Buying Guide
The Best Gaming Keyboards With PBT Keycaps
We weighed five keyboards on layout and switches, and the C1 Pro costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
PBT keycaps resist the shine that ABS caps develop. Every pick ships with PBT keycaps, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these keyboards on layout, switches and connection using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these keyboards ourselves, and where a maker leaves out switches, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Brown Tactile Switches
Keychron C1 Pro Wired Mechanical Keyboard
Brown tactile switches.
Best for: Buyers who want brown tactile switches.
Our take Check price for Keychron C1 Pro Wired Mechanical Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Kisnt KN85 Wireless
A 4000mAh battery.
Best for: Buyers who want 4000mAh battery.
Our take Check price for Kisnt KN85 Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Translucent PBT Keycaps
Redragon K745 PRO Wireless
Translucent PBT keycaps.
Best for: Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps.
Our take Check price for Redragon K745 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Custom Linear Switches
Redragon K768 PRO Wireless
Custom linear switches.
Best for: Buyers who want custom linear switches.
Our take Check price for Redragon K768 PRO Wireless (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SOLAKAKA KI99 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Silent Switch)
A gasket structure with five noise-reducing layers at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for SOLAKAKA KI99 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Silent Switch) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Brown Tactile Switches1 of 5
Keychron C1 Pro Wired Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The C1 Pro is the most complete typing board here.
Best for
- Buyers who want brown tactile switches.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: wired only.
Why we like it
Double-shot PBT keycaps and QMK/VIA support are rare at this price, and the tactile brown switches suit mixed work and play. Full QMK and VIA support lets you remap every key. Its pre-lubed K Pro brown tactile switches need about 50gf to press, and it polls at 1000Hz.
It is the only pick here with a TKL (80%) layout; the KN85 has a 75% layout instead. No other pick in this guide offers brown tactile switches; compare the K768 PRO, which has custom linear switches. The C1 Pro needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: TKL (80%)
- Switches: Brown tactile
- Connection: Wired
- Polling rate: 1,000Hz
- Keycaps: Double-shot PBT
Pros
- Tenkeyless layout leaves more room for the mouse
- Brown tactile switches
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- QMK and VIA remapping support
Cons
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 5
Kisnt KN85 Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Kisnt's KN85 is a tri-mode 75% board with pre-lubed linears, PBT caps and a 4000mAh battery.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4000mAh battery.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It switches between Windows and Mac modes. Its 75% layout keeps the F-row and arrows in 85 keys, and it connects over USB-C, 2.4GHz or Bluetooth to three devices. The gasket mount softens typing noise.
It uses pre-lubed Bsun linear switches at 45-50gf, and the hot-swap sockets take 3-pin and 5-pin switches. PBT keycaps resist shine. Warm RGB lighting glows around the keys and case edges, and every key is programmable.
No other pick in this guide offers a 75% layout; compare the K768 PRO, which has a 96% (100 keys) layout. Like the K768 PRO and KI99 Pro, it has PBT keycaps, while the C1 Pro uses double-shot PBT keycaps. Use the KN85's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 75%
- Switches: Bsun linear, pre-lubed
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Compact 75% layout
- Bsun linear, pre-lubed switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
Translucent PBT Keycaps3 of 5
Redragon K745 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K745 PRO is a gasket-mounted full-size board with tri-mode wireless and translucent PBT caps.
Best for
- Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk widt is a problem.
Why we like it
Four hotkeys sit above the number pad. Tri-mode connectivity moves between USB-C, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz without re-pairing. Four extra hotkeys default to mute, calculator, screen lock and desktop, and the gasket mount softens each press.
It is the only pick here with a full-size (108 keys) layout; the C1 Pro has a TKL (80%) layout instead. It is the only pick here with translucent PBT keycaps; the C1 Pro has double-shot PBT keycaps instead. You also get hot-swap for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Use the K745 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Its price falls between the KN85 and the K768 PRO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (108 keys)
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: Translucent PBT
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Gasket mount
- 4 hotkeys
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Costs more than the C1 Pro at the time of writing
Custom Linear Switches4 of 5
Redragon K768 PRO Wireless on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K768 PRO offers an 8000mAh battery, the largest here, in a 96% tri-mode board.
Best for
- Buyers who want custom linear switches.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the C1 Pro, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It adds a knob and a gasket mount. A 96% (100 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the KN85 uses a 75% layout. You get custom linear switches here, which sets it apart from the C1 Pro and its brown tactile switches.
It shares PBT keycaps with the KN85 and KI99 Pro; the K745 PRO goes with translucent PBT keycaps. Use the K768 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Worth noting too: control knob. It was priced above the K745 PRO and below the KI99 Pro at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 96% (100 keys)
- Switches: Custom linear
- Connection: 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Custom linear switches
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- 8000mAh battery, the largest here
Cons
- Costs more than the C1 Pro at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
SOLAKAKA KI99 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Silent Switch) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SOLAKAKA's KI99 Pro pairs silent switches with a gasket mount and five noise-reducing layers, the most direct quiet-first design here.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the C1 Pro, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is a 96% wireless board with PBT keycaps and a 10,000mAh battery. It connects over Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz or USB-C, and its 10,000mAh battery lasts a long time between charges. A 96% layout is unique to it among these picks, while the KN85 uses a 75% layout.
It shares PBT keycaps with the KN85 and K768 PRO; the K745 PRO goes with translucent PBT keycaps. You also get a knob for volume, media and lighting. Use the KI99 Pro's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. Only the K768 PRO came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 96%
- Switches: Silent switches, hot-swappable (3/5-pin)
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, USB-C
- Keycaps: PBT
Pros
- Dongle, Bluetooth and wired modes
- PBT keycaps resist shine
- Gasket structure with five noise-reducing layers
- 10,000mAh battery
Cons
- Costs more than the C1 Pro at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gaming Keyboards With PBT Keycaps
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five keyboards on layout, switches, connection and keycaps from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the C1 Pro to the KI99 Pro, state layout, connection and keycaps.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The K745 PRO gives no switches.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the C1 Pro (under $50) to the KI99 Pro ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Gaming Keyboard With PBT Keycaps
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Keycaps
The C1 Pro lists Double-shot PBT; the KN85, the K768 PRO and the KI99 Pro list PBT; the K745 PRO lists Translucent PBT. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Setup checks
The C1 Pro needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Use the KN85's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet.
Extras that separate them
The K745 PRO: 4 hotkeys. The K768 PRO: a control knob. The KI99 Pro: a 10,000mAh battery.
How much to spend
Under $50 buys the C1 Pro and the KN85; $50 to $100 buys the K745 PRO, the K768 PRO and the KI99 Pro at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want brown tactile switches: the C1 Pro. Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps: the K745 PRO. Buyers who want custom linear switches: the K768 PRO.
Linear, tactile or magnetic
Linear switches travel smoothly, tactile switches have a bump, and clicky switches add a click. Hall effect switches read a magnet, so actuation can be adjusted and rapid trigger resets a key as soon as it rises.
How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard With PBT Keycaps
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want brown tactile switches | C1 Pro | Brown tactile switches |
| Buyers who want 4000mAh battery | KN85 | A 4000mAh battery |
| Buyers who want translucent PBT keycaps | K745 PRO | Translucent PBT keycaps |
| Buyers who want custom linear switches | K768 PRO | Custom linear switches |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | KI99 Pro | A gasket structure with five noise-reducing layers at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The C1 Pro, the KN85 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection | Keycaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Pro | TKL (80%) | Brown tactile | Wired | Double-shot PBT |
| KN85 | 75% | Bsun linear, pre-lubed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | PBT |
| K745 PRO | Full-size (108 keys) | Not listed | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | Translucent PBT |
| K768 PRO | 96% (100 keys) | Custom linear | 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, wired | PBT |
| KI99 Pro | 96% | Silent switches, hot-swappable (3/5-pin) | Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz, USB-C | PBT |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The C1 Pro was the lowest-priced pick and the KI99 Pro the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | C1 Pro, KN85 |
| About $50 to $100 | K745 PRO, K768 PRO, KI99 Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K768 PRO our Custom Linear Switches pick?
It earns the label for custom linear switches. It suits anyone who wants custom linear switches.
Do the C1 Pro and the KN85 differ on layout?
The C1 Pro uses TKL (80%); the KN85 uses 75%; the K745 PRO uses full-size (108 keys); the K768 PRO uses 96% (100 keys); the KI99 Pro uses 96%.
Will the K745 PRO work with my setup?
Use the K745 PRO's dongle or cable for games; Bluetooth suits a laptop or tablet. In this guide it ranks third of 5, as our Translucent PBT Keycaps pick.
What extras do the C1 Pro and the KN85 include?
The C1 Pro: QMK and VIA remapping support. The KN85: a 4000mAh battery. The K745 PRO: a gasket mount.
Do I need 8,000Hz polling?
No. It is a marginal gain on top of 1,000Hz and can cost battery life and CPU time.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the C1 Pro, chosen for brown tactile switches. Look at the KN85 for a 4000mAh battery, the K745 PRO for translucent PBT keycaps and the K768 PRO for custom linear switches if those matter more to you.
Double-shot legends last longer than printed ones.