is a popular choice for those who need a quiet switch without compromising the smoothness of linear switches. It features built-in noise-dampening technology, reducing the keypress sound significantly.
• Sound Level: Extremely quiet, especially in comparison to traditional linear switches.
• Best For: Silent gaming and office environments, where noise reduction is essential.

4.  Gateron Silent Red

• Type: Linear
• Characteristics: Gateron Silent Reds are similar to Cherry MX Silent Reds but are often considered a more affordable alternative. They feature a smooth keystroke with excellent noise reduction thanks to internal dampeners.
• Sound Level: Quiet with minimal bottom-out noise.
• Best For: Budget-conscious users who want silent typing without sacrificing performance.

5.  Razer Yellow (Silent)

• Type: Linear
• Characteristics: Razer’s Silent Yellow switch is another great option for those seeking a quiet typing experience. With smooth linear travel and a dampened actuation, it produces less noise than Razer’s standard mechanical switches.
• Sound Level: Quiet, with significantly less noise compared to Razer’s other switches like the Green or Orange switches.
• Best For: Gamers and professionals who require quiet, linear switches.

How to Choose the Right Quiet Switch for You?

1. Based on Your Needs

Choosing the right silent switch for you requires considering personal needs and usage environment. Do you use for a quiet office, library or home environment? Different environments have different requirements for the noise level of the switch.

2. Choose the Switch Type

Determine whether you need a linear or segmented silent switch. If you like a smooth keystroke experience, then a linear silent switch may be more suitable for you; if you like a responsive keystroke experience, then the tactile silent switch may be more suitable.

3. Based on Your Budget 

Consider your budget and brand preference. There are many different brands and models of silent switches available on the market, and you can choose according to your needs and budget.

4. Check Customer Reviews

Before making a purchase, it's recommended to try the switch or read reviews to ensure it meets your needs. Additionally, we highly suggest using a switch tester to find the perfect fit.

Conclusion

As a mechanical keyboard solution designed for quiet environments, silent switches have significant advantages in reducing noise and maintaining a good feel. If you’re looking for the quietest typing experience, silent linear switches are your best bet. 

Whether you’re working in a shared office or gaming late at night, quiet switches ensure you won’t disturb those around you while enjoying the benefits of a mechanical keyboard.

FAQ

Which switch is quieter, red or brown?

Red and brown switches are both very popular choices in mechanical keyboards, and red switches are generally quieter than brown switches.

The red switch is a linear switch; it goes straight to the bottom when pressing the key, has a short trigger stroke, and rebounds quickly, so the noise generated is relatively small. The brown switch is a tactile switch with a clear sense of paragraphs. It is slightly louder than the red switch

If it is used in a place where a quiet environment is required, such as an office, library, or late-night home use, the red switch is more suitable due to its lower noise level. If you are typing at home or in a gaming environment and do not require much noise, the unique feel of the brown switch may bring a better typing experience.

Are silent switches good for typing?

Silent switches are very suitable for typing. Not only can they effectively reduce noise interference, but they also provide a comfortable feel and reliable performance. Of course, when choosing a specific product, you also need to choose based on your personal preferences and needs.

The biggest feature of the silent switch is that it significantly reduces the sound of keystrokes. This is a great advantage for users who need a quiet environment, such as when using it in an office, library, or at home at night; it can greatly reduce the interference from people around.

Although the silent switch reduces noise, it does not mean sacrificing the feel. In fact, many high-quality silent switches are designed with full consideration of the balance of feel, providing a smooth and comfortable typing experience.

Is linear or tactile quieter?

Linear switches are generally quieter than tactile switches. 

Linear switches have no sense of segmentation. When pressing the key, it goes straight to the bottom, with a short trigger stroke and fast rebound. This design makes the linear switch produce relatively little noise when pressing and rebounding. 

The tactile switches have a distinct paragraph feel, and there will be a "click" sound when pressed. Although this sound is unique, the noise will be slightly louder than the linear switches.