Find the Perfect Keycap Material for Your Typing Experience
When you're looking to upgrade your mechanical keyboard, keycaps are often the first modification most enthusiasts consider. Beyond their visual appeal, the material of your keycaps significantly impacts your typing experience, durability, and even the sound your keyboard makes.
Let's break down the most popular keycap materials on the market today, examining their pros, cons, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision for your next keyboard upgrade.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
ABS is the most common keycap material you'll encounter, especially in mass-produced keyboards.
Pros of ABS Keycaps:
- Cost-effective: Generally more affordable than other materials
- Versatile manufacturing: Allows for vibrant colors and translucent designs for backlighting
- Smooth texture: Provides a slick, polished feel out of the box
Cons of ABS Keycaps:
- Develops shine: The most notorious drawback—ABS keycaps develop a shiny, slick surface with use
- Less durable: More prone to wear and yellowing over time
- Thinner walls: Often results in a higher-pitched, "thinner" sound profile
ABS keycaps come in varying quality levels. While stock keycaps on budget boards might feel thin and cheap, high-quality doubleshot ABS keycaps from manufacturers like GMK offer exceptional legends and colorways that many enthusiasts consider worth the eventual shine.
PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)
PBT has gained tremendous popularity in recent years as enthusiasts seek more durable alternatives to ABS.
Pros of PBT Keycaps:
- Superior durability: Highly resistant to wear and shine
- Textured finish: Provides a slightly textured, matte surface that many prefer
- Temperature resistant: Less prone to yellowing over time
- Deeper sound: Generally produces a lower-pitched, more "thocky" sound profile
Cons of PBT Keycaps:
- Higher cost: Typically more expensive than ABS alternatives
- Manufacturing limitations: More challenging to produce in certain colors and designs
- Shrinkage issues: Can lead to warped spacebars in some sets
PBT keycaps are ideal for daily drivers and work keyboards where durability matters. If you're tired of shiny keycaps on your frequently used keys, upgrading to a PBT set might be the solution you're looking for. Check out some great options in our guide to buying mechanical keyboard keycaps in the UK.
POM (Polyoxymethylene)
POM keycaps, sometimes called "Delrin" keycaps, offer a unique feel that some enthusiasts swear by.
Pros of POM Keycaps:
- Unique smooth texture: Has a soft, almost "buttery" feel unlike other materials
- Wear resistant: Highly durable with good shine resistance
- Distinctive sound: Produces a deep, dampened sound profile
Cons of POM Keycaps:
- Limited availability: Fewer options compared to ABS or PBT
- Potential slipperiness: The smooth texture can feel too slick for some users
- Higher cost: Generally more expensive than standard keycap sets
POM keycaps are perfect for enthusiasts looking for something different. They pair particularly well with linear switches for a smooth, consistent typing experience. If you're curious about which switches might complement POM keycaps best, explore our guide to various switch types.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Polycarbonate keycaps are less common but offer unique properties that make them interesting for specific builds.
Pros of PC Keycaps:
- Translucent properties: Excellent light diffusion for RGB setups
- Durability: Good impact resistance
- Unique sound: Produces a crisp, distinctive sound profile
Cons of PC Keycaps:
- Limited availability: Not as widely available as ABS or PBT
- Prone to scratches: Can show surface scratches more easily
- Cost: Typically more expensive than standard options
PC keycaps are ideal for builds where RGB lighting is a priority. Their translucent nature makes them perfect for showcasing your keyboard's lighting effects.
Metal Keycaps (Zinc, Aluminum, Brass)
Metal keycaps represent the premium end of the market, offering unmatched durability and a distinctive feel.
Pros of Metal Keycaps:
- Exceptional durability: Virtually immune to wear and shine
- Premium weight: Adds satisfying heft to keypresses
- Unique aesthetics: Offers a distinctive look that stands out
- Heat dissipation: Can feel cool to the touch
Cons of Metal Keycaps:
- High cost: Significantly more expensive than plastic alternatives
- Weight: Can be too heavy for some switches
- Temperature sensitivity: Can feel uncomfortably cold in winter
- Noise profile: Often louder and more "pingy" than plastic keycaps
Metal keycaps are typically used as accent keys (like ESC or arrow keys) rather than for full sets due to their weight and cost. They make excellent additions to a custom build where you want to add visual interest and tactile variety.
Resin Keycaps (Artisan)
Artisan keycaps made from resin deserve a special mention for their artistic value in the mechanical keyboard community.
Pros of Resin Keycaps:
- Unlimited design potential: Can feature intricate 3D designs impossible with other materials
- Collectible value: Many become valuable collector's items
- Personalization: Allows for extreme keyboard customization
Cons of Resin Keycaps:
- Very high cost: Premium artisans can cost more than entire keyboards
- Practicality concerns: Elaborate designs can sometimes interfere with typing
- Consistency issues: Hand-made nature means variation between pieces
Artisan keycaps are perfect for adding personality to your keyboard. They're typically used for non-essential keys like the escape key or function row to showcase your style without impacting typing performance.
How to Choose the Right Keycap Material
When selecting keycap material for your mechanical keyboard, consider these factors:
- Usage patterns: Heavy daily typing? PBT might be best. Occasional use? ABS could suffice.
- Sound preference: Want a deeper sound? PBT or POM. Prefer a cris
