When it comes to customizing your mechanical keyboard, the keycaps are an important part of the process. Keycaps come in different shapes and sizes, with different profiles and materials, and can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your keyboard. In this article, we’ll be discussing five different types of keyboard keycaps: Cherry, OEM, SA, DSA, and XDA.
- Cherry keycaps
Cherry keycaps are the most common type of keycaps found on mechanical keyboards. They’re named after Cherry, the German company that invented the Cherry MX switch, which is widely used in mechanical keyboards. Cherry keycaps have a cylindrical shape with a flat top surface, and they come in different heights, including low profile, medium profile, and high profile.
- OEM keycaps
OEM keycaps are another popular type of keycap found on mechanical keyboards. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and these keycaps are usually produced by the same company that manufactures the keyboard. OEM keycaps have a similar shape to Cherry keycaps but have a more pronounced curve on the top surface. They’re often made of ABS plastic and come in a variety of colors and designs.
- SA keycaps
SA keycaps are a type of keycap that has a spherical shape with a very high profile. SA stands for “Spherical All” and refers to the fact that all the keycaps in a set have the same spherical profile. SA keycaps have a distinctive retro look and feel and are often used in custom keyboard builds. They’re typically made of high-quality ABS plastic or PBT plastic and are available in a variety of colors and designs.
- DSA keycaps
DSA keycaps are a type of keycap that has a uniform spherical shape with a low profile. DSA stands for “Durable Spherical Alphabet” and is designed to be compatible with a wide range of keyboards. DSA keycaps are often used in compact keyboard builds or on ortholinear keyboards. They’re typically made of high-quality PBT plastic and are available in a variety of colors and designs.
- XDA keycaps
XDA keycaps are a relatively new type of keycap that has a uniform cylindrical shape with a low profile. XDA stands for “Xpress Delivery Aluminum” and is designed to provide a fast typing experience. XDA keycaps are often used in custom keyboard builds and are made of high-quality PBT plastic. They’re available in a limited range of colors and designs but are gaining popularity due to their unique look and feel.
In conclusion, choosing the right keycaps for your mechanical keyboard can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your keyboard. Whether you prefer the retro look of SA keycaps, the uniformity of DSA keycaps, or the fast typing experience of XDA keycaps, there’s a type of keycap out there for everyone.
