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The 5 Best Quiet Keyboards - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best Quiet Keyboards

If you've ever been to an office or a lecture hall, you know the sound of dozens of people typing on keyboards can be as loud as a herd of buffalo and just as distracting. Thankfully, innovations have been made to reduce the noise of keyboards, from the development of near-silent switches to the addition of sound-dampening materials inside keyboard cases.

Most of the noise keyboards make comes from the operation of the switches themselves. Mechanical switches are typically the loudest, while scissor switches and rubber dome switches are quieter alternatives. Other factors like the material the keyboard case is made of, the size and shape of the keycaps, and how heavily you type also contribute to typing noise.

We've tested over 215 keyboards, and below are our recommendations for the best quiet keyboards available. If you're looking for a keyboard to suit a more specific use, check out our articles for the best keyboards for typing, the best keyboards for programming, and the best gaming keyboards.


  1. Best Quiet Keyboard

    If you work in an open office, a shared workspace, or at home with your family, the Logitech MX Keys S is a great option and the best quiet keyboard we've tested. It also has white backlighting that can increase or decrease in brightness according to the lighting conditions around you. This stylish full-size board is straightforward, making it nice and easy to use regardless of your tech knowledge. You can pop the USB receiver into your computer or pair it using Bluetooth with up to three devices simultaneously and start typing away. As a plus, the flat profile and solid plastic case do a great job minimizing typing noise since the case doesn't have a lot of hollow space to add resonance.

    This keyboard's flat profile also makes it comfortable to type on, as you don't have to strain your wrists upwards to reach the tops of the keys. And on the topic of keys, there are rounded indents in the middle of each keycap to guide your fingers to the center and improve typing accuracy. If portability is a concern, Logitech also makes a smaller version called the Logitech MX Keys Mini. This more compact version doesn't include a wireless USB receiver, so ensure your device supports a Bluetooth connection.

    See our review

  2. Best Mid-Range Quiet Keyboard

    The Microsoft Surface Keyboard is another extremely quiet option at a solid mid-range price. This straightforward unit uses scissor switches that are nearly silent during operation, making it an outstanding choice in noise-sensitive environments. Like the Logitech MX Keys S, this keyboard also has a low, flat profile that keeps the noise levels well contained. The aluminum top plate adds sturdiness to the overall build quality without adding additional noise or resonance.

    It's a wireless keyboard that connects to any device that supports Bluetooth. However, its major downside when compared to the MX Keys S above is that it only pairs with one device at a time, making it a poor choice if you're in a setup with a tablet, PC, or other mobile devices. Otherwise, it's stylish enough to use at the office, and you won't have to worry about annoying your coworkers as you work. Plus, it uses AAA batteries for power, which can last up to a year before needing replacing.

    See our review

  3. Best Budget Quiet Keyboard

    The Logitech Signature K650 is an overall good budget board that's perfectly suited for the less tech-savvy. While it has little customization software and doesn't feel as high-quality as the pricier options on this list, it has a few ergonomic features to keep you comfortable while you type. The built-in wrist rest does a nice job supporting your wrists, while the deep-set keys mean the tops are right beneath your fingertips without straining your wrists upwards. It uses rubber dome switches, among the quietest switches you can get. They feel a bit mushy, but they're nearly silent during use.

    This keyboard connects wirelessly either using the included USB receiver or via Bluetooth. You can pair the keyboard with one device per connection style and switch between them using a dedicated key in the function row. As an added plus, there's also a row of dedicated media keys to help you skip through playlists or adjust the volume of any media you're listening to while you work.

    See our review

  4. Best Cheap Quiet Keyboard

    For a more affordable option, we recommend the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. Note that the price of this board jumps around frequently. It may be closer to the price of the pick above when you're reading this, but it's at its best value around $40 USD and occasionally goes on sale as low as $25—so it's worth waiting for a sale. Unlike our best budget pick, the Logitech Signature K650, the Microsoft keyboard only connects using Bluetooth and can only connect to a single device at a time. While this means it isn't a good choice for multi-device setups, it's a great option if you need a low-cost, straightforward keyboard.

    It also features a low-profile design similar to our mid-range pick, the Microsoft Surface Keyboard, making it comfortable to type on without a wrist rest. Under the hood, the rubber dome switches provide a nearly silent typing experience that is unlikely to disturb anyone around you. If you like how straightforward this keyboard is but don't need wireless connectivity and want something even cheaper, check out the Dell KB216, which offers the same basic functionality and a similar low-profile design.

    See our review

  5. Best Quiet Gaming Keyboard

    Gaming sessions can last well into the night, and the clacking sound of some gaming keyboards is bound to annoy roommates, parents, or anyone else you live with. If you want to keep complaints to a minimum, check out the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT for the best quiet gaming option. It's a full-size keyboard loaded with gaming features, including RGB backlighting, dedicated macro keys, and a full suite of media controls. Its latency is extremely low and delivers a very responsive in-game experience.

    It uses nearly silent rubber dome switches with a heavy tactile bump to get over. This tactile bump might give your fingers a workout but also prevents you from bottoming the keys out as easily, reducing the noise. This keyboard is also fully compatible with Corsair's iCUE companion software, so if you have any other Corsair devices, like a mouse or PC components, you can sync up all the lighting across devices to customize your setup.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: The Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is a popular choice for a quiet keyboard. However, due to its metal chassis, it makes a bit more noise than the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard or the Logitech MX Keys S. See our review
  • Logitech K380: The Logitech K380 is a small, lightweight keyboard that's extremely portable. It's a solid choice for on-the-go professionals looking for a quiet option for coffee shops or shared workspaces. However, typing feels much more cramped than on the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard due to the size. See our review
  • Logitech Wave Keys: The Logitech Wave Keys is a full-size wireless keyboard that's typically around the same price as the Logitech Signature K650. It has a more ergonomic-focused, compact design with curved and slightly ented key rows. However, its keys are somewhat closer together than on most standard keyboards, which can take some to get used to. Also, it doesn't have dedicated media keys like the K650 does. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Feb 15, 2024: We've checked all our recommendations and confirmed the price and availability of all our picks. We've also added a bit of detail to our 'Best Cheap Quiet Keyboard' category, with information about the variable pricing of the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard and when it's at its best value.

  2. Dec 20, 2023: We've audited our recommendations for relevance, price, and stock availability. We haven't changed our picks with this update, as they continue to represent the best options available.

  3. Oct 23, 2023: We've replaced the Logitech MX Keys as our top pick with the newly-released Logitech MX Keys S, which is a bit cheaper than the original and adds several minor features—including new shortcuts, software support for macros, and auto brightness backlighting. We've also added a special mention of the compact Logitech MX Keys Mini.

  4. Aug 18, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product information.

  5. Jun 20, 2023: We've verified that all our recommendations are in stock and remain the best options for their categories. We've also made minor changes to our text for clarity and to reflect pricing changes.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best silent keyboards. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.

If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our keyboard reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no keyboard is perfect for every use, most are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.