Razer Doubleshot PBT Keycap Upgrade Set for Mechanical & Optical Keyboards: Compatible with Standard 104/105 US and UK layouts - Mercury White

I bought this keycap set mainly because it was show-through, but also because I buy branded accessories for the objects I buy - a slight compulsion I have. In a similar way, I use a Samsung branded case for my Samsung Note 10. Installation was a bit tricky with the modifier keys and with the keys that require a stabilizer. I always recommend doing those first whenever possible. Regardless, I figured out halfway through the process that Razer places the trays and keycaps in numerical order in case you don't take a picture of your keyboard beforehand. It certainly reduces the amount of time spent searching for a key, so props for that. The keys fit MUCH tighter than the keycaps they replaced, which is a good thing. I had problems with the old ones falling off, ostensibly because the old acrylic caps loosened over time. Key wobble after installing is about 10% better, but this is much more a function of the switches themselves rather than the keycaps installed on them. I found even the bits that attach the stabilizers to the keycap fit tight, which is good considering the space bar on the old set had very loose stabilizer posts. The brightness of the set is a good bit lower compared to the old set. This partially has to do with the plastic and partially due to the font. They portray a thinner looking font and while it is thinner, it keeps the light from passing through more than the older keycaps. I've noted some possible issues with shine-through being a huge issue on the other keycap sets with lighter colors, so I made sure to replace black with black. I'm currently reporting no issues. The only disappointment here is that the fn keys that have additional settings like sleeping the computer or modifying the keyboard brightness are not illuminated at all, but that's mainly due to the issue of lighting real estate on the key, meaning only so much can be illuminated. Speaking of the font... I like it much better than the old font. I'm getting into my mid 20s and I felt like the old keycaps were made were children with how gamer-y they looked. The newer set, while still stylized, looks more professional and less like a gamer's keyboard. The feel is an incredible improvement over the old acrylic keycaps. The older keycaps had lost the texturing, but this keycap set returned it, so I'm thankful for that. The keys also feel less rattle-like than the old keycaps so I'm thankful for that as well. The cheaper OEM keycaps that came with the keyboard felt like they rattled when I typed with them. The texturing was more modest than I was expecting, but it's still pretty good. Sound is also noticeably improved. The overall tone of the typing is lower and deeper with lighter, fainter clicks and deeper thocks. I hear more of the click and less of the loud, high pitched bottoming out of the old acrylic keycaps. The loudest keys are of course the spacebar and the modifiers. Overall, the keyboard feels more premium now than it did in the past and I'm definitely thankful for that. I'm using this keyboard pretty much until it dies so I've got maybe a few more years with it until the F and G keys quit working completely. I'm happy that those years will be spent being more comfortable. Like I said, the greatest disappointment with this set is the lack of extra macro keys. They will always be the old acrylic caps and it kills the OCD person inside of me.

Firstly, my camera doesn't do the Razer doubleshot PBT keycaps justice. My gaming room is entirely black and has low light, so it's difficult to get clear images. So, the pictures which accompany this review should be used more as a rough idea of what they look like in person. With that out of the way.... I couldn't resist buying the Razer PBT doubleshot keycaps for my Razer Black Widow Elite. Although the OEM ABS keycaps were virtually brand new (just purchased the BW two weeks ago), the thought of completing the "experience" with the Razer PBT keycaps was irresistible and I'm glad it was. The feeling of quality the Razer PBT keycaps brought to the Razer Black Widow Elite (which was already amazing) is something I can easily recommend to anyone considering a purchase. The positive are plentiful here. Razer really made a pro-consumer move with the way they handled this. Not only are you getting some of the highest quality doubleshot PBT keycaps out there on the market, you get the non-standard and standard bottom rows, plus the US/EU layout, stabilizers and a key puller. Considering the quality on display here, (in my opinion) Razer could have easily charged $60 for this set. Now, onto the details. The Razer doubleshot PBT keycaps have an amazing balance between textured and a smooth finish. I ordered the classic black, so the shine through was perfect with absolutely no bleed through. The characters were surprisingly sharp and I have to say that impressed me quite a bit. Seriously these are some of the best characters in terms of crisp lines I've seen on PBT and the RGB shine through was superior to the standard ABS keycaps which come with the Razer Black Widow. These are some seriously durable feeling PBT keycaps, you can really feel the quality with each actuation and bottom out. The audible difference between the standard Razer ABS and the Razer PBT was quite noticeable and truly heightens the experience for mech lovers. It's a beautiful thing. Installation was a breeze overall, but of course a bit time consuming. Which is to be expected. Installation took roughly an hour and a half, but was self explanatory. Remove one ABS key, replace it with the PBT counterpart. Repeat. Literally everything was nearly perfect, but with one misstep. The one con. The stabilizers for the spacebar leave room for a bit of wiggle. Nothing to be alarmed about, but I did notice it when I purposefully wiggled the spacebar to test. I would love to see Razer include a better suited stabilizer specifically for the spacebar in the future. Aside from that one minor grip, every other stabilizer included performed well, ensuring a stable downward actuation. So, in closing, if you're on the fence as to whether or not it's worth the investment, don't hesitate, because it's with every penny and the upgrade is superb!

These Phantom keycaps are excellent. The build quality feels premium — thick PBT plastic with a smooth, slightly textured surface that’s great for typing. The legends are sharp, and overall they give your keyboard a clean, high-end look. The only downside (and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5) is for those using south-facing switches. The shine-through effect is pretty weak in that setup — the legends don’t glow much, and the lighting ends up being more subtle than striking. If you’re using north-facing LEDs or don’t care too much about RGB visibility, these are a fantastic choice. Just something to keep in mind depending on your keyboard configuration!

Premium PBT Material (5/5): The keycaps are made of high-quality PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) material, known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. They feel robust and are designed to withstand the rigors of intensive typing and gaming. Doubleshot Injection Molding (5/5): The doubleshot molding process ensures that the legends (the characters on the keycaps) won't fade or wear off over time. This means that your keycaps will maintain their crisp, clear, and vibrant appearance for years. Stylish Aesthetics (5/5): Razer's attention to detail is evident in the keycaps' design. They have a sleek and modern appearance that enhances the overall look of your keyboard, making it stand out. Compatible with Multiple Keyboards (5/5): These keycaps are compatible with a wide range of Razer mechanical and optical keyboards, providing users with the flexibility to upgrade their keyboard aesthetics and performance. Customization Options (5/5): The keycap set includes extra keycaps for added customization. You can choose from different colors and keycap profiles to suit your personal preferences and typing style. Enhanced Typing Experience (5/5): Typing on these keycaps is a pleasure. The textured feel and solid build contribute to a satisfying typing experience, whether you're typing up documents or engaged in intense gaming sessions. Easy Installation (5/5): The keycaps are easy to install, and Razer provides a keycap puller tool in the set for your convenience. You can quickly swap out your existing keycaps and start enjoying the benefits of this upgrade.

Purchased these to replace the OEM keycaps on my Razer Huntsman Elite. They are much higher quality, and feature a textured surface rather than the slick glossy surface of the original caps. Replacing them is easy, as Razer provides a key puller, and stabilizers. The Doubleshot PBT Keycap upgrade set is laid out in a line by line, top to bottom pattern to make it easy to remember which keys go where. Start with the "esc" key and move your way right, going down a row and back to the far left when you hit the end of a row. The only exception to the above rule is if you are using a non-standard layout, which the Razer keyboards are considered "non-standard." In that case, start the same way, but you will deviate for the last row, using the modified keycaps which are slightly different size from standard. The weight is about the same as the standard caps, and they function the same. Overall, great quality and good texturing. Would recommend. Picture layout; before/after with lights, before/after without lights, and the final pic is a close up of the old on top, new on bottom, to show texture differences.

My former keyboard had PBT keycaps, and I switched to a Razer Huntsman Elite for a number of reasons. The one trade-off is that I'd no longer have those PBT keycaps, instead having to use ABS keycaps. ABS keys "shine" from your finger oils quickly and, over time, the font can wear away. Razer has a habit of using a non-standard bottom row too, so finding an appropriate PBT keycap replacement set would be even more daunting. Until now. Razer just figured they'd do it themselves, in a set for $30 that includes: US keys, UK keys, standard bottom row keys, non-standard bottom row keys, AND a keycap puller. For $30. That's nuts! The same thing without different language keys and different bottom row keys can run $40 to $50, such as what Corsair offers! Now, these PBT keys don't shine the brightest, and the keycap puller isn't the best (you'll notice I'm using my own), BUT that's easily forgivable. I wasn't particularly fond of how bright the ABS keys shined before anyways. Additionally, these keycaps have shine-through for the alternative keys on the number keys along the top row, which the Huntsman Elite lacked before. That was another thing that drew me to this product. All-in-all, I love this keycap set. For $30 it's an amazing deal, a surprising one too, since I'd expect Razer to charge more of a premium. You don't even need to use these keys with a Razer keyboard either, the versatility of the set means you can use them on other brand keyboards or custom ones. Just make sure they have a cherry-mx style connection peg! (when you pull your keys off you should notice something that looks a bit like a Lego Technic axle)

UPDATE 12/20: The letter keys didn't make it a year before developing a pretty serious shine (worn smooth despite PBT). Mostly on the left side, as I use keyboard shortcuts and such with my left hand (mouse in the right). Spacebar and alt key too, as a result. They're good to refurb a Razer keyboard to new (mainly because they fit non-standard sizes) - but you can do better for less (e.g. HyperX or YMDK keycaps). These keycaps also dim the Chroma lighting substantially through the legends. The original ABS keycaps were better - and pudding keycaps are amazing. The LEDs are actually capable of serious light output with the right keycaps. It goes without saying that the stock ABS keycaps on my BlackWidow Chroma V2 developed The Shine™ in short order. I was originally going to get direct replacements, when I came across this PBT set, and for a cheaper price! Typical fast delivery through Amazon. Nicely packaged product. I ordered some off-brand, clear O-rings as well (both 1.5mm and 2.5mm for <$7) since I'd be cleaning the deck and replacing all the keycaps. I went with the 2.5mm to start with after testing them on a few keys. PROS: All the qualities of PBT; dense keycaps, gritty surface texture and much improved wear resistance. Easy enough to install (same as any keycap) and includes extra stabs in case you break or lose any (I didn't). There are also extra keycaps for different keyboard layouts (including ISO/UK). So this set will work with Razer and other keyboards. CONS: Somewhat larger than stock ABS keycaps, reducing inter-key RGB lighting somewhat. Not a big deal. What is though, is the inside/clear shot is somewhat inconsistent. It causes uneven RGB lighting through the keycap (as mentioned by another reviewer below w/pics). Since this set doesn't come with the M1-M5 keycaps (another con) I can compare them side-by-side and these PBT keycaps are markedly dimmer than stock (and not as white/legible when off). Somewhat disappointing for sure, but at least all symbols are illuminated now. So in the end, what's the verdict? For $30, I'm mostly happy. Between the heavier PBT keycaps and the thick O-rings, the clacks when bottoming out are nicely damped and just slightly mushy (thinner/harder O-rings would reduce both aspects). The overall feel though is absolutely better; it's like a brand new keyboard - and a better one at that... Solid, tight and quieter. The texture of PBT keycaps is just icing on the cake.

If you game in the dark, you might be surprised and disappointed with some of Razer's keyboards, like the Black Widow Ultimate: the shifted characters don't light up--not just numbers and "@$#%" but also quotes, semicolons, etc. This is not a big deal but it does start to become an annoyance for those of us in low light or dark conditions. The Razer Doubleshot PBT Keycap set solves this problem, though that isn't its main purpose. It just happens that the shifted keys are designed to light up the shifted characters. These keys are designed for gaming (okay, but does this mean that other Razer keyboards are *not* designed for gaming?). They're sturdier, which honestly doesn't seem necessary--most keyboards will survive long hours of WASDing provided you don't slam your fist against it when things don't go your way. The big gain though is they have this nice tactile feel that's just a bit coarse. It's a faintly stippled texture that grips the fingertips a bit better. IMPORTANT TIPS: The package is neatly fit into four trays. It comes with a key puller that makes it easy to remove the keys, but for a MECHANICAL keyboard you really want to tread lightly as you pull keys like SPACE, SHIFT, and ENTER - they're on metal hinges and it takes patience to figure out how to slip the key first off one side's hook and then off the other. The instructions should have spent a bit more time showing you how to properly separate these keys - I take neighboring keys off to give me room to maneuver. Slide the key to the left until it unhooks from the right side, then lift the unhooked right side upwards and slide to the right - the key will unhook from the left side. Reverse the process to put the new key on. If you're having a hard time keeping the wire bracket steady while you line things up, use one 'fingertip' of the key puller to get under everything and hold it in place. Keys like these that hook onto a metal retainer clip also require you to stick fittings on the underside of the key - they don't seem like they'll fit, but it just takes pressure, patience and persistence to snap them in place. The fittings aren't symmetrical, so you'll want to examine the key you removed to figure out which way the fitting should be pointed - look closely! If they key won't fit when installed, or it fits but then won't come back up, just be patient, check the fittings and the hooks, and try again. This kit does NOT come with O-rings, so if you have a yen to do something different, now would be the time to nab a set of your favorite ones. If your keyboard has O-rings, don't forget to pull those off the old keys and slip them on the new ones before installing the key. Overall, for the price this is a nice kit and the keys feel good. The key puller works well. Razer could have spent a bit more time documenting the trickier mechanical keys and the fact that the underside fittings aren't symmetrical, but patience should get you though. It would also have been useful if Razer lit the shifted keys on all of their keyboards--there are a number of people who game in low light.