In the ever-evolving world of mechanical keyboards, enthusiasts are constantly chasing that perfect blend of form, function, and feel. We’ve seen innovations in switches, stabilizers, and even PCBs, but keycaps? They’ve largely stuck to the tried-and-true materials like ABS, PBT, and occasionally exotic woods or metals. Enter ceramic keycaps – a material more commonly associated with fine china or high-end cookware than your daily typing companion. When I first heard about the Cerakey Ceramic Keycap Set V2, I was skeptical. Could something as fragile-sounding as ceramic really hold up to the rigors of furious typing sessions, gaming marathons, or even just casual web surfing? Priced at $140 for a full 114-key set, it’s not an impulse buy, but the promise of a “silky smooth, cool-to-the-touch” experience and enhanced RGB backlighting piqued my interest.
As a keyboard hobbyist with a collection that spans from budget TKLs to custom 60% builds, I’ve reviewed my fair share of keycap sets. From the thocky satisfaction of thick PBT to the creamy shine of polished ABS, nothing quite prepares you for the novelty of ceramics. Cerakey claims to be the world’s first ceramic keycap set, crafted from industrial-grade alumina ceramics fired at temperatures between 1140°C and 1280°C. This V2 iteration addresses the pitfalls of its predecessor, swapping out problematic ceramic stems for durable ABS plastic ones. In this unboxing and in-depth review, I’ll walk you through the arrival, the reveal, the install, and weeks of real-world use. Spoiler: These keycaps aren’t just a gimmick – they’re a game-changer for anyone tired of the same old plastic.
Arrival and Packaging: A Premium First Impression
The package arrived via standard shipping from Cerakey’s website, wrapped in a nondescript brown cardboard box that belied the luxury inside. At about 12x8x4 inches and weighing in at just under 2 pounds, it felt substantial without being cumbersome – a good sign for keycaps that promise durability. The outer box was reinforced with bubble wrap, which is always appreciated in a hobby where shipping mishaps can turn excitement into heartbreak.
Upon opening, I was greeted by a sleek, matte-black presentation box emblazoned with the Cerakey logo in subtle silver foil. It evoked the unboxing of a high-end gadget, like AirPods or a luxury watch, rather than keyboard peripherals. The box itself is eco-friendly, made from recycled cardboard with a magnetic closure for that satisfying “click” when you seal it back up. Inside, everything was compartmentalized with foam inserts and velvet-like dividers, ensuring zero rattles or shifts during transit. No loose legends or chipped edges here – Cerakey clearly prioritizes protection.
A small thank-you card tucked into the lid provided a personal touch, complete with care instructions: “Handle with the grace of ancient pottery masters.” It also included a QR code linking to installation tutorials and community forums. Overall, the packaging scores a solid 9/10. It’s not overly flashy, but it conveys quality and care, setting a tone of anticipation. If you’re gifting these to a fellow mech-head, the unboxing alone might justify the price.
The Unboxing: Unveiling the Ceramics
With the outer layers peeled away, it was time for the main event. The keycaps arrived in four neatly organized trays: alphas, modifiers, numbers, and a bonus section for extras like the spacebar and any layout-specific oddities. The set is designed for full compatibility across 61/67/68/81/84/87/96/98/104 layouts, with 114 keys total – more than enough for my 104-key workhorse or my compact 65% daily driver.
Pulling out the first tray, the visual impact hit immediately. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill keycaps. The chosen colorway – a glossy black with subtle crazed accents on the flagship keys like Escape and Enter – gleams under ambient light like polished obsidian. The ceramic bodies are fired to a high gloss, but not in a cheap, plasticky way; it’s more like the sheen of fine porcelain, smooth yet substantial. Each key weighs noticeably more than standard PBT (around 1.5-2 grams per key versus 1 gram for PBT), giving them a premium heft that translates to stability on the board.
The legends are laser-etched and filled with a durable, non-fading ink that promises longevity. No shine-through issues here – in fact, Cerakey boasts enhanced light transmittance for RGB users, which I’ll test later. The stems, as mentioned, are ABS plastic glued securely into the ceramic tops, a smart upgrade from V1’s all-ceramic design that reportedly warped under heat and pressure. Running my fingers over them, they feel cool and impossibly smooth, like stroking a river stone. No burrs, no rough edges – just pure tactility.
Included accessories were thoughtful: a keycap puller with ergonomic grips, microfiber cleaning cloth, and a small bottle of ceramic-safe polish. No extras like desk mats or switch lubes, but for a keycap-focused set, it’s spot-on. Unboxing took about 5 minutes, and by the end, I was itching to mount them. Initial verdict: Excitement level maxed out. These look and feel like nothing else in my drawer.
Design and Build Quality: Crafted for Eternity
Diving deeper into the design, Cerakey’s V2 set adheres to the Cherry profile – a sculpted, OEM-like shape that’s lower in height than SA or MT3, striking a balance between comfort and ergonomics. The legends are shine-through compatible, with uniform font sizing that ensures readability from any angle. What sets them apart, though, is the material science behind the ceramics.
Alumina ceramics, the backbone of these keycaps, rank second only to diamond in hardness on the Mohs scale. Fired at blistering temperatures, they’re not just tough; they’re impact-resistant and wear-proof, outlasting steel in abrasion tests. Cerakey emphasizes this with a UV-protected glaze that resists yellowing or fading – a common gripe with ABS sets after months of use. The crazed effect on select keys (those ice-crack patterns) isn’t a defect; it’s intentional artistry, born from months of glazing experiments. Each set has slight variations in texture and color depth, making yours truly one-of-a-kind, like handmade pottery.
Build-wise, the ABS stems snap firmly onto Cherry MX clones without wobble, thanks to precise molding tolerances. I inspected under magnification: No air bubbles, no weak glue joints. Dropping a few from desk height onto carpet elicited a satisfying “clink” rather than a crack – reassuring for butterfingered typists like me. At 1.2mm thick, they’re slimmer than some artisan caps but denser, reducing flex during heavy bottom-outs.
One nitpick: The south-facing stem orientation works flawlessly on most boards, but north-facing PCBs might cause LED interference (as noted in the specs). My test rig, a south-facing GMMK Pro, had zero issues. Overall build quality? Industrial elegance meets artisanal flair – 9.5/10.
Installation: A Breeze with Built-In Stability
Swapping keycaps is rarely rocket science, but with ceramics’ weight, I approached installation cautiously. Using the included puller, I depopulated my keyboard in under 10 minutes – alphas first, then mods. The puller’s soft rubber grips prevented scratches, a must for glossy surfaces.
Popping on the Cerakeys was equally straightforward. The stems seated with a reassuring “snap,” and the added mass made alignment forgiving. No tweaking stabilizers needed; the spacebar and shift keys locked in perfectly, thanks to the set’s inclusion of multiple sizes (6.25u, 7u spacebars standard). For my 65% board, the extras covered the F-row gaps seamlessly.
Time investment: 15 minutes total, including a quick dust-off with compressed air. Post-install, the board transformed visually – from matte black PBT to a sleek, monochromatic ceramic expanse. The heft translated to zero stem wobble, even on linear switches prone to rattle. If you’re new to customs, this set’s forgiving fit makes it accessible.
Typing Experience: Silky Smooth Meets Cool Precision
Now, the moment of truth: How do they feel? Mounting the set on a Keychron Q1 with Gateron Milky Yellows (linear, 63g), the first keystroke was revelatory. The ceramic tops glide like silk over skin – no texture, no friction, just pure, effortless depression. It’s akin to typing on a high-end glass trackpad, but with the satisfying travel of mechanical switches.
The cool-to-touch factor lives up to the hype. Even after 30 minutes of continuous typing in a 75°F room, the keys stayed refreshingly chill, absorbing body heat without warming up. In summer, this could be a godsend for sweaty palms. The Cherry profile’s subtle sculpting guides fingers naturally, reducing fatigue during long sessions. Accuracy? Spot-on; the smooth surface minimizes slip, making it ideal for coders or writers.
On tactiles (Bobagum Browns), the ceramics amplified the bump, creating a “ceramic clack” that’s crisp without being harsh. Linears felt buttery, tactiles poppy – versatility across switch types is a win. After two weeks (20+ hours), no wear on legends or glaze. Fatigue set in slower than with my PBT set, thanks to the ergonomic profile and weight distribution.
Downsides? The smoothness borders on too slick for some; if you prefer grippy textures for gaming precision, it might take adjustment. But for productivity? Transcendent.
Sound Test: A Mellifluous Thock Like No Other
Sound is subjective in the mech world, but ceramics demand their own symphony. I recorded tests across configurations: stock Q1 foam, taped PCB, and lubed stabs. The baseline? A deep, resonant “thock” – mellow yet authoritative, like dropping polished stones into a wooden bowl. No high-pitched pings or hollow echoes; the density dampens vibrations beautifully.
With mods, it deepened to a bassy “clunk,” rivaling polycaps on a thocky board. RGB off, it’s subtle and office-friendly; lit up, the enhanced transmittance adds a faint “shimmer” on release. Compared to MT3 PBT (bright clack) or SA ABS (poppy), ceramics sit in a creamy middle ground – sophisticated, not aggressive.
Volume-wise, they’re quieter than metal caps but louder than doubleshot ABS, striking a versatile balance. In a quiet office, they’d blend in; in a gaming setup, they’d underscore every input. Score: 9/10 for audio alchemy.
Aesthetics and Lighting: Art Meets Illumination
Visually, these keycaps are showstoppers. The glossy black finish pairs with any chassis – aluminum, acrylic, or wood – exuding minimalist luxury. The crazed accents on alphas add whimsy without overwhelming; under desk lamps, they catch light like fractured ice, revealing subtle rainbow refractions.
RGB performance? Stellar. The ceramic’s light transmittance (up to 20% better than plastic, per Cerakey) turns per-key lighting into a light show. Colors pop vividly – reds glow like embers, blues pierce like lasers. No hotspots or dim legends; even complex patterns like ripples illuminate evenly. In a dark room, my setup looked like a cyberpunk artifact.
Customization shines too: Cerakey’s split sets allow mixing colors (e.g., white alphas with black mods). For purists, the uniform gloss elevates any build to gallery-worthy status.
Durability, Compatibility, and Long-Term Use
Durability testing: Two weeks in, including coffee spills (wiped clean, no stains) and a 3-foot drop (minor scuff, fully functional). The UV glaze holds strong; no fading under direct sun. Heat resistance? Keys stayed cool at 104°F ambient – no warping.
Compatibility: Flawless on MX stems (Gateron, Kailh, etc.). South-facing LEDs? Perfect. North-facing? Minor haloing on some boards, but fixable with diffusers. Layout coverage is comprehensive, with extras for oddballs like numpads.
Long-term: After 50 hours, the smoothness persists, stems unyielding. They’re not indestructible (avoid microwaves, per the card), but for desk use, they’re heirloom-quality.
Pros, Cons, and Value Proposition
Pros:
- Unparalleled smoothness and cool touch.
- Stunning aesthetics and RGB enhancement.
- Exceptional durability and sound.
- Versatile compatibility and easy install.
Cons:
- Premium price ($140) – a splurge.
- Slickness may not suit all grips.
- North-facing PCB caveats.
Value? At $1.23 per key, it’s comparable to artisan sets but with mass production perks. If you type 8+ hours daily or crave uniqueness, it’s worth every penny. Budget folks, stick to PBT.
Compared to Drop’s MT3 (thocky but warm) or ePBT (grippy, affordable), Cerakeys win on innovation and premium feel.