ABS vs PBT Keycaps | Comparing Keycap Materials, Pros & Cons

Most people focus on switches when modding their keyboards, but the keycaps sitting on those switches also deserve your attention. They are the part of the keyboard that you actually touch, after all! 

ABS and PBT are the most common plastics used to make keycaps. They are available in a full spectrum of colors and designs, from blank minimalism to vibrant, dye-sublimated prints. Different keycap shapes, known as 'profiles,' add even more customization options for height, angle, and surface shape.

Keycaps aren't just about aesthetics, though. Profiles and materials play a significant role in your keyboard's overall typing feel, which really matters when you use your keyboard regularly for long hours. 

What are ABS Keycaps

ABS keycaps are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, an affordable thermoplastic. ABS is popular in consumer electronics and other industries because it is easy to use with mass-production techniques. Most cheap office keyboards are built with ABS keycaps in an ABS housing. 

ABS keycaps have a smooth, comfortable texture that allows your fingers to slide easily between keys. ABS is a lighter material than PBT, and most manufacturers use an average wall thickness of 1.0-1.2mm, which results in a lighter keycap. 

Because it is easy to blend color into ABS, keycaps are available in a range of vibrant colors and designs with complex, detailed legends. 

Pros of ABS Keycaps

Cost-Effective

Because ABS is so widely used and easy to work with, it is cheaper than PBT plastic. ABS keycaps tend to be more affordable and available, making them popular with budget-conscious keyboard modders. 

Smooth and Comfortable Feel

Keycaps made from ABS have a smooth, comfortable feel to their surfaces. Many people prefer the smooth surface over the matte, textured surface of PBT. 

Vibrant Colors and Legends 

ABS plastic is less dense than PBT, which makes it easier to add and modify colors during the manufacturing process. ABS keycaps are available in a wider range of colors and designs than PBT keycaps.

Good for Backlit Keyboards

ABS plastic can be made transparent during production with a simple chemical modification. It is a good choice for boosting the visible keycap glow in backlit keyboards with illuminated legends and RGB lighting systems. 

Lightweight

ABS is a lighter material than PBT, which makes ABS keycaps lighter overall. Most ABS keycap walls are 1mm thick, while PBT keycaps are usually 1.5mm thick. Lighter keycaps have a slightly different typing feel with faster rebound.

Variety of Surface Finishes

Most ABS keycaps have a smooth surface, but they can be customized with different surface finishes during production, including glossy, matte, and textured options. 

Cons of ABS Keycaps

Prone To Shine and Wear

ABS is a softer plastic than PBT, so the keycap surface wears down over time, changing its texture to a shiny, greasy finish. This can also cause printed and engraved legends to fade. 

Less Durable

ABS keycaps are less durable, especially after regular cleaning and heavy use over extended periods of time. Fading, cracks, and scratches will develop more quickly. 

Can Feel Cheap or Flimsy

Manufacturers often use thin 1mm walls for ABS keycaps, which can feel cheap and flimsy compared to thicker 1.5mm keycaps made from denser PBT. 

Less Resistant to Heat and Chemicals

ABS is a thermoplastic that warps quickly next to high heat sources. Some cleaning chemicals can also cause fading and brittleness, and the UV radiation in natural sunlight can have a similar effect. 

What Are PBT Keycaps?

PBT keycaps are made from polybutylene terephthalate, a strong and durable thermoplastic with a higher density than ABS. PBT manufacturing is more complicated and expensive than ABS, so it is not a common choice for mass-market keyboards. 

Keycaps made from PBT have a more solid feel, thanks to PBT's higher density. Manufacturers typically make PBT keycaps slightly thicker at 1.5mm than the 1.0-1.2mm used with ABS. PBT's matte surface is resistant to wear, so you don't have to worry about surface shine developing over time. 

Pros of PBT Keycaps

Exceptional Durability

The most significant advantage of PBT keycaps is that they are more durable than comparable ABS designs. They are much more resistant to daily wear and tear from regular usage. 

Premium Textured Feel

PBT is typically finished with a slightly textured keycap surface. This creates a more noticeable, tactile typing surface compared to the smooth finish that is commonly used on ABS keycaps. Some gamers find that PBT's texture provides a more responsive key feel. 

Resistant to Shine and Fading 

PBT is much more chemical-resistant than ABS, including the oils that your skin produces. This prevents unwanted shine and other surface changes from developing over time. 

Excellent Color Retention

UV light can fade most plastics over time, but PBT is more resistant to the effects of UV damage than ABS plastic. This preserves the original colors and designs for much longer. 

Denser and Heavier Feel

Keycaps made from PBT are heavier than comparable ABS models because PBT is a denser material. This small amount of extra weight creates a more solid key feel than lightweight ABS keycaps. 

Sound Dampening

Denser materials are also better at dampening sound. PBT keycaps have a deeper, more muted tone than the high-pitched clack created by ABS keycaps. 

Cons of PBT Keycaps

Higher Cost

While PBT's high density and excellent durability are great for gamers, they also make it more challenging to work with. Inevitably, this makes PBT keycaps more expensive to produce, which pushes the price point higher for the customer.

Limited Customization

Those same properties also make it harder to produce vibrant colors and complex designs. As PBT becomes more popular, more models will become available, but there are many more ABS designs on the market. 

ABS vs PBT Keycaps: Which Is Best for Different Uses?

1. Gaming

ABS Keycaps

Lighter keycap weight may give a slight advantage in fast-paced games, and the smooth surface makes it easy to slide your fingers from key to key. 

PBT Keycaps

For most gamers, PBT is a better choice thanks to its durability and resistance to shine. The added surface texture can also help boost precision by preventing your fingers from sliding. 

2. Typing and Office Work

ABS Keycaps

Many typists consider the smooth surface of ABS keycaps more comfortable for extended typing sessions. 

PBT Keycaps

PBT keycaps are much more durable and better suited to heavy daily use without developing the classic 'ABS shine.' They also offer a more precise finger grip for typing accuracy.

3. Customization and Aesthetics

ABS Keycaps

These keycaps are better suited to vibrant colors and highly detailed custom legends. They are also the better choice for keyboards with backlight systems. 

PBT Keycaps

The difficulties of coloring PBT during production mean there are fewer aesthetic choices, with more muted colors. PBT also cannot be made 100% transparent, so it will block some of the glow from your backlight. 

4. Long-Term Use (Durability)

ABS Keycaps

ABS is unsuited for long-term usage. The surface degrades over time, and the colors and legends can fade from UV light and cleaning chemicals. 

PBT Keycaps

Durability is the biggest selling point of PBT keycaps. They are resistant to wear and tear from daily use and highly resistant to UV and chemicals. 

5. Budget Builds

ABS Keycaps

ABS is cheaper to manufacture, making it more affordable. It is a popular choice for budget keyboard builds. 

PBT Keycaps

PBT keycaps are typically more expensive than ABS, although they are becoming more affordable as the demand grows.

Conclusion

ABS and PBT are two popular keycap materials, and each has its pros and cons. ABS keycaps are available in more colors and styles while staying affordable, but they are less durable and develop surface shine over time. PBT keycaps are much more durable and do not develop surface shine, but they are also more expensive, with fewer models available.

As with most keyboard modding projects, the "best" choice for you depends on your personal preference and what you value most: durability, style, or cost. 

ABS vs PBT Keycaps | Comparing Keycap Materials, Pros & Cons I FAQs

Do ABS or PBT Keycaps Sound Different?

Yes, ABS and PBT keycaps create different sounds when typing. ABS keycaps are usually thinner and create a 'clacky' sound with a higher pitch. PBT is a denser material, and PBT keycaps tend to be 1.5mm or thicker, which helps to create a deeper, more muted sound. 

Can You Replace ABS Keycaps with PBT Keycaps?

Yes, you can replace ABS keycaps with PBT keycaps. The crucial thing is to make sure you use keycaps with the correct stem shape. Most keycaps on the market use the Cherry MX stem type, but you will need different keycaps for Topre and Alps switches. 

Which is Better for Backlit Keyboards, ABS or PBT?

ABS is the better choice for backlit keyboards since it can be made transparent during the production process. This provides much better light transmission than PBT, which cannot be made completely transparent in the same way.