Keyboard Key Switch Loudness Comparison

Ranking of Key Switch Noise Levels

Here's rank of noises of keyboard key switches. The ranking is based on practical use, not from pressing a single key. The ranking is from my own experience of using of keyboards since 1991 plus watching many internet videos.

Crazy Click-Clack Loud

• Buckling Spring Key Switch. Loudest.
• Cherry MX Blue switches.
• Cherry MX Red switches. MX Red is silent if you press it slowly. But the noise came from key hitting bottom.

Loud

• Cherry MX Brown switches.
• Cherry MX Black switches.
• Gateron Red switches.
• Topre Switch 45g. e.g. HHKB
• Logitech Romer-G Tactile Switch. 〔see Romer-G Switch〕.

Some Noise

• Topre Switch silent. e.g. HHKB Pro HYBRID Type-S, 2019
• Cherry MX Silent Black switches.
• Cherry MX Silent Red switches.
• Niz Switch topre clone.

Your Wife is Sleeping Quiet

• Kailh BOX Silent Pink switch. (available on Ultimate Hacking Keyboard (UHK 60 V2))
• Chicklet key rubber dome scissor switches. e.g. Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
• linear Kailh Choc Switch
• Laptop keyboards. 〔see Evolution of Laptop Keyboard〕

Where Does the Key Noise Came From

Some switches intentionally make a noise, such as Cherry MX Blue Clicky and Buckling Spring Key Switch

Most switches do not make much noise if you press them slowly.

The noise came from:

• The key hitting bottom. (try hit a key hard and fast, and hear the sound hitting bottom. This sound is similar if you hit desk with your finger fast. Try it. You get knocking sound.)
• Key bouncing back. (try this: press down the key slowly all the way, then move finger side way off suddenly. The key pops back by spring, "hits top", makes noise.)
• Key housing. For example, the spacebar. The spacebar make the loudest noise, especially those from cheap rubber dome computer keyboards. e.g. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
• Friction noise. The spring, stem, keycap, together makes noises. Especially on cheap rubber dome computer keyboard.

Rubber O-Ring Noise Dampener (No Good)

One way to reduce noise is to buy those rubber ring switch dampeners. You put them in each key yourself.

I do not recommend it. Too much trouble, also it doesn't help much.