As a professional gamer, the sound and feel of a gaming keyboard are very important factors when making a purchase. Whether the gaming keyboard clicks loud or not can have a profound impact on your gaming experience. Whilst some people may prefer a louder clicking sound, others might prefer a quieter sound because they feel it’s more comfortable to use. It also depends on the game you are playing and your individual preference.
Generally speaking, mechanical key switches on a gaming keyboard will make a louder click when pressed than membrane switches. That’s because mechanical switches use metal contacts to send a signal from the key to the computer, while membrane switches press against a flexible, rubber dome to provide tactile feedback. Thus, gaming keyboards with mechanical switches will be louder than those with membrane switches.
Some gaming keyboards come with adjustable click loudness settings which can allow you to customize the sound you want to hear when gaming. Some keyboards also provide the option to mute the click sound entirely, if that’s what you prefer. Professional gamers who prefer a quieter sound will usually opt for a keyboard with an adjustable click loudness setting.
It’s also worth noting that different manufacturers of gaming keyboards have different levels of loudness. Thus, it’s important to try out several gaming keyboards before you make a purchase to see which ones are the loudest and which ones offer the best sound and feel for your gaming needs.
Overall, it’s up to personal preference whether you want a gaming keyboard that clicks loudly or quietly. Most gaming keyboards offer some form of adjustability in this area so you can find the setting that’s best for you. So whether you prefer loud clicks or quiet clicks, you should be able to find a gaming keyboard that meets your needs.
Benefits of Professional Gaming Keyboard Click Noise
Most professional gamers agree that louder click noises, resulting from mechanical keyboards, have a few distinct benefits over quieter, membrane keyboard noises. The primary benefit found in the louder clicks, is performed as a response to the user, audibly aiding the gamer in recognizing their actions within the game without having to take their eyes off their screen. Mechanical keyboards are designed to be extremely responsive, so when a click sound is triggered it gives the user a familiar feedback that can help in the accuracy of their playing.
The click sound can also act as a helpful cue for online tournaments and live streams. In addition, the click sound can massively increase the focus of the player; As many then eliminate external noise from around them, allowing them to better focus on the game. With this, the user can feel more ‘in the zone’, granting a reduction in reaction time between keystrokes.
Although many gamers’ve been accustomed to softer clicking sounds, these types of keyboards tend to feel sluggish and become less reliable the longer you use them. These keyboards can feel unresponsive at times due a lack of tactile feedback and loudness, resulting in a decrease in gaming performance. Some of these keyboards also come with additional features such as backlighting, multimedia keys and programmable macro keys. Thus, they are ideal for gamers who need additional features or those who prefer a louder clicking sound.
Disadvantages of Professional Gaming Keyboard Click Noise
Whilst professional gaming keyboards are designed with the aid of louder click noises at the forefront, this isn’t the only issue to consider. External noise during a match, such as the click sound generated by a mechanical keyboard, can be annoying for other players online too. Using a clicky keyboard in a high-stakes competition can often cause distraction for your opponents, giving you an unfair advantage and resulting in bad sportsmanship. To limit this, it’s important to take prior precautions to reduce the volume of the click sound, or simply disable it completely.
The sound of louder click noises can also be a distraction in settings where gamers are playing over external speakers or stream periodically. An additional factor to consider is the price. Professional gaming keyboards, with louder mechanical switches, are generally more expensive than the quieter membrane keyboards. Thus, if you are playing casually on a budget, it may be best to purchase a membrane keyboard as an affordable alternative.
In turn this also brings up environmental factors – the plastic used to house the keyboard case. As well as the reduced waste in buying fewer keyboards over time, the increase in tactile feedback and the comfort of the user in using louder-click keyboards can reduce any additional strain on your wrists and joints.
Audible Distinction Between Professional Gaming Keyboards
Whilst the majority of gaming keyboards produce somewhere in the realm of a ‘clicky’ noise, there are subtle distinctions between each keyboard make and model. Within the same switch type, keyboards can still make varying amounts of sound dependent on the design and build of the keyboard. As such, one must factor in the audible quality of the switch as part of their purchasing decision.
These switches can be broken down into varying levels of loudness – the Cherry MX Blue is generally regarded as the loudest, then Cherry MX Green and Cherry MX Red are slightly less loud. On the quieter side of the spectrum, Cherry MX Brown and its quietest counterpart, Cherry MX Silent Red, are the two types of switches popularly found in gaming keyboards.
Another factor to consider is the type of material in the switch structure. Certain metals such as gold, nickel and silver are known to enhance the sound, which in turn can make for a louder click when engaged. Likewise, certain plastic materials can also make the switch quieter or dampen its sound. Looking into the type of materials used in switch construction can help to adjust the sound levels of the gaming keyboard.
Noise Control of Professional Gaming Keyboards
Besides playing around the switch-type and material, the selection of the gaming keyboard itself can also control the sound generated by the design. For example, many gaming keyboards have built-in noise dampers that help reduce the sound. These dampeners are placed around the switch mechanism to reduce any unnecessary noise generated by a gaming keyboard, as well as extend the life of the switch itself.
Additionally, some gaming keyboards also come with additional materials and modifications that do not change the mechanical switches, but placate the sound. As an example, some gaming keyboards come with a dampening tab that can be placed directly next to the switch, dampening its sound. Other gaming keyboards may come included with a dampening foam layer which can be placed at the bottom of the keyboard to reduce the acoustic output, without affecting the tactile sensation of the key.
Whilst this won’t reduce the click sound completely, some gamers have reported dropping the sound levels by up to 50%. Besides this, some gaming headphones also have integrated noise cancelation features which allow users to minimize the noise generated by their gaming keyboard, as well as external noises around them.
Alternative Technology of Professional Gaming Keyboard Click Noise
Besides the dampening of the loudness, some gaming keyboards also come with alternative switch technology. One popular version is linear switch technology. These types of switches are known to be quiet, provide a smooth, consistent keystroke and have a reduced load on the user’s hands. The linear switches also come with a pressure deployment rating which denotes the key’s smoothness, making sure that the user can type fast and accurately, without generating any additional noise.
Another variation of switch technology is omni-point switches. These switches are designed to provide a high level of accuracy, responsiveness and comfort. The switches are also silent and offer a consistent force throughout its range of motion. This makes them particularly suitable for competitive gaming and live streaming, where a quiet environment is needed.
Haptic technology is a relatively new inclusion to gaming keyboards too. This type of switch uses haptic feedback rather than audible click sounds. Haptic switches use a combination of magnets and linear motors to generate a force that acts as tactile feedback to the user. Thus, these switches provide a similar feel to mechanical switches but without the audible click sound. The haptic switch also uses a low amount of force, making them particularly suitable for gamers who want to reduce fatigue.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer a loud click or a quiet one from your gaming keyboard is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Professional players typically prefer a louder click because of its tactile feedback and focus enhancing traits. However, a quieter click can also provide a more comfortable experience and can be beneficial in loud gaming or streaming environments. It is always important to try out different gaming keyboards before making a purchase to ensure you get the rightclick loudness.
