When it comes to mechanical keyboard keycaps, materials like durable PBT or vibrant ABS usually dominate the conversation. However, with the rise of RGB lighting and transparent desktop aesthetics, a third contender has taken the spotlight: PC (Polycarbonate) keycaps. Today, PC has firmly established itself as a staple in both pre-built and custom mechanical keyboards.
Let’s take a deep dive into this material—celebrated for its ultimate light transmission—and explore its three main categories.
What Are PC Keycaps?
PC keycaps are made from Polycarbonate, a high-performance engineering plastic, shaped through precise injection molding. In industrial design, PC is renowned for its exceptional optical clarity and high impact resistance (making it incredibly durable and shatterproof).
When brought into the keyboard world, PC shatters the limitations of traditional opaque keycaps. It transforms your keyboard from a mere typing tool into a stunning piece of desktop light art.
The 3 Main Types of PC Keycaps
Depending on the transparency effect and surface treatment, PC keycaps on the market generally fall into three distinct categories:
1. Fully Transparent PC Keycaps: The Ultimate Light Show
• The Features: These keycaps feature no frosting, coloring, or filtering. They are completely clear, looking almost like polished crystal.
• The Pros: Unmatched light transmission. When your keyboard’s per-key RGB or case underglow lights up, the light refracts beautifully through the entire keycap. For RGB enthusiasts who want maximum vibrancy, this is the definitive choice.
• The Cons: They are absolute "fingerprint magnets." Because the surface is perfectly smooth and clear, fingerprints, oils, and even dust inside the keycap will be highly visible and require regular cleaning.
2. Frosted/Matte PC Keycaps: The Perfect Balance of Aesthetics & Utility
• The Features: The surface of these keycaps undergoes a fine frosted/atomized treatment, giving the transparent material a sophisticated, smoky, or misty appearance.
• The Pros: This is currently the best-selling and most popular style on the market. The frosted texture diffuses harsh LED hotspots into a soft, ambient glow that is easy on the eyes. More importantly, the texture does an excellent job of hiding micro-scratches and fingerprints, making it highly practical for daily use.
3. Rubber/Coated PC Keycaps: Premium Tactile Feel
• The Features: While retaining the translucent base of the PC material, these keycaps are sprayed with a specialized, ergonomic "tactile/skin-feel" paint layer on top.
• The Pros: This coating is designed to solve the common complaints of pure PC keycaps—mainly that they can feel slippery, oily, or sweaty over time. The coating provides a velvety, rubberized, or ultra-fine matte texture that feels incredibly premium and secure under your fingertips.
• The Cons: The coating has a lifespan. After prolonged friction and exposure to sweat, the surface layer may eventually wear down and can become sticky over time.
The Bottom Line: Which PC Keycap is Right for You?
• If you are an RGB fanatic who wants the brightest, most dazzling desktop setup, go for Fully Transparent PC.
• If you want something low-maintenance and versatile that looks premium without needing a daily wipe-down, Frosted PC is your safest bet.
• If you prioritize how the keys feel to the touch and love a soft, grippy texture, Coated PC will offer an amazing typing experience.