Plastic vs. Metal Mechanical Keyboards: Pros & Cons

Plastic vs metal mechanical keyboards has been a debate that's been around for a long time, but really you're the only person that can decide which one is better because as you'll soon see, it's all about personal preference.

Now of course there are benefits to both of them so I first wanted to talk about plastic keyboards. The first benefit would of course be that keyboards made out of plastic are always going to be a lot cheaper to get your hands on compared to aluminum keyboards. Sometimes plastic keyboard kits can be bought for as low as $25 if you are lucky. This makes it a very common pick for people who are new to the hobby and want to try building their first keyboard without breaking the bank. Another reason people like plastic boards is because of the sound profile most of them provide. Plastic keyboards tend to provide a deeper sound signature or what people refer to as “thock”. Now of course you can get that deep sound signature out of a metal keyboard as well, but it is a lot easier with plastic boards. Some common cons a lot of people have with plastic boards, though, is that they are very light, which in my opinion can be a pro or a con depending on what you need it for (such as travel), and that they feel cheap to type on. In general, plastic mechanical keyboards are not as durable as aluminum keyboards.

Plastic Keyboard Pros

• Low cost, affordable
• Widely accessible, easy to purchase
• Portable due to low weight
• Sound can be lower pitched in plastic cases

Plastic Keyboard Cons

• Low weight is not ideal for stationary use
• Can feel cheap and flimsy
• Not as durable as metal cases
• Mass produced, usually not individually QA'd

Metal keyboards on the other hand have a great solid feel to them and provide a crispier typing experience. They also tend to lean towards the clackier side of things when it comes to sound signature and a lot of people like that as it sounds quite nice when typing. The sound your keyboard makes when bottoming out on a metal keyboard is just a much more solid feeling compared to a plastic board as mass affects how the switches feel when bottoming out. Of course, there is also just the aesthetics side of things where aluminum cases can look a lot more premium in your setup, and have plenty of beautiful designs to choose from. For some people, a drawback of metal cases is the weight, but for others, this is a pro. Many like the feeling of a heavier keyboard, so you just have to find out what works best for you. I do think the biggest drawback has to be pricing. Metal keyboards are very expensive, and we are barely seeing boards lower in price that are made out of aluminum, but even those start at around $100 without keycaps or switches, so definitely something you would have to save up money for. For premium metal keyboards that are produced in small qualities at specialty factories, such as the TG67 V2 mechanical keyboard, the price can be especially steep.

Overall, there are pros and cons to both materials, but as I said in the beginning, it all comes down to what you prefer and what you can afford to get. Both options will provide you with a great typing experience regardless.

Aluminum Keyboard Pros

• Heavy, ideal for stationary use
• Aluminum cases are durable can can last forever
• Usually have higher QA standards and are not mass produced
• Anodization looks slick and feels premium

Aluminum Keyboard Cons

• High cost due to materials
• Can be significantly more expensive
• Not as portable as plastic cases
• Can be difficult to find consistently in-stock due to limited production units

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most frequently asked questions I've received when it comes to plastic versus mechanical keyboard builds:

Is aluminum or plastic better for keyboard cases?

It depends on what you intend to use the keyboard for. For office use, aluminum cases are ideal as they are heavier. For portable use, plastic cases are ideal due to their low cost and low weight.

What is the best material for a keyboard case?

Keyboard cases are usually plastic or metal (aluminum), and the ideal material depends on what you intend to use the keyboard for. For office use, aluminum cases are ideal as they are heavier. For portable use, plastic cases are ideal due to their low cost and low weight.

What material of keyboard lasts the longest?

Both plastic and aluminum keyboards will last a very long time, but aluminum keyboards tend to last longer due to higher quality, denser materials.

Does the keyboard case material affect the sound?

Yes, your keyboard case will affect the sound of your keyboard. As a rule of thumb, plastic keybords tend to have a lower pitch, while aluminum keyboards have a slightly mid-tone or higher pitched sound profile depending on the board.

Do aluminum keyboards rust?

If exposed to water for extended periods of time (such as in a flood), an aluminum keyboard can develop rust, but under normal use they will never develop rust.

What is the benefit of using an aluminum keyboard?

The benefits of using an aluminum keyboard include higher weight, higher quality, increased durability, and a premium look and feel when compared to plastic cases.