Introduction
When I was in college, I had a roommate that would insist on going to bed around 9pm each night. This left me in a situation where I was trying to play videogames as quietly as possible. The only problem was that my mouse would make the loudest clicking sounds every few seconds and it was a huge point of friction between us.
So I did some research to see if I could find a gaming mouse that wasn’t too loud with each button press.
So can you get a silent gaming mouse?
You can easily find silent gaming mice in the market. They are designed with noise-reducing mechanisms such as dampened switches and quieter scroll wheels. Quality materials, switch type, and overall design make these mice quieter, maintaining high performance for an immersive gaming experience without loud clicking noises.
The level of silence can vary between models, but generally, they offer a noticeable improvement in noise reduction compared to traditional gaming mice.
Is a silent gaming mouse worth it?
Advantages of a silent gaming mouse
- You can game at all hours of the night in your family’s home without worrying about waking anyone up
- It’s easier to concentrate on your gameplay and performance if you find yourself easily distracted by consistent noises like the clicking of a gaming mouse
- Silent mice are often easier to click and provide little resistance on their tensioning mechanisms which overall reduces the strain on your fingers and wrists
Disadvantages of using a silent gaming mouse
- Some players need the tactile feedback of their button presses to know if they’re firing their players weapon or using their special ability
- It’s not intuitive using a silent gaming mouse because most computer mice provide an audible clicking sound to indicate you gave your computer a command input.
- There aren’t a lot of branded “silent” gaming mice on the market and I don’t recommend purchasing a knock-off brand one on Amazon because you’ll pay more for less quality
What makes a silent gaming mouse “silent?”
Mechanical Switches
The switch buttons on silent gaming mice are made from a rubber or silicone material instead of traditional plastic, which ultimately absorbs the impact of the switch you would normally where when clicking
Extra Keypress Cushioning
Gaming companies will add extra material to the base of the key so that the key lands on a padded surface when the user applies force.
Optical Switches
Unlike traditional mechanical switches that use physical contact to register clicks, optical switches utilize light beams to detect clicks.
By eliminating physical contact, optical switches reduce friction and noise associated with traditional switches, resulting in a quieter gaming experience.
Noise Cancelling Materials
Some gaming mice incorporate noise-canceling materials within the mouse body or buttons to dampen sound vibrations.
These materials help absorb and dissipate the energy generated by clicking, resulting in significantly reduced noise output during gameplay.
Pro Gamer Tip: look for a gaming mouse that is built using a rubberized coating such as the Razer Deathadder Elite or aluminum alloy such as the Corsair M65 RGB Elite.
A mouse click typically produces a sound level of around 40 to 50 decibels (dB) when measured closely.
However, the actual sound level can vary depending on factors such as the type of mouse, the surface it’s clicked on, and the sensitivity of the microphone used for measurement.
What else can I do to reduce the sound my gaming mouse makes?
There’s a surprising amount of technologies that you can buy to make your mouse quieter. These accessories are relatively cheap and easy to search for online.
- Mouse Feet Pads: will reduce the sound your mouse makes as you drag it across a surface. These are great if you already don’t have a mouse pad
- Mouse Silencing Rings: Some manufacturers offer silicone or rubber rings that can be placed around the buttons of your mouse to dampen the sound of clicks. These rings absorb the impact of the button press, reducing the noise generated when clicking.
- Mouse Grip Tape: Adding grip tape to your mouse can not only improve your grip but also help dampen sound and vibration. Look for grip tape specifically designed for gaming mice, which often features materials that absorb noise and provide a more comfortable grip.
Recommended Silent Gaming Mice
Razer DeathAdder V2 Pro: Razer has implemented quieter switches in their DeathAdder V2 Pro model, making it suitable for gamers who prefer a quieter mouse.
SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless: SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless utilizes quiet mechanical switches for its main buttons, offering a quieter gaming experience without sacrificing performance.
Additional Free Resource
With advancements in technology like noise-canceling materials and optical switches, you can enjoy a quieter gaming experience without compromising performance.
If you’re interested in exploring more about the best gaming products, including silent mice and other accessories, don’t forget to sign up for my free ebook in the top right of this article. It’s packed with researched insights and recommendations to level up your gaming setup. Join now to unlock the secrets to a more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience!