25+ Best Keycaps to Upgrade Your Keyboard (2024 Updates)

  • Keycaps 101
  • Posted by: carson-rutz
  • Jun 11, 2022

Are you seeking to transform your mechanical keyboard into a masterpiece that reflects your unique taste? Look no further! Discover the best keycaps for gaming and typing that will breathe new life into your beloved mechanical keyboard. From the sleek and smooth ABS to the durable and textured PBT, we'll explore a treasure trove of keycaps that cater to every aesthetic desire and functional need.

HyperX Pudding Keycaps

  • Price: $24.99
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Backlighting support: Yes
  • Connectivity: Compatible with most mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches
Hyperx pudding keycaps
HyperX Pudding Keycaps | Reddit

The Hyperx pudding keycaps will be good cheap keycaps to enhance the look and feel of your mechanical keyboard. These keycaps boast a mesmerizing translucent dual-layer design, allowing vibrant RGB lighting to shine through for a stunning visual effect. In addition to the pudding design, this keycap set is made of PBT with textured surface that provides a comfortable typing experience.

HK Gaming Dye Sublimation Keycaps

  • Price: $29.99
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry
  • Number of Keys: 108
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches
HK gaming dye-sublimation keycaps
HK Gaming Dye Sublimation Keycaps | Reddit

HK Gaming Dye Sublimation Keycaps are one of the best keycaps for white keyboard enthusiasts.  Made of dye-sublimated PBT, these keycaps feature legends that are resistant to fading over time.

The set come in various colors and themes, such as Miami, Sakura, Chalk, and more, so you can find the one that suits your style and personality.

The set includes 108 keys, covering most standard layouts, and is compatible with Cherry MX-style switches. While lacking backlighting support, these keycaps make up for it with their exceptional durability and tactile feel.

Pros

Cons

  • Dye-sublimated legends for long-lasting and fade-resistant keycaps
  • Cherry profile for a comfortable typing experience
  • High-quality PBT material for durability
  • Full set of 108 keys for versatile compatibility
No backlighting support

For a sound test of these best keycaps for gaming keyboards, how about watching the video below?

New Arrial XDA Lotus Keycaps

  • Price: $31.50
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Profile: XDA
  • Number of Keys: 61
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most 61 ANSI ISO MX Switches Mechanical keyboard whose bottom is 1x6.25u,7x1.25u

The New Arrival XDA Lotus Keycaps bring a unique and artistic touch to your mechanical keyboard. Crafted from dye-sublimated PBT, these keycaps feature a delicate and intricate lotus theme that adds a touch of elegance to your typing experience. The XDA profile provides a sleek and minimalist look, available in two captivating colors, white and pink, that beautifully complement each other.

New arrial xda lotus keycaps
New Arrial XDA Lotus Keycaps | Alitools

While the legends may not be visible with backlighting, the keys possess a mesmerizing shine between them, creating a visually stunning effect. Notably, these keycaps do not have a shining-through capability, making them a balanced option for those seeking to avoid overwhelming RGB lighting.

Although the absence of tactile bumps on the F and J keys may be a minor concern, the overall typing experience and sound are exceptional. However, it is important to note that some users may find longer keys to be slightly louder while typing. Nevertheless, The New Arrival XDA Lotus Keycaps stand as one of the best keycaps for a mechanical keyboard, delivering a harmonious blend of style and functionality to enhance your typing journey.

Pros

Cons

  • Stunning lotus theme for a visually appealing design
  • XDA profile for a consistent and smooth typing experience
  • No backlighting support
  • Longer keys can be loud

EnjoyPBT Miami Nights Keycap Set

Enjoypbt miami nights keycap set
EnjoyPBT Miami Nights Keycap Set | Reddit
  • Price: $69.00
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot ABS
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry
  • Number of Keys: 153
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches

EnjoyPBT Miami Nights is a vibrant and colorful set of keycaps which brings some fun and flair to your mechanical keyboard. Inspired by the neon lights and exciting nightlife of Miami, the keycaps come in four striking colors: black, pink, blue, and purple, creating a cool gradient effect.

The keycaps also have a Cherry profile that is ergonomic and comfortable for typing and gaming. EnjoyPBT Miami Nights Keycap Set also offers a unique typing sound, with a slightly higher pitch, perfect for those who prefer a distinct audio experience. If you're seeking an affordable alternative to GMK keycap sets without compromising on style and quality, the EnjoyPBT Miami Nights Keycap Set is an excellent choice.

Pros

Cons

  • Eye-catching Miami Nights theme for a retro and stylish look
  • Cherry profile for a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience
No backlighting support

Ducky Hardcap Horizon PBT Keycaps Set

Ducky hardcap horizon pbt keycaps set
Ducky Hardcap Horizon PBT Keycaps Set | Reddit
  • Price: $49.00
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 108
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX switches

Ducky Hardcap Horizon PBT Keycaps Set is a durable and stylish set of keycaps that will upgrade your mechanical keyboard. These keycaps are made of high-quality PBT material that is hard, smooth, and resistant to oil and fingerprints. 

Inspired by the sky and the sea, the horizon theme adds a touch of elegance to your keyboard. The captivating color combination of blue and yellow creates a harmonious and calming effect. 

With an OEM profile slightly higher than cherry profile, these keycaps provide a more pronounced and refined look. Compatible with most mechanical keyboards using Cherry MX switches, the Ducky Hardcap Horizon PBT Keycaps Set is versatile and easy to install.   

Designed with 108 keys and compatibility for full-sized layouts, you can fully customize your keyboard while maintaining functionality and ease of use.

This keycap set is regularly in and out of stock, so depending on availability, you may have to pre-order yours. Mechanicalkeyboards.com offers this keycap set for a reasonable price.

Pros

Cons

  • Double-shot PBT for durable and fade-resistant keycaps
  • Comfortable and familiar OEM profile for easy adaptation
No backlighting support

YMDK White Gray Black Keycaps

Ymdk white gray black keycaps
YMDK White Gray Black Keycaps | Reddit
  • Price: $25.99
  • Keycap Material: Laser-Etched PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 87
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Fits most standard 87/61 ANSI MX switches keyboards with 1x6.25u bottom modifier key and 7x1.25u keys. Space is approximately 11.7cm.

The YMDK White Gray Black keycap set which is among the best budget keycaps is a basic yet attractive design. The simple color scheme of white, gray, and black complements any keyboard, adding a touch of sophistication to your setup.

YMDK White Gray Black Keycaps - Best keycaps for black keyboard
YMDK White Gray Black Keycaps - Best keycaps for black keyboard

These keycaps feature an OEM profile, offering a higher and more sculpted design that may impact typing comfort and speed. However, some users may find the legends on the white keys challenging to read. If you have problems getting the right keys when typing, this design may be difficult to use.

Please note that these keycaps are compatible with mechanical MX or optical switches and may not fit low-profile mechanical switches or certain old Cherry and Costar stabilizer keyboards. Ensure compatibility with your keyboard's switches before making your purchase.

Pros

Cons

  • Minimalist and clean design for a modern and stylish appearance
  • Higher and more sculpted design, offering typing comfort and speed
  • Legends hard to read on white keys
  • OEM profile may not suit everyone’s preference
  • Not compatible with Corsair Razer Keyboard

Ducky Joker PBT Keycaps Set

Ducky joker pbt keycaps set
Ducky Joker PBT Keycaps Set | Reddit
  • Price: $49.9 - $54.00
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 108 keys
  • Backlighting Support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with US layout (ANSI) in 100%, 80% or 60% form factor with MX-compatible switches

Step into the world of playful and vibrant colors with the Ducky Joker PBT Keycaps Set. These keycaps are made of high-quality PBT material that has a smooth and matte finish. The Ducky Joker PBT keycaps feature a colorful neon pattern with purple, pink, and blue tones that harken back to a 90s bowling alley. They also come with extra novelty keycaps that feature joker icons and symbols.

These keycaps look stunning with the sculpted profile, offering a classic and ergonomic feel, making it suitable for all types of users. However, these keycaps do not support backlighting, so you won’t be able to see the legends in the dark.

Pros

Cons

  • Eye-catching and vibrant Joker theme for a playful and fun look
  • Double-shot PBT for durable and fade-resistant keycaps
  • Comfortable and familiar OEM profile for easy adaptation
  • Extra novelty keycaps
Non-backlit keycaps

It’s time for the typing sounds!

YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow Keycaps

Ymdk doubleshot rainbow keycaps
YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow Keycaps | Carousell
  • Price: $20.89
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Backlighting support: Yes
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most standard ANSI MX switches keyboard whose bottom modifier key is 1x6.25u 7x1.25u.

Another interesting design that brings you a taste of a colorful rainbow is the YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow. These best cheap keycaps come in a rainbow of colors that may make you feel relaxed and peaceful, as though you're staring at a rainbow after a wet day.

What's more about the tones? Because of the doubleshot design, your RGB lights can truly shine through, allowing you to add even more color to the combination.

YMDK is noted for producing affordable keycaps for anyone wishing to upgrade their keyboard.

Pros

Cons

  • Rainbow theme for a lively and colorful appearance
  • Full set of 104 keys for standard layouts
OEM profile may not suit everyone’s preference

YMDK Gray Beige YMD96 Keycaps

Ymdk gray beige ymd96 keycaps
YMDK Gray Beige YMD96 Keycaps | Reddit
  • Price: $27.00
  • Keycap Material: Dye-Sublimation PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of keys: 125
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Compatible with most ANSI Cherry MX mechanical keyboard whose space is 6.25u, around 11.7cm

YMDK's Gray Beige design is also another set of budget-friendly keycaps in our top picks.

Its main tone of a lightish grey with a beige tint, these keycaps are also designed to be both comfortable and appealing, with large, easy-to-read legends and good contrast.

We've found that they work well with most keyboard designs and will be a safe pick whether you're working in an office or in a group because they're not overly showy.

Pros

Cons

  • Durable and thick PBT material
  • Classic and elegant gray and beige color scheme
  • Fit the YMD96 keyboard layout
  • Do not support backlighting
  • OEM profile may not suit everyone’s preference

Care for a sound test of the best keycaps under the YMDK name?

YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry Keycaps

  • Price: $27.99
  • Keycap Material:  Laser-Etched PBT
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry
  • Number of Keys: 108
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Connectivity & Compatibility: Wired, Compatible with most standard ANSI MX switches keyboard whose bottom modifier key is 1x6.25u 7x1.25u
Ymdk carbon 108 cherry keycaps
YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry Keycaps | ServerBuilds

Because of their greatness, the YMDK Carbon Cherry keycaps may become your daily driver.

The Cherry profile is really pleasant for typing as well as gaming, and the keycaps themselves are reasonably priced.

With the orange, black, and white coloring, the keycaps themselves give a lovely Halloween-esque vibe to them. Like the YMDK Gray Beige above, the legends are all big making it easy to read and type.

Since the legends are on the front of the keycaps, it may be hard to type on when you're not used to touching typing.

Pros

Cons

  • Lovely Halloween-esque vibe
  • Big legends for easy reading and better typing accuracy
Do not support backlighting

YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry has one of the best thocky sounds we have heard. Don’t trust us? Let’s see for yourself.

DROP GMK Redsuns Blue Samurai Keycaps Set

  • Price: $100 - $180.00
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot ABS (1.5 mm thick)
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry 
  • Number of Keys: 180
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Connectivity: Wired
Drop gmk redsuns blue samurai keycaps set
DROP GMK Redsuns Blue Samurai Keycaps Set | Reddit

GMK Redsuns Blue Samurai double-shot keycaps are made of premium ABS plastic that has a doubleshot molding process, which means the legends are part of the plastic and will never fade or wear off. They have a stunning and unique blue samurai theme, with navy blue, red and white colors.

They also come with extra novelty keycaps that feature samurai icons and symbols. However, these keycaps are very expensive, as they are made by GMK, a renowned German manufacturer that produces high-quality keycaps. The keycaps are also Cherry profile, which means they are lower and flatter than other profiles, which may affect your typing feel and sound.

While the majority of GMK sets require pricey group buys and long wait periods, sites like Novelkeys often sell extras from GMK group purchases for sale after the main keycap sets have already been delivered out to customers.

Pros

Cons

  • Premium ABS plastic with doubleshot molding process
  • Stunning and unique blue samurai theme
  • Extra novelty keycaps
  • Very expensive
  • No backlighting support

Listen to the sounds of this aesthetic samurai keyboard here!

YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps

Ymdk dsa retro keycaps
YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps | Geekhack
  • Price: $39.90
  • Keycap Material: Dye-Sublimated PBT
  • Keycap Profile: DSA
  • Number of Keys: 125
  • Backlighting support: No

The YMDK DSA Retro keycaps are among the best quality keycaps with a modern update on a classic keyboard design.

These keycaps are similar to the IBM model M keyboard, except with a slightly different design with the ability to swap out a few of the colors like a  red escape key, red enter key, or green space bar.

If you're looking for a keycap set with a retro look, the YMDK keycaps are a great choice. These keycaps are delightful to type on and there are enough to cover a full-sized keyboard.

Pros

Cons

  • Durable PBT material
  • A retro look that is unique and stylish
  • DSA profile provides a comfortable typing experience for most users
  • No backlighting support
  • May not be compatible with all keyboards

YMDK Retro keycaps have a very lovely thocky sound. Let’s see if it suits your taste!

Drop DSA Astrolokeys Keycaps Set

  • Price: $95
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot ABS
  • Keycap Profile: DSA
  • Number of Keys: 104
Drop dsa astrolokeys keycaps set
Drop DSA Astrolokeys Keycaps Set | Reddit

Drop DSA Astrolokeys is another best keycaps for mechanical keyboard with DSA profile. This vivid and colorful keycap set will be your best keyboard keycaps with unique colorways that you won't find on other keycap sets.

Indeed, the tones are a vibrant mix of pink, yellow, white, and purple with extremely interesting legends that remind you of a tale you tell your children before bedtime.

Besides, the surface of keycaps includes a mix of all of the Zodiac constellations, and it's really impressive. The nonstandard icon mods are also what truly characterizes this keyboard since you can personalize practically every key that isn't the standard letters and numbers.

Pros

Cons

  • Durable doubleshot ABS plastic with legends that won’t fade
  • Base kit comes with a whopping 104 keys and represents all signs in the Zodiac.
No backlighting support

DSA Astrolokeys are super pretty and that cannot deny. But, does it also sound good?

Blank White Thick PBT Keycaps

  • Price: $26.00
  • Keycap Material: Thick PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 108
Blank white thick PBT keycaps
Blank White Thick PBT Keycaps | Reddit

Only one limit to your creativity with these Blank White Thick PBT keycaps is your own ideas!

Blank keycaps are amazing because they can be dyed, personalized, or mixed and matched with other keycap sets.

Furthermore, these blank keycaps have the regular OEM profile with a cylindrical design fitting your fingertips. Then they'll feel just like the other keycaps you'll find on the market, only better.

These may be the best keycaps for white keyboard; however, you should remember that these keycaps lack legends; therefore, typing on them may be a bit perplexing.

Pros

Cons

  • Easy to dye, personalize
  • OEM profile with a cylindrical design fitting your fingertips
Hard to find the right keys

EPOMAKER Gaming Sculpted Keycaps

  • Price: $54.99
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry
  • Number of Keys: 108
  • Backlighting support: Yes
Epomaker gaming sculpted keycaps
EPOMAKER Gaming Sculpted Keycaps | Reddit

EPOMAKER Gaming Sculpted Keycaps are available in black, dark grey, and blazing pink. Take a closer look; the big pink character contrasts beautifully with the black tone as if sweetness and darkness are merging.

This keycap set, designed in the common Cherry profile, can serve as the most basic yet pleasant set.

Therefore, it can enhance your gaming experience; instead of wasting milliseconds seeking for the next key, purchase this Cherry Profile PBT keycaps set, which is designed to be efficient and comfortable to press.

Pros

Cons

  • Made from high-quality PBT plastic which is more durable than ABS plastic
  • Sculpted profile provides better ergonomics and comfort during long typing sessions
May not compatible with some keyboards

Drop + Mito GMK Pulse Custom Keycaps

Drop mito gmk pulse custom keycaps
Drop Mito GMK Pulse Custom Keycaps | Imgur
  • Price: $155 - $199.99
  • Keycap Material: Thick Doubleshot ABS
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry or SA
  • Number of Keys: ‎163
  • Compatibility: 40%, 60%, 65%, TKL, 1800 Layouts, etc.

Description: GMK keycaps are known for being of the highest quality. They're pretty pricey, though. Indeed, they're made of an extremely thick Doubleshot ABS plastic, so they're still high end keycaps even if they're not PBT.

These Drop Mito GMK Pulse keycaps have a distinctive design with a nice mix of bright blue and matte black, along with unusual legends on a handful of them.

The passion and creative design that went into these keycaps are impossible to top, but the price may be difficult to overlook for some since these keycaps are more costly than a nice mid-range keyboard.

Pros

Cons

  • Made from high-quality doubleshot ABS plastic with legends that won’t fade
  • Sculpted profile provides better ergonomics and comfort during long typing sessions
Expensive

Why don’t you check out the sounds from the GMK Pulse keycaps?

Matt30 Nerd DSA Keycaps

Matt30 nerd dsa keycaps
Matt30 Nerd DSA Keycaps | Twitter
  • Price: $29
  • Keycap Material: Dye-Sublimated PBT
  • Keycap Profile: DSA
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Cherry MX Switches and Clones (65% 70-Key Kit), 65% Kit (70-Keys)

The Matt30 DSA keycaps are a unique set of customized keycaps with an Elvish or Russian design.

The Elvish design has white and purple keycaps with Elvish legends and an English backdrop, allowing you to see what you're typing.

Matt3o Nerd DSA keycap sets
Matt3o Nerd DSA keycap sets | Drop

If you don't like Elvish, the legends are also available in Russian with a red and white keycap style instead of purple. Depending on whether you want English characters or not, you may pick between a mono-legend or dual-legend layout in both styles.

Pros

Cons

  • Made from high-quality PBT plastic which is more durable than ABS plastic
  • Unique Elvish or Russian design
Do not support backlighting

You could check out the sounds from Matt30 Nerd with this video.

Drop7 + Matt30/DEV/TTY MT3 Keycaps

Drop7 matt30 mt3 keycaps
Drop7 MT3 Keycaps | Reddit
  • Price: $90.00
  • Keycap Material: Dye-Sublimated PBT
  • Keycap Profile: MT3
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Cherry MX Switches and Clones (65% 70-Key Kit), 65% Kit (70-Keys)

White, grey, and red keycaps with a profile designed by IBM beam spring keycaps to bring your keyboard an old-school vibe of performance and quality.

Some of the layouts are supported by Drop7 Matt30/DEV/TTY MT3 Keycaps, including 65%, tenkeyless,1800 compact, as well as ortholinear. The bottom row is tilted slightly to make typing easier and more comfortable.

Pros

Cons

  • Unconventional MT3 profile for a unique and sculpted typing experience
  • Dye-Sublimated PBT for durable and fade-resistant keycaps
  • Do not support backlighting
  • Expensive

Hammerworks CRP Round 3 Keycaps

  • Price: $80
  • Keycap Material: Dye-subbed PBT
  • Keycap Profile: Cherry
  • Number of Keys: 87 + extra 14-27 keys for customization
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and their clones + ANSI layout
HammerWorks CRP Round 3 Keycaps
HammerWorks CRP Round 3 Keycaps

When we asked our teammates in Hirosart “What are the best keycaps?”, a lot of them responded to HammerWorks CRP Round 3. After taking a close look at the set, we can understand clearly why.

With Cherry profile, we can be sure HammerWorks CPR keycaps will be awesome for typing as well as gaming. Besides, the surface is made textured with crisp legends, and the edges are rounded and smoothed. Those contribute greatly to a smooth typing experience without unnecessary slipping.

Talk about the quality. We cannot stop praising how they made the keycap 1.4mm thick with high-quality PBT. In addition, the dye sublimation legends are promised to not fade for a very long time, and the choice of both the keycap and legends’ colors bring out the coolest retro vibe aesthetically.

Last but not least, the sub-legends in Cyrillic script and Japanese are a big plus point for those who are using those alphabets. The problem is you have to wait for a long time for the next group buy to have them.

Pros Cons
  • Anti-slip keycaps
  • Durable PBT plastic
  • Thick, bold fonts that are easy to look at night
  • Excellent, crips, dye-sub legends that support blind typing
  • Sub legends available for Cyrillic alphabets and Japanese Hiragana
  • Hard to buy as you have to wait for pre-orders.
  • Some minor misalignments in the legends

It’s time to listen to the nice, quiet, low sound from the best keycaps for keyboard, mister HammerWorks CRP R3.

Drop + Mito XDA Canvas Keycaps

  • Price: $85
  • Keycap Material: Dye-sublimated PBT
  • Keycap Profile: XDA
  • Number of Keys: 64 /79 /94/ 114
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and their clones
Drop + Mito XDA Canvas Keycaps
Drop + Mito XDA Canvas Keycaps

The first impression when we look at these best keycaps is “so cute and elegant”. The play with colors on Drop + Mito XDA Canvas keycaps is very smart. By using subtle pastel colors and making them pop up in a neutral gray tone, the keyboard has a simple but stylish look.

In general, the whole keycap set doesn’t have any defect issues as each legend and keycap is molded perfectly. The wide surface from the XDA profile allows you to have more room for placing the fingertips, enhancing the comfort of typing. Additionally, they design the homing keys, F and J, to bump more pronounced so you can find them a little bit easier.

However, the janky spacebar is a big letdown. We hope they tackle the problem soon enough considering the amount we need to pay for that.

Pros Cons
  • Consistent overall manufacturing quality
  • Basic yet pretty design
  • High-quality PBT
  • 4 different keyboard layouts to choose from
  • 2 homing F and J keys
  • The large spacebar does not fit properly
  • Legends start to fade after a year
  • Quite pricey

Check out how these best keycaps for 75 keyboards sound with the video below.

Havit Pudding keycaps

  • Price: $24.99
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 61 /87 /104
  • Backlighting support: Yes
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX and Outemu switches
Havit KC22 Pudding Keycaps
Havit KC22 Pudding Keycaps

If you are looking for a set of beautiful keycaps for black keyboards, we suggest you search for Havit pudding keycaps. At a very low price, Havit is able to gather 104 strong PBT keycaps in one set. They made it in the pudding style, which means there will be a translucent bottom layer for shining backlighting.

Furthermore, they use the double-shot method for semi-transparent legends, hence, the lighting can go through the legends prettily. However, the quality shows some lackings as there are minor defects, both on the legends and keycaps.

Pros Cons
  • Cheap keycap set
  • Beautiful backlighting effects
  • Easy to install
  • Strong and solid PBT
  • Inconsistency in legend quality
  • Mold defects
  • Overpainting in some keycaps

Why don’t you listen to the sound of these best keycaps for black keyboards?

Ducky Frozen Llama PBT Keycaps

  • Price: $39.20
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 108 + 10
  • Backlighting support: Yes
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX-style keyboards
Ducky Frozen Llama Keycaps
Ducky Frozen Llama Keycaps

For those who enjoy colorful keycaps that look as fresh as mint ice cream, Ducky Frozen Llama keycaps may be your destiny. The set is made of strong and durable PBT plastic that can withstand rough use from even heavy typists. Moreover, Ducky is famous for making good keycap sets, so you can have faith in the overall quality of these best keycaps, such as the anti-fading doubleshot legends.

Typing on the Ducky Frozen Llama is very soft and smooth, but it does not mean to be unstable. Instead, every key is solid so there is no need for further self-stabilization.

Nonetheless, although the RGB lightings are really cool under each key, they won’t pop out vividly via the legends.

Pros Cons
  • Affordable price
  • Seemless durable PBT material
  • Soft typing experiences
  • Bright color keycaps

The RGB does not shine through legends clearly

The typing sound from Ducky Frozen Llama keycaps is great. Care to check these best keycaps for mechanical keyboard out?

Taide Boyi Shine-Through Keycaps

  • Price: $36.99
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 61
  • Backlighting support: Yes
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX switches and their clones
Taide Boyi Shine-Through Keycaps
Taide Boyi Shine-Through Keycaps

Taide Boyi Shine-through is one of the best keycaps for backlighting. Both the backlighting support and translucent legends allow the color to appear stunningly, even better than more expensive keycap sets.

The color scheme is mixed well with eye-popping bright blue, purple, and mint. Just looking at it can brighten up the mood. Therefore, we highly recommend Taide Boyi keycaps for you guys who love playing with colors.

What’s more? The keycaps are made of robust PBT plastic at 1.5 mm thick. They are even put on the grease-preventing coat for stronger protection. Hence, we believe it will take a lifetime for the Taide Boyi keycaps to show signs of abrasion.

Pros Cons
  • Anti-grease coating
  • Free keycap puller
  • Good-quality PBT
  • Transparent legends
  • Radiant backlighting effects
Only available in compact 61-key layout

Vortex Bi-Color Green Keycaps

  • Price: $59.00
  • Keycap Material: Doubleshot PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Backlighting support:
  • Compatibility: Cherry MX-style switches
Vortex Bi-Color Green Keycaps
Vortex Bi-Color Green Keycaps

Vortex Bi-color green keycaps should have a name in the list of best keycaps for white keyboards. The combination of dark green and white brings out a very nice contrast to the eyes, making your keyboard look simple and elegant at the same time.

Furthermore, the matte surface is ideal for those who are not fond of keycap shine and it also helps to support your fingers’ grip. On top of that, Vortex keycaps have a very thick layer of PBT material. This means it’s suitable for heavy typists as you don’t have to worry about keycap abrasion even under rough conditions.

Pros Cons
  • Textured surface that is anti-shine
  • Thick PBT layer
  • Excellent backlighting
  • Enhance the visibility of key legends
  • May not be compatible with all keyboard layouts

GeekBro PBT Keycaps Set

  • Price: $27.99
  • Keycap Material: Dye-sublimation PBT
  • Keycap Profile: OEM
  • Number of Keys: 61 + 12 /13 extra
  • Backlighting support: No
  • Compatibility: MX-style keyboards and optical keyboards 

For those who are looking for the best keycaps for gaming keyboards, we proudly introduce you to GeekBro PBT keycaps. With an ergonomic design and stress-reduced OEM profile, it causes less fatigue whenever you extend your fingers to reach the off-center keys.

Apart from that, GeekBro keycaps are definitely for those who are into Chinese oil painting with a graceful landscape picture on the spacebar. They not only use advanced dye-sublimation printing but also put on an anti-oil coating. Thanks to that, both the picture and legends are prevented from fading problems.

Although these best keycaps have a very thick layer, there is an issue with backlighting getting through the caps. Normally, it should appear under the keycaps, so please take note if RGB effects are important to you.

Pros Cons
  • Low price
  • Oil-resistant
  • Outstandingly thick keycaps
  • Free keycap remover
  • The backlit shines via the cap
  • Some keys don’t fit well

Artisan Keycap set by Hirosart

For people who dream of a customization keyboard with their favorite characters, we are proud to introduce Hirosart artisan keycaps.

In Hirosart, we make meticulous handmade keycaps in resin that show off the owner’s personality. Since the keycap itself is very small, we don’t throw everything in a machine, press the button, and then wait for the perfect keycap.

What we do is choose the finest materials for each part and then put them go through a meticulous process under skilled artisans’ hands. Every detail is painted painstakingly in 3 - 5 layers. Every side and edge is polished with ultimate care.

Pokemon Spacebar Keycap
Pokemon Spacebar Keycap

We believe only such a sophisticated process can produce the final most refined products that deserve people’s dream of an artistic keyboard. A good keycap should not only be breathtaking at first glance but also persistent to last for a long time.

Most of the epoxy resin keycaps from Hirosart are of SA or OEM profile but don’t worry if your keyboard is different. We love to cast magic that turns your ideal into reality.

Pros Cons
  • Durable materials that can last very long
  • Artisan keycaps that level up your keyboard
  • Personal customization, ranging from appearance to keycap profile.
  • Very high price
  • No available keycap sets yet, pre-order only
  • Have to wait for a long time after placing the order

If a beautiful, high-quality keycap set full of personal marks sparks your interest, please contact us for more detail. We don’t have artisan keycap sets available on the website at current. But, we are willing to listen to your ideas and visions to customize the best artisan keycap sets to your liking.

Pokemon Lover Resin Keycaps From Hirosart
Pokemon Lover Resin Keycaps From Hirosart

Why should you get a new Keycap Set?

Most keyboards come with relatively inexpensive and mass-produced keycaps which leave the keyboard drab and bland, excluding highly costly mechanical keyboards.

The good looking keycaps are what you'll be looking at and typing on for the rest of your keyboard's life, therefore why not make them the highlight points on your keyboard?

There are several pros to replacing keycaps, especially in which they can transform a $50 keyboard into the look of a $150 one just with a small amount of money.

The result, of course, is aesthetics, as you can pick the style and color of the keycaps (based on your hobbies or something meaningful for you), allowing the RGB lighting to shine.

Moreover, the legends will not fade away after a period of intense use since the keycaps are more robust. Furthermore, altering the profile design will provide you with the best keycaps sets that are both pleasant and efficient to type on.

Check read our post: An Inside Look At Keycaps if you're still not clear how keycaps can help your keyboard.

Tips for choosing the best keycaps for your keyboard

There are several factors that you should pay attention to for a seamless keycap performance on your keyboard.  By understanding these thoroughly, you can avoid a purchase return caused by unfit keycaps.

Keycap Material

ABS vs PBT Keycaps

Here is the breakdown for these two most common types of keycap materials:

 

ABS Keycaps

PBT Keycaps

Durability

Wears over time More durable

Cost

Usually cheaper More expensive
Noise

Quieter when typing

Louder when typing
Comfort  Smooth

Textured

Melting Point

Around 105-degree

Around 225-degree

Double-shot keycaps Available

Available

Weight Thinner (Not always)

Thicker

Other good keycap materials

  • PC (polycarbonate) is one of the most frequent-used keycap materials. PC is much more impact resistant than acrylic (PMMA), and unlike polystyrene/ABS, it does not yellow.
  • POM (Polyoxymethylene) is a thermoplastic polymer. Though POM has low friction and is silky to the feel, it is strong and durable. POM keycaps have a muted downstroke and have a larger density than PBT and ABS.
  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a medium-hard substance that is frequently used in keycaps.  It's probably the most common keycap material after ABS. PVC is a medium-hard, low-friction material. Yet, it is sensitive to heat and will deform when exposed to high temperatures.

Resin, clay

Resin, a liquid material derived from plastic or plants, is the key component of a polymer. In essence, resin keycaps are one of the uses of resin. They're curing resin keycaps that have been placed into molds.

The unexpected popularity of resin keycaps today is due to its overall aesthetic and visual appeal, as well as the ability to DIY with your own designs and colors.

All of these factors make resin best keycaps sets a potential rival to the commonly used materials for keycaps.

Want to know how resin keycaps look? Visit Hirosart - resin artisan keycaps for now!

Custom Pokemon keycap
Custom Pokemon keycap by Hirosart

Choosing materials for your keycaps is not always easy. Read this article to better understand: Which material makes the best keycaps?

RGB Backlit Keyboards

RGB backlit keyboards
RGB Backlit Keyboards | TechXreviews

If your keyboard does not have RGB lighting, there is no need to be confused between double-shot and pudding keycaps because these keycaps allow the backlighting to show through.

If your keyboard already has RGB, though, one of these keycap designs is probably worth your consideration. For those who don't like RGB, a basic single-shot keycap would be enough.

Indeed, some of the best keycap sets are single-shot, as they are designed for enthusiast keyboards that don't have RGB lighting.

Doubleshot Keycaps

Doubleshot best keycap sets are created using a more complex production method that involves injection molding two different plastics to form the keycap.

This is how doubleshot keycaps are made so that light can shine through the legends. If your keyboard has its own key lighting, these keycap types are designed to make the legends easier to read through backlighting.

PBT and ABS polymers are both available for doubleshot keycaps.

Pudding Keycaps

Pudding keycaps are another great way to highlight the lights on your keyboard.

Instead of merely lighting the legends, the lights can also shine through all the sides of the keycaps. This results in some unique keyboard layouts. 

Besides, there are a variety of other pudding keycaps available in various colors and brands.

Keycap Profile

Things begin to get a little tricky when it comes to the keycap profile. The keycap profile relates to the general form of the keycap; some are flat, while others are rounded and come in a variety of shapes.

We've also covered all you need to know about keycap profiles: An In-Depth Guide to different keycap profiles with Comparative analysis. You can find further information in this post.

Here's a table to help you understand the different types of keycap profiles.

Keycap Profile

Description

OEM

This keycap profile is common on most keyboards. It is mass-produced and angled top.

Cherry

The profile is quite close to the OEM profile, except it is shorter. This is a very common design.

DSA

With a spherical top and a slightly shorter profile.

XDA

With a spherical top, this profile is medium in height.

SA

This is a tall profile with a slightly round and tilted top.

Certain types have a varied height for each row of keys to allow for a concave or sloping form throughout the whole keycap set. By altering the shape of your keycaps, you can elevate the look and feel of your keyboard to greater levels.

Keycap profile
Keycap profile | Drop

Uniform vs Sculpted Keycap Profile

The fact that the keycaps are sculpted or uniform is one of the most significant variances between keycap profiles. 

The surface of a uniform keycap is flat and not angled in any way.

Sculpted keycaps, on the other hand, feature a small angle to ease typing so your fingers don't have to reach as far.

Most people like sculpted since it makes typing seem more fluid, but some may prefer the uniform profile because it feels or looks better to them. It's common to see a consistent profile on enthusiast keycap sets with unique styles.

The Best Keycap Profile for Gaming

If you want to improve your gaming experience, just seek a keycap profile that seems the most familiar to you so that you will not waste valuable seconds hunting for the next key.

In general, the Cherry profile is voted as the finest keycap design for gaming since it is sculpted to be quick and pleasant to press.

Cherry - The best keycap profile for gaming
Cherry - The best keycap profile for gaming

Typically, the keycap profile has little impact on the gaming experience.

We urge that you check into an alternative switch if you truly want to strengthen your competitive advantage. When inputting a keystroke, optical switches or low-profile can reduce travel distance and enhance reaction time. Keep in mind that, these switch kinds make typing more difficult, but they may be worthy of investigation.

Whatever keycap profile brings to gamers a familiar and comfortable feeling is the most ideal for gaming.

The Best Keycap Profile for Typing

Picking the top keycaps profile for typing typically goes down to finding a set of keys that are easy to type on and limit the amount of stretching required by the fingers to reach each key.

You should also consider how familiar you are with the keycap set. For instance, in case you've never used a flat or uniform profile before, it could seem weird, slowing down your typing pace. Do what you're used to typing on and what you have muscle memory for.

If you want to enhance your typing speed, consider experimenting with different typing styles or taking frequent speed tests.

Regardless of the keycap profile, there is a slew of different techniques to improve your typing skills. Other keyboard mappings, such as COLEMAK or DVORAK, are also worth considering.

And which keycap profiles will be ideal for typing? You can't go wrong with either the Cherry keycap profile or the standard OEM profile for typing. They're sculpted, functional, and enjoyable to type on.

Oem and Cherry profile
Oem and Cherry profile

Ultra Custom Keycaps

In case you didn't know, you can get bespoke or even handcrafted keycaps for your keyboard.

The simplest way to obtain a customized keycap is to have it printed on one; you can generally find a site that will do it for you online. All you need to do is to submit an image, and a keycap with that given image will be delivered to you a couple of weeks later.

If you want to get a little more creative, you can order artisan keycaps in an online store or have them made just for your keyboard.

Ultra custom keycaps
Ultra Custom Keycaps | Twitter

There are some very unique and cool keycap designs available. Most folks will choose an ultra-custom keycap for their escape key and use a readymade keycap set for the remaining of their set.

You won't have to spend a lot customizing the complete set this way. Keep in mind that personalized keycaps are not cheap and thus will cost you a significant amount of money.

However, it allows for the greatest personalization and shows off whatever you like.

How to know if your keyboard is compatible with new keycaps?

There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that your new keycap set fits correctly on your keyboard.

Is your keyboard compatible with new keycaps
Is your keyboard compatible with new keycaps? | Reddit

Keyboard Size

It's critical to double-check that your keycap set is compatible with the layout and style of your keyboard before purchasing it. If your keyboard is full-sized, be sure to get a keycap set with enough keys to cover the whole layout, including the number pad.

Several keycap sets are only for 65% or have tenkeyless layouts, as bigger layouts normally require more keys, which means they are more expensive. 

We offer a guide here if you're unsure about the different keyboard sizes: Are Keycaps Universal? How to find keycaps that fit your mechanical keyboard.

Keyboard Layout

Another consideration is whether your keycap set is appropriate with ANSI and ISO layouts. The most visible variations are the size and shape of the enter key.

Typically, most of the keycap sets will include the appropriate keycap sizes for both layout types but double-check before you purchase. Once you buy a keycap set and the right-hand enter key does not actually fit, it may be really annoying.

Is your Keyboard a Standard Layout?

Because certain older keyboards, particularly those from Corsair and  Razer, have non-standard layouts, the keycap sizes will differ from what goes with a new keycap set unless it's created exclusively for that keyboard model.

To ensure that the keycaps are entirely compatible, make sure your keyboard has a standard layout.

Still confused? Take a look at this: Intro to Keyboard Sizes and layouts

Another thing to keep an eye out for is common sense, but you want to make sure the replacement keycaps you purchase are for the language and region layout you want.

With so many various languages spoken in the world, it's critical that the legends are accurate. Some keycap sets have two languages printed on them for quick translation, which is very convenient.

Switches and Stem/Mount Compatibility

Mechanical switches are the mechanisms that allow each key to function. They control whether or not a keystroke is activated.

Cherry MX-style switch stems are utilized by almost all current keycap sets. It's an industry standard that a lot of companies adopt (like Gateron and Kailh).

Adapters for nonstandard stems, such as the Alps, are offered from time to time through the community. Standard MX-stem keycaps will not fit on low-profile switches as Kailh Choc.

If you need detail about switches and stems, here is what you need: The Secret of Mechanical Keyboard Switches

Keycap Coverage and Rows

Start ordering once you've determined your layout and compatibility.

Go to the product page for a keycap and look at the labeled kit photos. The majority of them will be images generated by a computer. Because the caps must still be produced, this is usual for keycap group buys.

Although most base kits will include a standard keyboard, some keysets will require one TKL kit as well as a numeric keypad kit. Coverage issues are uncommon on standard keyboards. Sub-TKL keyboards, on the other hand, are a different matter.

You'll have to ensure that each row of keys will have the same angle and shape when you've adjusted for keycap coverage. This may not be a problem if you're buying a uniform profile such as SA R3, DSA, or XDA, in which all keys are the same angle and height.

To rise comfort, sculpted profiles like Cherry or SA provide a little tilt on each horizontal row of keys, limiting your ability to mix and match key locations. Renders will display this as R1, R2, and so on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have explored a diverse array of 25 best keycap sets that will undoubtedly elevate your mechanical keyboard experience to new heights. Whether you seek vibrant and artistic designs, elegant and minimalist profiles, or unique and eye-catching colorways, there is a keycap set to suit every preference and style.

So, why settle for the mundane when you can transform your mechanical keyboard into a work of art? Upgrade your typing and gaming experience today with one of these top-notch keycap sets and make your keyboard truly stand out from the crowd.

FAQs

What are the best keycaps for RGB?

Keycaps Set Pudding and Keycaps Set Double Shot are the best keycaps sets for boosting RGB lighting reflection on a mechanical keyboard.

Even if Double Shot is capable of doing so, Keycaps pudding sets are the best for enhancing RGB illumination.

What are good keycaps for tying?

Many factors, such as the mechanical sizes of the keyboard or the height of the switches, guide the choice of excellent keycaps for typing. Generally, the smaller the key profile, the easier it is to type. Keycaps with Cherry profile and OEM are the best keycaps sets in this case.

What are good keycaps for gaming?

Looking for a set of keycaps for gaming that will boost your comfort and accuracy? Cherry Profile keycaps are the way to go.

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