Keycaps for Custom Keyboards – Perfect Fit for ISO & ANSI Layouts in ABS & PBT
Keycaps for Keyboards
Keycaps are the key covers of a PC keyboard. Nowadays, on many PC keyboards, the keycaps can be replaced with others. Since the advent of numerous mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX keys, replaceable keycaps have become increasingly popular. These keycaps can not only be of a different color but can also be made of different materials or have a different surface finish.
Non-slip keycaps with a rubberized surface texture, for example, provide better handling when gaming. Different colored keycaps can be used optimally to highlight individual keys (e.g., the WASD keys). There are also sets available that only include specific keycaps and not all the keys of a keyboard. Naturally, the aesthetic factor also plays a significant role. Essentially, keycaps come in a wide variety of designs, allowing you to customize your Cherry MX keyboard as you like.
Wide Compatibility of Keycaps Among Cherry MX Keyboards
Another advantage is the compatibility of keycaps among mechanical keyboards from Cherry. The shape and size of the keycaps are consistent across the MX Black, MX Red, MX Blue, and MX Brown series, allowing you to modify different keyboards with the same keycaps. Key-pullers are usually included in the package. These make it very easy to pull the keycaps out of a keyboard. When buying keycaps, consider the following:
- Do the keycaps fit the respective keyboard?
- What surface texture and material should the keycaps have?
- Should all keys or only specific keycaps be replaced?
- Is a key-puller included?
Keysets for keyboards are different from keycaps in that they are a complete set of interconnected keys. The keyset is placed on the keyboard like a mat and inserted into the keyboard. The keyset can also be replaced if the corresponding keyboard supports keysets. The advantage of keysets is that they are almost endlessly customizable. Many keysets have been developed in collaboration with developers and publishers, so the key layout and design of the keysets are often pre-adapted to a specific game.
Keyboards that support keysets usually offer many additional functions, allowing the keysets to be individually programmed and thus customized via included keyboard software. The key layout can also be completely different. For example, you can replace the usual WASD keys with arcade-style cursor keys, etc.
Switching Keysets is Easily Possible
Keysets can be easily switched on-the-fly without even needing to restart the PC. Keysets are always tailored to specific keyboards and do not offer universal compatibility like the keycaps of mechanical Cherry MX keyboards. Additionally, keysets are only found in rubber dome keyboards and do not offer much adaptability in terms of actuation force and height. Some adjustment time to a new keyset is to be expected. When purchasing keysets for keyboards, consider the following:
- Does the corresponding keyset fit the respective keyboard?
- Is the design and layout in line with personal needs?
- Does the keyset provide necessary additional functions if needed?