Posted in: Keycaps

The 7 Best Keycaps for Apex Pro TKL

Last Updated on October 23, 2023

When it comes to optimizing your gaming experience on the Apex Pro TKL, upgrading your keycaps is a strategic move. The right keycaps not only enhance the aesthetics of your keyboard but also provide durability and improved tactile feedback. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best keycaps for Apex Pro TKL to take your gaming to the next level.

Keycap SetMaterialPrintingProfileTranslucentRGB LightNumber of KeysPrice
Happy Dark Blue and WhitePBTDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes124$37.99
SteelSeries PRISMCAPSPBTDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes105$26.99
HyperX Pudding KeycapsPBTDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes104$24.99
HK Gaming Pudding KeycapsPBTDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes108$12.59
Matrix KeycapsPBT/PCDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes104$24.99
HZYZ Pudding KeycapsPBTDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes104$17.99
Tai-Hao Rubber KeycapsRubberDoubleshotOEM ProfileYesYes18$24.99

1. Happy Dark Blue and White Keycaps

Happy Dark Blue and White Keycaps
Image Source: zxtool
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes
  • RGB Light: Yes
  • Manufacturer: Happy Balls
  • Number of Keys: 124
  • Price: $37.99

When it comes to enhancing your Apex Pro TKL gaming experience, the Happy Dark Blue and White Keycaps stand out as an exceptional choice. Crafted from PBT material, these keycaps are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. The Doubleshot printing process ensures that the legends on these keycaps won’t fade over time, maintaining their visual appeal.

The OEM profile of these keycaps provides a comfortable typing experience, and with a thickness of about 1.4mm, they strike a balance between keycap durability and tactile feedback. Additionally, these keycaps are designed to be translucent, allowing the backlighting on your mechanical keyboard to shine through brilliantly. They’re a perfect fit for a wide range of standard US and UK layout mechanical keyboards, including those with 61, 64, 68, 84, 87, 104, and 108 MX switches. This set includes 124 keycaps and a keycap puller for easy installation.

Pros:

  • The legends on these keycaps won’t wear off, ensuring a lasting, sharp look.
  • The keycaps allow your keyboard’s backlighting to shine through for a visually appealing experience.
  • Crafted from PBT, these keycaps are resistant to wear and maintain their quality.
  • Suitable for a variety of US and UK layout mechanical keyboards with different MX switches.
  • At $37.99, this keycap set offers great value for money.

Cons:

  • Some non-standard US layout keyboards may not be able to use these keycaps due to differing key sizes, so compatibility should be confirmed.
  • While the dark blue and white design is stylish, those looking for more color variety might be disappointed.

2. SteelSeries PRISMCAPS

SteelSeries PRISMCAPS
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes, with pudding-style RGB illumination
  • RGB Light: Yes
  • Manufacturer: SteelSeries
  • Number of Keys: 105
  • Price: $26.99

The SteelSeries PRISMCAPS are an excellent choice for upgrading your Apex Pro TKL mechanical keyboard. Crafted from durable PBT thermoplastic, these keycaps offer exceptional longevity, maintaining their texture and appearance even with heavy use. Their double shot design, featuring translucent sides and letters, allows for stunning pudding-style RGB illumination that’s sure to enhance your gaming and typing experience.

One of the standout features of the PRISMCAPS is their wide compatibility. They are designed to fit most mechanical keyboard brands, including SteelSeries, Razer, Corsair, and virtually all other MX stem mechanical keyboards. Whether you have a full-sized, tenkeyless, or 60% mini keyboard layout, these keycaps will work seamlessly, thanks to their standard US ANSI 104 key configuration. The package even includes a keycap puller for easy customization. With an affordable price point of $26.99, the SteelSeries PRISMCAPS are a fantastic choice to elevate your Apex Pro TKL’s aesthetics and performance.

Pros:

  • Durable PBT thermoplastic construction for long-lasting use.
  • Stunning pudding-style RGB illumination for a visually captivating keyboard.
  • Wide compatibility with most mechanical keyboard brands.
  • Easy customization with the included keycap puller.
  • Affordable price at $26.99.

Cons:

3. HyperX Pudding Keycaps

HyperX Pudding Keycaps
Image Source: namtab420
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes
  • RGB Light: EYes
  • Manufacturer: HyperX
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Price: $24.99

When it comes to enhancing your Apex Pro TKL gaming experience, the HyperX Pudding Keycaps are the perfect choice. These keycaps are designed to maximize the potential of your mechanical keyboard. Crafted from durable double shot PBT material, they are not only resistant to wear, friction, and solvents but also boast a unique translucent dual-layer design. This design allows for more vibrant RGB lighting, making your keyboard shine brighter than ever before.

One standout feature is the signature HyperX font, which is bold and wide, allowing more light to shine through the individual keys. This significantly improves visibility and legibility during intense gaming sessions. Additionally, HyperX includes a stylish keycap removal tool, ensuring easy customization. The compatibility of these keycaps with HyperX and most mechanical gaming keyboards, especially those with exposed LED designs, makes them a top choice for anyone seeking to elevate their gaming setup.

Pros:

  • Translucent Design: The dual-layer, translucent keycaps enhance RGB lighting, creating a visually stunning keyboard setup.
  • Durable Material: Made from double shot PBT, these keycaps are robust and resistant to wear and tear, ensuring a long lifespan.
  • Enhanced Visibility: The bold HyperX font and translucent design improve key visibility, which is crucial for gamers.
  • Compatibility: These keycaps are compatible with a wide range of mechanical gaming keyboards, including HyperX, making them a versatile choice.
  • Keycap Removal Tool: The inclusion of a keycap removal tool simplifies customization and maintenance.

Cons:

  • OEM Profile: While the OEM profile is comfortable for many users, some may prefer other keycap profiles for a more customized typing experience.
  • Limited Language Options: The keycaps come with an English (US) layout, which may not suit users who require other language layouts.

4. HK Gaming Pudding Keycaps

HK Gaming Pudding Keycaps
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes
  • RGB Light: Yes
  • Manufacturer: HK Gaming
  • Number of Keys: 108
  • Price: $12.59

For Apex Pro TKL users seeking the best keycaps to enhance their gaming experience, the HK Gaming Pudding Keycaps offer an excellent choice. Crafted from durable doubleshot PBT material, these keycaps are not only long-lasting but also provide a satisfying tactile feel. What sets them apart is their translucent design, which allows for vibrant RGB illumination. The milky base and well-lit legends make these keycaps a fantastic addition to backlit keyboards, making your gaming sessions visually captivating.

One notable advantage of these keycaps is their high compatibility. They are designed to fit various mechanical switches, including Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh, and Outemu. With a generous set of 108 keys, they can accommodate most 104, 87, 84, 82, and 60% keyboards, catering to a wide range of layouts, including ANSI US and European ISO. The ergonomic OEM profile ensures comfortable typing and gaming, making these keycaps an excellent choice for Apex Pro TKL users.

Pros:

  • Vibrant RGB illumination: The translucent design enhances RGB lighting effects for an immersive gaming experience.
  • Durable construction: Made from doubleshot PBT, these keycaps are resistant to wear, ensuring longevity.
  • Wide compatibility: Compatible with a variety of mechanical switch brands, offering flexibility for different setups.
  • Generous keycap set: With 108 keys, they fit most keyboard layouts, including ANSI US and European ISO.
  • Comfortable profile: The ergonomic OEM profile enhances typing and gaming comfort.

Cons:

  • Some users might find the pudding-style design less appealing if they prefer a traditional keycap appearance.

5. Matrix Keycaps

Matrix Keycaps
Image Source: cbreeezy408
  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes (for RGB shine-through)
  • RGB Light: Yes
  • Manufacturer: Matrix Keycaps
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Price: $24.99

For those seeking the best keycaps to elevate their Apex Pro TKL gaming experience, Matrix Keycaps’ PBT Doubleshot Full 104 Keycap Set in Pink Lemonade is a top contender. Crafted from a blend of durable PBT and PC plastics, these keycaps are designed for longevity and provide a premium textured feel. What sets these keycaps apart is their backlit fonts, allowing for stunning RGB shine-through, making your keyboard visually captivating during intense gaming sessions.

The OEM profile of these keycaps ensures a comfortable keycap height and a smooth curve, ideal for extended gaming periods. These keycaps are compatible with Cherry MX, Gateron, Kailh switches, and standard 104 US (ANSI) layouts, making them a versatile choice. The fade-resistant design of the legends ensures that your keycap lettering remains visible, no matter how long and intense your gaming marathons. Additionally, the inclusion of a keycap puller in the set simplifies installation, making this an excellent choice for Apex Pro TKL enthusiasts.

Pros:

  • Durable Material: The PBT Doubleshot material offers durability and a premium textured feel.
  • RGB Shine-Through: Backlit fonts enhance the gaming experience with impressive RGB lighting effects.
  • Comfortable Profile: The OEM profile provides a comfortable keycap height for extensive gaming sessions.
  • Compatibility: These keycaps are compatible with various switches and standard ANSI layouts.
  • Fade-Resistant: The legends are designed to resist fading, ensuring long-lasting visibility.

Cons:

  • Limited Color Option: The Pink Lemonade color scheme may not be to everyone’s taste.
  • Price Point: While reasonably priced, some budget-conscious consumers might find alternatives at a lower cost.

6. HZYZ Pudding Keycaps

  • Keycap Material: PBT
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes (bottom)
  • RGB Light: Compatible
  • Manufacturer: HZYZ
  • Number of Keys: 104
  • Price: $17.99

The HZYZ Pudding Keycaps are an excellent choice for upgrading the Apex Pro TKL, offering a delightful blend of aesthetics and functionality. Crafted from PBT material and featuring a double-shot design, these keycaps ensure durability and resistance to wear over time. The top print style enhances the backlighting, making it perfect for RGB and backlit mechanical keyboards.

These keycaps are compatible with a wide range of mechanical keyboards, including ANSI ISO 60%, 87, 104, and 108 MX switches layouts. With a thickness of approximately 1mm and an OEM profile, they provide a comfortable typing experience. It’s important to note that while these keycaps are versatile, some non-standard US layout mechanical keyboards may not be compatible due to variations in key sizes for the Space Bar, Ctrl, Win, Menu, and Alt keys.

Pros:

  • Stylish Aesthetics: The white pudding design with top print enhances the look of your mechanical keyboard, especially when paired with RGB backlighting.
  • Durable Build: Made from PBT material and featuring a double-shot design, these keycaps are built to last and resist wear and tear.
  • Compatibility: Suitable for a variety of keyboard layouts, including ANSI ISO 60%, 87, 104, and 108 MX switches.
  • Translucent Design: The translucent bottom allows for elegant backlighting, elevating your gaming or typing experience.
  • Affordable Price: At $17.99, these keycaps offer excellent value for those looking to upgrade their keyboard’s aesthetics and functionality.

Cons:

  • Non-Standard Layout Limitation: Some non-standard US layout mechanical keyboards may not be compatible due to variations in key sizes for certain keys like the Space Bar, Ctrl, Win, Menu, and Alt. Be sure to check your keyboard’s layout before purchasing.

7. Tai-Hao Rubber Keycaps

Tai-Hao Rubber Keycaps
Image Source: _werd
  • Keycap Material: Rubber
  • Keycap Printing: Doubleshot
  • Keycap Profile: OEM Profile
  • Translucent: Yes
  • RGB Light: Compatible with RGB lighting
  • Manufacturer: TAI-HAO
  • Number of Keys: 18
  • Price: $24.99

When it comes to finding the best keycaps for the Apex Pro TKL, the Tai-Hao Rubber Keycaps are a notable option. These keycaps are made from rubber and are designed to enhance your typing and gaming experience. The keycap printing utilizes a double-shot process, allowing light to pass through transparent legends. This means that when you have RGB lighting on your keyboard, the legends will be beautifully illuminated, creating a stunning visual effect.

The Tai-Hao Rubber Keycap Set includes 18 keycaps, which cover numbers 1-6, Q, W, E, R, A, S, D, F, and arrow keys. This set is compatible with all Cherry-compatible switches, ensuring versatility. Additionally, a keycap puller is included for easy installation. These keycaps provide both a tactile feel and visual appeal, making them a solid choice for Apex Pro TKL owners looking to enhance their keyboard’s aesthetics and performance.

Pros:

  • Stylish Design: The Neon Pink color and translucent legends make these keycaps visually appealing, especially when used with RGB lighting.
  • Enhanced Typing Experience: The rubber material provides a unique tactile feel and grip for improved typing and gaming.
  • Compatibility: Tai-Hao Rubber Keycaps are compatible with a wide range of Cherry-compatible switches, ensuring broad usability.
  • Easy Installation: The set comes with a keycap puller, making it simple to swap out your keycaps.

Cons:

  • Limited Coverage: This set includes only 18 keycaps, which may not cover the entire keyboard, limiting customization options.
  • Keycap Profile: The keycap profile is not specified, which may be a drawback for those looking for specific profiles like SA or DSA.
  • Price Variation: The price can vary depending on the seller, so it’s important to shop around for the best deal.

Before You Buy:

Before purchasing keycaps for your Apex Pro TKL mechanical keyboard, there are several essential factors to consider to ensure you make an informed decision. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

  1. Keycap Material:
    • PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate): PBT keycaps are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. They maintain their texture and legends over extended use.
    • POM (Polyoxymethylene): POM keycaps offer a smoother texture but may not be as durable as PBT.
    • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS keycaps are less durable than PBT and are prone to shine over time.
  2. Keycap Printing:
    • Doubleshot: Doubleshot keycaps have legends that are molded into the keycap, providing long-lasting, clear, and visible legends.
    • Laser-etched: Laser-etched keycaps offer a clean and precise look but may wear off over time.
  3. Keycap Profile:
    • OEM Profile: The most common profile, offering a comfortable, slightly curved shape.
    • Cherry Profile: A lower profile with a flat top, preferred by some enthusiasts.
    • DSA Profile: Uniform keycaps with a flat top, providing a unique aesthetic.
  4. Translucency:
    • Consider whether you want keycaps that are fully translucent, semi-translucent, or not translucent at all. Translucent keycaps are ideal for RGB lighting enthusiasts.
  5. RGB Compatibility:
    • Ensure the keycaps are compatible with RGB lighting if you want to enhance your keyboard’s visual appeal.
  6. Manufacturer:
    • Choose keycaps from reputable manufacturers known for their quality and compatibility with your keyboard.
  7. Number of Keys:
    • Ensure the keycap set has the appropriate number of keys to cover your keyboard’s layout. Some sets include additional keys for various layouts.
  8. Price:
    • Keycap sets vary in price, so consider your budget and compare options to find the best value for your money.
  9. Compatibility:
    • Check if the keycaps are compatible with your specific keyboard model and layout. Some keycaps may not fit non-standard layouts.
  10. Aesthetic Preference:
    • Consider your personal style and whether you prefer a specific color, design, or profile.
  11. Additional Accessories:
    • Some keycap sets may come with accessories such as a keycap puller, which can make installation and customization easier.
  12. Reviews and Recommendations:
    • Read user reviews and seek recommendations from the mechanical keyboard community to gauge the performance and quality of the keycap sets you’re interested in.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select keycaps that not only enhance the visual appeal of your Apex Pro TKL but also provide the tactile feel and durability that suits your preferences and gaming needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best keycaps for your Apex Pro TKL mechanical keyboard is a decision that can significantly impact your typing and gaming experience. These small yet essential components not only enhance the aesthetics of your keyboard but also play a crucial role in comfort, durability, and performance. Before making your purchase, it’s vital to consider several key factors, as outlined above, to ensure that the keycaps you choose align with your specific preferences and needs.

Whether you opt for PBT or other materials, focus on the keycap printing method, and decide on a profile that suits your typing style, your choice should be a thoughtful one. Translucency and RGB compatibility can add a new dimension to your gaming setup, while factors like manufacturer reputation, the number of keys in the set, and your budget are all significant considerations.

Your aesthetic preferences, such as color and design, should also be taken into account, as your keyboard is a reflection of your personal style. Additionally, check for any extra accessories included with the keycap set, as they can simplify the installation process.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the value of user reviews and recommendations from the mechanical keyboard community. Real-world experiences can provide valuable insights into the performance and quality of a keycap set.

By carefully weighing all these factors, you can confidently choose keycaps that not only elevate the appearance and functionality of your Apex Pro TKL but also enhance your overall typing and gaming satisfaction. Whether you prioritize durability, aesthetics, or both, the right keycaps will undoubtedly take your mechanical keyboard experience to the next level.

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