How to Choose the Perfect Keycap Set for Your Mechanical Keyboard

How to Choose the Perfect Keycap Set for Your Mechanical Keyboard

Why Your Keycaps Matter More Than You Think

Your mechanical keyboard's switches get all the glory, but keycaps are what you actually touch hundreds of thousands of times a year. The right set can transform the look, feel, and even the sound of your board. The wrong one? You'll notice every single keystroke. Whether you're building your first mechanical keyboard or upgrading a beloved daily driver, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the perfect keycap set.

Step 1: Understand Keycap Materials — PBT vs ABS

The two most common keycap plastics are PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), and the difference is significant.

PBT Keycaps

  • Thicker and more durable — PBT is denser, which gives it a satisfying, solid feel under your fingers.
  • Resistant to shine — Unlike ABS, PBT doesn't develop that greasy, worn-in shine after months of use.
  • Deeper, crisper sound — PBT produces a slightly higher-pitched, crisper sound that many enthusiasts prefer.
  • Better for dye sublimation printing — The legends (the letters and symbols on your keys) are printed into the plastic itself, so they'll never fade or wear off.

All keycap sets at Pixelkeycaps are made from high-quality PBT with dye sublimation printing — meaning your legends stay crisp and vibrant for years.

ABS Keycaps

  • Smoother and slightly softer feel out of the box.
  • Prone to developing shine over time from skin oils.
  • Often used in budget sets or stock keycaps that come with keyboards.

Our recommendation: For longevity and aesthetics, PBT dye-sublimated keycaps are the gold standard for enthusiasts.

Step 2: Choose Your Keycap Profile

Keycap "profile" refers to the shape and height of the keys. Different profiles feel dramatically different to type on, and some suit certain typing styles better than others.

Cherry Profile

Cherry profile is one of the most popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts — and for good reason. It features a medium height with a slightly sculpted, angled top surface that guides your fingers naturally to the center of each key. It's comfortable for long typing sessions and gaming alike. All Pixelkeycaps sets use Cherry profile, striking the ideal balance between comfort and aesthetics.

OEM Profile

OEM is the profile you'll find on most stock keyboards. It's slightly taller than Cherry with a more pronounced angle. Many typists find it comfortable simply because it's what they grew up with.

SA Profile

SA (Spherical All) keycaps are tall, retro-looking, and have a concave spherical top. They're a bold aesthetic choice and feel very different from Cherry or OEM — some love them, some find them too high.

DSA Profile

DSA keycaps are uniform height across all rows, making them popular for custom layouts and 40% keyboards. They have a flat, slightly concave top.

Our recommendation: If you're new to the hobby, Cherry profile is the safest and most universally loved starting point.

Step 3: Check Switch Compatibility

Most keycap sets — including all sets from Pixelkeycaps — are designed for MX-style switches, which is the most common switch type used in mechanical keyboards. This includes switches from Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Akko, and many others.

If your keyboard uses Alps, Topre, or low-profile switches, you'll need to specifically look for keycaps designed for those switch types. When in doubt, check your keyboard's product page or manual.

Also, pay attention to the bottom row of the keycap set that you are buying. In some cases, particularly in 75% keyboard profiles, they may not be compatible as certain brands such as Corsair use 6.5U spacebars, which also affects the length of the other keycaps in the lower row.

Step 4: Pick a Theme You'll Love Every Day

This is the fun part. Keycaps are one of the most expressive parts of a keyboard build — they're the first thing anyone notices. Think about what you want your desk setup to say about you:

Step 5: Consider Your Keyboard Layout

Before you buy, confirm your keyboard's layout. The most common layouts are:

  • Full-size (100%) — includes numpad, function row, and navigation cluster.
  • Tenkeyless (TKL / 80%) — drops the numpad but keeps the function row.
  • 75% — compact with function row, no numpad.
  • 65% — no function row, minimal navigation keys.
  • 60% — the most compact common layout, no function row or navigation cluster.

Most standard keycap sets cover full-size and TKL layouts. If you have a more compact board, check that the set includes the specific keys you need (like a 1.75u right shift or a 2u backspace).

Ready to Find Your Perfect Set?

Choosing keycaps comes down to three things: a material that lasts (PBT), a profile that feels right (Cherry is a great start), and a design that makes you smile every time you sit down at your desk. Browse the full Pixelkeycaps collection to find a set that checks all three boxes.

Back to blog