Ceramic Keycaps: An Expert Guide For Buyers

Let’s face the necessity of ceramic keycaps for the mechanical keyboard.

The term “ceramic keycaps” represents the functionality in the realm of mechanical keyboards. In this article, we’ll dive into the topic of ceramic keycaps.

What are ceramic keycaps?

Ceramic keycaps are one kind of keycap crafted from high-quality ceramic material, which offers extreme durability and a premium look. Traditional keycaps provide a cheap experience; on the other hand, ceramic keycaps provide refined texture and an elegant outlook.

Ceramic keycaps are also popular among keyboard enthusiasts and those users who want to customize their keyboards. Many artisans create unique and intricate designs on ceramic keycaps, making them a one-of-a-kind addition to any keyboard. 

How are ceramic keycaps made?

The manufacturing process for ceramic keycaps involves several steps. First, the alumina ceramic material is mixed with binders and additives to create a moldable paste. The paste is then molded into the desired keycap shape and dried. Once dry, the keycaps are fired at high temperatures to achieve extreme durability and impact resistance.

Benefits of Ceramic Keycaps

Ceramic keycaps have become so popular among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts for their unique features and elegant outlook. In this section, I will talk about the advantages of ceramic keycaps in terms of durability, aesthetics, and typing experience.

• Durability: Ceramic keycaps are made with high-quality material intended to make them more durable and resistant for daily use. From some sources, I found out that ceramic keycaps are made with alumina ceramic, which is a tough and dense material that can withstand high temperatures and pressure.

So in reality, ceramic keycaps are also resistant to impact and do not scratch easily, making them ideal for heavy use.

• Aesthetics: Ceramic keycaps are known for their smooth texture and premium feel. It’s very easy to find in different colors and varieties. On the other hand, it’s a great way to customize your keyboard and make it stand out from the rest.
• Typing Experience: The Ceramic Keycaps offer a unique typing experience for their smooth texture and elegant outlook. They provide satisfying tactile feedback and a soft sound when typing. The smooth surface of ceramic keycaps makes them easy to clean and maintain.

In summary, ceramic keycaps offer a range of benefits in terms of durability, aesthetics, and typing experience. 

How To Select Ceramic Keycaps?

When you are about to select ceramic keycaps, there are a few things to consider – that is the compatibility with your keyboard and to achieve the desired customization options.

• Compatibility with Keyboards

Ceramic keycaps are compatible with Cherry MX switches, which are one of the most popular mechanical switches on the market. It is important to ensure that the keycaps are compatible with the specific type of Cherry MX switch in your keyboard.

• Customization Options

Ceramic keycap offers a wide range of customization options, including color and legend options. They are available in a variety of colors, from classic black and white to vibrant colors like red, blue, and green.

In addition to color options, ceramic keycaps also offer legend options. Legends are the characters or symbols on the keycaps that indicate what function they perform.

How To Do Maintenance For Ceramic Keycaps?

Ceramic keycaps are a beautiful addition to any mechanical keyboard, but they require proper maintenance to keep them looking their best. Here are some tips to help you care for your ceramic keycaps:

• Regular Cleaning: Regular cleaning is essential for keeping your ceramic keycaps free of dust, grime, and fingerprints. To clean your keycaps, use a soft, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth. 

Be sure to dry them completely before reattaching them to your keyboard.

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Ceramic keycaps can crack or break if exposed to extreme temperatures. Avoid leaving your keyboard in direct sunlight or near a heat source, such as a radiator or heater. 
• Store Properly: When not in use, it’s important to store your ceramic keycaps properly. Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. 

• Use a Keycap Puller: When removing your keycaps for cleaning or storage, use a Keycap Puller to avoid damaging the keycaps or the switches. A keycap puller is a small tool that allows you to remove the keycaps without applying too much pressure.

Ceramic keycaps for gaming?

Ceramic Keycaps can be a great option for gamers who want a unique and durable typing experience. However, the high cost, weight, and limited selection make them a less practical choice for most gamers.

Cerakey Artisan Keycaps

Cerakey is a company that specializes in artisan ceramic keycaps. Their keycaps are made from Alumina ceramic, which is known for its hardness and durability. They offer a variety of colors and designs to choose from, although due to the artisan nature of the product, finding a full set might be difficult.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and scratch-resistant
• Unique thocky typing sound

Cons:

• Very expensive (individual keycaps can cost upwards of $50)
• Limited selection
• Heavy

Ceramic keycaps with legends

Ceramic Keycaps can be found with legends! These legends provide the lettering or symbols on the keycaps which makes them easier to read and use. 

These keycaps are made from Alumina ceramic, known for its hardness and durability. They come in a Cherry profile, which is a popular profile known for its comfortable typing experience, with over 114 keys to fit most full-sized keyboards. They are available in nine different colors, and most importantly, with the option for clear legends that won’t hinder the beautiful aesthetic of the ceramic.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and scratch-resistant
• Unique thocky typing sound
• Comes with clear legends for easy reading
• Multiple color options

Cons:

• Expensive (a full set can cost several hundred dollars)
• Heavy compared to plastic keycaps
• Limited availability compared to PBT keycaps

Ceramic keycaps with letters

Ceramic Keycaps with letters, also known as legends! These legends are the lettering or symbols printed on the keycaps that make them easier to read and use

These keycaps are made from Alumina ceramic, known for its hardness and durability. They come in a Cherry profile, which is a popular profile known for its comfortable typing experience, with over 114 keys to fit most full-sized keyboards. They are available in nine different colors, and most importantly, with the option for clear legends that won’t hinder the beautiful aesthetic of the ceramic.

Pros:

• Extremely durable and scratch-resistant
• Unique thocky typing sound
• Comes with clear legends for easy reading
• Multiple color options

Cons:

• Expensive (a full set can cost several hundred dollars)
• Heavy compared to plastic keycaps
• Limited availability compared to PBT keycaps

Ceramic keycaps vs PBT

Ceramic Keycaps vs PBT keycaps to help you decide which is better for you.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and budget. Consider how important factors like weight, sound, and cost are to you before making a decision.

Ceramic Keycaps Sound

Ceramic keycaps are known for producing a distinct typing sound that’s often described as deeper, richer, and thockier compared to PBT keycaps, the more common option. Here’s a breakdown of the ceramic keycap sound

Deeper: The sound has a lower pitch compared to PBT, which can sound a bit higher or clackier. This is because the denser ceramic material creates a different resonance when struck.

Richer: The sound is fuller and more bodied than PBT. This can be due to the ceramic material having less hollowness compared to plastic.

Thockier: This refers to a deeper, more muted sound with a bassy quality. It’s a desirable quality for many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, and ceramic keycaps excel at producing this satisfying thock.

YouTube Video For Ceramic Keycaps