The Best Keycap Materials for Smooth and Matte Finishes

The Best Keycap Materials for Smooth and Matte Finishes

When building a custom mechanical keyboard, the material of your keycaps plays a crucial role in the overall typing experience, durability, and aesthetics. Whether you're going for a smooth or matte finish, the material you choose will significantly impact how the keycaps feel under your fingers and how they wear over time. Let’s break down the best materials for both finishes to help you make an informed decision.

1. PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate): The Premium Choice for Both Smooth and Matte Finishes

PBT is one of the most popular materials used in keycap manufacturing, and for good reason. It’s known for its durability, resistance to wear, and the ability to maintain a consistent texture over time, making it an excellent choice for both smooth and matte finishes.

• Matte Finish: PBT keycaps often have a natural, slightly textured finish that makes them ideal for matte keycaps. They have a soft, non-glossy surface that resists oil and dirt, making them easier to maintain over time. Since PBT is more resistant to shine, it keeps its matte appearance longer, even with heavy use.

• Smooth Finish: While PBT is often associated with textured matte finishes, some high-quality PBT keycaps are also manufactured with a smooth surface. These smooth PBT keycaps still provide a durable, non-shiny look and feel, while offering a slightly different tactile experience than ABS or other smoother materials.

Pros of PBT:

• Extremely durable and resistant to wear
• Retains a matte appearance longer, even with heavy use
• Non-shiny surface that resists fingerprints
• Available in both matte and smooth finishes

Cons of PBT:

• Higher cost compared to other materials
• Can feel a bit heavier under your fingers due to its density

2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Affordable and Smooth

ABS is one of the most commonly used plastics for keycaps, especially in budget builds. It’s lighter and less dense than PBT, which means it’s typically cheaper but comes with trade-offs in terms of durability. ABS is often used for smooth finishes because of its natural glossy and slick texture.

• Matte Finish: ABS keycaps generally don't have the same matte look as PBT. However, some ABS keycaps are manufactured with a matte coating or texture that can reduce the shiny, plastic-like appearance. These are more likely to develop a "shine" over time from the oils on your fingers, so they require more maintenance to retain their matte look.

• Smooth Finish: ABS keycaps are ideal for smooth finishes. Their glossy, slick surface provides a fast, responsive typing experience, and they tend to reflect light well, making them a good choice for RGB backlit keyboards. However, they’re more prone to developing a shiny sheen from prolonged use.

Pros of ABS:

• More affordable than PBT
• Lighter and easier to type on for some users
• Provides a shiny, smooth texture that’s great for those who like a slick feel
• Often used for custom designs due to its ease of molding

Cons of ABS:

• Less durable, tends to shine and wear out over time
• More prone to showing fingerprints and oil
• Not ideal for matte finishes as they lose their non-shiny look quickly

3. POM (Polyoxymethylene): Smooth, Durable, and Premium

POM, also known as acetal, is a high-performance engineering plastic that is gaining popularity in the mechanical keyboard community. Known for its smoothness and durability, POM is often used for both smooth and matte finishes in premium keycap sets.

• Matte Finish: POM has a very smooth yet slightly textured feel, but it can also be molded into a matte finish. The matte POM keycaps retain a soft, non-glossy appearance that resists dirt and oil, and they are highly resistant to wear. They tend to have a high-quality, professional appearance and feel.

• Smooth Finish: POM keycaps are ideal for a smooth finish, providing a luxurious, slick typing surface. These keycaps feel extremely smooth to the touch, with a consistent texture that helps minimize friction and offer a very satisfying typing experience. Additionally, they don’t tend to develop shine quickly, making them a great long-term option for smooth finishes.

Pros of POM:

• Very smooth and consistent feel
• Durable and resistant to wear
• Less prone to developing shine
• Ideal for both matte and smooth finishes

Cons of POM:

• More expensive than ABS
• Can feel slippery for some users, especially in matte finishes

4. ABS + PBT Hybrid: The Best of Both Worlds

Some high-end keycap sets feature a hybrid material blend of ABS and PBT to combine the best qualities of both. These hybrid keycaps often have PBT used for the keycap top (which typically faces the user) and ABS for the bottom (the part inside the switch), helping balance durability, feel, and cost.

• Matte Finish: Hybrid keycaps with a PBT top and ABS bottom can offer a durable, matte surface while still providing an affordable price point. The PBT portion resists shine and wear, while the ABS portion contributes to the overall structure and cost-effectiveness.

• Smooth Finish: In hybrid sets, the ABS portion often creates a smooth, shiny surface on the bottom of the keycaps, while the PBT top keeps the overall feel of the keycap smooth and durable.

Pros of ABS + PBT Hybrid:

• Balances durability with affordability
• Retains a matte finish longer than pure ABS keycaps
• Can offer the best of both worlds for both matte and smooth finishes

Cons of ABS + PBT Hybrid:

• Not as durable as pure PBT or POM keycaps
• The hybrid nature can sometimes lead to inconsistent quality

5. Silicone: Soft, Smooth, and Unique

For those who prioritize comfort and a unique feel, silicone keycaps are an option, though they’re not as common as PBT or ABS. Silicone is soft to the touch, offering a different typing experience compared to harder materials.

• Matte Finish: Silicone keycaps tend to have a soft, matte-like appearance because of their rubbery surface, which naturally resists oil and dirt. They provide a very different tactile experience, often favored by those looking for a softer, quieter keyboard.

• Smooth Finish: The smooth texture of silicone keycaps provides a soft, cushioned typing experience, though some may find it less precise for fast typing or gaming.

Pros of Silicone:

• Extremely comfortable and soft to the touch
• Very quiet typing experience
• Resists oil and fingerprints effectively

Cons of Silicone:

• Less durable than PBT or ABS
• Soft and can feel less responsive for some users
• Limited design options, often not suitable for RGB setups

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Material

The material you choose for your keycaps will depend on your preferences for durability, feel, and finish. Here’s a summary of which materials work best for each finish:

• Best Materials for Matte Finish:

  • PBT: Extremely durable, resists shine, and maintains a non-glossy finish for longer periods.
  • POM: High durability, smooth feel with a subtle matte appearance.
  • ABS + PBT Hybrid: Combines affordability and durability, offering a matte finish that lasts longer than pure ABS.

• Best Materials for Smooth Finish:

  • PBT: Smooth PBT keycaps are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to shine.
  • ABS: Provides a shiny, slick feel ideal for those who enjoy a smooth typing experience, but wears out faster.
  • POM: The best material for a high-end smooth feel that resists shine and wear.

Ultimately, the key is to select a material that fits your typing style, desired aesthetics, and budget. Whether you prefer the durability of PBT or the glossy finish of ABS, there’s a perfect keycap material out there for your custom keyboard build.