Doubleshot PBT Keycaps: How They Extend Your Gaming Keyboard's Life
Doubleshot PBT keycaps improve durability, resist wear, and keep legends readable for years — ideal for gamers seeking longevity and reliable performance. Learn how they work, care tips, and smart upgrades. 🎮🔧
Look down at your keyboard. Are your WASD keys shiny and smooth? Has the "C" for crouch started to fade into a blurry smudge? It’s a common story for dedicated gamers. That slick, worn-out feeling is usually thanks to standard ABS keycaps. But what if your keys could feel brand new and look sharp for years, not months? Enter the world of doubleshot PBT keycaps, the single best upgrade for extending your gaming keyboard's life. ✨

Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard And Mouse Combo / Familiar Keyborad Layout / Long Battery Life / Built To Last / Reliable Wireless / 920-007931

Razer PBT Keycap Upgrade Set - Green / Fits all Razer Mechanical and Optical Keyboards / Shine-resistant PBT Material / Backlight Compatible / Fits all Cross-shaped / Includes Stabilizers / RC21-01490400-R3M1

Gamdias AURA GK2 60% Multicolor Gaming Keyboard - White & Black / Dual Colorway Keycaps / 61Key Mechanical Keyboard / Tactile Mechanical Switches / 9 Built-In Lighting Effects / AURA GK2 WB

Logitech® MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard - Graphite / Smart White Backlit / Bluetooth Low Energy Technology / 2.4GHz Logi Bolt USB Receiver / 920-011587

HP 350 Multi-Device Compact Wireless Keyboard - Black / Travel-Ready Compact Design / Multi-Device Bluetooth 5.2 / Smart Key Shortcuts / 692S8AA

MSI Forge GK600 TKL Wireless - Violet / 20-Mode RGB Backlight / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 Connectivity / Mechanical Linear Switch Type / Full Keys Anti-Ghosting / S11-43CEQ01-HH9
So, What Are Doubleshot PBT Keycaps?
Let's break it down, because the name tells you everything. It’s a two-part solution to a long-standing problem.
The Material: PBT
First, you have PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Unlike the more common ABS plastic, PBT is a denser, more durable polymer. It has a slightly textured, matte finish that resists the oils from your fingertips. This means no more greasy shine after a long session in Apex Legends or Warzone. It’s simply a superior material for anything you touch constantly.
The Method: Doubleshot
This is the clever part. "Doubleshot" refers to the manufacturing process. Instead of printing or laser-etching a letter onto a keycap, two separate layers of plastic are moulded together.
- Inner Mould: The first piece of plastic is moulded in the shape of the legend (the letter or symbol).
- Outer Mould: This legend is then placed into a second mould, and the main keycap plastic is injected around it.
The result? The legend isn't on the keycap... it is a physical part of it. It’s impossible for it to ever fade or wear away. This is why doubleshot PBT keycaps are the gold standard for longevity and a feature you'll find on many premium RGB gaming keyboards that are built to last.

Glorious GPBT 114-Keys Premium PBT Mechanical Keyboard Keycaps - Arctic White / Compatible with GMMK PRO & GMMK 2 / Fits Most Full-size/TKL Compact Keyboards / Non-Transparent Keycaps / US Layout / <span style="color:red; font-size: 16px;">*Keyboard not Included*</span> / GLO-KC-GPBT-W

Razer Huntsman V2 Optical Gaming Keyboard: Fastest Clicky Optical Switches w/Quick Keystrokes & 8000Hz Polling Rate - Doubleshot PBT Keycaps - Dedicated Media Keys & Dial - PUBG: Battleground Edition / RZ03-03932300-R3M1

Steelseries APEX 3 Gaming Keyboard - Whisper Quiet Gaming Switches / Water resistant / Dedicated Multimedia Controls / Three-Way Cable Routing / 10-Zone RGB Illumination / 64795

Gamdias Hermes M4 Hybrid Wireless Gaming Keyboard / Lag-free Wired/ Wireless/ BT mode / Certified Mechanical Switches / Dual Colorway Keycaps / Type-C to A Braided Cable / Anti-ghosting with N-key rollover / HERMES M4 Hybrid

MONSTER Airmars KMH5 USB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard / Full key Without Conflict / Monster Optical Mechanical Axis / Waterproof Protect / Double Color Injection Molded Keycap / AIRMARS-KMH5-KB

Glorious GMMK Pro Gaming Keyboard Bundle / GMMK Pro Gasket-mounted 75% layout Gaming Keyboard - Black, 16.8 million color RGB Lighting - GLO-GMMK-P75-RGB-B / Glorious Kailh BROWN Mechanical Keyboard Switches - KAI-BROWN / Mechanical Keycaps - Black - G-104-Black / GMMK PRO Rotary Knob - Gold - GLO-ACC-P75-RK-G
The Real-World Benefits for SA Gamers
Okay, the tech is cool, but how does it actually improve your gaming experience? The advantages are tangible and immediate.
Unmatched Durability: This is the biggest win. Spilled some Coke? Wipe it off. Raging after a tough loss? The keys can handle it. Most importantly, the legends will remain crisp and clear for the entire lifespan of the keyboard. While many standard gaming keyboards in South Africa offer great performance, upgrading to PBT is a long-term investment in quality.
A Superior Feel: The matte, slightly grainy texture of PBT provides a much better grip and feel under your fingers. It feels more substantial and less slippery than shiny, worn ABS. This tactile consistency can make a real difference during intense, precision-based gameplay.
Deeper Acoustics: Ask any keyboard enthusiast... keycaps change how a keyboard sounds. Because PBT is denser, it produces a deeper, more satisfying "thock" sound on each keystroke compared to the higher-pitched "clack" of ABS. It just sounds and feels more premium. 🚀
Keeping Your PBT Fresh 🧼
PBT keycaps are oil-resistant, but they still get dusty. For a quick clean, remove the keycaps and soak them in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Swirl them around, rinse thoroughly, and let them air dry completely before putting them back. Your board will feel brand new!
Are Doubleshot PBT Keycaps Worth the Price?
While keyboards with doubleshot PBT keycaps might have a slightly higher initial cost, they offer far better value over time. You’re not just buying a keyboard; you're investing in a piece of hardware that won't degrade with use. You won't need to buy a replacement set of keycaps or a whole new keyboard in a year because the letters have vanished.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 OmniPoint 3.0 HyperMagnetic Switches / Adjustable Actuation / Rapid Trigger / Game-Ready Presets / Protection Mode / Rapid Tap/SOCD OLED RGB PBT Keycaps / USB-C / 64740

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Esports Gaming Keyboard - Black / Analog Optical Switches w/Rapid Trigger & Adjustable Actuation / Media Keys & Dial / Doubleshot PBT Keycaps / Aluminum Top Plate / Wrist Rest / RZ03-04970100-R3M1

Logitech MK950 Signature Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo - Off-White / Sleek Design / Quiet Typing and Clicking / Switch Across Three Devices, Bluetooth, Multi-OS, Windows and Mac / QWERTY UK Layout / 920-012491

Glorious Raptor Clicky Switches for Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming: 36 PCS, 5-pin, Transparent for MAX RGB, Pre-Lubed, Compatible with MX Keycaps, Premium Click Bar for Thocky Sound / GLO-SWT-RAPTOR-LUBED

Logitech® G515 TKL Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Keyboard - Tactile Switches / Factory-Lubed Switches / Low-Profile Double-Shot PBT Keycaps / Tri-Mode Connectivity / Lightsync RGB — Black / 920-012538

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless - TKL Analogue Optical Esports PC Keyboard (Onboard Settings, Multifunction Wheel with 2 Dedicated Keys, PBT Keycaps) QWERTY US Layout | White / RZ03-04981700-R3M1
Whether you prefer the reliability of a top-tier wired gaming keyboard or the freedom of clutter-free wireless models, looking for PBT keycaps on the spec sheet is a smart move. It’s a guarantee that the core component you interact with most will stand the test of time.
Ultimately, choosing a keyboard with high-quality keycaps means you get a device that looks, feels, and performs at its best for years to come.
Ready to Feel the Difference? A great keyboard is the foundation of any epic gaming setup. By choosing one with doubleshot PBT keycaps, you're investing in quality that lasts. Explore our huge range of gaming keyboards and find the perfect board to anchor your rig.
Doubleshot PBT keycaps use two molded layers so legends are part of the cap. The doubleshot process plus PBT material resists wear and preserves markings.
Yes. PBT with doubleshot molding outlasts ABS, resisting shine and legend fade; see pbt vs abs doubleshot keycaps for material comparisons.
They don't alter actuation, but improved texture and consistent legends reduce input errors and help long sessions feel more reliable.
Remove caps and wash with mild soap and warm water, then air dry. Avoid harsh solvents to protect the PBT and doubleshot legends.
Yes—most mechanical keyboards accept standard Cherry-profile doubleshot PBT keycaps; confirm your layout and stem type before buying.
With regular care, doubleshot PBT keycaps can last many years—often matching the keyboard's lifetime due to superior doubleshot PBT keycaps durability.
They cost more than thin ABS sets but deliver lasting legends and resistance to shine, making doubleshot PBT keycaps a cost-effective upgrade.






