The importance of quiet keyboards in office and shared workspace environments
In today’s open office and shared workspace environments, it is more important than ever to have a quiet keyboard. Loud keyboard noise can be disruptive and distracting to others, and it can also make it difficult to focus on your own work.
Technological advancements to reduce keyboard noise
Keyboard manufacturers have made significant advancements in recent years to reduce keyboard noise. Some of the most common noise-reduction technologies include:
- Scissor switches: Scissor switches are a type of keyboard switch that is known for its quiet and responsive typing experience.
- Membrane switches: Membrane switches are another type of keyboard switch that is known for being quiet. They are often used in low-profile keyboards.
- Noise-dampening materials: Some keyboard manufacturers use noise-dampening materials in their keyboards to help reduce noise.
Overview of factors affecting keyboard noise
There are a number of factors that can affect the noise level of a keyboard, including:
- Type of switch: As mentioned above, the type of switch used in a keyboard can have a significant impact on its noise level.
- Key travel distance: The key travel distance is the distance that a key travels when it is pressed. Keyboards with a shorter key travel distance are generally quieter than keyboards with a longer key travel distance.
- Keystroke force: The keystroke force is the amount of force required to press a key. Keyboards with a lower keystroke force are generally quieter than keyboards with a higher keystroke force.
- Bottom case material: The material used to make the bottom case of a keyboard can also affect its noise level. Keyboards with a metal bottom case are generally louder than keyboards with a plastic bottom case.
Best Quiet Keyboard: Logitech MX Keys
The Logitech MX Keys is a low-profile, wireless keyboard that is perfect for productivity and everyday use. It is known for its quiet typing experience, comfortable layout, and wide range of features.
The MX Keys uses scissor switches, which are known for being quiet and responsive. The keys have a short travel distance and a soft landing, making them very comfortable to type on for long periods of time. The keyboard also has a backlighting feature that can be adjusted to different brightness levels.
The MX Keys has a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad. This makes it ideal for users who need to enter a lot of numbers or who work with spreadsheets on a regular basis. The keyboard also has a number of function keys and shortcuts that can be used to control various applications and functions.
One of the best features of the MX Keys is its ability to connect to multiple devices at once. This means that you can easily switch between typing on your computer, tablet, and smartphone without having to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard. The MX Keys also has a long battery life, lasting up to 10 days on a single charge.
Overall, the Logitech MX Keys is an excellent keyboard for users who are looking for a quiet, comfortable, and feature-rich typing experience. It is perfect for productivity, everyday use, and gaming.
Pros:
- Quiet typing experience
- Comfortable layout
- Backlighting feature
- Dedicated number pad
- Function keys and shortcuts
- Multi-device connectivity
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Some users may find the low-profile keys to be too shallow
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: If you are looking for a quiet keyboard with a comfortable layout and a wide range of features, the Logitech MX Keys is an excellent choice. It is perfect for productivity, everyday use, and gaming.
Best Mid-Range Quiet Keyboard: Microsoft Surface Keyboard
The Microsoft Surface Keyboard is a low-profile, wireless keyboard that is known for its quiet typing experience and comfortable layout. It is also relatively affordable, making it a great value for the money.
The Surface Keyboard uses scissor switches, which are known for being quiet and responsive. The keys have a short travel distance and a soft landing, making them very comfortable to type on for long periods of time. The keyboard also has a backlighting feature that can be adjusted to different brightness levels.
The Surface Keyboard has a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad. This makes it ideal for users who need to enter a lot of numbers or who work with spreadsheets on a regular basis. The keyboard also has a number of function keys and shortcuts that can be used to control various applications and functions.
One of the best features of the Surface Keyboard is its ability to connect to multiple devices at once. This means that you can easily switch between typing on your computer, tablet, and smartphone without having to disconnect and reconnect the keyboard. The Surface Keyboard also has a long battery life, lasting up to 12 months on a single pair of batteries.
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Keyboard is an excellent keyboard for users who are looking for a quiet, comfortable, and affordable typing experience. It is perfect for productivity, everyday use, and gaming.
Pros:
- Quiet typing experience
- Comfortable layout
- Backlighting feature
- Dedicated number pad
- Function keys and shortcuts
- Multi-device connectivity
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Some users may find the low-profile keys to be too shallow
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: If you are looking for a quiet keyboard with a comfortable layout and a number of features, the Microsoft Surface Keyboard is an excellent choice. It is also relatively affordable, making it a great value for the money.
Best Budget Quiet Keyboard: Logitech Signature K650
The Logitech Signature K650 is a full-size, wireless keyboard that is known for its quiet typing experience and affordable price. It is a great choice for users who are on a budget or who simply want a quiet keyboard to use at work or home.
The K650 uses rubber dome switches, which are known for being quiet and soft to the touch. The keys have a short travel distance and a soft landing, making them very comfortable to type on for long periods of time. The keyboard also has a backlighting feature that can be turned on or off.
The K650 has a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad. This makes it ideal for users who need to enter a lot of numbers or who work with spreadsheets on a regular basis. The keyboard also has a number of function keys and shortcuts that can be used to control various applications and functions.
The K650 connects to devices using a wireless USB receiver. It has a long battery life, lasting up to 36 months on a single pair of AA batteries.
Overall, the Logitech Signature K650 is an excellent budget quiet keyboard. It is comfortable to type on, has a long battery life, and is very affordable.
Pros:
- Quiet typing experience
- Comfortable layout
- Backlighting feature
- Dedicated number pad
- Function keys and shortcuts
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Some users may find the rubber dome switches to be too mushy
- No multi-device connectivity
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: If you are looking for a quiet keyboard on a budget, the Logitech Signature K650 is an excellent choice. It is comfortable to type on, has a long battery life, and is very affordable. However, if you need a keyboard that can connect to multiple devices, you may want to consider a different option.