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Keycaps Guide: Materials, Profiles, and Choosing the Right Set

9 min read

Keycaps Guide

Keycaps transform your keyboard’s look and feel. Understanding materials, profiles, and manufacturing processes helps you make informed choices.

Keycap Materials

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) - Recommended

Characteristics:

  • Textured, slightly rough feel
  • Durable (resists shine for years)
  • Thicker walls (1.4-1.5mm typical)
  • Matte finish
  • Slightly higher-pitched sound

Pros: ✅ No shine from finger oils (maintains look) ✅ Durable long-term ✅ Textured grip ✅ Resists yellowing from UV ✅ “Thocky” sound (if thick)

Cons: ❌ Limited color options (harder to dye) ❌ More expensive than ABS ❌ Fewer premium sets (GMK is ABS) ❌ Warping possible if poorly manufactured

Cost: $30-120 for full set

Best For:

  • Long-term daily use
  • Those who hate shiny keycaps
  • Texture lovers
  • Budget to mid-range builds

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Characteristics:

  • Smooth, glossy feel
  • Develops shine from use (6-12 months)
  • Thinner walls (1.0-1.3mm typical)
  • Vibrant colors possible
  • Deeper, “clackier” sound

Pros: ✅ Vibrant colors (better dye saturation) ✅ Smooth feel (some prefer this) ✅ Premium sets (GMK, ePBT ABS) ✅ Easier to double-shot ✅ Thinner = lighter keypresses

Cons: ❌ Develops shine (looks worn) ❌ Less durable long-term ❌ Can yellow from UV exposure ❌ Feels cheap if thin

Cost: $20-300 (GMK sets premium)

Best For:

  • Colorway collectors (GMK exclusives)
  • Those who like smooth feel
  • Short-term use (swap sets often)
  • Premium enthusiast builds (GMK)

POM (Polyoxymethylene) - Specialty

Characteristics:

  • Self-lubricating plastic
  • Very smooth feel
  • Translucent appearance
  • Unique sound profile

Pros: ✅ Extremely smooth ✅ Unique aesthetic ✅ Interesting sound (different from PBT/ABS)

Cons: ❌ Very limited options ❌ Expensive ❌ Niche appeal

Cost: $50-100

Best For: Experimenters, collectors

Keycap Profiles (Shape)

Cherry Profile - Most Popular

Height: Low (shortest modern profile) Shape: Sculpted (different height per row)

Characteristics:

  • Row 1 (number row): Tallest
  • Row 3 (home row): Shortest
  • Low profile = less finger travel
  • Angled tops for ergonomics

Pros: ✅ Most popular (huge selection) ✅ Low profile (comfortable) ✅ Works with all cases (low clearance) ✅ Widely available

Cons: ❌ Less dramatic than SA/MT3 ❌ Shorter may feel cramped (subjective)

Best For: Most users, first keycap set, balanced feel

Popular Sets:

  • GMK (ABS, premium, $120-300)
  • ePBT (PBT, good value, $60-120)
  • NicePBT (PBT, affordable, $40-80)

OEM Profile - Stock Standard

Height: Medium Shape: Sculpted

Characteristics:

  • Taller than Cherry
  • Standard on most prebuilt keyboards
  • Familiar feel for newcomers

Pros: ✅ Familiar (most people used this) ✅ Affordable ✅ Widely available

Cons: ❌ Taller = more finger travel ❌ Less premium feel vs. Cherry ❌ Fewer enthusiast options

Best For: Budget builds, those used to OEM

Popular Sets:

  • HyperX Pudding (backlit, $25)
  • Tai-Hao (colorful PBT, $40-60)

SA Profile - Tall & Retro

Height: Very tall (tallest common profile) Shape: Sculpted or uniform (R3 all rows)

Characteristics:

  • Retro 1980s aesthetic
  • Spherical tops (curved)
  • Dramatic height difference between rows
  • Unique “clacky” sound

Pros: ✅ Unique retro look ✅ Satisfying sound ✅ Premium feel ✅ Nostalgic aesthetic

Cons: ❌ Tall = more finger travel (can fatigue) ❌ Learning curve (adjustment period) ❌ May not fit low-profile cases ❌ Expensive

Cost: $80-200

Best For: Retro enthusiasts, aesthetic builds, SA lovers

Popular Sets:

  • Signature Plastics SA (original, $100-180)
  • MaxKey SA (affordable clone, $50-80)

DSA / XDA Profile - Uniform & Flat

Height: Low-medium Shape: Uniform (all keys same height)

Characteristics:

  • All rows identical height
  • Spherical tops
  • No sculpting

Pros: ✅ Rearrange keys easily (uniform) ✅ Ortholinear-friendly ✅ Unique typing feel ✅ Affordable

Cons: ❌ Less ergonomic (no sculpting) ❌ Takes adjustment ❌ Less popular (fewer options)

Best For: Ortholinear keyboards, experimenters

KAT Profile - Medium Sculpted

Height: Between Cherry and SA Shape: Sculpted, spherical tops

Characteristics:

  • Retro feel, modern height
  • Comfortable sculpting
  • Spherical tops like SA

Pros: ✅ Best of Cherry and SA ✅ Comfortable height ✅ Unique feel

Cons: ❌ Limited availability ❌ Long group buy waits ❌ Expensive

Cost: $100-150

MT3 Profile - Ergonomic & Deep

Height: Tall Shape: Deeply sculpted, “scooped” tops

Characteristics:

  • Deep dish tops (fingers nestle in)
  • Ergonomic sculpting
  • High-profile look
  • Created by Matt3o

Pros: ✅ Extremely ergonomic ✅ Unique typing feel (fingers locked in) ✅ Loud, satisfying sound

Cons: ❌ Adjustment period required ❌ Love it or hate it (divisive) ❌ May not fit low-profile cases ❌ Limited colorways

Cost: $60-120

Best For: Typists seeking maximum ergonomics

Popular Sets:

  • Drop MT3 Susuwatari ($100)
  • Drop MT3 White-on-Black ($75)

Keycap Legend Techniques

Double-Shot Molding - Best Durability

Process: Two plastics molded together (one for cap, one for legend)

Pros: ✅ Legends NEVER fade (part of structure) ✅ Most durable ✅ Crisp, clear legends

Cons: ❌ More expensive ❌ Limited color combos (two-color only)

Examples: GMK, ePBT, most premium sets

Dye-Sublimation - PBT Standard

Process: Dye absorbed into keycap under heat/pressure

Pros: ✅ Doesn’t fade (dye absorbed) ✅ Works great on PBT ✅ Multi-color designs possible ✅ Affordable

Cons: ❌ Legends must be darker than base (can’t do white on black well) ❌ Slightly less crisp than double-shot

Examples: Most PBT sets (ePBT, Domikey, NicePBT)

Laser Engraved / Etched

Process: Laser burns legend into keycap surface

Pros: ✅ Cheap to produce ✅ Any color combination

Cons: ❌ Legends fade over time (shallow etch) ❌ Less durable ❌ Budget aesthetic

Examples: Cheap Amazon sets

Pad Printed

Process: Legend printed on surface (like a stamp)

Pros: ✅ Cheap

Cons: ❌ Legends rub off (worst durability) ❌ Very budget

Examples: Cheapest keyboards, avoid if possible

Keycap Compatibility

Standard ANSI Layout

Most common US layout. Most keycap sets support this.

Bottom Row:

  • 1.25u Ctrl, Win, Alt (left)
  • 6.25u Spacebar
  • 1.25u Alt, Win, Menu, Ctrl (right)

If your keyboard has standard ANSI: Almost any keycap set works!

Non-Standard Layouts

Common Non-Standard Bottom Rows:

  • Gaming keyboards (Corsair, Razer): Weird spacebar sizes
  • Some 65%: 1.75u right shift
  • 40% keyboards: Need many 1u keys

Always check:

  1. Keyboard’s layout (especially bottom row)
  2. Keycap set compatibility list

Sets with Good Compatibility:

  • Most ePBT sets (many kits)
  • GMK Base + Spacebars kit
  • XDA/DSA uniform sets (easy rearranging)

Stabilizer Compatibility

Costar vs. Cherry Stabilizers:

  • Most modern boards use Cherry-style (keycap compatible)
  • Costar stabilizers need specific keycap design (rare now)

Check: If you have Costar stabs, confirm keycaps compatible (most modern sets are Cherry-compatible only)

Choosing Your First Keycap Set

Considerations

1. Profile → Start with Cherry or OEM (familiar, comfortable)

2. Material → PBT for longevity, ABS if you want GMK colorway

3. Color → What matches your desk/aesthetic?

4. Budget → $40-80 = good PBT sets → $80-150 = premium PBT or mid GMK → $150-300 = GMK group buy

5. Compatibility → Check your keyboard layout (especially bottom row!)

Budget Recommendations ($30-60)

Best Value PBT:

  • NicePBT ($40-60) - excellent quality/price
  • Akko keycaps ($40-50) - good colors
  • YMDK keycaps ($30-50) - budget PBT

Backlit (Shine-Through):

  • HyperX Pudding ($25) - gaming aesthetic
  • Glorious Aura ($30) - RGB shine-through

Mid-Range Recommendations ($60-120)

PBT:

  • ePBT ($70-110) - fantastic quality
  • Domikey ($60-90) - thick PBT, great colors
  • DROP + MiTO sets ($80-100)

ABS:

  • GMK Clones ($60-80) - Cherry profile, ABS
  • Milkyway ($50-70) - good ABS alternative

Premium Recommendations ($120-300)

GMK (ABS, Double-Shot):

  • GMK sets ($150-250 group buy, $200-400 aftermarket)
  • Cherry profile, premium ABS
  • Iconic colorways
  • Long group buy waits (6-18 months)

Why GMK Expensive?

  • Made in Germany
  • Premium double-shot ABS
  • Limited runs
  • High demand
  • Aftermarket speculation (annoying but real)

Artisan Keycaps

What Are Artisans? Hand-crafted keycaps (usually Esc or Enter), often resin-cast.

Characteristics:

  • Unique designs (dragons, skulls, landscapes)
  • Collectible (limited runs)
  • Expensive ($30-300 per single keycap!)

Popular Artisan Makers:

  • Jelly Key (landscapes, resin art)
  • RAMA (minimalist metal)
  • Dwarf Factory (cute designs)
  • Keyforge (fantasy creatures)

Worth It? If you love the design and can afford it! Purely aesthetic (adds personality).

Cleaning & Maintenance

Regular Cleaning

Frequency: Every 1-3 months

Process:

  1. Remove keycaps (use keycap puller!)
  2. Soak in warm soapy water (15-30 min)
  3. Scrub gently with soft brush
  4. Rinse thoroughly
  5. Dry completely (24 hours)
  6. Reinstall

Never: ❌ Use alcohol on pad-printed legends (removes them) ❌ Use abrasive cleaners (scratches) ❌ Put in dishwasher (warps keycaps)

Shine Removal (ABS)

Reality Check: You can’t truly remove shine (plastic degradation).

Options:

  1. Accept it (many love the look!)
  2. Replace keycaps
  3. Use PBT next time

Keycap Sound

Keycaps affect sound significantly:

Thicker keycaps = Deeper, “thockier” sound Thinner keycaps = Higher-pitched, “clackier” sound

Material:

  • PBT = Higher pitch, textured sound
  • ABS = Lower pitch, smoother sound

Profile:

  • SA = Deep, clacky
  • Cherry = Balanced, thocky (if thick)
  • OEM = Higher-pitched

Sound Preference: Entirely subjective! Try different sets.

Group Buys vs. In-Stock

Group Buys (GB)

How It Works:

  1. Designer creates keycap set renders
  2. Group buy runs for 3-4 weeks
  3. Manufacturer produces based on orders
  4. Ships 6-18 months later

Pros: ✅ Exclusive colorways ✅ Support designers ✅ Lower price vs. aftermarket

Cons: ❌ Long wait (6-18 months!) ❌ Can’t see product before buying ❌ Risk of delays or quality issues

In-Stock Sets

How It Works: Buy now, ships immediately (or within days)

Pros: ✅ Instant gratification ✅ See reviews first ✅ No waiting

Cons: ❌ Fewer colorway options ❌ Sometimes higher price

Recommendation: Buy in-stock for first set. Try group buys once you’re committed to hobby.

Common Mistakes

Mistake #1: Not Checking Compatibility

→ Always verify keycap set supports your layout (especially non-standard bottom rows!)

Mistake #2: Buying Cheap Pad-Printed Sets

→ Legends rub off in weeks. Spend $40+ for dye-sub or double-shot.

Mistake #3: Jumping to SA Profile First

→ Tall profiles have adjustment period. Start Cherry/OEM.

Mistake #4: Expecting GMK Quality from $30 Set

→ Budget sets are fine! But don’t expect GMK-tier thickness/legends.

Mistake #5: Not Considering Shine

→ If you hate shiny keycaps, get PBT (not ABS!).

Keycap Recommendations by Use Case

Gaming

→ OEM or Cherry profile, backlit legends (if RGB) → HyperX Pudding ($25), Glorious Aura ($30)

Typing / Office

→ Cherry or MT3 profile, muted colors, PBT → ePBT ($70-110), NicePBT ($40-60)

Aesthetic / Show Build

→ GMK colorway (group buy or aftermarket) → GMK sets ($150-300), unique colorways

Budget Build

→ PBT dye-sub, Cherry or OEM profile → YMDK ($30-50), Akko ($40-50)

Takeaway

The best keycaps:

  • Match your keyboard layout
  • Fit your budget
  • Look aesthetically pleasing to YOU
  • Feel comfortable to type on

Start with:

  1. PBT Cherry profile in neutral color ($40-80)
  2. Confirm compatibility with your keyboard
  3. Experiment with other profiles/colors later!

Keycaps are fun to swap. You’ll probably collect multiple sets (it’s a slippery slope!).

Next Steps