What to Look for When Buying Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps

Mechanical keycaps are caps that fit onto the key switches of mechanical keyboards. They can be made from a variety of materials, such as ABS plastic, POM, PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) plastic, and even aluminum and brass.

When shopping for mechanical keycaps, there are several things to consider:

• Compatibility: Make sure the keycaps are compatible with your keyboard. Some keycaps are only designed to fit specific keyboard models or brands. Generally you want to ensure two things: does the keycap set support the layout of your keyboard (does your keyboard have standard sizing keycaps?) and does the keycap set support the style of switches (such as Cherry-MX style, which are the most popular option, compared to something like Kailh low-profile switches, which are not compatible with Cherry-MX style keycaps). Take a close look at the layout images of the keycap sets you buy and ensure that your keyboard supports that layout, and ensure the keycaps fit on the switch style of your keyboard. In addition to layout and switch, occasionally the keycap profile also plays a role in compatibility as Cherry profile keycaps have interference issues with North Facing PCBs, for example.
• Material: Keycaps are typically made from ABS, PBT, or metal (generally aluminum or brass). ABS keycaps are the most common and tend to be the most affordable, but they can wear down over time when compared to PBT. Metal keycaps are more durable but may be more expensive and generally are only used for one keycap (usually the Escape key) and not for the entire keyboard. PBT keycaps are known for their durability and resistance to shine, but they may also be more expensive as PBT is a more expensive material. PBT keycaps also tend to have a more rough texture when compared to ABS.
• Keycap profile: Keycap profiles refer to the shape and height of the keycaps. The most common keycap profiles are OEM, Cherry, and DSA. OEM keycaps are the most popular and have a contoured shape with a slightly curved surface. Cherry keycaps have a similar shape to OEM keycaps but may be a bit shorter and are generally considered the most comfortable. DSA keycaps are flat and have a more uniform shape. Occasionally the keycap profile plays a role in compatibility as Cherry profile keycaps have interference issues with North Facing PCBs, so take a close look at the keycaps that your keyboard supports.
• Keycap legend: Keycap legends are the letters or symbols printed on the keycaps. They can be printed or laser-etched onto the keycaps. Some keycaps have backlighting, which allows the legends to be illuminated in low light environments. Double-shot keycaps have legends that are made of melted plastic, making them the most durable kind of legend when compared to laser-etched or printed legends. Dye-sublimation legends also tend to last for a very long time, although they can be slightly less consistent when compared to double-shot.
• Price: Determine your budget and look for keycaps that meet your needs within that budget. Generally keycaps from premium brands like GMK can run hundreds of dollars and are made of ABS, while PolyCaps keycaps are made of PBT and are available for a fraction of the price (the tradeoff being that the legends will not be as perfect as GMK).

It's also a good idea to do some research and read reviews before making a purchase to get a sense of the quality and performance of the keycaps. If you need help choosing keycaps, please reach out to the Kinetic Labs support team.