When it comes to customizing a keyboard, the right set of keycaps can completely change the typing feel, sound, and overall aesthetics. You don’t need to spend hundreds to get something that feels and looks great—there are plenty of solid budget-friendly options available. Here’s a countdown of the top 10 budget custom keycap sets, all under $100, ranked from good to best.
10. YMDK Shine Through Keycaps
- Price: $24.99 – $38.50
- Profile: OEM
- Material: Double-shot PBT
YMDK’s shine-through keycaps are among the few budget options that handle backlighting really well. They deliver bright, even shine without dim spots, and the range of colorways—from Botanical to sunset gradients—means they’ll match nearly any build. Text placement and crispness are surprisingly solid, though you may notice slight jaggedness from injection molding on some caps.
9. Amazon Black-on-White Japanese Keycaps
- Price: $34.99
- Profile: Cherry
- Material: Dye-sub PBT
These no-name sets are thicker than most at this price and give keyboards a deeper, more premium acoustic. The Japanese sublegends add a custom flair, though text crispness isn’t the sharpest. A great choice for anyone who values feel and thickness over perfect printing.
8. LTC Lava Caps
- Price: $34.99
- Profile: KDA
- Material: Double-shot PBT
Offered in red/white or gray/orange, these caps stand out with their sound and feel rather than their font or text placement. They’re smooth, matte, and comfortable to type on. A nice option if you want a profile that feels unique without breaking the bank.
7. Idabao Side-Print Shine Through Keycaps
- Price: $39
- Profile: OEM
- Material: Dye-sub PBT
Side-printed legends with strong shine-through make these caps a standout for RGB setups. Colors like Deep Ocean and Lavender Cave look vibrant, and text crispness is excellent. While thinner than some other sets, they still feel and sound great.
6. Drop Artifact Bloom Series
- Price: $45
- Profile: Cherry
- Material: Dye-sub PBT
Drop’s Bloom Series comes in a wide range of colorways like Matcha Mango, Ocean Wave, and Dusk Glow. They’re thick, textured, and feel more premium than the price suggests. The only drawback is occasional minor slanting in the legends, but otherwise, they’re a great mid-budget pick.
5. Akko Clear Caps & Drop Keysterine
- Price: $39.99 (Akko) / $49 (Drop)
- Profiles: ASA (Akko), Cherry (Drop)
- Materials: Polycarbonate (Akko), ABS (Drop)
Both sets offer a translucent aesthetic. Akko’s glossy finishes look stunning under RGB but can feel sticky at first, while Drop’s Keysterines offer a matte feel that’s better for daily typing. Printing on Akko caps is sharper, while Drop’s are a bit inconsistent. If you want looks, go Akko; if you want daily comfort, go Drop.
4. DamiKey Night Set
- Price: ~$70
- Profile: SA
- Material: Double-shot ABS
Tall and bold, SA profile keycaps are for those who enjoy a louder, more dramatic typing experience. The DamiKey Night set offers consistent molding and a premium feel despite using ABS, chosen here for its ability to deliver clean, sharp finishes.
3. NPKC Gradient Keycaps
- Price: $39.99 – $49.99
- Profile: OEM
- Material: Dye-sub PBT
NPKC’s gradient series has been popular for years thanks to its eye-catching transitions—blues, purples, and pastels that make any board stand out. While the legends aren’t as sharp as pricier sets, the smooth texture and satisfying acoustics more than make up for it. If you want something fun, colorful, and budget-friendly, this is a top pick.
2. PBTfans Keycap Sets
- Price: $70 – $90
- Profile: Cherry
- Material: Dye-sub / Double-shot PBT
PBTfans is one of the best “mid-tier” brands bridging affordable and premium. These sets are thick, consistent, and often inspired by higher-end GMK designs. They feel solid under the fingers, with crisp legends and excellent acoustics. For under $100, this is about as close as you can get to the premium typing experience.
1. NicePBT by CannonKeys
- Price: $60 – $85
- Profile: Cherry
- Material: Dye-sub PBT
NicePBT takes the top spot for its balance of affordability, quality, and design variety. Known for consistent thickness, smooth texture, and sharp legends, these sets are widely praised by the keyboard community. Colorways range from simple black-on-white to creative, playful palettes. For anyone wanting premium feel without a premium price, NicePBT is the number one budget choice.
Final Thoughts
Custom keycaps don’t need to be expensive to deliver great looks and feel. Whether you’re after RGB shine-through, bold SA profiles, or GMK-inspired designs, there’s a set under $100 that will fit your style and typing preference. For the best overall balance, NicePBT by CannonKeys is the clear winner—but every set on this list brings its own strengths.
Looking for reliable sourcing? Browse our keyboards collection and our keycaps collection at AllWinFactory.
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