What is a keyboard plate?
In a mechanical keyboard, the plate is located between the switch and the PCB, supporting and fixing the switch, reducing the shaking of the switch during use, and protecting both the switch and the circuit board. It is an often overlooked but extremely important component.
Choosing the right keyboard plate can improve your typing feel. Explore our big sale to find compatible keyboards and accessories that fit your style!
Keyboard plate materials
The materials of common plates at present are: steel, aluminum, copper, PC, FR4, carbon fiber, and POM. Plates of different materials have different vibration frequencies and sounds, which depends on personal preference. These materials can be divided into two categories: stiff and flexible. Stiff materials include steel, copper, and aluminum, and flexible materials include PC, glass fiber (FR4), carbon fiber, and POM.
Let's first take a look at the characteristics of plates made of different materials.
Stiff materials: Copper, aluminum, and steel
Copper plate
Copper usually gives people the impression of being solid and stable. When used in keyboard plates, copper exhibits these qualities with high performance. The copper plate shows extremely high hardness and basically has no deformation after pressing. The keyboard using the copper plate feels very hard when tapping, and the sound is also relatively heavy, making the overall typing experience very solid. Due to the characteristics of the brass plate, it is very suitable for tactile switches, and the tactile feeling will be more obvious, giving you a better typing experience.
Copper plates are divided into polished or not, which does not affect the feel, but is mainly distinguished by appearance.
Akko MOD 007 V3 HE Year of Dragon utilizes a pre-built FR4 plate and a copper plate for a stiffer, higher-pitched sound profile.
Steel plate
Steel plates are common in cheap mechanical keyboards, and may produce a slight metal resonance sound (ping sound) when pressed. Nevertheless, steel plates provide good stability and durability, making the key switch more stable when pressed and not easy to shake. In addition, steel plates will be a bit heavy.
Aluminum plate
Aluminum positioning plates have certain strength and resilience, and the hardness is slightly softer than brass. Compared with other plates, the aluminum plate has a slightly moderate feel. It does not feel too hard or too soft when used, providing a relatively stable experience. It is precisely because of this moderate feel that the aluminum positioning board has become the choice of most players.
The MonsGeek M1W V3 HE-SP features an aluminum plate, providing a stiffer and higher-pitched sound profile compared to a PC plate. This design choice caters to users who prefer a more pronounced typing sound, ensuring that their keystrokes are distinctly heard.
Flexible: PC, FR4, carbon fiber, POM
PC plate
PC plate is popular for its extremely soft feel and significant improvement in sound. However, the feel of the PC plate is very soft, which may make some players who are not used to it feel like there is no confirmation when typing, so if you are used to using a harder plate, you should try it with caution.
POM plate
POM plate is also widely used due to their popularity. It provides a soft feel and "thocky" sound feedback that gamers love.
FR4 plate
The FR4 plate is made of the same material as the PCB. Its hardness is slightly softer than that of the aluminum plate. The sound performance is similar to that of the aluminum plate. The feel it brings is more neutral, so if you want a slightly softer feel, you can try the FR4 plate.
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plates are known for their lightness and good stiffness. Compared with similar materials with lower densities, carbon fiber plates are often the hardest boards you can choose. When used on a keyboard, they have the same hard feel as copper plates. However, because it is relatively lightweight, the sound is not as solid as the copper positioning plate shows, but it makes the knocking sound very crisp.
Summary
- Aluminum plate: high hardness, light weight, dull sound;
- Copper plate: hardness is equivalent to steel, but the sound is louder;
- Steel plate: high hardness, heavy feeling, solid sound;
- PC plate: low hardness, easy to deform, the sound is the smallest;
- POM plate: low hardness, easy to deform, thocky sound;
- FR4 plate: medium hardness, full toughness, thocky sound;
- Carbon fiber plate: high hardness and light weight, crisp sound;
Hardness: Carbon fiber = Copper = Steel > Aluminum > FR4 > POM > PC
Volume: Copper > Carbon fiber > Steel > Aluminum > FR4 > POM > PC
Do all keyboards have a plate?
Not all keyboards come with a plate, but many mechanical keyboards choose to have a plate for its stability, typing feel, and durability. A mechanical keyboard with a plate will affect the feel, and plates of different materials and thicknesses bring different experiences. A keyboard without a plate provides a purer switch feel. Choosing a keyboard with a plate or without a plate depends on your personal preference, typing style, and budget.
How do I choose the right plate for my keyboard?
The best plate for your mechanical keyboard depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some recommendations based on common preferences:
- For a firm, clear typing experience: Aluminum
- For a heavy, stable keyboard with a rich sound: Brass
- For maximum durability and a loud typing sound: Steel
- For a softer, quieter typing experience: PC
- For a lightweight, strong plate with a unique look: Carbon Fiber
What are the different types of keyboard plates?
Full Plate: Covers the entire key area, providing maximum stability.
Half Plate: Covers only a portion of the key area, offering a balance between stability and flexibility.
In addition, as we have mentioned above, not all keyboards have a plate, some keyboards mount switches directly to the PCB without a plate, providing a unique typing feel.
What plate should I get for a gaming keyboard?
For a gaming keyboard, you’ll want to balance durability, comfort, and sound. Here are tailored recommendations:
- For a balanced, affordable, and durable option: Aluminum
- For a quieter, more flexible typing experience: PC
- For a luxurious, stable feel with a rich sound: Brass
- For a lightweight, strong, and high-tech look: Carbon Fiber
- Consider factors such as material characteristics, weight, sound, and feel, and choose based on personal preferences and gaming needs.
Can I install my own keyboard plate?
Yes, using simple tools, installing a keyboard plate is usually not too difficult. There are comprehensive online tutorials and videos available to help with the installation procedure.
What advantages does a keyboard plate offer?
- Improved rigidity and stability: strengthens the structure and lessens switch wobbling.
- Better feel and sound of typing: offers a steady and enjoyable typing experience and has the ability to either increase or decrease sound.
- Protection for switches and PCB: minimizes flexing and protects the PCB from harm.
- Customization and aesthetics: provides a range of materials and styles to accommodate individual tastes.
- Flexibility in mounting styles: provides a customized typing experience by supporting a variety of mounting styles.
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