Review: Dark Mount and Light Mount keyboards from be quiet!

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

Today’s big Editor’s test from be quiet!

We’ve had our hands on two eagerly-awaited new products… and not the least, since they’re the first peripherals from be quiet! Yes, the German brand, well known for its power supplies, water coolers, fans and cases, is entering a whole new segment with two mechanical keyboards: the Dark Mount and the Light Mount.

Mice should follow later in the year, but for now let’s concentrate on this first salvo of peripherals.

Before diving into the test, a quick look back at the brand and above all at a question that has been on my mind since the start of this review:

Why go into peripherals now, in such a saturated market?

It’s a risky bet, but not a crazy one. be quiet! This German brand is well known in the hardware world for its cooling systems, power supplies and cases. Founded in 2001, it quickly established itself as one of the leaders in the sector thanks to its performance, build quality and, above all, the silence of its products. A word that is not only in its name, but also in its DNA.

So when be quiet! decided to expand its range by tackling gaming peripherals, it didn’t do so at random. The idea is simple: to complete its range by expanding it and, above all, to take advantage of its already well-established position in the world of hardware to carve out a place for itself in an ultra-competitive ecosystem.

This first foray into the world of keyboards is true to its fundamentals: silence, more silence, and attention to the smallest detail in the finish.

But there’s a catch. And not the least: the competition.

The keyboard market is more than saturated. On the one hand, the historic brands continue to offer well-built products… but often too classic, almost set in their ways.
On the other, ‘custom’ brands, sometimes appearing out of nowhere, are exploding with ultra-customisable keyboards, top-of-the-range finishes, good value for money, and above all a committed community.

And perhaps that’s the real lever: the community.
Because beyond the product itself, it’s the community that gives a brand importance, that helps it to evolve, that supports it, that pushes it to innovate on future products or improvements. And in a world where customer engagement has become crucial, building a loyal user base has never been more important.

So we’re inevitably asking ourselves a number of questions:

Is be quiet! capable of winning over its community? Can its keyboards mark a turning point? Or will they simply be another attempt in a saturated market?

What more can be quiet! offer? What impact can the brand have in this already overcrowded world?

And perhaps this is why be quiet! bought the custom Mountain keyboard brand a few years ago: to prepare the ground in advance, and not enter this market unprepared.

And that’s exactly what we wanted to find out by testing the first two models in this new range: the Dark Mount and the Light Mount.

[nextpage title=”Technical specifications”]

The Light Mount and Dark Mount keyboards share a common base: the same silent switches, the same build quality, and the same customisation software.

The Light Mount is a keyboard with an integrated numeric keypad. A 100% classic.

The Dark Mount, on the other hand, is in the basic TKL format, but becomes a 100% keyboard thanks to its removable numeric keypad, which can be fixed to the left or right as required.

[nextpage title=”Bundle Light Mount”]

To begin this series of two unpackings, I’m starting with the Light Mount, the brand’s first offering, priced at €169.90.

The be quiet! Light Mount

We find a representation of the keyboard, illuminated by its RGB LEDs, on a black box. We also learn that the model is equipped with the brand’s orange linear switches, manufactured by Cherry MX.

A simple, effective bundle for a classic keyboard: it includes the keyboard itself, a USB-C cable for connecting it to your computer (note that the keyboard has no battery), a magnetic wrist rest and a dual-purpose extractor for easily removing keycaps and switches.

The keyboard has a steel top plate, integrated into a well-made plastic chassis, with an RGB strip on top for a touch of illumination.

On the left-hand side of the keyboard, you’ll find a dedicated volume control, accompanied by a central button for muting the sound; the whole thing is backlit in RGB.

There’s a good-quality wrist rest, magnetised on both sides, which locks into notches in addition to being magnetised, to prevent any movement once it’s in place.

At the rear of the keyboard are two adjustable feet, so you can easily adjust the tilt to suit your preferences.

[nextpage title=”Bundle Dark Mount”]

Now it’s time for the Dark Mount for this second unpacking. This is the brand’s flagship keyboard, the real showcase and spearhead for be quiet! in the world of gaming peripherals. This model is positioned at the very top end of the market, with a price tag of €259.90

The be quiet! Dark Mount

The approach is identical to that of the Light Mount, with a sober, uncluttered design, but in this case with a more refined, box-like feel.

The presentation fully respects the be quiet! visual charter, with its matt black background. The packaging highlights the Dark Mount keyboard, its removable modules and its ARGB lighting, clearly announcing a product designed for customisation.

Unpacking the Dark Mount immediately confirms the product’s high-end orientation. When you open the box, you discover a TKL format keyboard, revealing its brushed aluminium finish.

Some of the accessories are also included: the detachable numeric keypad, which acts as the be quiet! version of Stream Deck, the Media Dock with its integrated screen, buttons for managing sound, a scroll wheel and buttons for managing screen navigation, a high-quality braided USB cable, two magnetic wrist rests (one of which is adapted to the numeric keypad), a keycap and switch extractor, and a set of magnetic keyboard feet.

Be quiet! accessories

The numeric keypad has a retractable USB-C connector on either side for direct connection to either the left or right of the main keyboard, depending on user preference.

The multimedia module is a detachable part that can be placed to the left or right of the keyboard, also via a USB-C connection.

There is a set of eight magnetic feet that attach to the slots on the back of the keyboard. They can be stacked on top of each other to adjust the inclination to your preference.

I had fun switching accessories from left to right. I find this useful depending on whether you’re right- or left-handed, and on the space available on your setup or your habits. It can be very practical.

[nextpage title=”The test”]

Getting to grips with the two be quiet! keyboards:

A common base, but with different isolation :

Before getting to grips with the keyboards, it’s important to get the basics right. The two keyboards, Lightmount and Darkmount, share a number of common elements. We have the same plastic chassis with an aluminium plate on top, the same double-shot PBT keycaps, and the same choice of switches. As a reminder, neither model comes with a battery – we’re talking about a wired keyboard here.

As for the switches, there are black, tactile and silent switches on one side, and orange linear switches on the other, which are also silent. A nice touch: the choice of colours reflects the brand’s identity.

The two keyboards I received for this test are equipped with silent orange linear switches.

But where things really start to diverge is when it comes to soundproofing. And believe me, it’s not just a small detail.

Light mount :

On the Lightmount, the soundproofing is simple but effective: three layers of foam, basic but well thought out. Frankly, it’s a job well done.

Test carried out with the brand’s orange linear switches, installed on both keyboards to ensure a fair comparison.

Dark Mount:

The Darkmount takes things a step further. Same basic structure, except that the last layer is replaced by an ultra-thick, dense layer of silicone. The result? Ultra-matt, ultra-damped sound. Noise is completely muffled, and that changes everything. Clearly, the silence is astonishing. be quiet! didn’t put its name there by chance.

Here are the three layers that make up the keyboard, with a silicone bottom layer. The numeric keypad has exactly the same layered structure as the rest of the keyboard.

Test carried out with the brand’s orange linear switches, installed on both keyboards to ensure a fair comparison.

But that’s just it… isn’t the soundproofing too good?

That’s a real question. These days, custom has become so popular that almost every brand offers hot-swappable products. And with that, sound feedback becomes a real part of the keyboard experience. There are those who love a dry, slamming sound, and others who want something ultra-quiet. And with the Darkmount, the silence is almost too perfect.

So yes, the production is more than good. But personally, I’m wondering if we’re not losing a bit of the keyboard’s soul in this silence. Wouldn’t it deserve a little more sonic character? A little vibration to bring it to life under your fingers?

Format:

The Light Mount:

When you first pick it up, the Light Mount is 100% classic: fixed, non-modifiable, non-customisable. Of course, you can change the switches and keycaps, but no accessories are supplied, and there’s no possibility of adding any. This is a deliberate choice on the part of the brand: to offer a simple, ready-to-use model, designed for versatile, no-fuss use.

100% is not necessarily the format I prefer. Today, what’s fashionable and what works really well for gaming is clearly the TKL format. It’s more compact, more ergonomic, and above all more practical when you’re playing. After that, some people remain attached to the full-size format, sometimes on principle. And it has to be said that for certain uses in office automation, design and production, the numeric keypad is still ultra-practical. It’s bulkier, of course, but in terms of versatility, it’s still a safe bet.

The Dark Mount:

This is where the DarkMount really stands out. It can be customised. When you receive it, it’s in basic TKL. But thanks to its options, like the detachable numeric keypad, with a part on top that acts as a mini Stream Deck. You can easily switch to a 100% format. And even better: you can choose whether you want the keypad on the left or the right, thanks to its USB-C connection. So you can customise your setup to suit your use: gaming, design, work, etc.

LightMount is all about simplicity. The DarkMount is clearly the à la carte keyboard. Designed to adapt itself to you, not the other way round. And for those who like accessories or need them for professional use. It’s ideal: a keyboard and the equivalent of a Stream Deck in a single product, at a fraction of the cost.

Dark Mount accessories:

The media dock is detachable and can be positioned, as in the photo below, on a USB-C port on either side of the keyboard, to suit your preferences.

The media dock offers a number of options and menus for managing the keyboard’s functions without going through the software. In particular, you can adjust the RGB mode, its intensity and the mapping of the keys.

The ‘Media’ menu also gives you access to an integrated music player, which displays the cover and title of the current track. Dedicated controls allow you to mute, pause, etc… and adjust the volume using the thumbwheel.

The keypad has 8 programmable keys, each with a 140 x 140 screen. Here you can configure your shortcuts, change the images displayed and map the keys with GIFs to suit your needs.

As you can see from the photos, I’ve customised the original images and assigned shortcuts for Spotify, Google Chrome and League of Legends.

The Switches :

Be quiet! keyboards come with a choice of orange linear switches or black tactile switches, both designed for smooth, silent typing.

Pre-lubricated at the factory, these switches limit friction and noise, providing a silent typing experience.

The orange linear model requires an activation force of 45g, ideal for smooth, consistent typing, while the black tactile model requires 55g, with perceptible feedback and no audible clicks.

The keys are made from PA66 nylon to reduce noise, and the POM stem ensures smooth activation. As an added bonus, the stabilisers on the long keys (Enter, Space, etc.) are also lubricated to prevent any unpleasant clicking.
Each switch is 5-pin MX compatible, allowing easy replacement.

The RGB :

Light Mount:

On the Light Mount, there’s a wide RGB strip that runs the entire top length of the keyboard, accompanied by a backlit sound controller located in the top left corner, the multifunction wheel with central button (mute icon) provides quick volume control.

Dark Mount:

The Dark Mount features an RGB band that completely surrounds the keyboard. The numeric keypad shares this same RGB band, perfectly synchronised thanks to its connection with the rest of the keyboard.

I’m not a particular fan of this type of RGB on the two keyboards. In my opinion, it detracts a little from their sober design and the quiet ambience they offer. However, these keyboards are excellent for all-purpose use, and would benefit from a more discreet RGB, in keeping with the brand’s image.

[nextpage title=”Le Soft”]

IO Center: a real pleasant surprise

Frankly, the software was a pleasant surprise. The IO Center from be quiet! is available in a classic version for installation, but also in a web version. A really good idea for those who prefer not to clutter up their system or who fear a loss of performance.

Beyond that, the software stands out for its lightness. The interface is clear, fluid and well thought-out, and above all it has virtually no impact on system resources. Whether in terms of RAM or CPU, you won’t notice any difference in use. This is clearly not the case with some competing solutions that run heavily in the background.

It’s clear that be quiet! has taken user feedback seriously, particularly the criticisms levelled at some of the software on the market: overloaded interfaces, unhelpful modules, imposing installations, and in the end, limited use with no real impact on performance. None of that here. The IO Center is simple, efficient and perfectly optimised.

And best of all, for the more cautious, it’s entirely browser-based. A simple, fast and highly appreciable alternative, which shows just how much be quiet! wanted to offer a stress-free experience.

The be quiet! software lets you customise all the keys on the keyboard, assign macros and configure the screen keys with GIFs, as well as defining shortcuts for the built-in equivalent of the Stream Deck. It is also compatible with Windows Dynamic Lighting, enabling RGB to be synchronised with other system peripherals.

Photos of the inside of the be quiet! software:

[nextpage title=”My conclusion”]

Now let’s come to a conclusion about these two keyboards, the Light Mount and the Dark Mount.

Be quiet! keyboards that leave no one indifferent.

As soon as I received the be quiet! keyboards, I was very enthusiastic. I had already had the chance to test them briefly at the press launch event in Germany several months ago, where be quiet! was ambitiously unveiling its entry into the peripherals market. An ultra-competitive, if not completely saturated, market… At the time, I thought it was a bold, even risky choice. be quiet! is therefore taking a real gamble by launching itself into this market.

But after a few hours of hands-on experience, these keyboards really impressed me. Which makes me all the more keen to discover their next mice, due later this year.

be quiet! offers two references:

The Light Mount, priced at €169.90, is the entry-level model,

And the Dark Mount, at €259.90, clearly positioned at the very top end of the range.

Yet the two share many features: a well-built plastic chassis, an aluminium plate, identical switches and double-shot PBT keycaps. The big difference? Soundproofing. The Light Mount is fitted with conventional foam, while the Dark Mount benefits from a silicone chassis base, offering better sound absorption and a more muffled typing experience. And of course, the Dark Mount comes with a range of accessories that make all the difference.

Light Mount: discreet but perhaps too classic

The Light Mount is a 100% format keyboard. It stands out for its silence, good quality finish and the presence of a volume control. But in a market dominated by Logitech, Razer and others, it may seem a little too traditional. It’ll do the job perfectly if you’re looking for a simple, efficient, no-frills keyboard, but it lacks a bit of ‘personality’.

Dark Mount: modularity and functionality

The Dark Mount is clearly modular. Its accessories can be attached to the left or right of the keyboard, depending on the user’s preference, and that’s where it makes a real difference.

The media dock, which displays information such as the title of the music currently playing or even animated gifs, adds a nice customisable touch. A bit gimmicky for my taste, but there’s something in it for everyone.

The real asset is the detachable numeric keypad, designed as an affordable alternative to the Stream Deck. It offers very similar functionality, but at a much lower price. It’s a great tool for content creators, streamers and even pros who use custom shortcuts on a daily basis.

With the Dark Mount, you get a keyboard and a Stream Deck in one, at a much more affordable price than if you bought a top-of-the-range keyboard and a Stream Deck separately.

Soundproofing :

As you’d expect, be quiet!, true to its name, has focused on silence. And the gamble paid off: the keyboards are extremely well soundproofed. Perhaps even too well for the Dark mount.

While this level of silence is excellent for multi-purpose use (office work, content creation, occasional gaming), it lacks a little ‘feedback’: the noise and feedback from the keys are so attenuated that you may be disturbed by the absence of sound feedback and sensations when typing.
For enthusiasts of custom keyboards or demanding competitive gamers, this ultra-quiet feel could be really disorientating.

But is this really the target audience that be quiet! wants to reach?

The brand’s intention seems clear: to offer a keyboard that’s ready to use, good in all areas and upgradeable over time thanks to hot-swap.
I think their intention is to appeal to those looking for quality without necessarily delving into the world of custom modding or competitive gaming.

And on this point, it’s a real success: no extraneous noise, a soft, silent, satisfying fingertip touch… And above all, you won’t wake up your neighbour, even during your long night sessions.

Who’s a be quiet! keyboard for?

As you can see, the Light Mount is a classic keyboard, designed for people who don’t want to fuss and are simply looking for a good keyboard that’s 100% ready to use. Simple, efficient, quiet.

The Dark Mount, on the other hand, is clearly aimed at a different profile: a keyboard that’s modular and adaptable, whatever the use. You can change it from a TKL format to 100%, depending on your preferences. It incorporates an equivalent of Stream Deck, which you can activate according to your needs, making it perfect for versatile use, whether for professional or demanding users.

We liked :

• A well-built chassis
• A neat, aesthetically pleasing design
• Excellent soundproofing
• PBT keys
• The fact that it’s hot-swappable
• Quiet, comfortable switches for mixed use
• Excellent software, also available as a web version for those who don’t want to download it
• The presence of a sheathed USB-C cable
• Magnetic wrist rest

For the Dark Mount :

• The accessories supplied with the Dark Mount
• Modularity, with the possibility of disconnecting and reconnecting accessories according to use
• Integrated Stream Deck equivalent
• Magnetic feet

What we didn’t like :

• A little too much RGB.
• The Light Mount, a little too classic for my taste, especially for such a high price.
• Switches and soundproofing that, although well thought-out, won’t suit everyone.