Home PC Components and Peripherals The Best Keycaps for Gamers in 2023
TechJunkie Expert Recommendations
TechJunkie is supported by our readers. When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Read More.
One of the ways you can upgrade your keyboard is to replace its keycaps. Especially if you’re a gamer, this will give our device a fresher look and a more comfortable profile. However, with so many choices out there, it can be hard to choose.
If you’re planning to give your keyboard an upgrade, you’ve come to the right place. We rounded up some of the best keycaps for gamers. Read on to find out which one suit your requirements best.
The majority of the keycap sets offered by HK Gaming are based on GMK and ePBT color schemes. Customers still appear to be winning, especially those who are on a tight budget, despite the fact that clone keycaps can be a contentious topic among keyboard lovers.
The 139-key HK Gaming 9009 set has walls of 1.4 mm and is composed of dye-sublimated PBT. It has the Cherry profile. You’ll be impressed by its colors and crispness. The modifiers’ icon styles appear to be very modern. With 1.4 mm walls and dye-sublimated legends, this set emanates quality and is free of molding flaws, production errors, or bent keys.
The smooth surface of these keycaps, as opposed to the more normal textured PBT finish, gives them a different feel. At first, you’ll think this is strange, but you’ll quickly get used to it and it won’t matter over time. While smooth, they are not slippery.
Actually, this profile is a little bit shorter than Cherry’s. It almost qualifies as Cherry Low-profile. Although there isn’t much of a difference, they do sound slightly more clacky than traditional Cherry’s.
The text on the number-row keys is thicker on the extra ISO keycaps than it is on the rest of the set, which is a problem users will easily notice. This will obviously appear quite uneven on an ISO layout. The tilde key is another minor quibble; the tilde legend is enormous and doesn’t match the size of the other keys.
The larger keys on HK Gaming sets frequently have mushy travel, notably the space bar. Although this has nothing to do with wobble, it is incompatible with some keyboard stabilizers, so it is something to be aware of.
With a few limitations, the HK Gaming 9009 overall provides good value. If the potential mushiness of the space bar, variable ISO legends, and smooth finish is not a concern for you, it’s a fantastic purchase at around $50.
Free of molding flawsSmooth finishGood value
Some keys need more room for improvement
It’s a PBT dye-sub set with an XDA profile that has a straightforward, albeit slightly hazy, centered typeface. The typeface is small in relation to the surface of the keys, giving the complete set a simple, minimalistic appearance. The keys have a matte appearance and feel tactile to the touch. You’ll enjoy how much softer and smoother they feel compared to the stock AP2 keys. Although the legend cannot be seen with the backlight, it does shine through between the keys, which is quite visually beautiful. It is crucial to note that these keys are not shining through. If you find RBG somewhat overwhelming, you’ll appreciate the balance they manage to achieve.
Regarding quality, it’s critical to keep in mind that this keycap set is on a budget, thus there will be noticeable flaws when compared to keycaps from higher price points. The backspace key is quite mushy, and the bottom edges of the keys are encased in plastic. On the keyboard, the keys appear consistent, and the wrapping is totally concealed. The absence of tactile bumps on the F and J keys were another issue for me, but it appears that this is a common oversight with the XDA profile.
For the typing sound, this keycap set produces a great typing experience and sound. If you’ve used a MacBook Pro butterfly keyboard before and liked it, you’ll definitely feel at home in this keycap set. However, note that the longer keys can be too loud for some users while typing.
Feels like MacBook Pro butterfly keyboardSofter and smoother feel
Longer keys can be loud
The YMDK White Black Gray Keycaps are a great option for consumers seeking plain, uncluttered designs. In particular, the gray and black color scheme is suitable for the majority of home and workplace settings, making it quite flexible.
The YMDK White Black Gray Keycaps, on the other hand, receive higher ratings for the following factors because of their distinctive specifications and characteristics. Customers can use the standard 87 61 ANSI MX switches, which are great for gaming, streaming, and video editing, as an example. The YMDK White Black Gray Keycaps, however, are incompatible with all Corsair Razer keyboards, therefore you are sadly unable to use any of them.
The YMDK White Black Gray Keycaps also have a distinctive keycap profile with a wide range of useful applications and purposes. Due to the dense material and production method, the OEM profile specifically has keycaps that are extremely stable and long-lasting.
From this point on, these keycaps can withstand severe abuse and powerful impacts, but you should exercise caution while handling the switches because they could easily break.
For a number of reasons, the YMDK White Black Gray Keycaps are among the most cozy featured items in the comprehensive guide. First of all, the keycaps offer a perfect smooth and soft feel that fits everyone’s fingers and palms. Additionally, producers positioned all legends on the front so users could raise the keyboard and still view the symbols.
Thickness ideal for professional useLegend is printed on the front, making it easier to install higherOverall black and gray design works well even in dark settings
Only comes in one sizeNot compatible with Corsair Razer keyboards
This set of keycaps will surely capture anyone’s attention, thanks to its vibrant colors that pop out as soon as someone enters your room. The YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow PBT Keycaps provide adequate support for fundamental applications, but they are not compatible with all current gaming switches. Customers can swiftly install modern ANSI MX switches, which feel light and comfortable, especially after prolonged use. Users are unable to utilize any Corsair Razer keyboards, however, due to the incompatibility of the YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow Keycaps.
The YMDK Doubleshot Rainbow Keycaps have slightly rounded edges and no sharp corners, making them incredibly comfortable to use. Additionally, the RGB LED backlighting on these keycaps makes them appear stunning and is perfect for dim environments. Additionally, because the legends are transparent, consumers can easily find the keycap in the dark if they encounter any unintended issues.
Visually appealing designOffers various models and layoutsWaterproof
AffordableNot for Corsair Razer products
For simple yet unique keycaps, this is the one for you. But, it’s not all aesthetics. This set also offers impressive switch support. With this, you can quickly pair the Filco Ducky IKBC 104 TKL 61 ANSI and ISO mechanical keyboards. these caps work well with YMD96, Melody96, Kira96, Tada68, and KBD75 models too. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about keyboard support.
The YMDK Gray Beige YMD96 Keycaps offer a distinctive keycap profile and are comfortable, despite not receiving a grade that is nearly ideal. For instance, they have a typical OEM keycap profile that is substantially higher than Cherry profiles. You may therefore need more time to get used to this new keycap layout, but it shouldn’t be a problem.
The YMDK Gray Beige YMD96 Keycaps are not the most pleasant products on the market, but they are enough for the majority of fundamental tasks. Additionally, the smooth and malleable feel of the laser-engraved legends ensures that even after prolonged use, your fingertips will remain comfortable. You must be careful since these keycaps, unfortunately, have significantly sharper edges and corners than comparable items.
Laser-engravedExcellent feelOEM keycap profile is ideal for gaming
Can’t double as office useCan be challenging to get used to
The YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry Keycaps check every box, as per experts. However, they didn’t obtain an exceptional grade for any of the categories. For instance, other than the numerous eye-catching orange keycaps, nothing unusual about their design and appearance. A keycap remover is included in the kit so that consumers can rapidly remove and replace any worn-out keycaps.
The Cherry keycap profile, which performs superbly under heavy and prolonged use, is present in the YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry Keycaps. These keycaps are very inexpensive, have a distinctive feel, and are perfect for use in the home or workplace.
There are several adjustable options available, including keycaps with legends on the top and front, although the keycap profile might not be appropriate for upscale business settings due to the various color schemes.
For items at this price, the YMDK Carbon 108 Cherry Keycaps are surprisingly pleasant, demonstrating their outstanding value for money. They’re perfect for writers and editors since the matte texture minimizes unintentional slippage during rapid typing. Customers who buy keycaps with frontal symbols, however, will need some time to get used to the legends, but it shouldn’t be an issue.
Orange keycaps look vibrantMatte material still feels soft and comfortable even after prolonged useFunction keys have unique color so they can be easily distinguishedWorks great with most ANSI MX switches
Not for the latest Corsair Razr keyboardsNot see-through
For those who love both classic and modern designs, the YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps are a great option. For instance, compared to contemporary gaming keyboards, this set has 104 distinct keycaps with a distinctive appearance. In addition, according to our experts, the simple, uncluttered style is perfect for usage in even the most informal offices or homes.
Additionally, the YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps support almost all contemporary keyboards, while some Corsair Ryzen Logitech keyboards may be problematic for users. You can utilize the YMD96, Melody96, Kira96, Tada68, and KBD75 models in addition to the Filco Ducky IKBC 104 TKL 61 ANSI and ISO keyboards by installing these keycaps in them.
It could take some getting used to because the YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps have a DSA keycap profile that is lower than most varieties. Even so, the overall performance is very good, particularly if your gaming keyboard has RGB LED backlighting beneath the keycaps.
Due to their unusual form and low profile, the YMDK DSA Retro Keycaps are exceptionally comfortable. You may use every keycap on a full-sized keyboard as well, which is exceptional for a product at this price point.
Can be used for most ANSI Cherry MX mechanical keyboardMade with durable PBT materialThicker than similar unitsIdeal for users who are into retro aestheticsColor scheme looks simple and clean
No Compact keycap setupsTinier keycap surface than others
91 Articles Published
We're not just tech junkies, but we're also tech experts. Each and every "Best of.." list on TechJunkie is curated by our content-area subject matter experts to provide a well-rounded, unbiased perspective to help and inform you, our reader. Our lists are constantly reviewed and updated, so you can be sure you're reading relevant and up to date information.
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
Copyright @2024 TechJunkie
If you don’t see an app that should be here, let us know what it is
