Experience quiet typing with the Kensington QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard.
I’ve been a fan of mechanical keyboards for many years. One of my favorite keyboards — the Apex M800 by Steel Series — was my ‘go-to’ peripheral for a really long time. In fact, I used it so much that the switches started wearing out and the keystrokes weren’t registering like they were supposed to. Ever since then, I’ve been on the lookout for a good mechanical keyboard replacement. The tricky thing is that the Apex M800 had soft keystrokes and it’s been hard to find a keyboard that feels close to that — until Kensington released their QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard. It checks off all the major features for me and it has a soft typing feel that I love.
About Kensington QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard
Designed for noise-sensitive home or office work environments, the QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard features reduced keystroke noise to minimize distractions during online meetings, and incorporates camera and audio controls to optimize the virtual meeting experience. And, since the keyboard has mechanical switches, it’s sturdier than membrane keyboards and will likely hold up better to long-term daily use.
Main Features
- Design by Professional for the Modern Workspace → Provides responsive keys, a quiet typing experience, n-key roll over (NKRO), and universal compatibility for Windows and macOS—to maximize productivity and minimize distractions.
- QuietType Keys → The MK7500F keyboard combines Kailh Midnight Pro Silent Tactile switches with sound dampening pads—so you can type with confidence knowing that you are not distracting others or disrupting a call or meeting.
- Multiple Connection Options → Connect up to five active devices—three via Bluetooth, one using the included 2.4GHz USB receiver for a reliable connection up to 10 meters away, and one using the included USB-A cable so you can charge and use the keyboard at the same time. Provides 128-bit AES government-grade encryption security.
- Durable Ergonomic Full-Size Design → Supports all-day typing comfort via a thoughtfully designed full-size aluminum frame with high-quality laser etched ABS keycaps, quiet tactile switches, dual position feet with 5 and 7 degrees of adjustment, and a gel wrist rest pad.
- Fully Customizable Keys → Users can customize their experience by programming keys, creating macros, adjusting key mappings, managing profiles, and more with the optional Kensington Konnect software.
- Adjustable White Backlight → The white backlight allows for easy key identification in low light settings, can be easily adjusted via the built-in shortcut keys, and lasts up to 90 hours after a full charge, even with the backlight at 100%.
- IPX4 Spill-Proof Design → Verified and tested to protect your mechanical keyboard from the accidental spills that occur in busy workspaces. Includes washable silicon dust cover to protect keyboard when not in use.
- Wipe Down Protection → Meets MIL-STD-810H Method 504.3 Contamination by Fluids with disinfectants with no degradation.
- 3-Year Limited Warranty → Covered by Kensington with professional support and a 3-year limited warranty.
Pricing & Availability
The keyboard has a list price of $199.99 and is available through Amazon. If a user needs to purchase the keyboard in bulk, they may contact Kensington using the embedded form on their product page.
User Experience
The Kensington QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard comes in a large box. The outer carton features an image of the keyboard along with several of the features — including the switch type — called out. The box was quite a bit heavier than I expected. The keyboard weighs approximately 2 lbs 12 ozs and the wrist rest weighs 1 lb 10 oz. So, even after I removed the keyboard from the box, it still felt full. In addition to the wrist rest and keyboard, the box also housed the following:
- 1 x 6ft USB-C to USB-A cable
- 1 x 2.4G Wireless receiver
- 1 x dust cover
- 1 x welcome card
- 1 x instruction guide
- 1 x battery warning insert
- 1 x compliance sheet
- 1 x warranty card
Set-up
The keyboard is ready to go out of the box, but users can customize functions on the keyboard using the Kensington Konnect software (available for macOS and Windows). The first thing you have to do is decide how you prefer to connect to the keyboard — Bluetooth, Wirelessly, or with the cable. I selected the 2.4G Wireless Receiver option because I could plug it into my dock and use it with both my MacBook Air and MacBook Pro without having to select different Bluetooth inputs.
This keyboard was designed to fit all types of users and there are macOS and Windows profiles built into the keyboard. The O and P keys allow the user to switch between the different system modes. I primarily use macOS computers, but I will sometimes switch to a Windows machine during my work day. So, having that capability is really convenient.
One of the more important steps in the set-up process is installing the Kensington Konnect software. This give users the ability to customize the key functions. The software is very easy to use. You simply select the key on the keyboard and then the action you want it to complete. Even the meeting control buttons are customizable. I have created multiple profiles for myself since I switch between a work and personal computer throughout the day.
Lighting
While I appreciate the backlight option on the MK7500F, I also feel it’s unnecessary. The backlight is very dim in my opinion and it just doesn’t serve much purpose. Since Kensington’s focus for this keyboard was for working environments, I can understand why it doesn’t include flashy RGB lighting, but it would be great if a sister model was released with that option. That is a feature I have come to really enjoy with my keyboards and I sort of miss it with the Kensington keyboard.
Typing
The QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard is very comfortable to type on. I use my keyboards for 8-12 hours a day and do a substantial amount of typing on them. Even though I really enjoy slim/low profile keyboards and this one has more of a classic key-type to it, I’ve not found myself getting tired or my hands cramping while using it. The keys are evenly spaced out and there is no heavy tactile bump to worry with like some mechanical keyboards. My 72WPM typing average even saw an increase to 74WPM.
Conclusion
The Kensington QuietType Pro Silent Mechanical Keyboard is an excellent option for those who are looking for a quiet mechanical keyboard. It combines the best of both worlds by offering the tactile feedback and durability of a mechanical keyboard with the quietness of a membrane keyboard. It’s a full-size keyboard with a compact feel and it’s comfortable to use — even for long periods of time. Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable, yet silent, mechanical keyboard, the Kensington QuietType Pro is definitely worth considering.
For more information, visit Kensington.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
