If you want to buy one right this second, get the Vortex Race 3 with Clears. They sound and feel fantastic, and the aluminum case with the DSA PBT keycaps makes for a great build quality overall.

If you want to spend some time deciding, we should go over what kind of keyswitch and what kind of layout you want. This [1] is a pretty good overview of the different kinds of layouts (60%, tenkeyless, fullsize) and linear vs tactile switches. You can listen to sound tests for any switch on youtube to get a better idea for how quiet it'll be. I personally use a Poker 2 with brown switches for 90% programming/10% CS:GO, and I love it.

[1] https://kotaku.com/how-to-pick-the-right-mechanical-keyboard...

Well that's 2x vortex recommends. Bit more than I'd usually spend on a keyboard though...

Size aside do the tenkeyless have any other advantage?

For me, tenkeyless allows me to keep my mouse much closer to my keyboard which is significantly more comfortable. It's somewhat common to have long-term shoulder injury from using a fullsize keyboard and mouse intensively, like for gaming: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/comments/a5ques/has_anyone_...

I recently bought a Vortex Pok3r off amazon, with the MX Silver switches. Relatively quiet 60% keyboard that I'd definitely recommend. I've used a Pok3r with MX Blue switches for years but wanted to get something quieter for work.

Okay so two things cause the sound of the mechanical keyboard. The switch itself, and the bottom of the key hitting the are beneath the keys (called bottoming out, I believe). You can buy rubber rings that quiet out the bottoming out issue, but as for the switch sounds, red or black cherrymx switches are quietest.

If you want to cheaply try out mechanical keyboarding, I'd recommend the brand Redragon on Amazon. They've got a few options and they're in the $25-$50 range. I've had my K552 for almost two years now and I don't have any complaints. I program and game on it daily.

Kinesis Edge