Macworld finds Cherry KW 300 MX mechanical yet surprisingly quiet

Cherry’s KW 300 MX landed in a hands-on review by Stephan Wiesend published February 28, 2026, and Macworld called it "a good choice for fans of mechanical keyboards. It offers a first-class combination of accurate typing feel and quiet operation." Priced at $149.99 when reviewed, the KW 300 MX pairs Cherry’s MX2A switch platform with a sound-proofed housing and white, dimmable lighting, positioning the keyboard as a compact mechanical alternative to Apple’s flat boards.

Cherry’s official product text lists a raft of features: original German-made CHERRY MX2A switches, a hot-swap base for replacing individual switches, a rechargeable design that connects via Bluetooth or a standard cable, and "additional keycaps that you can use to easily convert the keyboard from a Windows layout to a Mac layout" for the KW 300 MX variant. Cherry also markets a KW 300W MX version that ships without the Mac keycaps for Windows-only users.

Acoustics are a clear selling point across Cherry and retailer copy. Amazon and Cherry copy state that "the inside of the housing is damped with several layers of foam" and that lubricated MX2A switches paired with high-quality PBT key caps produce "whisper-quiet noise when typing" with entries "acknowledged with a subtle 'thock' sound." Macworld echoed that balance, writing that "the compromise between precise typing feel and moderate volume is well achieved." Community testing in r/MadShrimps adds that some units use "MX2A Silent Red switches" and praised the PBT doubleshot keycaps for durability.

The KW 300 MX’s compact footprint comes with tradeoffs. Amazon lists the item weight as 2.44 pounds and package dimensions at 13.66 x 6.97 x 2.01 inches; Macworld warned that "the compact keyboard is not suitable for mobile use as it is simply too heavy." The review also flags the absence of a numeric keypad as a downside: "The lack of a numeric keypad is also a disadvantage if you often need to enter numbers." Reddit contributors noted the compact layout's upside for desk real estate, saying the reduced footprint "will allow you to dedicate more space for the mouse movements."

Controls and customization mix positives and complaints. Cherry highlights a "useful dial for controlling various functions" and the hot-swap base; Macworld praised the dial’s look but was blunt on function: "The rotary switch is stylish, but unfortunately offers few functions." Macworld further observed that the keyboard’s "comparatively high design require[s] some getting used to for many Mac users."

Availability and market details are clear in retailer metadata: the Amazon listing shows model number G80-3960HHAUS-2 and ASIN B0FKFFV19K, a date first available of July 29, 2025, a Best Sellers Rank of #2,021 in Computer Keyboards, and a snapshot rating of 4.8 out of 5 from six reviews. The Macworld piece also notes it "originally appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German," and the review was picked up in aggregator feeds such as MacHash's trending list.

Sources differ on switch color: Cherry's collateral references CHERRY MX2A switches generally, an Amazon title snippet lists "MX2A Brown Switches," and Reddit users identify "MX2A Silent Red switches"; Macworld’s supplied excerpts do not specify which color variant it tested. At $149.99 and with hot-swap, Bluetooth, rechargeable power, foam damping and Mac keycaps included, the KW 300 MX stakes out a niche for users who want a mechanical feel with a quieter profile—but buyers should weigh the weight, missing numpad, and limited rotary functionality against that quieter, thock-forward typing experience.