# Top 5 Mechanical Keyboard Keycap Materials Compared: PBT, ABS, PC, POM & Resin
When you start building custom mechanical keyboards, the first decision isn't switches or case — it's keycaps. The material your keycaps are made from determines how they feel, sound, look, and how long they last.
After testing dozens of sets, we've ranked the five most common keycap materials so you can make the right choice for your build.
## 1. PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) — ⭐ Best All-Rounder
**Best for: Daily typing, gaming, anyone who wants keycaps that last.**
PBT is the gold standard for premium keycap sets — and it's the material we use for most KeycapsHub products.
**Pros:**
- **Never develops shine** — unlike ABS, PBT stays matte and textured even after thousands of hours of use
- **Legends never fade** — dye-sublimation bonds the ink into the plastic, so letters won't wear off
- **Deeper sound** — PBT produces a satisfying clack, not a hollow ping
- **Heat and impact resistant** — won't warp in transit or under intense gaming sessions
**Cons:**
- Slightly more expensive than ABS
- Limited color options compared to double-shot ABS (but dye-sub gives unlimited design flexibility)
- Can shrink during manufacturing (cheap PBT — quality PBT like ours is pre-shrunk)
**Best PBT Keycaps at KeycapsHub:** Our [Comic Style 2D PBT Keycaps](/products/comic-style-2d-pbt-keycaps-cherry-profile) and [Ukiyo-e Great Wave set](/products/ukiyo-e-great-wave-pbt-keycaps-side-printed-shine-through) are both thick PBT with dye-sub legends.
## 2. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) — ⭐ Budget Choice
**Best for: Budget builds, stock keyboards, double-shot color combinations.**
ABS is what 90% of stock keyboard keycaps are made from. It's cheap and easy to manufacture, but has one major flaw.
**Pros:**
- Lowest cost — great for tight budgets
- Double-shot molding allows bright, contrasting colors
- Wide variety of designs available
**Cons:**
- **Develops greasy shine** within 3-6 months of regular use
- Legends wear off if pad-printed (common on cheap sets)
- Thinner material makes a higher-pitched, hollow sound
- Less durable overall
**The Verdict:** ABS is fine for a starter keyboard, but the first upgrade most enthusiasts make is switching to PBT.
## 3. PC (Polycarbonate) — ⭐ Best for RGB Showcases
**Best for: RGB-heavy builds, transparent/look-through designs, light bars.**
Polycarbonate keycaps are completely transparent, making them the ultimate choice for showing off your RGB lighting.
**Pros:**
- 100% transparent — maximum RGB diffusion and glow
- Can be crystal clear or frosted
- Durable and impact-resistant
- Unique aesthetic you can't get with opaque materials
**Cons:**
- Legends can be harder to read in daylight (unless side-printed or dye-sub)
- Shows fingerprints and dust easily
- Tends to be more expensive
**Best PC Keycaps at KeycapsHub:** Our [Crystal Clear PC Keycaps](/products/crystal-clear-pc-keycaps) are the perfect RGB companion — 115 keys of full-transparent polycarbonate in Cherry profile.
## 4. POM (Polyoxymethylene / Delrin) — ⭐ Niche Choice
**Best for: Typists who want a slick, smooth feel.**
POM is self-lubricating, which gives it a unique slick feel under the fingers. It's rarely used for full keycap sets but is common for artisans and specialty builds.
**Pros:**
- Naturally slick and smooth — some typists love the feel
- Very durable and resistant to wear
- Low friction reduces finger fatigue
**Cons:**
- Very limited color options (usually black or white)
- Hard to find full keycap sets in POM
- Expensive per keycap
- Not compatible with RGB (no light transmission)
## 5. Resin (Cast Epoxy) — ⭐ Premium Artisan Choice
**Best for: Artisan keycaps, limited edition builds, display boards.**
Resin keycaps are hand-cast from epoxy, allowing incredible color combinations, inclusions (glitter, dried flowers, etc.), and sculpted designs.
**Pros:**
- Unlimited design possibilities — literally anything can be embedded
- Each keycap is a unique art piece
- Can mimic other materials (wood, stone, etc.)
- Popular collector's item
**Cons:**
- Extremely expensive ($20-100+ per single keycap)
- Not practical for full keyboard sets
- Inconsistent thickness and profile matching
- Can yellow over time with UV exposure
## Material Comparison Table
| Material | Durability | Feel | Sound | RGB | Price | Best For |
|----------|-----------|------|-------|-----|-------|----------|
| **PBT** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Matte, textured | Deep clack | OK (shine-through) | $$ | Daily use, gaming |
| **ABS** | ⭐⭐⭐ | Smooth, gets shiny | Higher-pitched | Great (double-shot) | $ | Budget builds |
| **PC** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Smooth, cool | Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$$ | RGB showcases |
| **POM** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Slick, lubricated | Medium-deep | ❌ | $$$$ | Typing specialists |
| **Resin** | ⭐⭐⭐ | Smooth, varied | Variable | ❌ | $$$$$ | Artisan collectors |
## Which Material Should You Choose?
- **If you're building your first custom keyboard:** Go with **PBT** — it's the safest, most durable, and best-value choice.
- **If RGB is your priority:** **PC (Polycarbonate)** keycaps will give you the brightest underglow effect.
- **If you're on a tight budget:** **ABS** is fine to start, but budget for a PBT upgrade later.
- **If you want one special keycap:** A hand-cast **resin** artisan keycap for your Escape or Enter key adds personality.
- **If you're a typing enthusiast:** Try **POM** for the slick, low-friction feel — but expect to hunt for a full set.
At KeycapsHub, we primarily use PBT and PC because they deliver the best balance of durability, feel, and value for our customers. Every set goes through QC inspection before shipping — no warped caps, no faded legends.
**Ready to upgrade?** Browse our [keycap collection](https://keycapshub.com/collections/all) and find your perfect set.
*— The KeycapsHub Team*