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ABS and PBT are the two plastics almost every keycap set is made from, and the one you pick changes how your keyboard feels, sounds, and ages. Get it right and a set lasts years looking new. Get it wrong and your most-used keys go greasy and shiny within months. Here is the short version, then the detail that actually matters when you are choosing a set.
⚡ Quick answer
Buy PBT if you want keycaps that stay matte, resist the greasy shine that develops with use, and give a deeper sound. It is the better daily driver and the default pick for most people. Buy ABS if you want the brightest colours, the best RGB shine-through, or the lowest price, and you do not mind the tops polishing to a gloss over time. Neither is strictly better; they suit different priorities.
What ABS and PBT actually are
Both are just plastics. ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the cheaper, softer, more common one, easy to mould in bright colours and used on most stock keycaps. PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) is harder, denser, and more heat-resistant, which makes it more durable and gives it a slightly textured surface. That single difference in hardness drives almost everything below: how they feel, how they wear, and how they sound.
ABS vs PBT at a glance
| ABS | PBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel when new | Smooth, slightly slick | Lightly textured, grippy |
| Over time | Develops a glossy shine | Stays matte for years |
| Sound | Brighter, higher-pitched | Deeper, more muted (thock) |
| Durability | Good | Better |
| Colour & RGB | Vivid, great shine-through | More muted, less vivid |
| Price | Cheaper | Roughly 20 to 50% more |
| Best for | Bright themes, RGB builds, budgets | Long-term daily drivers |
How they feel, and the shine problem
Fresh out of the box, ABS keycaps feel smooth and a little slick, almost glassy. PBT feels slightly textured, closer to very fine sandpaper, which gives your fingers more grip. That difference is subtle when both sets are new.
The gap opens up with use. ABS is softer, so the oils and friction from your fingers gradually polish the most-used keys into a glossy shine. Some people like that broken-in look; many do not, because it shows up first and worst on the keys you touch most, like WASD and the spacebar. PBT is harder and far more resistant, so it holds its even matte texture for years. If shine is the thing you are trying to avoid, PBT is the answer.
How they sound
Keycap material changes the sound of every keystroke. PBT is denser and dampens vibration, so it tends to sound deeper and more muted, the thock enthusiasts chase. ABS is a touch more resonant, giving a brighter, clackier sound that some gamers and typists genuinely prefer. Neither is right or wrong. Listen to both samples below and pick the profile you like.
Durability and cost
PBT wins on longevity. It resists wear, holds its texture, and shrugs off the UV fading and yellowing that can affect ABS left in sunlight. It also stands up better to the oils and cleaning agents a keyboard meets over its life. ABS is still perfectly durable for normal use; it just shows its age sooner, mostly through shine.
That quality costs more. PBT sets usually run 20 to 50% above a comparable ABS set, because the material is pricier and harder to mould cleanly. If you keep a keyboard for years, that premium often pays for itself by outlasting a cheaper set you would otherwise replace. If you swap keycaps often or are on a tight budget, ABS gives you good quality for less.
Double-shot vs dye-sub legends
How the letters are made matters as much as the plastic, because cheap printed legends wear off. There are two good methods. Double-shot keycaps mould the legend as a separate piece of plastic fused into the cap, so it physically cannot fade, and it works on both ABS and PBT. Dye-sublimation dyes the legend into the surface of a PBT cap, which lasts almost as well but cannot print a light legend on a dark cap. Avoid pad-printed or laser-etched legends on any set you plan to keep, since those are the ones that rub away. Double-shot PBT is the durability gold standard.
Colour, RGB, and shine-through
ABS takes bright, saturated colour better and is the go-to for vivid or translucent shine-through keycaps that show off RGB backlighting. If a colourful, glowing board is the goal, ABS is usually the better fit. PBT colours tend to look more muted and its denser plastic diffuses backlight rather than beaming it through, though PBT holds its colour longer without fading. Shine-through PBT exists but is less common and less bright than shine-through ABS.
Can you fix or prevent ABS shine?
Partly. Once ABS has shined, you can knock the gloss back with a fibreglass scratch pen or very fine sanding, worked gently and evenly so you do not create bald patches. It is fiddly and the shine returns with use, so treat it as a touch-up rather than a cure. Prevention works better: wash your hands before long sessions, keep the board out of direct sun, and wipe the caps down now and then. But if shine genuinely bothers you, the real fix is buying PBT in the first place.
Which should you buy?
- Buy PBT if you type for hours daily, keep keyboards long-term, hate keycap shine, or want a deeper sound. This covers most people, which is why PBT is our default pick.
- Buy ABS if you want the brightest colours or the best RGB shine-through, you change keycaps often, or price is the deciding factor.
- Either is fine if you are new to the hobby and just want a solid set. Both feel great when matched well to your switches and board.
Keycaps are only one part of the picture. How they sound and feel also depends on your keyboard, switches, and case, so think about the whole build, not just the plastic.
Frequently asked questions
Is PBT always better than ABS?
No. PBT is more durable and stays matte, which suits most people, but ABS takes bright colours and RGB shine-through better and costs less. The right choice depends on your priorities, not on one being universally better.
Why do my ABS keycaps look shiny?
ABS is a softer plastic, so friction and skin oils gradually polish the surface of your most-used keys into a gloss. It is normal and does not affect function, but it is the main reason people move to PBT.
Do PBT keycaps really sound better?
PBT tends to sound deeper and more muted because it is denser, while ABS sounds brighter and clackier. Better is personal. Listen to the two samples above and choose the one you prefer.
Are PBT keycaps worth the extra money?
For a long-term daily keyboard, usually yes, since they outlast ABS and keep their look. If you change keycaps often or are on a budget, a good double-shot ABS set is still a smart buy.
How can I tell if keycaps are ABS or PBT?
Check the product listing first, since reputable sellers state the material. By feel, PBT is slightly textured and matte while ABS is smoother and glossier. PBT also tends to sound a little deeper when tapped.
Which lasts longer, ABS or PBT?
PBT. It resists shine, wear, fading, and yellowing better than ABS, so it keeps its new look for years. ABS is durable enough for normal use but shows its age sooner, mainly through shine on the most-used keys.