Best keycaps: PBT, cute pastel and GMK sets by budget

New keycaps are the cheapest way to change how a mechanical keyboard looks, feels and sounds. A good PBT set resists the shiny, greasy look that cheap ABS caps get, and a pastel or themed set can tie a whole desk together. This guide groups popular keycap sets by tier and explains how to make sure a set fits before you buy.

We write from manufacturer specifications, published reviews and documentation. We have not hands-on tested the products mentioned. Colors vary by listing; check the color name before you buy.

Will these keycaps fit my keyboard?

Check three things before you buy any keycap set.

• Stem type. Every set here uses the cross-shaped MX-style stem, which fits Cherry MX switches and most clones (Gateron, Kailh, Akko and most hot-swap boards). Many magnetic, Hall effect and optical gaming boards also use MX-style stems, but low-profile keyboards, Logitech GL low-profile switches and laptop-style keyboards do not. Check your keyboard’s manual or product page.
• Layout and bottom row. A full-size “104/105-key” set covers standard ANSI (US) or ISO (UK) boards. Compact 60%, 65% and 75% boards often need a shorter right Shift, extra 1u keys or a smaller spacebar, so look for a set that lists your layout. “Standard bottom row” means a 6.25u spacebar with 1.25u modifiers; some gaming boards use a non-standard bottom row and will not fit those keys.
• Profile. Profile is the shape and height of each row. Cherry is low and sculpted, and is the most common enthusiast profile. OEM is a little taller and is what most prebuilt keyboards ship with. SA is tall and rounded, with a retro look. XDA and DSA are flat and uniform, so every key fits any row. ASA-Low is a lowered take on SA. Taller profiles look dramatic but take getting used to.

PBT or ABS? PBT plastic is harder and resists shine. ABS (used by GMK) gives very rich color and sharp doubleshot legends but can shine over time. Doubleshot means the legend is a second molded layer of plastic, so it never wears off. Dye-sublimated legends are dyed into PBT and also last, but cannot be shine-through for RGB.

Budget keycaps

Razer PBT Keycap Upgrade Set. A 120-key doubleshot PBT set for standard 104/105-key US and UK layouts, with backlight-friendly legends. Razer sells it in Classic Black, Mercury White, Razer Green and Quartz Pink.

Corsair PBT Double-Shot PRO (Arctic White). Doubleshot PBT with 1.5 mm thick walls, a textured surface and O-ring dampeners that soften bottom-out noise. It needs a standard bottom row.

HyperX Pudding Keycaps 2 (Pink). A 112-key doubleshot PBT set with translucent “pudding” sides that let RGB glow around each key. It includes extra keys for 65% and 75% boards and needs a standard bottom row. It is a quick way to add pink to the cute gaming setup.

Mid-range keycaps

Keychron Cherry Profile Double-Shot PBT Full Set (Black on White). A large Cherry-profile set with 1.5 mm PBT walls, covering layouts from 60% to full-size in ANSI and UK ISO. The legends are not shine-through.

Akko Cupid SA Profile Keycap Set. A 117-key dye-sublimated PBT set in three shades of pink, with tall, rounded SA keys. It suits a retro or kawaii look but will feel taller than a stock keyboard.

Akko Black & Pink Keycap Set (ASA-Low). A 155-key doubleshot PBT set in a lowered ASA profile, with extra keys for HHKB and Alice layouts. Akko notes ASA-Low can interfere with some switches that have a backlit condenser, such as TTC Demon and Princess.

Premium keycaps

Drop + MiTo GMK Pulse (Base Kit). A 163-key GMK set in doubleshot ABS and the original Cherry profile, with black alphas and turquoise modifiers. GMK is the German maker whose sets are the reference point for enthusiast keycaps. It sits in the premium tier based on its launch price at Drop.

Drop GMK White-on-Black. A classic GMK doubleshot ABS set in Cherry profile, with crisp white legends on black. It suits almost any board color.

Pairing keycaps with a keyboard

If you are still choosing the keyboard, see our best gaming keyboards guide. Boards with MX-style stems and a standard layout are the easiest to restyle. For a full pink or pastel desk, start with the cute gaming setup guide and match the keycaps to your mouse and desk mat.

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FAQ

Will these keycaps fit a Razer, Logitech or SteelSeries keyboard? It depends on the switch stem and bottom row. Razer’s set is designed for Razer mechanical and optical boards with standard layouts. Logitech GL low-profile boards and many low-profile keyboards will not take standard keycaps. Check your keyboard’s documentation first.

Do I need a keycap puller? Yes, pull keys straight up with a wire puller to avoid damaging stems or switches. Many sets include one; check the listing.

Are shine-through keycaps better for RGB? Shine-through legends let the backlight show through the letters. Pudding sets glow around each key instead. Non-shine-through sets, such as dye-sub PBT, look cleaner but hide the legend lighting.

Verdict

For a first upgrade, the Razer, Corsair and HyperX sets give doubleshot PBT at a low price. The Keychron set covers the most layouts, and the two Akko sets are the pick for a pink or pastel desk. GMK sets are for enthusiasts who want the classic Cherry-profile look and color.