Don’t Mix Keycap Sets Until You Read This
Summary
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Stick to a single key profile, as mixing profiles can cause tactile irregularities.
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Match keycap materials, as different plastics and printing techniques change the feel and sound of the keyboard.
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Choose keycaps from the same manufacturer or product line to maintain consistency in sound, style and feel.
If you own a mechanical keyboard, you’ve probably thought about mixing key sets: whether it’s a few accent keys or a full mix, it’s a fun way to make your keyboard unique. However, before we begin, let’s go over a few key points to ensure your mix is perfect.
Keys are available in different shapes and sizes
Depending on how deep into the keyboard rabbit hole you are, you may be aware that keys come in many different profiles. A key profile refers to the overall shape and height of the key, which directly affects the feel you get when you type. Contour, height, and angle are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a set of keycaps.
The most common profiles are OEM, Cherry, SA, DSA and XDA. OEM and Cherry are probably the ones you are most familiar with, as they are the most popular. Both have a mid-height and sculpted shape that makes them comfortable to type on. The main difference is that Cherry is thinner, has a less steep angle, and looks more consistent between rows, while OEM is slightly taller with a slightly steeper slope.
In contrast, XDA and DSA offer a very different typing experience. These keycaps have a uniform row height and angle, giving a flatter, more consistent feel across the entire keyboard. XDA is slightly larger and has a larger, more spherical top, providing more surface area for your fingers, while DSA feels a little snappier and more precise.
The SA key profile is one of a kind. Just like Cherry and OEM, SA keycaps are sculpted, but they are significantly larger and bulkier. This helps them achieve a super thick sound profile, but the SA keys may seem difficult to type for some people.
Please remember that this is just a general overview of the most popular keycap profiles and should provide you with a reference point for purchasing other types, such as KAT, MT3, MDA, ASA, etc. As long as your keyboard uses switches with a standard MX-style shaft, these keycaps should be interchangeable.
The important thing to know is that not all key profiles will feel right if you mix them blindly. For example, going from a sculpted profile like Cherry to a flat profile like XDA can seem jarring, even though their relative heights aren’t drastically different.
This inconsistent height between individual keys or rows creates tactile unevenness, much like a “rickety staircase.” The distance between lines seems uneven, and you’ll notice abrupt dips and spikes when you type quickly. I tried mixing all kinds of key profiles in different positions, and honestly it never felt as smooth as using a single profile across the board.
To complicate matters further, even if an online set claims to be a specific profile, it doesn’t always strictly match the dimensions of other sets. Even a few millimeters of difference between adjacent keys can create an awkward tactile mismatch, which defeats the purpose of profile blending.
This is why I highly recommend sticking to the same key profile and, to avoid manufacturer discrepancies, sticking with a manufacturer you like, if possible.
Keycap materials and finishes don’t always blend together
While key profile is probably the most important thing to consider when mixing and matching keycaps, it’s not the only factor. Keycaps can be made from many different materials, with the most popular being PBT, ABS, and to a much lesser extent POM.
A few niche materials like wood, resin, and metal can also be used for keys, but these are usually reserved for one or two accent keys, such as Escape and Enter (and these can usually be mixed and matched as you like).
While mixing the same profile using different materials is good, it will not guarantee a consistent typing experience using the same type of material. ABS is more slippery, while PBT is generally more matte.
However, while material is relevant for long-term use, it does not alone determine the finish when the keycaps are new. The manufacturer can polish a grainy PBT keycap to make it smooth, or texture the ABS to make it more like PBT when new. I personally don’t like mixing materials, as I find it creates an unpleasant tactile sensation, but it’s not as bad a problem as mixing different profiles.
Another thing I should point out is the method used to apply the legends (letters and symbols) on the keycaps, such as double-shot, dye, UV printing, laser engraving, etc. While it doesn’t matter much, it’s worth noting that not all double shot keycaps are created equal, which can drastically impact the sound of the keycaps.
For example, dual injection keycaps use two pieces of plastic: one for the legend and one for the exterior. Some double-injection keycaps use only a small piece of plastic at the top for the legend, while others use a partial or full double-injection process, meaning the two plastics are fused everywhere, not just at the top.
To show you what I mean, compare these three key types in the image below.
The reason why the keycaps are made this way is to save material and, therefore, costs. As you might expect, a keycap with less plastic is lighter and sounds hollower, so it’s best to try to source fully injected keycaps, although determining the injection type from online listings alone isn’t always possible.
If you don’t pay attention and mix, say, Cherry profile keycaps that look and feel similar on the surface but have different injection amounts, you may notice a subtle sound inconsistency from key to key that’s hard to identify. Now that you know about this little-known quirk, it will be much easier to make your keyboard sound consistent.
Stick to one product line for best results
When mixing keys, consistency is key (pun intended). This is how you’ll get the best results in sound, style and feel. To make your life easier, buy keycap sets from the same manufacturer and, ideally, from the same product line. This way you will know everything from profile to materials and legend application is equal.
For example, the KeyKobo Sacred Timeline and the KeyKobo Soju R2 are made by the same manufacturer, are made of double-injected ABS and have Cherry profile keys. If you like both sets, you can buy them and mix them however you like, and they will still look cohesive.
- Form factor
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Full size
- Keys
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ABS
The KeyKobo Sacred Timeline is a Cherry profile ABS keycap set inspired by the TVA layout from the Loki TV show. It features retro-futuristic novelties and 1970s-inspired colors. The keycaps use triple-shot subcaptions for alphas, double-shot and pad-printed novelties, and are compatible with MX-style switches.
Mixing keys is a great way to breathe new life into your mechanical keyboard. If you already own a few sets of keycaps and want to make do with what you have, pay close attention to the nuances outlined above. This way, you can create a unique keyboard without compromising the typing feel or sound. Have fun swapping keys!
