If you’re an avid typist, you know that the quality of your keyboard can greatly impact your typing experience. One way to customize and enhance your keyboard is by investing in high-quality keycaps. Keycaps are the individual buttons that cover the switches on your keyboard, and they come in a variety of materials, shapes, and designs. But with so many options out there, how do you know which ones to choose?
In this article, I’ll compare and contrast several popular types of keycaps to help you find the best one for your needs. I’ll go over everything you need to know about choosing the best keycaps for your typing needs, including how long they last, how they feel, and how they look. If you want to upgrade your typing experience, read on to learn which keycaps are worth the money.
What Are Keycaps?
“Keycaps” are the little “plastic covers” that protect each key on a keyboard. They can be made from different things and have other “textures,” “shapes,” and “colors.” They allow you to type, play games, and cover the mechanical switches underneath. Keycaps can be removed and put back on, so users can change how their keyboard looks and feels. Some people change the keycaps to make typing easier, make the keyboard more visible, or make it more their own:
Types of Keycaps
There are several keycaps on the market, each with its properties. The following are some of the most prevalent types:
- “ABS” or “Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene” keycaps. These are the most prevalent keycaps because of their endurance and low cost. They feature a glossy surface and are made of “thermoplastic” material.
- “PBT” or “Polybutylene Terephthalate” keycaps are well-known for their stability, shine, and wear resistance. They feel more tactile and are regarded as higher quality than ABS keycaps.
- “Double-shot” keycaps are created by injecting two different plastic colors into a mold, resulting in a unique color scheme.
- “Dye-sublimated” keycaps are created by printing designs or patterns onto keycaps using a dye-sublimation method.
- “Laser-etched” keycaps are created by etching designs or patterns onto the keycaps with a laser. Keycaps marked “Silicone” are constructed of silicone and are flexible and pleasant to the touch. They are frequently used for gaming.
5 Best Keycaps For Typing: Comparison Table
The brief table below compares the products in terms of their technical specifications. Check out the table below for a short rundown of the offerings. You can use the information on my comparison chart to select multiple keycaps for various uses.
| Products Name | Keycaps Profile | Keycaps Materials | Keys Number | Special Feature | Compatibility | Price |
| Macally Scissor Keycaps | low Profile | Scissor switch keycaps | 104 | Backlit, Hotkeys, and Media Keys | MAC | Check Here |
| ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps | OEM profile | PBT | 75 | Backlit, Hotkeys and Media Keys | Gaming console | Check Here |
| DROP Dasher Keycap Set | MT3 Profile | ABS | 157 | Ergonomic | Cherry MX switches and clones | Check Here |
| Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap | OEM Profile | PBT | 104 | Backlit | Any Mechanical Keyboard | Check Here |
| ROG PBT Keycap Set | mid-height profiles | PBT | 124 | Lighting | Cherry MX stems | Check Here |
5 Best Keycaps For Typing: Details Review
Now I am giving you a detailed review of all the products. It will give you a detailed idea about all the keycaps.
1. Macally Scissor Keycaps for Smooth Typing: Best for Home & Office
With their sleek design and quiet operation, the Macally Scissor Keycaps are a popular option for home and office use. Each keycap has a scissor-switch mechanism that enables precise and responsive keystrokes, creating a pleasant and productive typing experience.
Technical Specification
- Keycaps Profile: OEM profile
- Keycaps Materials: PBT Plastic
- Keycaps number: 75
- Compatibility: Gaming Console
Benefit With Feature
- Ultra Thin Design
The Macally Scissor Keycaps are an absolute must-have for anyone looking for a comfortable typing experience. These ultra-thin keycaps create a smooth and seamless typing surface that is comfortable and efficient. The scissor mechanism guarantees that every keystroke is precisely registered, allowing for higher typing speeds and less fatigue. Whether you’re a writer, student, or professional, the Macally Scissor Keycaps will improve your typing experience and boost your productivity.
- Simple Wired Connection
There is no need for batteries or wireless pairing because the simple cable connection provides a constant, stable connection to your Mac device. These keycaps are a great option for mobile computing because of their small size and lightweight construction. Macally’s Scissor Keycaps provide a smooth, comfortable typing experience, whether writing a paper or browsing the web.
- Scissor Switch Keys
The Macally Scissor Keycaps are a game-changer for those seeking smooth and comfortable typing experiences. These keycaps feature scissor-switch technology, providing a unique typing experience that is responsive and quiet.
The scissor-switch mechanism allows for precise and quick keystrokes, making it ideal for professionals who spend long hours typing or gamers who require rapid and accurate keypresses. Additionally, the low-profile design of the keycaps ensures that your fingers glide effortlessly across the keyboard, reducing strain and fatigue.
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- Slim USB Cable;
- 16 Mac program shortcut keys to boost productivity;
- Comfortable typing without any noise;
- Portable;
- User friendly.
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- No cap or num lock lights.
Why Do You Buy It?
The Macally Scissor Keycaps are a must-have for anyone who values smooth and comfortable typing. These keycaps enhance the typing experience by providing a responsive and tactile feel. The scissor mechanism ensures that each keystroke is precise and effortless, reducing strain on your fingers and wrists.
Whether you’re a professional typist or just someone who spends much time working on your computer, the Macally Scissor Keycaps are a worthwhile investment. Their durable construction and compatibility with various keyboard models will surely enhance your productivity and enjoyment while typing.
2. ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps: Best For Both Typing & Gaming
ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps are considered the best option for gaming enthusiasts. Made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), these keycaps offer superior durability and longevity compared to standard ABS keycaps. The PBT material is resistant to wear, fading, and shine, ensuring that the keycaps maintain their crisp and clear legends even after extensive use.
Technical Specification
- Keycaps Profile :
- Keycaps Materials: Scissor switch keycaps
- Keycaps number: 104
- Compatibility: MAC
Benefit With Feature
- Extra PORON Foam
If you’re a gamer or keyboard enthusiast looking to up your game, go no further than the ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps with Extra PORON Foam. The PBT used to make these keycaps is of the highest grade and has excellent durability and wear resistance.
With PORON foam, you may rest assured that your typing experience will be pleasant and peaceful. The ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps with Extra PORON Foam are a great investment if you spend time typing or playing first-person shooter games.
- Oled Display
The Oled Display on the keycaps allows for customization and personalization, allowing gamers to display various graphics, logos, or animations on their keyboard. This adds a unique aesthetic appeal and enhances the gaming experience by providing important information at a glance. Whether displaying in-game stats, system performance metrics, or personalized messages, the Oled Display on the ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps brings a new level of functionality and style to gaming keyboards.
- Rog Stabilizer
The Rog Stabilizer technology is one thing that makes the ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps stand out. This new stabilizer system ensures that each key press is smooth and uniform. This reduces wobble and makes typing more accurate overall. Whether you’re a gamer or a typist, the ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps with Rog Stabilizer will take the speed and comfort of your keyboard to a whole new level.
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- High-quality PBT Keycaps
- RGB Backlight
- Three different ways to connect (Wired, Bluetooth, Wireless)
- Innovative gasket-mounting system
- Amazing hot-swappable switches
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- Poor keycap font.
Why Do You Buy It?
The ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps are popular among gamers and enthusiasts for several reasons. These keycaps are made from high-quality PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) material, known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. This means the keycaps will not fade or shine over time, even with heavy use.
The ROG PBT Keycaps feature a textured surface that provides excellent grip and tactile feedback, allowing for precise and comfortable typing or gaming sessions. Additionally, these keycaps are compatible with most mechanical keyboards, making them a versatile option for those who want to upgrade their existing keyboard. With their stylish design and exceptional performance, it’s no wonder many people invest in ASUS ROG PBT Keycaps for an enhanced typing or gaming experience.
3. DROP Dasher Keycap Set: Best For Design Work
The DROP Dasher Keycap Set is an excellent choice for design work due to its exceptional quality and unique design. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this keycap set features a sculpted profile that provides a comfortable typing experience.
Technical Specification
- Keycaps Profile: MT3 profile
- Keycaps Materials: ABS Plastic
- Keycaps number: 157
- Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and clones
Benefit With Feature
- Doubleshot Legends
The keycaps are made using a doubleshot legends process, which means that the legends (the letters or symbols on the keycaps) are molded into the keycaps themselves, resulting in a durable and long-lasting design. This set features a high-profile sculpted profile, providing a comfortable typing experience for users.
- MT3 Profile
The DROP Dasher Keycap Set is a highly sought-after keycap set designed with the popular MT3 profile. The MT3 profile is known for its sculpted, ergonomic shape, providing a comfortable typing experience. This keycap set features a unique colorway called “Dasher,” which combines a cool gray base with vibrant red accents, giving it a modern and eye-catching look.
- High-Quality ABS Plastic
This Keycap Set is made of ABS plastic and is a high-quality keycap set. ABS, which stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a thermoplastic polymer that is strong and light. It is known for being strong, not breaking when hit, and being able to handle high temps.
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- MX compatible
- IBM beamspring keycaps
- MT3 features scooped keys
- Easy to install
- Ergonomic design
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The delete key is shorter than the function key.
Why Do You Buy It?
There are several reasons why the DROP MT3 Dasher Keycap Set is so popular among keyboard aficionados. The first thing you’ll notice is that the keycaps are sturdy and long-lasting because they’re made of ABS materials. The MT3 profile’s sculpted design, which follows the contour of your fingertips, makes for a novel and relaxing typing experience.
The Dasher hue is a great option for a stylish keyboard because of its modern and understated design. The set is compatible with several layouts, so users can design a keyboard that works best for them. The DROP MT3 Dasher Keycap Set is a worthwhile investment that will improve your typing experience and add a touch of style to your keyboard, whether you’re a casual typist or an enthusiastic gamer.
4. Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap: Best For Both Typing and Gaming.
The Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap is a top choice for typing enthusiasts and gamers. Made from high-quality PBT plastic, these keycaps are built to last and withstand heavy use without wearing down or losing their colour. The double-shot moulding process ensures that the legends on the keycaps will never fade or wear off, even with constant typing or gaming sessions.
Technical Specification
- Keycaps Profile: OEM Profile
- Keycaps Materials: PBT Plastic
- Keycaps number: 104
- Compatibility: Any Mechanical Keyboards
Benefit With Feature
- O-Ring Dampeners
The Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap with O-Ring Dampeners is a game-changer for keyboard enthusiasts. The O-Ring Dampeners provide a softer landing for the keys, reducing noise and providing a more satisfying typing experience. Whether you’re a gamer looking for improved precision or a typist needing a quieter keyboard, the Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap with O-Ring Dampeners is the perfect choice to enhance your keyboard’s performance and longevity.
- Bottom Row Layout
With a standard bottom-row layout, these keycaps are compatible with most mechanical keyboards, allowing you to upgrade your keyboard’s aesthetics and functionality easily. Whether you’re a gamer looking for improved keycap durability or a typist needing a more comfortable typing experience, the Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap is a fantastic choice.
- Double Shot Wall
The Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap is a premium keycap option for mechanical keyboards. It features a double-shot molding process, where two layers of plastic are injected to create a keycap with legends that will never fade or wear off. This ensures long-lasting durability and a crisp, clean look, even after heavy use.
They also have a textured surface that provides a comfortable typing experience and helps prevent finger slippage. The Double Shot Wall design raises the legends above the keycap’s surface, allowing for better visibility and an enhanced aesthetic appeal.
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- It comes in six different colors
- Keycaps puller included
- Modern font style
- Prevent wear and shine
- Give you a better grip
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- The keys have a little wet sensation.
Why Do You Buy It?
The Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap is a must-have for any keyboard enthusiast. Made from high-quality PBT plastic, these keycaps are incredibly durable and resistant to wear and tear. The double-shot moulding process ensures that the legends on the keycaps will never fade or wear off, even after years of heavy use.
With their textured surface, these keycaps provide a comfortable typing experience and prevent finger slippage. They also have a stylish and sleek design that will elevate the aesthetics of any keyboard. Whether you’re a gamer looking for improved performance or a typist needing a more satisfying typing experience, the Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap is an excellent investment to enhance your keyboarding experience.
5. ROG PBT Keycap Set: Best For Gaming
The ROG PBT Keycap Set is a great option if you’re a gamer trying to up your game. These keycaps are constructed from tough PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) material, making them reliable even after extensive use. The textured surface of the keycaps provides a firm grasp and satisfying feedback during marathon gaming sessions without sacrificing comfort.
Technical Specification
- Keycaps Profile: mid-height profiles
- Keycaps Materials: PBT Plastic
- Keycaps number: 124
- Compatibility: Cherry MX stems
Benefit With Feature:
- Ergonomic Design
The ROG PBT Keycap Set features an ergonomic design that enhances typing comfort and efficiency. The keycaps are sculpted to fit the natural contours of your fingers, allowing for a more comfortable typing experience. In addition, the set includes a variety of keycap sizes to accommodate different hand sizes and typing styles.
- Optimized With Rog
The ROG PBT Keycap Set is a high-quality keycap set specifically optimized for use with ROG keyboards. These keycaps are made from durable PBT material and offer enhanced durability and long-lasting performance. The keycaps are designed to provide a comfortable typing experience, with a textured surface that improves grip and reduces finger fatigue. Additionally, the keycaps feature a unique design that complements the aesthetics of ROG keyboards.
- Fast Performance
The ROG Keycap Set is designed to enhance the performance and speed of your gaming keyboard. Made with high-quality PBT materials, these keycaps provide a tactile feel and improved responsiveness, allowing you to execute commands precisely and accurately. Each keycap features a unique design that adds a touch of style to your keyboard and helps prevent finger fatigue during intense gaming sessions.
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- It comes with a keycaps puller and keyboard stabilizer
- Ergonomic design gives a comfortable typing
- High-quality PBT gives a smooth surface
- Better grip
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- Not all keycaps have alternate functions printed on them.
Why Do You Buy It?
The ROG PBT Keycap Set is a must-have for any gaming enthusiast. Made from high-quality PBT material, these keycaps are designed to provide a superior typing experience. They offer a smooth and durable surface that is resistant to wear and fading, ensuring that your keycaps remain pristine even after intense gaming sessions.
The set includes a variety of keycaps to suit different keyboard layouts and preferences, allowing you to customize your keyboard to your liking. With its striking design and vibrant colors, the ROG PBT Keycap Set adds a touch of style and personality to any keyboard.
Factors You Consider Before Buying Keycaps For Typing
Try Before Buy
If feasible, try out multiple keycap profiles before committing to one. You can see whether a friend or colleague uses the profile you’re interested in, or you can visit retail outlets or contact the manufacturer to see if you can test drive their keys.
If you can’t try before you buy, look into return and replacement policies, but keep in mind that getting used to the look and feel of your new keycaps will undoubtedly take some time.
Check that your keycaps are compatible with your keyboard.
Check that the keycaps you’re using are compatible with your keyboard. For example, if you have a tenkeyless keyboard, you don’t need a complete set of keys, and you want to be sure you acquire the proper keycaps if you have a 65% keyboard.
You should also make sure that your keycaps suit your switches. The last thing you want to do is purchase a new set of keycaps incompatible with your high-performance Cherry MX switches.
Consider Additional Keycap Features
The profile is one of many factors to consider. Others are as follows:
Materials:
The two most prevalent keycap materials are ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). PBT keycaps are often more robust and expensive than ABS keycaps, which are more common and cheaper.
Backlighting:
If you have a backlit keyboard, you will likely want keycaps that allow your RGB lighting to shine through. The legends of doubleshot keycaps are translucent, whereas the sides of pudding keycaps are translucent.
Tactile feel:
Some keycaps are smooth and glossy, while others are textured and matte. Consider the appearance and feel of the keys as you type.
Your keycap profile selection will considerably impact your daily life, especially if you spend lengthy periods of time tapping away at the keyboard. Different keyboard profiles prioritize speed, accuracy, and comfort, while others achieve a balance between those factors.
Does Keycaps Profile Affect Typing?
The keycap profile of a mechanical keyboard can affect your typing comfort and speed. Thus, selecting the proper type of keycap profile is critical for you. This tutorial analyzes the most prevalent types of keycap profiles to discover a personalized fit, whether you’re a typist, gamer, or productivity pro. The profile of a keycap is determined by its height, essential shape, and row form. Here are some things to think about.
Keycap Height
Keycaps vary in height, ranging from 2mm (low profile) to 17mm (high profile). Keycap height is only sometimes consistent across the keyboard. If you have sculpted keycaps, some rows will be higher than others.
The most crucial factor to consider is how tall you prefer your keys about how you place your wrists for typing or gaming. Some people prefer longer keys, while others prefer shorter keys.
Keycap Shape
Keycaps are available in a variety of shapes, including:
- Angled:
Tops that are angled (from front to back or vice versa) for reach, comfort, and ergonomics.
- Concave:
Top indents the size of a fingertip. Spherical keycaps, which have a sphere-shaped indent, were popular until the 1980s when they were replaced with cylindrical keycaps with a cylinder-shaped impression.
- Rounded:
Convex tops, which are frequently utilized for artisan keycaps.
Flat tops are standard on chiclet-shaped keycaps. These shapes can be combined to make keycaps. A keycap, for example, could have an angled and cylindrical top.
Before deciding on the best keycap profile, it’s critical to grasp the relationship between keycap form and row shape.
Row Shape
Keycap sets are available in two-row shapes: uniform and sculpted:
Uniform: Keyboards appear flat because all keycaps are the same height and shape.
Sculpted: Keycaps of various heights and forms create contoured rows, each with a variable height or strike angle.
Uniform keycaps are ideal if you hardly lift your fingertips as they glide across your keyboard. They provide excellent speed but need more accuracy because key differentiation by feel is complex.
Sculpted keycaps are popular among gamers and typists because they have intuitive contours that make distinguishing keys simple. Sculpted keycaps are standard on nearly all major mechanical keyboard brands, including all Das Keyboard variants.
Many people like sculpted keyboards because of their ergonomic row shapes. Sculpted keycaps provide accuracy and speed, but you’ll need to elevate your fingers to traverse the keyboard.
Types Of Keycaps Profile
SA Profile Keycaps
SA (Spherical All) keycaps are among the tallest available, measuring 16.5 mm. These keycaps have an angled, concave top form and a sculpted row shape. SA keycaps may not be as pleasant as other solutions due to their height. They’re designed for something different than speed, but they’re a fantastic all-around solution if you want higher keycaps.
OEM Profile Keycaps
Because OEM keycaps are commonly included with pre-built mechanical keyboards, you’re probably already familiar with this medium profile that stands 11.9 mm tall and has slanted tips. Because of this, these contoured keycaps are perfect for typing, gaming, and general productivity.
Cherry Profile Keycaps
Cherry profile keycaps have a similar design to OEM keycaps and are only 2.5 mm shorter. However, they are not as widely accessible as OEM profile keycaps. Cherry profile keycaps have slanted tops, sculpted rows, and a lower 9.4 mm height, which provides an appealing blend of comfort, accuracy, and speed. Writers, Esports gamers, and productivity professionals who require outstanding performance from their mechanical keyboards prefer them.
XDA Profile Keycaps
For a flat keyboard that promotes speed over accuracy, XDA keycaps have concave, non-angled tops and uniform rows. If you’re used to sculpting keycaps, getting used to an XDA keycap profile may take some time. However, the 9.1 mm height may simplify the transition to an even lower profile keycap.
DSA Profile Keycaps
DSA keycaps are only 7.6 mm tall, making them a superb choice if you want the speed of low-profile keycaps. Otherwise, they have a concave top and a uniform row shape, similar to XDA keycaps.
Final Recommendation
The quality of your keyboard experience can be substantially improved by locating the ideal keycaps for your needs. It might not be easy to narrow down your options when faced with such a wide range of materials, forms, and styles. However, you may cut down your possibilities by thinking about things like compatibility, durability, and design.
You can choose the Macally Scissor Keycaps set if you use a Mac. Its form is very thin, and the Scissor Switch Keys make it easy and comfortable to type.
Or, you can get the Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO Keycap set if you want a keycap that can be used for both typing and games. It is made of PBT plastic, and the O-Ring Dampeners will keep it quiet and smooth while you type.
These top picks come in a variety of materials, shapes, and styles, making them suitable for anyone’s needs and preferences. When you can improve your typing experience by upgrading to premium keycaps, there’s no reason to use a poor keyboard. Improve your typing experience immediately by upgrading to a better keyboard.
FAQ
The keycap profile on a mechanical keyboard may affect your typing comfort and efficiency, so selecting the optimal keycap profile for your needs is essential.
In addition to their elegant appearance, 60% of keyboards offer superior functionality. With a modern approach to typing that positions the essential keys as near as possible to where your fingers naturally rest, you can accomplish more in less time and with greater ease.
The clicky switch is preferred by heavy typists and those who desire a clear indication that a keystroke has been entirely registered. Those seeking a quiet mechanical keyboard for the office should avoid this switch type, but those seeking maximal WPM will find it to their liking.
I am a regular user of computer keyboards. For using keyboard face different kinds of problems and also solve it very easily. I love sharing knowledge about keyboards.
