Choosing the Right Type for Your Keyboard
Are PBT keycaps worth it? Yes, they do. In the Canadian digital market, users prefer PBT keycaps over ABS keycaps. PBT keycap is known for its anti-shine properties, improved feel, and enhanced durability. It is essential for an improved typing experience on mechanical keyboards. These features make PBT keycaps a worthy solution for tech enthusiasts, typists, and gamers. You opt for keycaps according to your regional needs. While living in Canada or another developed country, you must consider durability, aesthetics, and typing speed.
Do you want to upgrade your typing experience? Don't forget to choose the best one. First, understand PBT vs. ABS keycaps. Mechanical keyboards are becoming more popular in Canada every day. Most Canadian users opt for PBT keycaps because of their unique textural features and superior durability. These keycaps will boost your workspace’s performance and aesthetic appeal, whether used for typing, gaming, or customization.
Understanding Keycaps
A keycap is a removable cover made of metal, plastic, or other material. It is attached to the key switch of a mechanical keyboard and displays an alphanumeric character or key function. Keycaps are significant to a keyboard as they help users click on the keys to play games or type. They also transform the overall user experience, such as the sound, feel, and look. Keycaps impact customization, keyboard layout, typing experience, and durability.
Mechanical keyboard keycaps are designed from two plastics: acrylonitrile butadiene sterile and polybutylene terephthalate. Their texture, durability, and price are different. Let's discuss their key differences:
PBT is a more durable and powerful plastic than ABS. PBT keycaps, a type of thermoplastic polymer, are also more resistant to Ultraviolet light and degradation. They wear evenly and more slowly than ABS keycaps. Their slightly rougher surface finish ensures pleasant typing. However, ABS is a more affordable and versatile plastic than PBT. ABS keycaps are widely used because they're recyclable. As ABS keycaps are more prone to degradation, choose PBT keycaps as a Canadian citizen.
Keycap Materials
- PBT Keycaps
PBT, or polybutylene terephthalate, keycaps are the Best keycap materials. These keycaps are known for their longevity. Vibrant keycaps lose their color over time due to UV rays. Being resistant to UV rays and degradation, PBT keycaps will keep their color and shine along with their matte finish. They are often more textured and thicker than ABS keycaps. Keycaps with smooth or grainy textures are preferred more among Canadian users.
ABS vs PBT in keycaps
|
PBT Keycaps |
ABS Keycaps |
Durability |
More durable and resistant to wear over time |
Less durable and prone to wear over time |
Texture |
Textured and sometimes sandy feel |
Smooth surface |
Shine |
Matte finish |
Shiny appearance |
Thickness |
Thicker, usually 1.5mm |
Thinner, usually 1.2mm |
Printing |
Legends are less likely to fade or wear off over time |
Printing on a surface can be easily rubbed away with the use |
Manufacturing |
More difficult to produce and typically more expensive |
Easier to mold and lower cost, commonly used for mass-produced |
Acoustics |
Deeper "thicker" sound |
Higher pitched sound |
Choosing the Right Keycap: Factors to Consider
Both PBT and ABS are keycaps. But their characteristics are unique. Consider the following important features while choosing keycaps:
- Material:
The material used for manufacturing keycaps matters a lot. It can affect durability, texture, and budget. For instance, PBT is usually preferred over ABS because it's more robust and stiffer and doesn't create a shiny effect with use. Rubber keycaps are quieter and softer than PBT or ABS. However, these rubber keycaps can be more difficult to clean and less durable.
- Profile:
Keycaps are available with multiple profiles, such as uniform or sculpted. Uniform profiles are offered with keys of the same shape and height. At the same time, the sculpted profiles have different keycap angles and heights. The height of your keys also matters as it can affect how far your fingers reach them. For smaller hands, shorter profiles are suggested. In contrast, larger hands might choose keys with a wide contact surface.
- Legend type:
It measures the significance of the aesthetics and durability of the legends.
- Durability
Premium materials such as POM and PBT contribute to the mechanical keyboard’s long lifespan and durability. For gaming purposes, you must prefer durable keycaps.
- RGB lighting:
This feature is completely personalized whether you want RGB lighting on your keycaps.
- Customization:
You can customize the color, shape, size, and material of your keycaps. It will make your keyboard more comfortable and upgrade your experience.
- Typing experience:
How do the keycaps make you feel whenever you type? A textured keycap surface can make keys "grippy" under the fingertips and will maximize your typing speed.
- Sound profile
The acoustic feature of a mechanical keyboard is dependent on the keycap materials.
Conclusion
Keycaps are used in mechanical keyboards to elevate your typing and gaming experience. The keycaps are made up of different materials. The material will depict the durability, color, customization, and other key features. Opting for PBT keycaps over ABS keycaps will prove to be the Best keycap material for Canadian citizens. It will elevate the durability of your mechanical keyboard and offer a more comfortable typing experience.
Get rid of lower-quality options available in keycaps. Get these PBT Custom keycaps Canada. A favorable option is a PBT keycap with anti-shine properties, elevated durability, and improved feel. It will help you to boost your typing speed on mechanical keyboards. Undoubtedly, it is best for typists, tech enthusiasts, and gamers. PBT vs ABS keycaps are explained in depth. Now, it's your turn to have a personal experience.