If you are looking for lasting comfort at the tip of your fingers, you should check out the uprising KSA keycaps. Confused on what exactly are the differences between this profile and others in the market? In this blog post, we will show you everything you need to know about the KSA profile, including its features, benefits, and comparing it with other prominent profiles.

Introduction

Keycap profiles are the physical dimensions and sizes of keycaps. They can vary in height, curvature, and shape, and affect the feel and sound of your keyboard. Many profiles produce 'pingy' or 'thocky' sounds, with high and low pitch according to its physical attributes. KSA is a rather new profile which many might not know about. 

Greekeys Medusa KSA keycaps

Whether you are a gamer, a typist, an influencer, or just a keyboard enthusiast, you will find something to like about the KSA keycaps. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you everything you need to know about these unique keycaps, from its key features to its benefits and comparing two types of KSA profiles. By the end of this guide, you will be able to decide if the KSA keycap profile is the right choice for you.

What are KSA keycaps?

KSA keycaps are a new and improved keycap profile modified from the SA profile. Minor adjustments are made to improve ergonomics and typing comfort. KSA keycaps are made of PBT plastic, ensuring a long-lasting experience. Most KSA keycaps have a smooth feel and are remarkably aesthetic. 

Key Features

The KSA profile is among the tallest of all the major keycap profiles (height approximately ranging from 9.9mm-16.3mm). It has a slight curve, which makes it feel very comfortable to type on. KSA profile keycaps are a good choice for typists who want a luxurious and tactile typing experience. They are often made from high-quality materials and have a sculpted design that gives them a more three-dimensional look.

Pros and Cons of the KSA Keycap profile

This profile provides a number of advantages as shown in the table above. As compared to other mainstream keycap profiles such as Cherry, OEM and MT3, the KSA profile is slightly more expensive and is limited in the market. Since it is a relatively new profile, many keyboard and keycap studios have yet to design more varieties of the profile. However, this profile is gaining more and more attention and successful brands such as Yunzii and The Kapco have begun marketing KSA keycaps.

Yunzii Sakura Kitty KSA Keycaps

THE KAPCO X YUNZII GREEKEYS ATHENA SET

Types of KSA Keycaps

At present, there are two types of KSA profile keycaps available in the market; mainly the basic KSA keycaps and the 4-sided KSA keycaps. The major difference between the two variations is the transparency of the keycap. 

Keychron basic KSA Profile

The KSA profile designed by Keychron offers a basic black, white and other colorways with a standard side. The reason is to allow users to try out this profile. This design is preferred by minimalists and people who love basic colors. Keychron is one of the few brands who provides this basic design. On the other hand, there are many other brands beautify this keycap profile to cater for customization. To give you an idea of the contrast of the two variations, take a look at the illustration below. 

The illustration on the left features the standard KSA profile by Keychron. On the right, the Greekeys Medusa Set by The Kapco illuminates your screen. The distinct difference here is the 4-sided transparent Polycarbonate (PC) plastic enveloping the KSA keycaps. The RGB lighting penetrates the transparent part and makes your keyboard glow. Compared to 3-sided keycaps, the 4-sided keycaps is more superior in RGB display and allows more light to pass through. If you are looking to showcase your alluring RGB lighting, this 4-sided KSA profile is a no-brainer!

An Honest Review of the Greekeys Collection

In this review, we share our thoughts on the quality, feel and usage of the KSA profile used in the Greekeys collection. We will cover topics ranging from setting up to disassembling the keycaps. Finally, we will share with you on a few aspects to think about before making a purchase on any keycap profile. Read on to find out. 

1. Setting up

The setup is relatively simple; select a cherry MX switch of your preference and attach the keycaps onto the switch. Compared to other keycaps, these KSA profiles are very easy to install and require little effort in pressing and assembling them. We have tested a few other keycaps such as cherry profiles which require a bit of force to install the keycaps onto the switch. For users who prefer easy and simple installation, this keycaps are a must-try.

2. Usage

These KSA keycaps are made for people who love their RGB and they truly did not disappoint. Thanks to the translucent material on all 4 sides of of the keycap, you will let out a "wow" from the RGB shining out from your keyboard. The illumination instantly brings your keyboard to life. When paired with the Yunzii AL71 keyboard, this might be arguably the best RGB experience to date. It is difficult to convey the greatness of the RGB through pictures...so here's a video! 

Furthermore, this profile is a bit higher than most mainstream keycaps. This takes some time to get used to. Some users feel it isn't ideal for gaming because of the unfamiliar height. However, with time, users will adapt to the keycaps and will in turn, love them for all uses. We personally love them for typing as it is sleek, smooth and comfortable to type, even for long hours.

These PBT double-shot keycaps are thick and well-printed, meaning that they are long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear. The keycaps have texture and a slight curvature for comfort at the tip of your fingertips. It gives you a slightly different typing experience. The caps have a matte feel rather than a glossy feel, making it so smooth to type on. The font on the keycaps are Greek-inspired letters, adhering to the Greekeys collection featuring Athena, Medusa and Poseidon. These fancy fonts are easy to read and blends well with the design.

3. Disassembling

To take them off is as easy as putting them on. By using a keycap puller, the keycap easily comes off with little effort. Although it is easy to take it off and put them on, it is still stable and never falls off after continuous typing. These keycaps are relatively light because its sides are made out of PC plastic, but is just as stable and durable as any other profile, or even more!

4. Buyer's Guide

Before purchasing the keycaps, there are a few things to consider:

• Compatibility: Make sure the keycaps are compatible with your keyboard. This means checking the switch type and keyboard layout. These keycaps are suitable with cherry MX switches and its clones and are adaptable with the standard ANSI layout.
  
  
• Material: Keycaps are typically made of ABS or PBT plastic. ABS keycaps are more affordable, but they can shine over time. PBT keycaps are more durable and resistant to shine, but they can be more expensive. We recommend a quality, long-lasting build rather than a cheaper alternative requiring constant change. As this product is made of PBT plastic and PC plastic, we highly suggest adding this to your collection!
  
  
• Profile: Keycap profiles refer to the shape and height of the keycaps. Each keycap profile has its own unique feel and typing experience. Try the KSA keycaps and find out whether its the right pick for you!
  
  
• Color and design: Keycaps come in a variety of colors and designs. Choose a set that matches your keyboard and personal style. We offer three magnificent and vivid colors in this collection- Blue, Purple and Green featuring Greek mythology characters. 
  
  
• Price: Keycaps can range in price from a few dollars to over $300. Set a budget before you start shopping so that you don't overspend. The Kapco's high-quality keycaps usually ranges from $50 - $100, with a guarantee of customer satisfaction.
  
  
• Awareness: Read reviews of different keycap sets before you buy. This will help you to get a better idea of the quality and feel of the keycaps.
  
  
• Try it yourself: If possible, try out different keycap profiles in stores before you buy. This will help you to find a profile that feels comfortable for you to type on.

Conclusion

All in all this is a high quality set of KSA profile keycaps. The compatibility with all MX switches and its clones means that you slap it on your existing board without deliberately buying another to accommodate these keycaps. Moreover, if you're a fan of RGB lighting, this upgrade is a necessity.

Whether it is basic KSA or 4-sided KSA, the bottom-line is that both of them promotes the same comfort and quality. Ultimately, the best keycap profile for you is a matter of personal preference. It is important to try out different keycap profiles to see what feels the most comfortable for you. If you are feeling adventurous, we would recommend adding KSA keycaps to your collection!

If you are interested in buying our latest Greekeys collection which features the KSA profile, please visit our website. 

We hope this guide helped you learn more about this new profile and why it is worth buying. To learn more about other profiles, check out Everything You Need to Know About Keycap Profiles.

Thank you for reading!