6 Artisan Keycap Profiles Comparison
Compare OEM, SA, DSA and other artisan keycap profiles to choose your ideal keycap.
Artisan keycap profiles comparison helps you understand how OEM, SA, and DSA profiles differ in height, sculpt, and typing feel—guiding you to the ideal cap set for your mechanical keyboard. We’ll break down each profile’s characteristics, pros and cons, and usage scenarios so you can confidently select artisan keycaps that elevate both comfort and aesthetics.
Artisan Keycap Profiles Comparison
Artisan keycap profiles comparison is crucial because profile shapes directly influence ergonomics, sound, and visual cohesion. Profiles fall into two main categories: sculpted (row‑specific heights) and uniform (flat). Below are the six most popular profiles—OEM, SA, DSA, Cherry, XDA, and MT3—each with unique attributes.
OEM Profile
Overview: OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) profile is the medium‑height, slightly sculpted standard found on most prebuilt mechanical keyboards hhkeyboard.us. Top rows slope down at a gentle angle, guiding fingers naturally.
Characteristics: OEM keycaps measure roughly 9.5 mm at the tallest point and 8 mm at the shortest, offering a balanced typing posture without a steep learning curve.
Pros & Cons:
Pros: Familiar feel; wide artisan mold support.
Cons: Less dramatic “thock” sound than taller profiles; moderate finger travel .
SA Profile
Overview: SA (Spherical All) is a tall, deeply sculpted profile with spherical tops, reminiscent of vintage typewriter caps.
Characteristics: SA caps reach up to 17 mm at their tallest—creating a pronounced curve across rows—and deliver a thunderous “thock” .
Pros & Cons:
Pros: Excellent finger guidance; rich acoustics.
Cons: Steeper learning curve; may require a wrist rest
DSA Profile
Overview: DSA is a low, uniform profile with a spherical top, allowing any keycap to be placed in any position.
Characteristics: All DSA caps stand at roughly 7.6 mm tall, creating a flat plane that some users find faster for gaming.
Pros & Cons:
Pros: Fully inter‑changeable; sleek, modern look.
Cons: Lacks ergonomic row guidance; minimal acoustic depth .
Cherry Profile
Overview: Cherry profile is sculpted like OEM but slightly shorter, with gentle row contours for a lower‑profile feel Glorious Gaming.
Pros & Cons:
Pros: Ergonomic and faster travel; popular for custom sets Glorious Gaming.
Cons: Less dramatic sculpt than SA; fewer artisan cast molds available.
XDA & MT3 Profiles
XDA: Flat like DSA but with a larger surface area and uniform height, favored for bold surface art.
MT3: Deeply sculpted similar to SA but with a cylindrical top and modern aesthetic.
How to Choose the Right Artisan Keycap Profile
Typing Comfort: Choose SA or Cherry for ergonomic guidance and reduced finger travel .
Gaming & Flexibility: Opt for DSA or XDA for uniform feel and easy key swapping Reddit.
Aesthetic Preference: Select SA or MT3 for dramatic sculpting; OEM and Cherry for subtle curves.
Sound Signature: Taller profiles like SA yield deeper thock, while lower profiles like DSA produce crisper clicks.
Conclusion
A thorough artisan keycap profiles comparison empowers you to match profile height, sculpt, and feel with your typing or gaming needs. Whether you gravitate toward the familiar comfort of OEM, the retro grandeur of SA, or the uniform agility of DSA, MCraftin’s artisan keycap collection has the perfect profile to elevate your mechanical keyboard experience.
Ready to customize? Browse our artisan keycaps at MCraftin and find the ideal profile for you!
