ABS vs. PBT Keycaps: All You Should Know

When choosing keycaps, you may have found there are PBT keycaps and ABS keycaps. Do you know what exactly they are? In this article, we’ll dive into a detailed comparison to see which material—ABS or PBT—takes the crown.

What Are ABS Keycaps?

ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a common, cost-effective plastic known for its strong moldability. It’s easy to injection mold and supports various printing techniques, allowing for detailed legends and patterns to suit diverse design needs. So it's widely used in keycap manufacturing.

Key Characteristics of ABS Keycaps:

• Smooth and Shiny Surface: ABS keycaps typically feel smooth out of the box and can develop a glossy shine with use over time.
• Lightweight and Thin: ABS is often lighter than PBT, which can lead to a different typing feel and sound.
• Become glossy with prolonged use: One of the most noticeable downsides of ABS is that the surface can become glossy and greasy-looking with prolonged use.

What Are PBT Keycaps?

PBT stands for polybutylene terephthalate, one of the toughest engineering thermoplastics know for its durability, texture, and resistance to shine. PBT is a semi-crystalline material with very good chemical resistance, mechanical strength, electrical insulation properties and thermal stability.

Key Characteristics of PBT Keycaps:

• Textured Finish: PBT keycaps typically have a matte, grainy surface that feels solid and non-slippery.
• High Durability: PBT is highly resistant to heat, wear, and solvents, making these keycaps ideal for heavy use.
• Shine-Resistant: Unlike ABS, PBT keycaps don’t easily develop that glossy, worn-out look even after long-term use.
• Better Legend Retention: When paired with dye-sublimation or double-shot techniques, PBT legends stay crisp and won’t fade easily.

Orange on Black ISO DE Keycap Set (119-key)

ABS vs. PBT: Key Differences

ABS vs. PBT Keycaps Comparison Chart

Aspect	ABS Keycaps	PBT Keycaps
Sound Profile	Crisp, louder, and clickier sound; smoother texture amplifies sound	Thockier, deeper, more muted sound; thicker material absorbs more sound
Durability & Shine Resistance	Prone to oil shine and wear; characters may fade over time; sensitive to sweat/oil	Highly resistant to wear, shine, and fading; maintains look and feel for years
Typing Feel & Texture	Smooth and slightly slippery surface; may feel greasy over time	Matte and grainy texture with good grip; consistent tactile feedback
Appearance & Color	Bright colors, glossy finish, excellent for RGB shine-through	Matte colors, low-key aesthetic, limited light transmission
Price & Availability	Widely available and affordable; ideal for budget users; premium sets like GMK are rare and expensive	Generally more expensive than cheap ABS; widely available through major brands

1. Sound Profile

ABS keycaps: Usually have a smooth surface and a soft texture, and the sound when tapped is crisp and slightly louder. 

PBT keycaps: Usually have a frosted surface and are relatively harder and thicker, so the sound when tapped is thocky and more solid-sounding.

If you prefer a louder, clickier sound, you may enjoy ABS, if you like a muted, “thockier” sound, PBT is often the favorite—especially among custom keyboard enthusiasts.

2. Durability and Shine Resistance

ABS keycaps: Easily eroded by sweat and grease and are prone to surface wear and oiling after long-term use. The letters on the keycaps may also fade due to wear, but high-quality ABS keycaps can alleviate these problems to a certain extent.

PBT keycaps: Strong wear resistance and corrosion resistance and are not prone to oiling and fading after long-term use, and the characters are not easily worn out. 

3. Typing Feel and Texture

ABS keycaps: ABS keycaps are typically smooth to the touch, with a slick or even slightly slippery surface. The surface becomes smoother and shinier over time due to finger oils and wear, which can make the texture feel more greasy.

PBT keycaps: PBT keycaps have a noticeably grainy or matte finish, which provides more grip and a more tactile typing surface. Even after heavy use, PBT caps usually maintain their original surface texture.

If you're going for a “premium typing experience”, PBT is generally the better choice. If you’re after a lighter touch or RGB shine-through, ABS may suit you better.

4. Appearance and Color

ABS keycaps: Smooth surface, good gloss, rich color expression, can show bright colors, and strong light transmittance. They are often used to make translucent keycaps, which can show gorgeous light effects on backlit keyboards.

PBT keycaps: Usually have a matte texture with a frosted, grainy surface, look low-key and calm, and have relatively weak light transmittance.

5. Price and Availability

ABS keycaps: Some cheap ABS keycaps have an advantage are variety and price. Since they are mass-produced, they can be easily purchased and are also very cheap. On the other hand, high-end ABS keycap sets will be more difficult to find. GMK keycaps, the most sought-after ABS keycap brand in the keyboard world, are very difficult to buy new, especially customized designs. Users can only buy most of their keycap sets in limited-time group purchases.

PBT keycaps: PBT keycaps are higher than the cheap ABS keycaps because PBT is more difficult to mold, especially for double-shot or complex legends. And now PBT keycaps are widely sold by major brands. Also, you can find that most of our keycaps are made of PBT material.

Conclusion

PBT keycaps are durable and do not wear out or become shiny even after long-term use. ABS keycaps will become shiny over time, and the typing feel may deteriorate. So, which should you choose? The best way is to try both and see which one suits your personal preference. After all, beyond material, keycap profile, design and aesthetics often play a big role in the keycaps you’ll truly love.