We all know that keyboards can be very loud, especially when you are dealing with mechanical keyboards.
Their tactile buttons will make prominent clicking and tapping sounds when typing or playing video games, which can be either satisfying or annoying depending on your outlook.
This noise largely comes from the keyboard switches. These switches are the mechanisms under the keycaps on a keyboard that register the press of every single key.
They are activated with varying degrees of tactile feedback on a key press but also with varying levels of sound output.
There are many different keyboard switches out there and we are going to be breaking down the loudest ones below:
Cherry MX Blue
Cherry MX are one of the biggest manufacturers of keyboard switches, particularly in the gaming space.
Their Cherry MX blue keyboard switch has a very tactile feel and is very loud, which many will find extremely satisfying.
The upper housing is a high precision component manufactured from a plastic polymer to a tolerance of less than 0.01mm. There is a 60cN operating force with 2.2mm of pre-travel and 4.0mm of total travel.
These keyboard switches definitely go down as one of the loudest on the market.
As per their name, this switch features a distinctive blue against either a black or a clear RGB casing.
Razer Clicky Optical Switches
Razer is one of the most prominent producers of gaming keyboards in the world and they also have their own signature line of keyboard switches.
The Razer clicky optical switch is a distinctive purple color, set into a black base.
Razer has innovated here by creating a key switch that transmits the information via beam of light transported through the switch stem upon a key press. In order to minimize the amount of moving parts, the Razer Clicky optical switch features a metal stabilizer bar which is connected to the sides of each switch.
This reduces the amount of parts that can potentially become faulty and therefore leads to Razer keyboards lasting longer than some of their competitors.
They are rated for 100 million keystrokes compared to an industry standard of 50 million. It is also worth noting that this switch actuates at a 1.5mm distance with only 45g of force.
They are loud because they are specifically designed to provide a noisy, clicky feedback for players that appreciate that style.
Cherry MX Brown
Here is another entry from Cherry MX with their Cherry MX Brown keyboard switch. Again they are very tactile in feel and provide a loud, clicky aural feedback.
The Cherry MX Brown features 55cN of operating force, 2.0mm of pre-travel and 4.0mm total travel. The upper housing is a precision component manufactured from a plastic polymer to a tolerance of less than 0.01mm.
As per the name, this keyboard switch features a brown coloring against a black or clear base for RGB lighting.
Cherry MX Speed Silver
The final entry from Cherry MX on this list, the Speed Silver keyboard switch is designed for rapid responsiveness.
It features a linear switching focus with 45cN operating force, 1.2mm of pre-travel and 3.4m of total travel. It features an upper housing manufactured with a plastic polymer to a tolerance of 0.01mm.
This is the fastest switch that Cherry MX offers by utilizing low spring resistance and linear focus.
As per the name, the Speed Silver is set in a silver coloring against a black or clear casing for RGB support. Due to the focus on speed, the sound is quite loud from this keyboard switch.
Kailh Box White
The Kailh Box White is a light and clicky keyboard switch that was essentially developed as a clone of the Cherry MX blue key switch.
Great for typing or gaming, the box white has a lifespan of 70 million keystrokes and an actuation force of 50g.
There is a clear, audible click through the key press.
There is a 1.8mm level of pre travel and a 3.6mm height of total travel. They are also IP56 rated to be water and dust resistant, adding to the overall durability.
Gateron Brown
While Gateron offers dozens of options when it comes to keyboard switches, the brown variant is the loudest available variant. They are rated for 50 million keystrokes and have a tactile and clicky feel.
There is 2.0mm of pre travel and 4.0mm of total travel. In terms of bottom out force, the Gateron Brown requires 52 g.
The casing is manufactured from a high quality ABS material, leading to a comfortable and responsive feel.
Outemu Blue
Here is another distinctive blue keyboard switch that is loud and clicky.
The noise output is higher here due to the extra force needed to operate the switch at 60 cN. It was essentially developed as a Cherry MX clone and it features some similar characteristics.
The Outemu blue is rated for 50 million keystrokes, featuring a 2.0mm actuation travel and a 4.0mm total travel.
The top housing is manufactured from a transparent polycarbonate material and the bottom is white nylon.
Our Thoughts
There are many keyboard switches on the market and they have different features for feel, durability and responsiveness.
Each switch has a different level of sound feedback and the keyboard switches identified on this list are the loudest available options on the market.
If you are a gamer or typist that appreciates a good clicky response, you cannot go wrong with any of the options listed above.
A gaming enthusiast who started their gaming venture all the way back on a Gameboy Advanced (Purple) on Pokemon Yellow.
