What is the difference between ABS and PBT keycaps?
ABS and PBT are materials chosen for keyboard keycaps. We have summarized the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each.
Modified at: 2025.7.14Posted at: 2024.10.31
Differences in Material and Durability
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), which are often used as materials for keyboard keycaps, are both plastic materials, but there are differences. ABS can be manufactured at a low cost but has low durability, while PBT excels in heat resistance and wear resistance, but the manufacturing cost is high and so is the price.
| ABS | PBT |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and soft Prone to shine with use | Highly durable, harder and heavier Less likely to shine Less likely to fade |
Therefore, for keyboards that are often used for a long period once purchased, there is a difference in durability.
Differences in Keystroke Feel
The differences as plastic materials also affect the keystroke feel.
| ABS | PBT |
|---|---|
| Slightly higher-pitched keystroke sound “Pachi-pachi” tactile feel when pressing keys | Lower “kata-kata” keystroke sound Solid keystroke feel |
It is good to remember that ABS has a light “pachi-pachi” sound, while PBT has a lower “kata-kata” sound.
Which is Better?
Basically, you can choose according to your preference
There are differences in durability as materials, but both materials are sufficiently durable for use as a keyboard, so it is best to choose based on your preference for keystroke feel and sound. You may think, “It’s just a difference in plastic...”, but when you actually use both, there is quite a difference. The “calm and solid keystroke feel” of PBT keycaps can be quite addictive once you try it.
On the other hand, some people prefer the “plasticky, cheap sound of ABS”, so this really comes down to preference.
If you want durability, PBT is better
Both have sufficient durability for normal use, but for business use where you type tens of thousands of times a day or for gaming use where you repeatedly press specific keys for hours, it is better to choose PBT keycaps.
With mechanical keyboards, you can replace only the keycaps if they break, but if you are going to spend money on replacement keycaps, it is more cost-effective to choose a keyboard with expensive PBT keycaps from the beginning, including the effort involved.