Everything You Need to Know About Keycap Profiles

Welcome back to another enlightening experience with The Kapco. If you're a beginner in the keycap world, you have come to the right place to seek the knowledge. This article will explore the types of keycap profiles and its functions to help you decide what's best for you! Without further delay, let's dive right into our million dollar question- What exactly are these terms called 'Keycap Profiles'?

What Are Keycap Profiles?

Keycap profiles are the physical shapes and sizes of keycaps. They can vary in height, curvature, and shape, and they can affect the feel and sound of your keyboard. There are many different types of keycap profiles available, each with its own unique characteristics.

Types of Keycap Profiles

There are mainly 5 types of keycap profiles; each with their own unique qualities befitting different typists. The most common types of keycap profiles are:

1. OEM profile

This is the most common keycap profile in which everyone has typed on before at least once in their lives. It is a relatively flat profile with a slight curve. OEM profile keycaps are compatible with most mechanical keyboards. They are a good choice for people who want a comfortable and familiar typing experience. They are also a good choice for people who are on a budget, as they are relatively affordable.

2. Cherry profile

Product: Kyoto Set by The KapCo.

Cherry Profile keycaps is a shorter version of OEM. It has a more pronounced curve, which makes it feel more comfortable to type on. Cherry profile keycaps are a good choice for typists who want a comfortable and responsive typing experience. Cherry profile keycaps are also a good choice for people who want a more premium look and feel for their keyboard. They are made from high-quality materials and are often double-shot molded, which means that the legends are printed on the keycaps rather than being stickers. 

COMPARISON: Cherry profile keycaps offer a more ergonomic and comfortable typing experience, while OEM profile keycaps provide a uniform and consistent typing experience at an affordable price.

3. SA profile

Product: SA Keycap Profile by Amazon

This is the tallest profile of all the major keycap profiles. It has a very pronounced curve, which makes it feel very comfortable to type on. SA profile keycaps are a good choice for typists who want a luxurious and tactile typing experience. SA profile keycaps are also a good choice for people who want a unique look for their keyboard. They are often made from high-quality materials and have a sculpted design that gives them a more three-dimensional look.

4. DSA profile

Product: Sakura Themed DSA Keycaps by Carousell

This is a flat profile with no curve. DSA profile keycaps are a good choice for gamers who want a low-profile keyboard. DSA profile keycaps are also a good choice for people who want a minimalist look for their keyboard. They are often made from high-quality materials and have a simple, clean design.

5. XDA profile

Product: The Punky Street keycaps by The KapCo

This keycap profile has uniform height and a flat surface. This makes it easy to switch between different keycaps without having to worry about the height. If you are looking for a comfortable, minimalist, and customizable keycap profile, then XDA profile keycaps are a good option for you. They are a popular choice among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and offer a number of advantages over other keycap profiles.

Functionality and Practicality of Each Profile

The functionality and practicality of each keycap profile depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you are a gamer, you may prefer a low-profile profile like DSA or OEM. If you are a typist, you may prefer a taller profile like Cherry or SA. Ultimately, the best way to choose the perfect keycap profile for you is to try out a few different profiles in store and see which profile feels the best on your fingers.

How to Choose the Perfect Profile for Your Setup

Here are a few things to consider when choosing the perfect keycap profile for your setup:

• Your typing style: 
  If you are a light typist, you may prefer a lower profile keycap. If you are a heavy typist, you may prefer a taller profile keycap.
  
  
• Your personal preferences:
  Some people prefer the feel of a flat profile, while others prefer a more sculpted profile. Ultimately, the best way to choose the perfect keycap profile for you is to try out a few different profiles and see what you like best.
  
  
• Your keyboard: 
  Not all keycap profiles are compatible with all keyboards. Make sure to check the compatibility of the keycap profile you want with your keyboard before you buy it.

Before you lock in your decision, this comparison chart may be of help in the final process. Take a look at the difference in height, curvature and sculpture. 

All in all, keycap profiles is an essential component of your mechanical keyboard setup. They can affect the feel, sound, and outlook of your keyboard. There are many different types of keycap profiles available, so you can choose the perfect fit for your needs. 

At The KapCo, we offer Cherry, OEM, XDA and KSA (Coming Soon). Cherry is our customer-favorite, so we highly recommend it! All our keycaps are also made of high quality PBT material resistant to wear and tear! Check out the awesome designs we have in store @TheKapCo.