Getting new keycaps is one of the easiest ways to completely change how your keyboard looks and sounds. It’s like buying new clothes or getting a haircut.
Most keycaps are made of plastic, generally PBT or ABS. That means your choices are usually limited to color, profile, and how the legends are represented.
But today, we’re stepping outside the usual options to explore new and trending keycap materials, from pure metal to real wood and everything in between.
Full Metal Low-Profile Keycaps
Let’s start with something rare: fully metal keycaps.
Normally, when you see “metal” keycaps, they’re plastic with a metallic finish. These, however, are built completely out of metal, even the stem.
Manufacturing something like this is extremely difficult. The stem needs to be incredibly precise so it fits perfectly on the switch without falling off. You really need to press the key firmly into place.
Aesthetically, they look stunning. They’re available in gold, silver, titanium, black, copper, and white.
Because they are fully metal, they are very heavy. A normal PBT double-shot keycap weighs between 1 gram (0.03 oz) and 1.3 grams (0.04 oz). These weigh around 5 grams per keycap (0.18 oz). A full set can weigh around 250 grams (8.82 oz), almost half a pound.
That weight affects how switches feel. The switches will feel lighter because of the added mass of the keycap.
Sound-wise, you might expect something metallic and sharp. Surprisingly, the sound is muted and deep, even compared to normal PBT double-shot keycaps. Occasionally, you’ll hear a slight ping when keycaps collide, but overall, the profile is deeper than expected.
The legends are laser-etched into the metal. They are subtle and elegant, but do not shine through.
They are cold to the touch and slightly slippery, although brushed finishes can add texture.
They are also expensive. A small 60% set launched at $119 on Kickstarter, and prices are expected to increase once in regular production.
Hollowed Aluminum Keycaps
If you want a metallic feel without spending that much, die-cast aluminum keycaps are another option.
They feature hollowed sides that allow sound to pass through more directly, reducing the reverb keycaps typically introduce.
These weigh just under 2 grams (0.07 oz) per keycap, compared to 1.3 grams (0.04 oz) for standard PBT. They are available in silver and gray and use a standard OEM profile, making them easy to install on most keyboards.
They are more of an accent-type keycap and often include a spacebar for standard layouts.
Ceramic Keycaps
Ceramic keycaps have been trending over the last couple of years.
They stand out not only for their aesthetic but also for their deep, rich sound profile.
Early versions had issues because the stem was ceramic, which caused fitting problems. Newer designs use a plastic stem, ensuring perfect compatibility with switches.
They feature thick walls, around 1.9 millimeters (0.07 in), compared to the usual 1.2 or 1.3 millimeters (0.04 in) in standard keycaps.
They are heavy, around 3.5 grams per keycap (1.23 oz), much heavier than standard PBT.
Some versions come without legends, others include them, but there is no shine-through even with printed legends.
They feel cold and somewhat slippery, and there are no homing bumps on F and J.
They are also expensive.
Polycarbonate "Jello" Keycaps
If you like the ceramic look but not the price, polycarbonate keycaps are an alternative.
These usually feature opaque plastic on the inside and transparent polycarbonate on the outside. The legends are printed internally, so they don’t shine through directly, but RGB light glows around them.
They weigh around 1.4 grams (0.05 oz) and have walls around 1.7 millimeters (0.07 in) thick.
They don’t sound as deep as ceramic keycaps, but they are still interesting.
The surface is slippery, though not cold, and there are no homing bumps. The legends may suffer from alignment or font inconsistencies.
With bright RGB lighting, light can reflect off the transparent plastic, creating a unique visual effect.
Fully Transparent Polycarbonate Keycaps
If you want full RGB shine-through, fully transparent MDA polycarbonate keycaps are an option.
The light shines intensely, and they look striking, especially if you like transparent tech.
However, they feel cheap and are inexpensive, around $30. The legends are pad-printed, meaning you can feel them when typing, and they will eventually wear out.
They are thin, around 1.3 millimeters (0.03 in), and light at 1.15 grams (0.04 oz)per keycap.
They do include homing bumps on F and J.
Real Wood Keycaps
If you want the opposite of slippery, real wood keycaps are worth considering.
They are made entirely of wood, except for the plastic stem.
They feel warm to the touch and offer a beautiful, natural texture. Typing on them feels pleasant and controlled.
The sound profile is warm and elegant, not too loud.
They feature thick walls around 1.8 millimeters (0.07 in) but weigh only about 1.2 grams (0.04 oz).
There is no shine-through, as legends are engraved directly into the wood. The engraving looks beautiful.
There are no homing bumps, and they are expensive, often costing over $100 for a 60% set.
Blank PBT Keycaps
Finally, let’s talk about blank PBT keycaps.
PBT isn’t new or trendy; it’s been around since the beginning. But a stealthy, minimal look can feel fresh.
These keycaps feature thick 1.8 millimeter (0.07 in) walls and excellent stem fit, with no wobble or rattling. The sound profile is clean and controlled.
Being blank, there is no shine-through, but you do get homing bumps.
There are also versions with subtle dye-sub legends, but the full black blank look has a unique minimal appeal.
They are available at dygma.com for $79.
Keycap materials dramatically affect how your keyboard feels and sounds.
From heavy metal and elegant ceramic to warm wood and classic PBT, each material offers a different experience.
Have you tried any of these keycap materials? Which one is your favorite?
