Which Cherry Switches Are The Quietest? The rhythmic clacking of mechanical keyboards has become a familiar backdrop in offices and gaming dens alike. While some revel in the satisfying tactility and audible feedback, others find the incessant noise distracting and even irritating. For those seeking a more subdued typing experience, the quest for the quietest mechanical keyboard switches is an ongoing pursuit.
Cherry MX, a pioneer in the mechanical keyboard switch market, has long been a popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals. However, not all Cherry MX switches are created equal in terms of their sound profiles. This comprehensive guide delves into the world of quiet mechanical switches, exploring the nuances of Cherry MX’s silent offerings and beyond, to help you find the perfect balance between whisper-quiet operation and satisfying tactile feedback.
If you’re new to mechanical keyboards, check out our guide on mechanical keyboard switches for beginners and Which keyboard switches are the smoothest? We explore that too.
Key Takeaways
When choosing the quietest Cherry MX switches for your mechanical keyboard, keep these key points in mind:
- The Cherry MX Silent Red and Silent Black switches are specifically designed for quiet operation, incorporating integrated dampeners to reduce bottom-out and upstroke noise.
- Personal preference plays a significant role in determining the ideal actuation force, tactile feedback, and overall typing feel of these silent switches.
- Factors beyond the switch itself, such as case materials, keycaps, and desk surfaces, can significantly impact overall keyboard noise levels.
- Consider situational recommendations based on your usage scenarios, whether it’s for office environments, late-night gaming sessions, or prioritizing an ultra-quiet typing experience.
- Understand the science behind switch sound generation and the physics of dampening to appreciate the engineering behind quiet switch designs.
- Explore alternatives from other manufacturers and stay attuned to community innovations driving the pursuit of quieter mechanical keyboards.
Table of Contents
Which Cherry Switches Are The Quietest?
At the forefront of Cherry’s quiet switch lineup are the Silent Red and Silent Black variants. These switches incorporate specialized design features aimed at minimizing noise while maintaining the beloved mechanical feel.
The Silent Red and Silent Black switches feature integrated dampeners, which act as shock absorbers, reducing the audible clack produced when the keycap bottoms out against the switch housing. (Learn more about materials and housings that affect keyboard noise. Additionally, these dampeners help to muffle the upstroke noise, further contributing to a quieter overall experience.
Typing Feel Analysis (Red vs. Black)
While the Silent Red and Silent Black switches share the noise-reducing dampener technology, their feel and performance characteristics differ in several ways:
Actuation Force and Potential “Scratchiness”
- Silent Red: Requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it easier to actuate but potentially more prone to accidental key presses.
- Silent Black: With a higher actuation force of 60 grams, the Silent Black offers a firmer, more deliberate typing experience, albeit requiring slightly more force to actuate.
Mid-Travel Smoothness and Impact on Speed
- Silent Red: The lighter actuation force and relatively smooth mid-travel can contribute to faster typing speeds for experienced users.
- Silent Black: The increased actuation force may slow down some typists, but the smoother mid-travel can still facilitate reasonably fast typing speeds.
Bottom-out Feel: Mushy vs. Firm
- Silent Red: Due to the lighter spring and dampener design, the bottom-out feel is generally considered mushier or softer compared to the Silent Black.
- Silent Black: The firmer spring and dampener configuration result in a more pronounced, firmer bottom-out sensation.
Upstroke: Sluggish vs. Snappy
- Silent Red: With a lighter spring, the upstroke can feel slightly sluggish or delayed, potentially impacting rapid key rollover.
- Silent Black: The stronger spring force provides a snappier upstroke, which can benefit rapid key rollover and overall responsiveness.
Subjective preferences will play a significant role in determining which switch variant feels more comfortable and satisfying. Some users may appreciate the lighter actuation force and smoother typing experience of the Silent Red, while others might gravitate towards the more deliberate and tactile feedback of the Silent Black.
When compared to other popular Cherry MX switches, such as the clicky Blue or tactile Brown variants, both the Silent Red and Silent Black offer a significantly quieter operation. Curious about how Brown switches feel?. However, it’s important to note that they still produce some level of audible switch noise, albeit greatly reduced compared to their non-silent counterparts.
Suitability for Gaming vs. Typing:
While both the Silent Red and Silent Black switches are well-suited for general typing tasks, their suitability for gaming can vary depending on personal preferences and playstyle.
- Silent Red: The lighter actuation force and smoother mid-travel can be advantageous for fast-paced gaming, allowing for quicker response times and reduced fatigue during extended sessions.
- Silent Black: The firmer actuation force and more pronounced tactile feedback may appeal to gamers who prefer a more deliberate and controlled key feel, potentially reducing accidental key presses during intense gameplay.
It’s worth noting that some gamers may express concerns about the dampening mechanism potentially impacting key rollover or responsiveness. However, in practice, these silent switches generally perform well for gaming, provided the user is accustomed to their specific force curves and tactile characteristics.
Other Relatively Quiet Cherry MX Switches
While the Silent Red and Silent Black are designed explicitly for quiet operation, other Cherry MX switches can also offer relatively subdued sound profiles, albeit to a lesser degree:
- Cherry MX Red: The linear nature of the Red switch, without any tactile bump or click mechanism, contributes to a quieter typing experience compared to tactile or clicky variants. However, the lack of dampeners means the bottom-out noise is more pronounced.
- Cherry MX Brown: The tactile bump on the Brown switch creates some audible feedback, but the lack of a click mechanism makes it quieter than, say, the Blue switch. The bottom-out noise is still present, though, due to the absence of dampeners.
It’s important to note that while the Red and Brown switches are quieter than their clicky counterparts, they still produce audible switch noise and may not meet the expectations of those seeking an ultra-quiet typing experience. Understanding different switch types can help set realistic expectations.
Factors Beyond the Switch
While the switch itself plays a crucial role in determining keyboard noise levels, several other factors can significantly impact the overall sound profile of your mechanical keyboard:
Case Materials
- Plastic Cases: Typically more affordable, plastic cases can transmit and amplify switch noise more readily, resulting in a louder overall typing experience.
- Metal Cases: The increased mass and density of metal cases, such as aluminum or steel, can better dampen and absorb switch noise, leading to a quieter typing experience.
- Wood Cases: Certain wood types, like bamboo or walnut, can offer natural sound dampening properties, contributing to a warmer and more muted acoustic profile.
Keycaps
- Plastic Types (ABS vs. PBT): ABS keycaps are generally thinner and can produce a higher-pitched clack, while thicker PBT keycaps tend to have a deeper, more muted sound.
- Keycap Profile: Taller keycap profiles, like SA or MT3, can create more audible bottom-out noise due to the increased travel distance.
- Keycap Thickness: Thicker keycaps, regardless of material, can help dampen switch noise by absorbing some of the impact energy.
Desk Surfaces
- Hard Surfaces (Wood, Metal): Typing on hard, reflective surfaces like wooden desks or metal surfaces can amplify keyboard noise, causing it to resonate and sound louder.
- Soft Surfaces (Desk Mats, Mousepads): Adding a soft surface, like a desk mat or a thick mousepad, beneath your keyboard can help absorb and dampen the sound, resulting in a quieter typing experience.
By considering these factors alongside your switch choice, you can create a truly quiet mechanical keyboard setup tailored to your preferences.
Situational Recommendations:
Based on the characteristics of the Cherry MX Silent switches and the various contributing factors, here are some situational recommendations to help you find the ideal quiet setup:
Best for Office Environments
- Switch: Cherry MX Silent Red or Silent Black, depending on your preference for actuation force and tactile feedback.
- Case: Metal or wood case for superior sound dampening. For more on the top 5 best keyboard switches for offices, check out our rankings.
- Keycaps: Thick PBT keycaps with a low-profile design to minimize bottom-out noise.
- Desk Surface: Add a desk mat or thick mousepad to absorb sound transmission.
Best for Late-Night Gaming Without Disturbing Others
- Switch: Cherry MX Silent Red for quicker response times, or Silent Black for a more deliberate feel.
- Case: Metal or wood case to minimize noise resonance.
- Keycaps: Opt for thicker keycaps to dampen switch noise.
- Desk Surface: Use a soft surface like a desk mat or mousepad to absorb sound.
Explore which cherry mx switches are the quietest in our dedicated guide.
Best for Those Who Prioritize a Quieter Typing Experience
- Switch: Cherry MX Silent Red or Silent Black, depending on your force preference.
- Case: Metal or wood case for optimal sound dampening.
- Keycaps: Thick PBT keycaps with a low-profile design.
- Desk Surface: Invest in a high-quality desk mat or mousepad to absorb noise.
Pairing Switch Types with Specific Quiet Keyboard Builds
- For a compact, quiet typing experience: Consider a 60% keyboard with Silent Red switches, a metal case, and low-profile PBT keycaps.
- For a full-size, ultra-quiet setup: Opt for a full-size keyboard with Silent Black switches, a wood case, and thick PBT keycaps, paired with a desk mat.
For readers interested in building their own quiet keyboards, check out our guide on what switch you should get for different use cases.
The Science of Switch Sound
To fully appreciate the factors contributing to keyboard noise, it’s helpful to understand the science and physics behind switch sound generation:
Switch Anatomy
- Diagrams illustrating the internal components of a Cherry MX switch reveal how various elements interact to create noise.
- The stem, housing, spring, and contact leaves all play a role in generating different types of switch noise.
- The position and design of the dampeners in Silent switches are crucial for mitigating bottom-out and upstroke noise.
Physics of Dampening
- Rubber dampeners function by absorbing and dissipating the kinetic energy generated during key actuation and release.
- This energy dissipation reduces the amplitude of vibrations, which translates to lower sound levels.
- Principles like the coefficient of restitution and damping ratios help explain how dampeners effectively muffle switch noise.
By understanding the root causes of switch noise and the physical principles behind dampening, keyboard enthusiasts and manufacturers can continue refining and innovating quieter switch designs. (Learn the basics of what mechanical keyboard switches are in this primer.
Alternatives & Future Trends
While Cherry MX has established itself as a leading player in the mechanical switch market, other manufacturers have also developed their own silent switch offerings, each with unique characteristics:
Exploring Other Brands
- Gateron Silent Inks: Known for their smooth and consistent feel, these switches feature a specialized housing design and integrated dampeners for a quiet typing experience.
- Kailh BOX Silents: Utilizing a unique BOX stem design, these switches offer a distinct tactile feedback while maintaining a relatively quiet operation.
- NovelKeys Silk Switches: Combining a linear stem design with specialized dampening materials, these switches aim to provide a smooth and ultra-quiet typing experience.
Optical Switches
- Optical switches, which use light-based actuation instead of traditional metal contacts, have the potential to operate with reduced noise levels. Which switch is best for gaming? Optical switches could be a quiet contender.
- By eliminating the need for physical contact during actuation, optical switches can minimize the sources of switch noise.
- However, other factors like keycap and case design still play a role in overall acoustics.
Community Innovations
- The vibrant mechanical keyboard community is constantly exploring unique switch modding trends and techniques to achieve quieter operation.
- Techniques like switch lubrication, film/pad modding, and custom spring swaps can further reduce switch noise and enhance typing feel.
- Community-driven innovations often push the boundaries of what’s possible with existing switch designs.
As the demand for quiet mechanical keyboards continues to grow, manufacturers and enthusiasts alike are driven to explore new materials, designs, and innovations to deliver the ultimate silent typing experience.
Finalize The Talk
In the quest for a whisper-quiet mechanical keyboard experience, the Cherry MX Silent Red and Silent Black switches emerge as clear winners among Cherry’s offerings. Their specialized dampener designs effectively mitigate bottom-out and upstroke noise, providing a significantly quieter typing experience compared to their non-silent counterparts.
By carefully considering these aspects and following situational recommendations, you can craft a truly quiet typing experience tailored to your specific needs and preferences. What switch color is best for gaming? We’ve got insights!
However, it’s crucial to remember that personal preference still plays a pivotal role in determining the ideal balance between quietness and typing feel. The Silent Red’s lighter actuation force and smoother travel may appeal to those seeking a more effortless typing experience, while the Silent Black’s firmer feedback and deliberate feel could resonate better with those who prioritize tactility.
Beyond the switches themselves, factoring in elements like case materials, keycap profiles, and desk surfaces can further enhance or detract from the overall noise levels of your mechanical keyboard setup. By carefully considering these aspects and following situational recommendations, you can craft a truly quiet typing experience tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Extending your research on TipTapTypers.com can provide valuable insights into mechanical keyboard lifespan and longevity, actuation force differences, and what switches are best for coding based on experts’ recommendations.
For those seeking the ultimate in quiet mechanical keyboards, exploring alternatives from other manufacturers or staying attuned to community-driven innovations can open up new possibilities and push the boundaries of what’s achievable in terms of silent operation.
Ultimately, the pursuit of the perfect quiet mechanical keyboard is an ongoing journey, one that balances personal preferences, intended use cases, and a deep understanding of the factors contributing to keyboard noise. Explore if Cherry MX switches are good for your needs. With the right combination of switches, components, and attention to detail, you can achieve a typing experience that is both whisper-quiet and deeply satisfying.
With the right combination of switches, components, and attention to detail, you can achieve a typing experience that is both whisper-quiet and deeply satisfying. But what is the most preferred keyboard switch overall? We’ve got data-driven insights.
Author Review
As someone who has extensively used both the Cherry MX Silent Red and Silent Black switches, I can attest to their ability to provide a significantly quieter typing experience compared to their non-silent counterparts. However, personal preferences play a crucial role in determining which variant feels more satisfying.
During my research for this article, I was surprised to learn about the intricate physics and engineering principles behind switch noise dampening. It’s fascinating to see how something as seemingly simple as a rubber dampener can effectively dissipate kinetic energy and reduce vibrations, ultimately resulting in quieter operation.
For those seeking an ultra-quiet typing experience, my recommendation would be to pair the Cherry MX Silent Black switches with a high-quality metal or wood case, thick PBT keycaps, and a soft desk mat or mousepad. Is a Red switch better than Blue for quietness? Find out here. This combination not only minimizes switch noise but also addresses other contributing factors like case resonance and sound transmission.
However, if you prefer a slightly lighter actuation force and a smoother typing feel, the Silent Red switches can be an excellent choice, especially for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks. Just be mindful of the potential for accidental key presses due to the lower actuation force.
Ultimately, finding the perfect quiet mechanical keyboard setup is a balance between personal preferences, intended use cases, and a holistic approach to noise reduction.
