5 Types of Keyboard Plates Compared: Find The Best One!

Mechanical keyboards are best for customizing. One of the main components of the keyboards is the keyboard plate. But which one stands out the most? 

Which one takes the crown when 5 types of keyboard plates compared?

The brass keyboard plate is the heaviest and also gives the stiffest keypress feel. But, the polycarbonate keyboard plate is the most flexible, so its also the quietest of all. Nevertheless, the steel keyboard plate is the strongest. 

This is just a drop in the ocean. You need to get deeper knowledge to choose the most suitable keyboard plate.

So, let’s get started right away!

Quick Review

Keyboard plate materials dictate the use and quality of the keyboard. Because keyboard plates are used to mount keyboard switches, they provide more reinforcement to the key switches.

There are many keyboard plates available in the market. For instance, brass, polycarbonate, aluminum, copper, and steel keyboard plates are common. But each keyboard plate gives away a unique experience.

Similar to keyboard plates, keyboard cases are also an important factor to consider. In the market, you will find different keyboard cases made of different materials. 

Making the right comparison between wood and aluminum keyboard case can help you pick the right keyboard. 

With that said, let’s look at a quick comparison among those keyboard plates.

This quick review will give away some insights. But you need more insights to choose the right keyboard plate for yourself.

Hence let’s jump to the next section.

In-Depth Comparison

Here you will get an in-details comparison from the scratch. Keyboard plates material provides versatile experiences. Hence we will talk about what you will get from each keyboard plate material.

Another popular customization factor is keyboard foams. Picking either Case foam or plate foam can have different impact on your typing experience.

Now, let’s jump right to the in-depth analysis!

Brass vs Polycarbonate Keyboard Plate:

First let’s talk about keyboard plate weight. Weight is important as it can offer more sturdiness to your keyboard. Also, keyboard plates make the keyboard more compact.

The brass keyboard plate is heavier than the polycarbonate keyboard plate. Therefore, your keyboard will feel more compact using a brass keyboard plate.

However, the brass keyboard plates provide the stiffest keypress feel. So, using a polycarbonate keyboard plate, you can feel a more responsive keypress.

On the other hand, the polycarbonate keyboard plate is the most flexible keyboard plate. So, compared to the brass keyboard plate it can easily be bent. Many users hate these polycarbonated keyboard plates for this reason.

Source: reddit.com

But a polycarbonate keyboard plate can give you the most silent typing experience. Because it can absorb more sound than a brass keyboard. But, the brass keyboard plates will provide deeper click sounds.

Another thing that users love is the keyboard backlit. With polycarbonate keyboard plates, you will have the brightest backlight diffusion. However, your keyboard will illuminate less than the polycarbonate keyboard plate.

There are multiple color options available for the polycarbonate keyboard plate. But, brass keyboard plates come in gold. Because brass keyboard plates can get corroded, it’s coated with a deoxidization component.

Now, let’s talk about the cost. A brass keyboard plate costs around $30-45. However, a polycarbonate keyboard plate can cost around $20. Which is cheaper than a brass keyboard plate available on the market.

Aluminum vs Polycarbonate Keyboard Plate:

Polycarbonate keyboard plate weight is lighter than the aluminum Keyboard Plate. As a result, you will get a more rigid feel using an aluminum keyboard plate.

On the other hand, Aluminum keyboard plates are denser than polycarbonate keyboard plates. So with it, you will get more stiffed keys than a polycarbonate keyboard plate.

Nevertheless, a polycarbonate keyboard plate will have a higher response than an aluminum keyboard plate. Also, it is much more flexible than an aluminum keyboard plate. So, it is prone to bend more than an aluminum keyboard plate.

However, an aluminum keyboard plate is sturdier than a polycarbonate keyboard plate. So, your keyboard will feel more compact using an aluminum keyboard plate.

We have already mentioned that a polycarbonate keyboard plate absorbs sound. But an aluminum keyboard plate has deep key click sounds. So, a polycarbonate keyboard sounds quieter than an aluminum keyboard plate.

Nevertheless, typing on aluminum keyboard plates is more satisfying than on polycarbonate keyboard plates.

In the short comparison, you saw a polycarbonate keyboard plate illuminates the most. But, the backlit on an aluminum keyboard plate is also bright.

Apart from all these, aluminum can get corroded. So the aluminum keyboard plates are all anodized. Hence you will have fewer color options than polycarbonate keyboard plates.

Lastly, let’s talk about the cost. Within $20-30 you can buy an aluminum keyboard plate. Also, for around $20 you can get a polycarbonate keyboard plate. So, the cost of each keyboard plate is more or less the same.

Some of the best and most reliable aluminum keyboard plates are mentioned here.

Try out these Aluminum board plates and enjoy the clickity-clacks!

Brass vs Copper Keyboard Plate:

Brass is primarily a copper-zinc alloy. So, a brass keyboard plate will weigh more than a copper keyboard plate. But the difference is very marginal.

However, the brass keyboard plate feels more rigid than a copper keyboard plate. Hence a brass keyboard plate has a higher stiffness rating than a copper keyboard plate.

Nevertheless, copper keyboard plates’ keys are quieter and more thud-like than brass keyboard plates.

Moving on, a brass keyboard plate is less flexible than a copper keyboard plate. Howbeit, both are strong components. But, a copper keyboard plate is more prone to bend than a brass keyboard plate.

Now, brass keyboard plates are sturdier than copper keyboard plates. So, your keyboard will be more compact using a brass keyboard plate.

Brass keyboard plates will sound less hallow than copper keyboard plates. Because brass keyboard plates are more rigid than copper keyboard plates. So, the sound of a brass keyboard plate is deeper than a copper keyboard plate.

Nonetheless, copper keyboard plates illuminate more than brass keyboard plates. So, the keyboard’s backlit is brighter on copper keyboard plates than on brass keyboard plates.

Although brass is basically copper alloyed it gets corroded. But coppers don’t get corroded. So, the color variants are more for copper keyboard plates than brass keyboard plates.

Finally, a copper keyboard plate costs around $45. But, a brass keyboard plate can cost between $30-$40. So, a copper plate is more expensive than a brass keyboard plate.

Steel vs Aluminum Keyboard Plate:

Steel keyboard plates are heavier than aluminum keyboard plates. Also, steel keyboard plates are denser than aluminum keyboard plates. As a result, you will get more rigid and stiff key switches using a steel keyboard plate.

Albeit, aluminum keyboard plates are more flexible than steel keyboard plates. Although both are strong components, aluminum keyboard plates are more bendable than steel keyboard plates.

Surprisingly steel keyboard plates sound more thud-like than aluminum keyboard plates. Because of the density, aluminum keyboard plates sound hollower than steel keyboard plates.

Nevertheless, aluminum keyboard plates diffuse more lights than steel keyboard plates. So, RGB keyboards look more vibrant on aluminum keyboard plates than on steel keyboard plates.

Source: kprepublic.com

We all know steels get easily corroded. So, steel keyboard plates can be corroded faster than aluminum keyboard plates. However, both keyboard plates have a wide range of color variants.

Lastly, steel keyboard plates will cost less than $20. But, aluminum keyboard plates can cost slightly more than $20. So steel keyboard plates cost less than aluminum keyboard plates.

That’s all regarding the in-depth comparison. No matter what keyboard plate you choose, you should use proper keyboard stabilizers.

Which Keyboard Plate Is Suitable for You?

Now I will tell you my final thoughts on the keyboard plates.

If you want a soothing typing experience, you should avoid polycarbonate keyboard plates. Brass keyboard plates give away the most satisfying typing sound.

However, for the utmost response rate, you should go for polycarbonate keyboard plates. This one is also perfect for RGB lovers and gamers.

If budget is an issue, a polycarbonate keyboard plate is the ultimate choice. However, for the tactile key sound, you can choose steel keyboard plates. You can get one by increasing the budget a little bit.

In the end, whatever you choose, should be comfortable enough for you. Because keyboards are used the most to operate any PC or laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

That’s all regarding “5 types of keyboard plates compared.“

Here’s a tip— always lube your switches once every 6 months. This will enhance your typing preference and overall improve the experience.

Take care and Game on!