5 Best Keycaps For Black Keyboards: Top Pick

If you’re a black keyboard owner looking to add style and personalization to your setup, finding the best keycaps is essential. Keycaps not only provide a unique aesthetic but can also enhance your typing experience.

In this blog post, I’ll explore the top 5 keycaps perfect for black keyboards. From vibrant colours to unique designs, these keycaps will enhance your keyboard’s aesthetic appeal and provide a comfortable typing experience.

So, if you’re ready to upgrade your black keyboard, keep reading to discover the best keycaps on the market.

5 Best Keycaps For Black Keyboards: Comparison Table

The short comparison table shows the product’s technical differences. If you need a quick overview of the products, check the table below. My comparison chart also helps you choose multiple keycaps for different purposes.

Top 5 Keycaps For Black Keyboards: Details Review

Now I will give you a detailed review of the 5 best keycaps for black keyboards. I will analyze each keycap’s pros, cons, and features, which will help you understand the difference between the keycaps.

1. SteelSeries PRISMCAPS Keycaps: Best Overall

The SteelSeries PRISMCAPS Keycaps are the best choice for gamers and keyboard enthusiasts. These keycaps are designed with a sleek and modern aesthetic that adds a touch of style to any keyboard.

Technical Specifications

• Keycaps Profile: Cherry MX
• Keycaps Material: Polybutylene Terephthalate
• Keys Number: 105
• Special Features: Backlit and Durable
• Keycaps Layouts: US Layout
• Compatibility: MX stem mechanical keyboards

Benefit with Feature

• RGB Pudding-Style Lighting

With RGB pudding-style lighting, these keycaps take your gaming setup to the next level. The keycaps are designed with a translucent dual-layer construction, allowing the vibrant RGB lighting to shine through and create a mesmerizing visual effect.

• Ultra-Wide Compatibility

These keycaps’ ultra-wide compatibility allows them to fit on most mechanical keyboards, allowing users to customize their setup without worrying about compatibility difficulties.

The PRISMCAPS Keycaps will suit any popular mechanical switch, including Cherry MX, Razer, etc. These keycaps are made of high-quality materials, ensuring that your keyboard will appear and perform at its best for years.

• Double Shot PBT Keycaps

These keycaps are made from double-shot PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) material. They are resistant to wear and tear even after continuous use. The double shot molding method assures that the legends on the keycaps will never fade or wear off, giving each key a distinct and crisp visual representation.

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• It comes with a keycap puller
• exceptionally durable texture
• Fit with any mechanical keyboard
• Easy to install
• Comfortable typing

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• Little bit noisy

Why Do You Buy It?

SteelSeries PRISMCAPS Keycaps are popular among keyboard fans and gamers for many reasons. First, these keycaps are made of high-quality materials, meaning they will last a long time.

Since they are made of high-quality PBT plastic, they are resistant to wear and tear, even if used often. With their see-through design and bright RGB lights, they create a striking visual effect that makes gaming more fun.

 Also, these keycaps work with most mechanical keyboards, making them easy for many people to use. SteelSeries PRISMCAPS Keycaps are suitable for both gamers who want to improve their setup and keyboard fans who wish to make their keyboards look better.

2. DROP GMK Keycap Set: Best For Multifunctional Office Use keyboard

The DROP GMK Keycap Set is the ultimate choice for those seeking a versatile and functional keyboard for office use. This keycap set is designed with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring a comfortable typing experience and optimal functionality.

Technical Specifications

• Keycaps Profile: Cherry MX
• Keycaps Material: Polybutylene Terephthalate, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Keys Number: 146
• Special Features: Doubleshot ABS Bow & Lighting
• Keycaps Layouts: 60%, 65%, HHKB, 66%, 75%, Tenkeyless, 104 Keyboard, and 1800
• Compatibility: MX stem mechanical keyboards

Benefit With Feature:

• High-Quality ABS Keycaps

Crafted from high-quality ABS material, these keycaps are durable and offer a satisfying feel with each keystroke. The ABS material ensures that the keycaps resist wear and tear and will last for years. The set also features a sleek, minimalist design that complements any keyboard setup.

• Suitable For HHKB-style keyboards

The DROP GMK Keycap Set is a perfect choice for HHKB-style keyboards. With its sleek design and high-quality construction, this keycap set will elevate the look and feel of your keyboard. The set features a unique colourway and iconic legends tailored to complement the layout and aesthetics of HHKB-style keyboards. This Keycap Set also offers compatibility with various layouts, allowing you to customize your keyboard to fit your preferences.

• Gmk Display Tray

The GMK display tray is perfect for showcasing and organizing your keycap collection. Made from high-quality materials, the tray is durable and built to last. Its sleek design and clear acrylic construction allow you to easily view and access your keycaps, making it a practical and stylish addition to your setup. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting, the GMK display tray is essential for showcasing your keycaps in all their glory.

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• It comes with a USB cable
• Ultra Thick and durable Keycaps
• Perfect for multifunctioning keycaps
• Highly durable

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• Packing quality could be better.

Why Do You Buy It?

The DROP GMK Keycap Set is a must-have for any keyboard enthusiast. With its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, this keycap set offers a premium typing experience.

The keycaps are made from durable ABS plastic and feature a sleek and minimalist design that will elevate the look of any keyboard. But it’s not just about aesthetics – these keycaps are designed for optimal comfort and performance. The carefully sculpted profiles and textured surface provide a satisfying tactile feel with every keystroke.

3. DROP MT3 Black-on-White Keycap Set: Best for Typing

The DROP MT3 Black-on-White Keycap Set is a top choice for those who prioritize typing comfort and efficiency. With its high-quality construction and thoughtful design, this keycap set enhances the typing experience in more ways than one.

Technical Specifications

• Keycaps Profile: MT3 Profile
• Keycaps Material: Plastic, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Keys Number: 84
• Special Features: Ergonomic
• Keycaps Layouts: Ortholinear Layouts
• Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and clones, Preonic and Planck Keyboards

Benefit With Feature:

• MT3 Profile

The MT3 profile is known for its sculpted design, which provides a comfortable and ergonomic typing experience. Each keycap is carefully crafted with high-quality ABS plastic, ensuring durability and resistance to wear and tear. The black-on-white colour scheme adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any keyboard setup.

• Durable Abs Plastic

These keycaps are made of strong ABS plastic and are designed to last. Whether you’re a gamer or a typist, the high-quality construction guarantees these keycaps will stay. They provide a sense of refinement to any keyboard arrangement with their elegant black-on-white colour scheme.

• Ergonomically designed

The DROP MT3 Black-on-White Keycap Set is a game-changer regarding ergonomics in keyboard design. With its carefully crafted keycaps, this set is designed to provide users with comfort and convenience. Each keycap is sculpted to fit the natural contours of your fingers, ensuring a more relaxed typing experience and reducing the risk of strain or fatigue.

The ergonomic design of the keycaps also promotes better hand alignment. It reduces the distance your fingers travel, increasing typing speed and accuracy.

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• Doubleshot construction
• These keycap legends won’t fade.
• Comfortable typing
• combines two classic colours

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• Not suitable for gaming keyboards.

Why Do You Buy It?

The DROP MT3 Black-on-White Keycap Set is a must-have for any keyboard enthusiast looking to elevate their typing experience. With its sleek black-and-white colour scheme, this keycap set adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any keyboard.

Not only does it enhance the overall aesthetic appeal, but it also offers a superior typing experience. The MT3 profile provides a comfortable and ergonomic feel, allowing longer typing sessions without discomfort or fatigue. Each keycap is made from high-quality ABS plastic, ensuring durability and resistance to wear and tear.

4. ABKO K515 Keycaps Set: Best For Gaming

The ABKO K515 Keycaps Set is a game-changer for gamers looking to elevate their gaming experience. These keycaps are explicitly designed with gamers in mind and offer exceptional durability, comfort, and style.

Technical Specifications

• Keycaps Profile: Cherry MX
• Keycaps Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Keys Number: 104
• Special Features: LED Effect
• Keycaps Layouts: English and Korean Layout
• Compatibility: Gaming Keyboard

Benefit With Feature:

• GTMX Switch

 With its GTMX Switch technology, this keycap set offers a level of responsiveness and durability that is unmatched. The GTMX Switches provide satisfying tactile feedback with each keystroke, allowing for a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience.

• Cherry Stabilize

The ABKO K515 Keycaps Set with Cherry Stabilize is a must-have for keyboard fans and gamers who want to improve how they type. These keycaps are made to fit Cherry MX switches flawlessly so that they will stay in place. The stabilizers with this set give the bigger keys, like the spacebar and shift keys, more support and stability. This reduces wobbling and makes typing, in general, more comfortable.

• LED Effect

With its LED effect, the keycaps set brings a vibrant and dynamic visual element to your gaming experience. The LED effect allows the keycaps to illuminate in various colours and patterns, creating a mesmerizing display that will catch the eye. Whether you’re gaming late into the night or want to add flair to your workspace, the ABKO K515 Keycaps Set with LED effect is the perfect choice.

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• Quick swap switch
• Perfect for gaming console
• Two different languages. (English & Korean)
• Rainbow LED light effects.

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• Removing Keycaps is a little bit hard.

Why Do You Buy It?

The ABKO K515 Keycaps Set is the best option for gamers who want to improve their gaming experience. These keycaps were created with gamers in mind, featuring a unique blend of style and usefulness. The kit includes a range of keycaps compatible with most mechanical keyboards, allowing gamers to tailor their setup to their tastes.

These keycaps are made of high-quality ABS materials and are designed to withstand even the most rigorous gaming sessions. They provide excellent tactile feedback and increased grip with their textured surface and ergonomic design, assuring perfect keystrokes every time.

5. DROP DCX White-on-Black Keycap Set: Best For Gaming

The DROP DCX White-on-Black Keycap Set is the ideal choice for gamers. With its elegant design and high-quality manufacture, this keycap set improves the aesthetics of any gaming setup and its practicality and performance.

Technical Specifications

• Keycaps Profile: DCX Profile
• Keycaps Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
• Keys Number: 150
• Special Features: QMK programming, RGB LEDs, USB Cables
• Keycaps Layouts: Qwerty layout
• Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and clones

Benefit With Feature:

• ABS Keycaps

Made from ABS, these keycaps are designed to withstand the intense demands of gaming and provide a smooth and responsive feel. The white-on-black colour scheme looks sleek and offers high contrast, making locating specific keys during gameplay easier. These keycaps are compatible with most mechanical keyboards, ensuring a seamless fit.

• DCX Profile

These keycaps, designed with the DCX profile, provide a comfortable typing experience and better tactile feedback, allowing gamers to make precise movements easily. The white-on-black colour scheme gives any gaming setup a sleek and attractive aesthetic. It delivers strong contrast for enhanced vision, ensuring every keypress is accurate and responsive.

• Doubleshot Legends

With its doubleshot legends, these keycaps are designed to provide maximum durability and longevity. The legends are moulded into the keycaps, ensuring they never fade or wear off, even after hours of intense gaming. In addition to their durability, the white-on-black colour scheme offers excellent contrast, making it easy to see the keys in any lighting condition.

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• High-quality ABS material
• 6.25u, 7u space bar
• strong shine resistance
• Water and dustproof
• RGB LED effects

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• The Key gap is a bit high.

Why Do You Buy It?

The DROP DCX White-on-Black Keycap Set is a must-have for keyboard enthusiasts looking for a sleek and attractive update. This keycap set quickly transforms any keyboard into a sophisticated work of art with dazzling white legends on a black background.

However, the high-quality ABs material provides durability and longevity, and the dye-sublimated legends resist fading over time. Because it is compatible with various layouts and switch types, it is adaptable and suited for a wide range of keyboards.

The DROP DCX White-on-Black Keycap Set provides an enhanced typing experience with its smooth texture and pleasing sound, whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a skilled typist. With this fantastic keycap set, you can upgrade your keyboard and take your typing to new heights.

How To Choose Keycaps For Black Keyboards?

When choosing keycaps for black keyboards, there are a few factors to consider. It is essential to consider both aesthetics and functionality.

1. Choose The Correct Material:

While most keycaps are made of plastic, the type of plastic you use can significantly impact the product’s feel, sound, and life. ABS keycaps, for example, are less expensive than PBT keycaps, but they are also less durable and pick up “shine” from use.

 A “double-shot” production procedure is a standard way to improve the longevity and feel of ABS caps. This implies that the external body of the cap was manufactured with one layer of plastic. The legends and inside material were made with another.

2. Select Your Keycaps Profile:

Some keycaps are tall, while others are short, flat, convex, have consistent tops across the board, and are sculpted row by row to meet your fingertips. All of these factors fall under the umbrella of keycap profiles. If you know the profile you favour, you may be sure that a new set of keys created in that profile will feel natural to type on.

3. Keycaps Layouts

The layout refers to how the keys are arranged and labelled on the keyboard. Different layouts, such as ANSI and ISO, are available, with slight key size and positioning variations. Choosing keycaps compatible with your specific keyboard layout is essential to ensure a proper fit and optimal typing experience.

4. Lighting

Keycaps with backlighting capabilities can enhance the overall aesthetic of your keyboard and provide a more immersive typing experience. Look for keycaps specifically designed for backlighting, as they will allow the light to shine through and illuminate the characters on each key.

Additionally, consider the type of lighting you prefer. Some keycaps offer full RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the colours and effects. In contrast, others may have single-colour lighting options.

Why Can Different Keycaps Make My Keyboard Sound Different?

There are many ways in which the keycaps can change the sound of your keyboard. Here are just a few:

1. Material:

The material of the keycaps can change the sound of your keyboard. For example, keycaps of ABS plastic can make a “pingy” sound, while PBT plastic can create a “tacky” sound. Keycaps made of metal can also make a different sound than plastic ones.

2. Profile:

How the keycaps are shaped can also change your keyboard’s sound. For example, higher-profile keycaps can make a louder sound because they are larger and easier to hit the bottom of.

3. Dampening O-Rings:

Dampening O-Rings are tiny rubber rings that can be put on the keycap’s stem to lessen the switch’s sound when it hits the bottom. They can help the keyboard be quieter but also change how it sounds.

4. Stabilizer:

The stabilizer is the keyboard part that keeps the bigger keys (such as the spacebar, enter, etc.) stable and in the right place. Lubricating the stabilizer can make the larger keys smoother and quieter.

5. Surface:

The surface of the keycap can change the sound of the keyboard. For example, a keyboard with shiny keycaps will sound different from one with a matte.

6. Lubing The Switch:

Lubing the switch can make the keyboard easier and quieter, but it can also change how it sounds.

In short, the material, shape, damping O-rings, stabilizer, surface, and switch lubing of your keycaps can all change how your keyboard sounds. It’s important to remember that how the keyboard sounds is a matter of taste. Some people like a louder, “pingy” sound, while others like a quieter, “tacky” sound. Before choosing, try out different keycaps and listen to how they sound.

Which Keycaps Will Fit Your Keyboard?

The first and most important thing to consider when looking for keycaps is which sets will fit your keyboard. Most keycaps are made to fit cross-stem switches, like Cherry MX and its clones. If the top of your switch looks like a “+,” you’re in luck.

Most keycap sets are made to work with the “standard” setup shown above. Even though many keyboards look the same at first glance, pay close attention to the bottom row and modifiers.

In the same way, if your keyboard has a tiny layout, the keys are often made smaller. Take the time to look at the whole board because this goes beyond the bottom row.

Don’t worry if the size of the keycaps on your keyboard needs to be corrected. Most cheap aftermarket keycaps only work with standard-sized keys, but many kits come with extra keys.

What is the Best Keycap Material?

ABS vs. PBT keycaps

ABS and PBT keycaps are the two essential polymers available. Both have devoted fan bases that strongly feel theirs is the best, yet each has advantages and disadvantages. Neither is definitively superior to the other, although their respective strengths and drawbacks can make them a better fit for specific users.

ABS, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a lightweight thermoplastic. It’s a standard plastic found in devices we use daily, including the cases that house numerous keyboards. ABS is very good at representing bright, vivid hues. It is also the plastic used by GMK and Signature Plastics, the makers of some of the world’s most valuable custom keycap sets. ABS keycaps have a higher-pitched sound than PBT keycaps.

The disadvantage of ABS is that material deteriorates over time, leaving a shiny gloss on the face of the most frequently used keycaps. This sparkle can make your beloved keycap set look worn, even months after it’s been fitted on a keyboard.

PBT, also known as Polybutylene Terephthalate, is much denser. As a result, one of the primary advantages of PBT is that it resists fading even after extended use and is regarded as more durable. PBT keycaps are also thicker than ABS because dye-sublimation is frequently used for legends.

The main disadvantage of PBT is that it can achieve an extra brilliance than ABS. Therefore, colours tend to be more muted overall. The spacebar with PBT keycap sets is also more prone to warping during production, which can disrupt the consistent appearance of the keyboard or, worse, the spacebar’s functionality. Distortion of this magnitude is uncommon on all basic PBT setups.

Other Good Keycap Materials

1. PC (polycarbonate)

One of the most common keycap materials is PC (polycarbonate). PC is far more impact resistant than acrylic (PMMA) and does not yellow like polystyrene/ABS.

2. POM (Polyoxymethylene)

Thermoplastic polymer POM (Polyoxymethylene). POM is sturdy and durable despite its minimal friction and silky feel. POM keycaps feature a more muffled downstroke and a higher density than PBT and ABS.

3. PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a medium-hard material commonly used in keycaps. After ABS, it’s the most prevalent keycap material. PVC is a low-friction, medium-hard material. However, it is heat sensitive and will deform when exposed to high temperatures.

What Is A Keycap Profile, And Which Is Right For You?

“Profile” refers to the shape of each keycap and the contour it creates for the entire keyset when put on the keyboard. The profile of a keycap set affects how familiar it feels and how comfortable it is to type on (as well as the sound they produce: larger keycaps have a deeper, more hollow sound profile), although it should not affect compatibility on most keyboards.

Keycaps are classified into two types: cylindrical and spherical.

Cylindrical

Cylindrical keycaps have a “u” shape over their whole surface, with flat, inclined sides and straight corners. Spherical keycaps feature a rounded concave surface and rounded sides and are frequently much higher than cylindrical keycaps.

Spherical

Spherical (left) and cylindrical (right) shapes (Photo courtesy of Tom’s Hardware)

While each kind has several variations, the four basic profiles to be aware of are Cherry, OEM, SA, and DSA. Cherry and OEM keycaps are cylindrical and seem highly similar, except that OEM is slightly taller. OEM profile is widely used on production keyboards. Still, many prefer the Cherry profile (called after the prominent key switch company) because of its reduced profile.

SA and DSA keycaps are also spherical, yet they are markedly different. SA keycaps are unmistakably old, evoking yesteryear’s tall, heavily curved keycaps. DSA is far shorter but creates a level surface for typing when installed as a complete set. Because of the lack of curvature, this sort of keycap set is called “unsculpted.” Because relatively few pre-made keyboards include these keycaps, both sets usually entail a slight learning curve.

Others

Other keycap profiles are MT3, ASA, and XDA, to mention a few. We recommend avoiding unsculpted keycap sets if you’re new to aftermarket keycaps. The lack of contouring can make touch typing easier at first. But, as with other aspects of keyboard customization, it all boils down to which style appeals to you the best.

FAQ

Final Recommendation:

I recommend my top two products based on the highest consumer demand. SteelSeries PRISMCAPS Keycaps is a good choice if you want a keycap for gaming and typing. Its modern design will give you a comfortable typing experience and boost your gaming performance.

Or, if you want keycaps for multifunctional office-use keyboards, you can choose the DROP GMK Keycap Set.

Lastly, all of the above keycaps are the best because of how they work and what features they have. But following my suggestions will save you time and help you choose the right one. Think about my tips when picking keycaps set for your black keyboard.

Nazmul

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.