Replacement Keycaps: To choose the right one

Introduction

Replacement keycaps are a great way to give your keyboard an entirely new look and feel. Whether you’re looking for a more ergonomic experience, or just want to add some flair to your setup, finding the right replacement keycaps can be tricky. With so many shapes, sizes, materials and colors available on the market today, it can be difficult to know where to start.

In this article we’ll discuss what factors you should consider when choosing replacement keycaps for your keyboard. We’ll also provide tips on how you can make sure that they fit correctly once they arrive. Once you have all of the necessary information, selecting the perfect set of replacement keycaps will be easy!

What is Replacement Keycaps?

Replacement keycaps are the keys that can easily be removed from your keyboard and either replaced or swapped out with a new set. They are available in varying sizes, shapes, colors, and materials and come in both original/stock forms as well as aftermarket options. Replacement keycaps can offer a more ergonomic typing experience while also adding some flair to your setup.

Replacement keycaps come in various sizes, such as full-size 104-key capsets and smaller 60% (or 65%) cap sets for more compact keyboards. Common materials used for replacement keycaps include ABS plastic – the most common material found on stock keyboards – PBT plastic which offers better durability than ABS; POM plastic; rubber; metal; wood; acrylic, etc. Popular colors include black, white, red, blue and purple – but they often come in multicolored packages or with custom designs made of all sorts of colors.

Benefits

Benefits of Replacing Your Keyboard’s Stock Caps with Replacement Keycaps

Replacing your keyboard’s stock caps with replacement keycaps can bring a host of benefits. Not only are replacement keycaps often more comfortable to use, but they also provide an aesthetic upgrade that can give your keyboard a unique look and feel. Replacement keycaps come in a range of sizes, materials, colors, and designs, providing you with greater flexibility when it comes to customizing your setup.

One major benefit of replacing stock keycaps with replacement ones is that you can customize the look and feel of your keyboard based on your own preference. Replacement keycaps are available in many different shapes and sizes for full-size 104-key keyboards (or smaller 60% or 65% capsets).

Common materials used include ABS plastic which is found on stock keyboards; PBT plastic which offers better durability than ABS; POM plastic; rubber; metal; wood; acrylic, etc. Colors range from the typical black, white, red and blue to multicolored packages or custom designs made up of all sorts of colors. This allows you to tailor the look and feel of your keyboard to suit your personal preference.

Another benefit is improved comfort while typing or gaming. Replacement keycaps offer different design options such as low-profile keys or sculpted keys that fit the contours of your fingers better for improved ergonomic performance. Additionally, some materials like PBT plastic are more resistant to fading over time due to sweat or oils from fingers than ABS plastics commonly found on stock keyboards.

Replacement keycaps also provide increased durability compared to stock keycaps due to their tougher construction material like PBT plastics as well as their ability to resist fading from oils and sweat over time much better than ABS plastics commonly found on stock keyboards. This means that although replacement keycaps might cost slightly more upfront than standard ones, they will last longer so it could be seen as a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Finally, replacing your standard keyboard caps with replacement ones gives you the opportunity to add some flair and personality into your setup by allowing you choose from a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and materials not normally available on regular keyboards. For instance you could opt for light up LED backlit replacements that glow brightly when activated – something not possible with regular OEM options!

Popular Brands of Replacement Keycaps

When it comes to replacement keycaps, there are a few popular brands that stand out. Some of the most popular replacement keycap brands include Ducky, HyperX, Corsair, Tai-Hao, PBT Keycaps and WASD Keyboards.

Ducky is well known for their high quality ABS and PBT plastic replacement keycaps. Their caps come in a variety of sizes from full-size 104-key sets to 65% sets that give your keyboard a more compact look. They also offer a selection of double shot and dye sublimated caps with unique designs and colorways.

HyperX offers a wide range of colorful ABS replacements for any mechanical keyboard. Their Replacement Keycaps come in five different profiles – OEM, DSA, SA, XDA or MDA – allowing you to choose the one that best suits your hand position and typing style. They have several great looking colorways available with designs featuring words like “FPS” or “Game” that will add some personality to your setup.

Corsair has some stylish replacement keycap sets with font types like bold typeface or textured surfaces for enhanced grip during gaming sessions. These have an aluminum housing and feature laser etched legends making them more durable than traditional plastic keycaps while still being cost effective.

Tai-Hao provides contenders with colorful ABS Plastic Replacement Keycaps at an affordable price offering plenty of options when it comes to customizing your keyboard’s aesthetic look! Their Replacement Keycap Sets come in bright colors such as blue, yellow or pink as well as neutral colors like black or white for those who prefer subtlety over vibrant statements.

PBT Replacement Keycaps are perfect for anyone looking for superior durability without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics! This material is much less prone to fading compared to ABS plastics which makes them a great choice if you want long lasting performance and color retention over time. Available in several styles such as OEM Profile, DSA Profile and XDA Profile; these will give you plenty of options when picking the right set for your keyboard!

Lastly, WASD keyboards provide some amazing custom laser etched Replacement Keycap Sets that are designed specifically for their keyboards. Their Replacement Keysets can be customized with any font type, size or logo so you can create something truly unique that fits perfectly within your setup’s overall theme!

Considerations when Choosing Replacement Keycaps

When it comes to choosing Replacement Keycaps for your mechanical keyboard, there are several things to consider such as size, shape, material and color.

Size: Replacement keycaps come in various sizes from full-sized 104-key sets to 65% sets which are more compact. The size of the keycaps you choose is largely dependent on the size of your keyboard and how much space you have available for them.

Shape: Replacement keycaps are also made in different shapes like OEM Profile, DSA Profile, SA Profile and XDA Profile that cater to individual typing styles or hand positions. Generally speaking, OEM profile is the most common but some users prefer other profiles such as DSA or XDA which offer a lower profile height or greater surface area respectively.

Material: Replacement keycaps can be made from a variety of materials including ABS plastic which is the most common material used in stock keyboards; PBT plastic which offers better durability than ABS; POM plastic; rubber; metal; wood or acrylic depending on your preference. Be sure to read customer reviews if you’re unsure about what material would best suit your needs.

Color: Replacement keycaps come in a huge range of colors from basic blacks and whites to reds, blues and purples with multicolored packages available for those who want something truly unique! Some even feature custom designs with all sorts of colors so make sure you check out what’s out there before making your selection.

When it comes to selecting Replacement Keycaps for your keyboard, it’s important to bear these considerations in mind as they will play an integral part in deciding which set is best suited for you personally. Additionally, some Replacement Keycap Sets may include stabilizers that can help provide consistent typing experience when using larger keys such as space bar or enter keys while others may not include them at all – so make sure you read up on the product details carefully before buying!

Tips for Ensuring Replacement Keycap Fitment

When replacing Replacement Keycaps, it is important to ensure that the keycaps fit properly in order to prevent the risk of them becoming loose or slipping off during use. Here are some tips to help you make sure your Replacement Keycap Set fits snugly and securely:

1. Measure Your Keyboard: Before purchasing Replacement Keycaps, measure your keyboard’s layout carefully so you can be sure that the caps will fit correctly. Take into consideration not only the size of the keys but also their shapes as well as any extra elements such as stabilizers that may affect fitment.

2. Check Compatibility: Make sure that Replacement Keycaps are compatible with your particular type of switch and stabilizer before making a purchase. Different switches have different requirements when it comes to Replacement Keycap Sets, so doing some research or asking for advice from an expert may be necessary before deciding on a specific set!

3. Test Fitment: Once you have purchased Replacement Keycaps, perform a test fitting before attaching them permanently onto your keyboard. A good way to do this is by placing each individual keycap over its corresponding switch and then manually pressing down on it using just enough pressure to make sure they fit together properly without any excess force which could lead to damage.

4. Use Quality Parts: It is also important to use quality Replacement Keycaps along with high-grade parts like springs and stabilizers for better performance and greater longevity of your overall setup. Using low-quality components may result in problems such as misalignment or rattling when typing, plus it increases the chances of Replacement Keys slipping off due to poor fitment or manufacturing defects.

5. Clear Out Dust & Debris: Make sure that all dust and debris from within the keyboard has been cleared out prior to installing Replacement Keycaps as these can interfere with proper fitment. In addition, check for any missing plastic pieces inside the switch housings which could prevent Replacement Keys from sitting flush against their respective switches; if present, these should be replaced with new parts prior to installation!

In conclusion, ensuring proper Replacement Keycap Fitment requires some attention to detail; however following these tips should help you avoid common pitfalls when changing out keycaps on mechanical keyboards!

How to Install Replacement Keycaps

Installing Replacement Keycaps on a mechanical keyboard is easy, provided you have all the required tools and materials. Here are the steps to take for a successful Replacement Keycap installation:

1. Remove Existing Keycaps: The first step is to remove the existing keycaps from your keyboard – this can be done using a plastic or metal keycap puller designed specifically for this purpose. Simply insert the tool into the top of each keycap and gently tug until it pops off; it’s important to be careful here as applying too much pressure could damage the switch underneath or cause it to snap off from its stem!

2. Clean Switches & Stabilizers: Once all of the old keycaps have been removed, use a cloth and some rubbing alcohol to clean away any dust and debris that has accumulated in and around the switches, stabilizers, and other components of your keyboard. This will help ensure Replacement Keycaps fit securely when attached later on in the process.

3. Insert Replacement Keycaps: With all of the necessary parts now prepared, Replacement Keys can be inserted into their corresponding switches by simply pressing down until they click into place securely – make sure each Replacement Key is flush with its corresponding switch before moving onto another one. After all Replacement Keys are installed, check if they are lined up correctly before moving onto step four!

4. Replace Stabilizers & Check Fitment: Finally, replace any stabilizers that may have been damaged during removal or were not included with Replacement Keys originally in order to provide consistency when typing larger keys such as space bar or enter keys. Once everything is back in place, press down on each Replacement Key once more to make sure they are properly aligned and secure; this will ensure a consistent typing experience going forward!

That’s it! Installing Replacement Keycaps shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes depending on how many switches need attention but it’s important to take your time throughout each step so as not to damage any components in your keyboard or create an uneven typing experience due to misaligned keys. If done correctly though you should now have a new look for your setup as well as improved durability thanks to a better fitment between Replacement Keys and their respective switches!

Conclusion

Choosing Replacement Keycaps for your mechanical keyboard is an important step in ensuring that it will last you a long time and provide a comfortable typing experience. Taking the time to consider which keycap material, profile, layout, and color best fits your needs can go a long way towards creating a setup that looks great and performs even better. With this guide as reference, we hope you now have the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision when purchasing Replacement Keys – happy shopping!