Shopping
You probably want something like this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3526 but it's OOS and beyond your budget. Anyway, I have experience in this regard. MX Browns are NOT silent, and they aren't quiet either. Check a typing test on Youtube. MX Browns, like most other mechanical switches, is plastic moving parts hitting plastic, on a metal plate that pings. So they are fairly loud. Louder than many office rubber-domes. All that generic material on the internet about "Reds for gaming, Blues for loud typing, Browns a quieter intermediate" are BS. Most of these switches are loud as hell and unsuitable for an office, unless they are a "silent switch." Switch type is key. The only common generic silent switches are Silent Red and Silent Black. They are honestly your best bet in a generic pre-built. The best pre-built keyboard for you is probably a Leopold FC900R PD or 750R PD with Silent Reds. It would be ready-to-go out-of-box and not as loud as the other choices. Since you are in Canada, you can also just build a silent keyboard yourself with parts from AliExpress. On a real lean budget [$100 CAD], you could buy a Tester68 [$39 CAD shipped] which is a 65% keyboard that connects wirelessly via a USB dongle. It already has some dampening, so it works fairly well with silent switches. Then, buy 70 OUTEMU Silent Lemon switches for like $30 CAD. You can lube the springs if you want, I hear that's enough. Then, buy the cheapest PBT keycaps you can find on AliExpress. During a sale, I once got a full set of PBT Camping keycaps for $33 CAD, and I know there are similar deals. There are some ugly but functional PBT doubleshot keycaps [Sky Dolch colour] that you can get for about $25 CAD. So there you go: Total budget: $103 CAD, including shipping and taxes. A wireless 65% fully-equipped quiet board. If the Tester68 is not to your liking, wait for one of those monthly AliExpress sales, and you can get a white or smoky transparent MK870 from KPRepublic or Kailh or some other store shipped to you for $65 CAD. The MK870 is a cool TKL that has more features than the Tester68, and is wired. Comes with good stabilizers that are pre-lubed. You'll have to buy 90 switches instead of 70, so that's like $35 CAD for the Silent Lemons. So this would bring the cost up to $130 CAD. But you can often find silent switches for cheaper on MechMarket, especially if they're lightly used. And if you're using a standard TKL, you can buy people's used Leopold keycaps for cheap, and they'll fit any ANSI board. Answer from HungerMechanic on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/mechanicalkeyboards › can someone recommend an office friendly mechanical keyboard?
r/MechanicalKeyboards on Reddit: Can someone recommend an office friendly mechanical keyboard?
May 24, 2022 -

I need a new keyboard for the office but would like something that won't drive my coworkers mad with the clicks. Any recommendations for around $100. What key caps should I be looking for when I do my search. I want something with maybe some RGB

Top answer
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You probably want something like this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3526 but it's OOS and beyond your budget. Anyway, I have experience in this regard. MX Browns are NOT silent, and they aren't quiet either. Check a typing test on Youtube. MX Browns, like most other mechanical switches, is plastic moving parts hitting plastic, on a metal plate that pings. So they are fairly loud. Louder than many office rubber-domes. All that generic material on the internet about "Reds for gaming, Blues for loud typing, Browns a quieter intermediate" are BS. Most of these switches are loud as hell and unsuitable for an office, unless they are a "silent switch." Switch type is key. The only common generic silent switches are Silent Red and Silent Black. They are honestly your best bet in a generic pre-built. The best pre-built keyboard for you is probably a Leopold FC900R PD or 750R PD with Silent Reds. It would be ready-to-go out-of-box and not as loud as the other choices. Since you are in Canada, you can also just build a silent keyboard yourself with parts from AliExpress. On a real lean budget [$100 CAD], you could buy a Tester68 [$39 CAD shipped] which is a 65% keyboard that connects wirelessly via a USB dongle. It already has some dampening, so it works fairly well with silent switches. Then, buy 70 OUTEMU Silent Lemon switches for like $30 CAD. You can lube the springs if you want, I hear that's enough. Then, buy the cheapest PBT keycaps you can find on AliExpress. During a sale, I once got a full set of PBT Camping keycaps for $33 CAD, and I know there are similar deals. There are some ugly but functional PBT doubleshot keycaps [Sky Dolch colour] that you can get for about $25 CAD. So there you go: Total budget: $103 CAD, including shipping and taxes. A wireless 65% fully-equipped quiet board. If the Tester68 is not to your liking, wait for one of those monthly AliExpress sales, and you can get a white or smoky transparent MK870 from KPRepublic or Kailh or some other store shipped to you for $65 CAD. The MK870 is a cool TKL that has more features than the Tester68, and is wired. Comes with good stabilizers that are pre-lubed. You'll have to buy 90 switches instead of 70, so that's like $35 CAD for the Silent Lemons. So this would bring the cost up to $130 CAD. But you can often find silent switches for cheaper on MechMarket, especially if they're lightly used. And if you're using a standard TKL, you can buy people's used Leopold keycaps for cheap, and they'll fit any ANSI board.
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I can recommend two: one is the Durgod Taurus with cherry red silent switches and the other is a Keychron K8 with cherry brown switches. Both are quiet and both are good for the office. The browns offer a little more feedback and sound, but still suitable for the office. The silents are like butter. I love both boards and they are both around your price range.
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Work Louder
worklouder.cc
WORK LOUDER®
The Creator Micro is everything you asked for.
Discussions

What keyboard do you use in the office?
Id assume only factor of consideration for most people outside of personal preferences is not having a loud keyboard if people work near them, but you can just change switches. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/keyboards
53
5
March 10, 2025
r/MechanicalKeyboards for all the Click and None of the Clack!
/r/MechanicalKeyboards is about typing input devices for users of all range of budgets. We provide news / PSAs about the hobby and community hosted content. Feel free to check out our other resources and links to related communities. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MechanicalKeyboards
December 19, 2022
Can someone recommend an office friendly mechanical keyboard?
You probably want something like this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3526 but it's OOS and beyond your budget. Anyway, I have experience in this regard. MX Browns are NOT silent, and they aren't quiet either. Check a typing test on Youtube. MX Browns, like most other mechanical switches, is plastic moving parts hitting plastic, on a metal plate that pings. So they are fairly loud. Louder than many office rubber-domes. All that generic material on the internet about "Reds for gaming, Blues for loud typing, Browns a quieter intermediate" are BS. Most of these switches are loud as hell and unsuitable for an office, unless they are a "silent switch." Switch type is key. The only common generic silent switches are Silent Red and Silent Black. They are honestly your best bet in a generic pre-built. The best pre-built keyboard for you is probably a Leopold FC900R PD or 750R PD with Silent Reds. It would be ready-to-go out-of-box and not as loud as the other choices. Since you are in Canada, you can also just build a silent keyboard yourself with parts from AliExpress. On a real lean budget [$100 CAD], you could buy a Tester68 [$39 CAD shipped] which is a 65% keyboard that connects wirelessly via a USB dongle. It already has some dampening, so it works fairly well with silent switches. Then, buy 70 OUTEMU Silent Lemon switches for like $30 CAD. You can lube the springs if you want, I hear that's enough. Then, buy the cheapest PBT keycaps you can find on AliExpress. During a sale, I once got a full set of PBT Camping keycaps for $33 CAD, and I know there are similar deals. There are some ugly but functional PBT doubleshot keycaps [Sky Dolch colour] that you can get for about $25 CAD. So there you go: Total budget: $103 CAD, including shipping and taxes. A wireless 65% fully-equipped quiet board. If the Tester68 is not to your liking, wait for one of those monthly AliExpress sales, and you can get a white or smoky transparent MK870 from KPRepublic or Kailh or some other store shipped to you for $65 CAD. The MK870 is a cool TKL that has more features than the Tester68, and is wired. Comes with good stabilizers that are pre-lubed. You'll have to buy 90 switches instead of 70, so that's like $35 CAD for the Silent Lemons. So this would bring the cost up to $130 CAD. But you can often find silent switches for cheaper on MechMarket, especially if they're lightly used. And if you're using a standard TKL, you can buy people's used Leopold keycaps for cheap, and they'll fit any ANSI board. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/MechanicalKeyboards
29
41
May 24, 2022
Quiet Mechanical Keyboard for Meetings and Work
Cherry MX browns with orings on the keycap stems. Cherry MX browns are the most popular keyswitch, so you should have no problems getting one. Then buy a keycap puller (sometimes they come with the board) and orings and install them in all the keys. You're good. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/keyboards
10
13
September 8, 2019
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › electronics › accessories › the best mechanical keyboards
The 6 Best Mechanical Keyboards of 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
5 days ago - After spending months testing the most promising mechanical keyboards, we recommend the Keychron V3 Max, Keychron V5 Max, and Keychron V6 Max. These keyboards provide the best typing experience, and they offer the most extra features for their ...
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Engadget
engadget.com › engadget us › computing › accessories
The best ergonomic keyboards for 2025
November 26, 2025 - You can add an LED underglow, extreme tenting mechanisms and wireless capabilities (Bluetooth and RF) but each add-on increases the price by $70, $80 and $90, respectively. That brought the fully kitted-out version I tested to $609. Without those, it’ll run you $369. I prefer the minimalism of the Voyager, but this one is likely the best ergonomic keyboard for programmers and for those who prefer a more maximalist work setup.
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RTINGS
rtings.com › home › keyboard › best
The 6 Best Office Keyboards of 2026 - RTINGS.com
February 28, 2025 - The Logitech MX Keys S is the best office keyboard we recommend for most people, especially if you're used to typing on a laptop. This keyboard uses scissor switches similar to those found in laptop keyboards
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TechRadar
techradar.com › computing › peripherals & accessories › keyboards
The best keyboard in 2025: my curated picks for gaming, work, wrist pain, and more
November 21, 2025 - ... A no-holds barred gaming keyboard with a polished design, ridiculously fast Gen-2 Razer analog optical key switches, and dedicated media controls. ... If you type all day for work, the Q6 Max is a joy to use.
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GlacierPCGaming
glacierpcgaming.com › home › blogs › blogs/updates › mechanical keyboards for work: how they can improve focus and efficiency
Mechanical Keyboards for Work: How They Can Improve Focus and Efficien – GlacierPCGaming.com
April 30, 2025 - If you’re working on tasks that involve a lot of typing, you may have experienced fatigue or discomfort using a standard keyboard. The soft, squishy nature of membrane switches can result in hand strain and a slower typing experience. Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, offer a variety of switches designed to reduce fatigue. For example, linear switches provide a smooth and consistent key press, while tactile switches offer resistance to help you feel when a key is fully pressed.
Find elsewhere
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Business Insider
businessinsider.com › reviews › tech › a beginner's guide to mechanical keyboards — how they work and compare to standard keyboards
A beginner's guide to mechanical keyboards — how they work and compare to standard keyboards
March 8, 2025 - Ceconds/Shutterstock Which one you want to buy will depend on your budget and tactile preferences. But the best mechanical keyboards feel great, look great, and sound great — all valuable qualities for an item you'll probably use every single day.
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WIRED
wired.com › gear › shopping › the best keyboards for work and play
I Test and Take Apart Keyboards for a Living. These Are the Very Best
August 23, 2025 - On top of that, they can easily be swapped out for any other standard mechanical switch from Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, or any number of smaller brands. The HHKB’s layout is strange, and its general shape is unique, but there’s a reason it’s gone unchanged for nearly three decades: Once you’ve acclimated, it works flawlessly. The layout is more natural than a traditional ANSI keyboard, the function layers are intuitive, and the split backspace adds an extra key without sacrificing any functionality.
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › best products › input devices › keyboards
The Best Mechanical Keyboards We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
September 23, 2025 - Our current best mechanical keyboard overall for most users is the Razer Pro Type Ultra, but we've included more choices tailored to gaming, office use, tight budgets, ergonomics, and more.
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Keychron
keychron.com
Keychron | Custom Mechanical Keyboards for Mac, Windows and Phones
... Keychron is one of the few mechanical keyboards that features macOS media keys (F1 to F12) in a Mac layout with the same as conventional Mac systems. ... Keychron keyboards are 100% compatible with multiple operating systems. Perfectly suitable for macOS, Windows, iOS, as well as Android.
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Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › computing › computing peripherals
What keyboard should you buy? Here's our editors' top picks | Tom's Guide
April 8, 2024 - Here’s how it works. ... The type of keyboard you use might not seem important. After all, most of the best keyboards deliver the same functionality, i.e. letting you input text into a computing device. And while that’s technically all they have to do, using the right type of keyboard for you can make a world of difference. Discussions about keyboards generally revolve around the two main types: membrane or mechanical ...
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TechGearLab
techgearlab.com › keyboard & mouse › keyboard reviews
10 Best Keyboards | Lab Tested & Ranked
Logitech MX Keys S
We tested the best keyboards of all sizes and shapes for gaming, typing, office work, and everything in between. ... Whether you're working from home, gaming late at night, or just need a better typing experience, the right keyboard can make all the difference. We've tested the best keyboards of 2025, from mechanical ... Whether you're working from home, gaming late at night, or just need a better typing experience, the right keyboard can make all the difference. We've...
Rating: 4.8 ​
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KeebNews
keebnews.com › are-mechanical-keyboards-good-for-office-work
Are Mechanical Keyboards Good For Office Work? (2025)
January 24, 2023 - The K10 is best to fit home, office and light gaming use while... ... I’m a huge fan of Keychron keyboards (they make them in all sizes, but the feature set and design is similar). ... K7 = a low-profile compact 60% layout! Keychrons look the part, and work especially great on Mac computers! Click here to read our full recommendatinos for Mac mechanical keyboards.
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NovelKeys LLC
novelkeys.com
Custom Mechanical Keyboards, Keycaps, Switches, Deskpads, and More – NovelKeys LLC
Experience an elevated standard in typing and gaming with our premium selection of custom keyboards as well as GMK ABS Double Shot and our own PBT dyesub keycaps. We stock switches from Cherry, Gateron, TTC, KTT, and more. We also offer artisans and deskpads.
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PC Gamer
pcgamer.com › hardware › gaming keyboards
Best gaming keyboards in 2026: the fastest, smoothest and loveliest boards I've tested | PC Gamer
4 days ago - ✅ You want the best generalist gaming keyboard: You can find faster keyboards, and definitely flashier ones, but the ROG Strix Scope II 96 is by far the best generalist board and excels at a lot.
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Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › computing › keyboards
I’ve reviewed more mechanical keyboards than I can count and these are the only ones I'd buy | Tom's Guide
August 14, 2025 - ... When it comes to affordability, the Keychron B1 Pro is about as cheap as it gets without seriously sacrificing quality. The B1 Pro will set you back just $39, so it's a perfect choice if you're on a tight budget.
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XDA Developers
xda-developers.com › home › keyboards & mice › this is the best mechanical keyboard for work and it's discounted for black friday
This is the best mechanical keyboard for work and it's discounted for Black Friday
November 28, 2025 - For me, the RK Royal Kludge S98 hits a lot of key requirements that I want from a productivity keyboard. Its mute color profile makes it less garish in an office or a cafe, and the screen makes for a nice way to keep on top of work without losing ...