INTRODUCTION
Few PC components are as closely tied to the user experience as the keyboard. Whether it's gaming late into the night, writing thousands of words, editing content, or simply browsing the web, the keyboard remains the primary point of contact between the user and the machine. As a result, what was once considered a basic peripheral has transformed into a category filled with specialized designs aimed at different audiences and usage scenarios. Today's market offers an impressive variety of layouts. Full-size models continue to appeal to professionals and users who depend on a dedicated numpad, while compact alternatives prioritize desk space and ergonomics. Switch technology has followed a similarly diverse path. Linear switches emphasize smooth operation and rapid actuation, tactile variants provide feedback through a distinct bump, and clicky options remain favored by those who enjoy both audible and physical confirmation of every keystroke. Combined with advances in lighting, acoustics, keycap materials, and onboard customization, modern keyboards have become highly personal devices that often reflect the preferences of their owners as much as the systems they are connected to. The Light Mount TKL Silent Mechanical Keyboard is be quiet!'s latest entry in this market and that's what's today's review is all about.
We are the German premium brand manufacturer of quiet hardware components for gaming, workstations and desktop PCs. Since our foundation in 2001, we are proud to have more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Our goal from the very beginning has been to develop products of the highest quality that are not only quiet, but also extremely powerful. With a wide range of power supplies, PC cases, water and air coolers and fans, we have established ourselves as a leading manufacturer in this field.
The Light Mount TKL is far more than a compact mechanical keyboard, combining a premium feature set with a strong focus on acoustics and customization. Built around an 80% Tenkeyless layout, it frees additional desk space for mouse movement while retaining the dedicated navigation cluster favored by enthusiasts and competitive gamers. Its factory-lubricated be quiet! Silent V2 tactile mechanical switches are designed to deliver precise feedback with minimal noise, aided by a sophisticated triple-layer dampening system consisting of foam placed between the switches and PCB, beneath the PCB, and inside the lower housing to suppress echoes and unwanted resonance. The keyboard supports hot-swappable 5-pin MX-style switches, allowing users to tailor the typing experience without replacing the entire board. Premium construction is evident through the brushed aluminum top plate, genuine lubricated Cherry stabilizers, and durable PBT double-shot keycaps that resist shine and wear over time. Lighting enthusiasts are equally well served, with per-key ARGB illumination enhanced by a unique arched diffuser within each switch, complemented by customizable LED light bars along the top and sides of the chassis. Additional highlights include a programmable aluminum 3D media wheel, three dedicated macro keys, Quick Tap (SOCD) functionality for faster directional changes in games, onboard memory, full N-Key Rollover, a 1000Hz polling rate, magnetic cushioned palm rest and support through the lightweight be quiet! IO Center software for lighting, macro, and key remapping control.
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS
Just like the full versions the Light Mount TKL arrived inside a black box that has a large product feature at the front, model name and the company logo.
A few words about be quiet!, the switches used and the specifications table of the Light Mount TKL are all printed at the rear.
The keyboard is wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed inside a formed piece of cardboard.
Along with the Light Mount TKL, its detachable USB cable and magnetic palm rest inside the box you'll also find a keycap/switch puller and the user manual.
THE LIGHT MOUNT TKL
The Light Mount TKL weighs 775g and measures 358mm in length, 132mm in width and 44mm in thickness (without the magnetic palm rest attached).
As with the full-sized models the Light Mount TKL features the floating keys design so it's easy to clean.
The programmable aluminum 3D media wheel is located on the top left corner of the keyboard.
Both the LED bar at the front and the two on the sides (one on each side) certainly add to the looks of the Light Mount TKL.
The USB-C port is located at the front center of the keyboard so it's a relatively neutral position (better than on the far left or right).
Above you can see the silent tactile switches of the Light Mount TKL.
Turning the keyboard over we find 5 rubber feet, two height adjusters/feet and the two side LED bars.
Both height adjusters feature rubber coating on their ends.
The tall/short feet raise the top end of the Light Mount TKL roughly 20/9mm from your desk.
With the magnetic palm rest attached the Light Mount TKL now weighs 1.03Kg and measures 212mm in width.
Just like with the full-sized models the Light Mount TKL does very well when it comes to lighting (as always, a short clip showcasing available ARGB effects is available both on TikTok and YouTube).
IO CENTER
The IO center software by be quiet! is available both as a software for Windows or as a website which you can access from anywhere (for this review I used the former).
Once you install and launch the software it will detect available firmware updates and notify you.
First tab is all about the per-key ARGB lighting which includes 7 available effects with either single, dual or multi colors and also allows you to make your very own.
Dynamic lighting is basically support for the Windows unified system.
Second tab allows for the remapping of all keys as seen above and the creation of macros.
The product settings tab allows you to check for firmware updates, LED color calibration (if needed) and enable/disable various system keys (game mode).
Final tab allows you to check for software updates, change the language and temperature measurement and export logs.
AUDIBLE FEEDBACK
Many people ask my opinion on what keyboard they should get for their needs. Some want a “silent” model for use in their living room or even in their bedroom while others ask for a model with good audible feedback for use in the office or for gaming. Because of this I decided to test keyboards by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically over each keyboard (5cm distance) and typing NikKTech a total of 6 times with each (after that the max recorded number - max hold - is placed in the graph). I have to admit that this methodology may not be 100% accurate but it does give a good idea on what you can expect from each model since aside the type of switches used keycaps and keyboard material also matter.
CONCLUSION
In the increasingly crowded mechanical keyboard market, the Light Mount TKL manages to carve out its own identity by focusing on refinement rather than gimmicks. be quiet! has delivered a keyboard that excels in the areas that matter most: excellent build quality, a remarkably quiet typing experience thanks to its Silent V2 switches and triple-layer dampening design, and a feature-rich implementation of ARGB lighting that extends beyond individual keys through the addition of attractive side and top lighting zones. The included magnetic palm rest enhances comfort during extended gaming or productivity sessions, while the IO Center software provides comprehensive control over lighting, macros, key assignments, and performance-oriented features, making the entire package feel polished and mature. The few drawbacks are relatively minor. The Light Mount TKL occupies the premium end of the market, meaning its price may place it outside the reach of some buyers. Additionally, while the overall typing experience is excellent, the larger stabilized keys can require a short break-in period before achieving the same level of smoothness and consistency as the rest of the keyboard. Nevertheless, these points do little to overshadow an otherwise highly accomplished product.
The Light Mount TKL Silent Mechanical Keyboard by be quiet! currently retails for USD97.03 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 124.94Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de), a price that’s a tad higher than what I was expecting. Price aside however the Light Mount TKL delivers in the same manner its full-sized brother did and that’s why it also receives the Golden Award.
PROS
- Build Quality (Brushed Aluminum Plate)
- Hot Swap Silent Switches
- Front / Side ARGB LED Bars
- 3D Media Wheel & 5 Macro Keys
- Full RGB Per Key Illumination (7 Effects)
- NKey Rollover With 100% Anti Ghosting
- Magnetic Wrist Rest
- IO Center Software (Available Settings)
CONS
- Price (For Some)
- Switch Feedback (Too Soft / For Some)
