If you’ve noticed that you’ve been making plenty of typing inaccuracies because of shaky, uneven keys, you might need some keyboard stabilizers. Stabilizers for your keyboard are typically installed under your keys and are used to secure them. With key stabilizers, you can type away with no problem.
But are these exactly what you need? Have a look at our quick roundup of the top five keyboard stabilizers that might be perfect for you!
5 Best Keyboard Stabilizers
1. DUROCK V2 Screw-in Stabilizers
DUROCK V2 Screw-in Stabilizers
Starting strong, we have the DUROCK V2 Screw-in Stabilizers. It features a patented pre-clipped design that prevents wire dropouts. It’s made with premium Polymer Nylon with a real gold coating that will match any aesthetic!
Each stab is a perfect fit and the kit has everything you need. Add some lubricant to it and it should work like magic.
Pros: Cons:2. RUNJRX Screw-in Stabilizers
RUNJRX Screw-in Stabilizers
Another fantastic pick is the RUNJRX screw-in stabilizers. Apart from being stylish with its transparent case and gold-plated bars, it’s also durable and built to last. No more stuck keys!
For each set, you get everything you need for easy assembly – a screwdriver, seven 2u stabilizers, one 6.25u stabilizer, a balance bar, screws, and foam.
Pros: Cons:3. ZugGear Clear Screw-in Stabilizers
ZugGear Clear Screw-in Stabilizers
Redesigned to reduce wire popping, you could never go wrong with the ZugGear screw-in stabilizers. They’re made of premium-quality materials and have a clear color to keep your keyboard’s backlight bright. Its out casings also prevent thread stripping and it’s oxidation-resistant.
Pros: Cons:4. CuXiu CuXiukeys Plate Mounted Stabilizers
CuXiu CuXiukeys Plate Mounted Stabilizers
If you prefer plate-mounted stabilizers, then we highly recommend the CuXiu Plate Mounted Stabilizers. It’s made of alloy material resulting in increased durability and oxidation resistance. Additionally, their outer casing is made to prevent thread stripping!
Pros: Cons:5. OEM Plate Mount Stabilizers
OEM Plate Mount Stabilizers
Minimalists who prefer something simple will love the OEM plate-mounted stabilizers. These stabilizers don’t just feature a classic, solid design but they’re also high-quality with stabs tighter than other brands. They have all sizes you might need and work as well as advertised.
Pros: Cons:Things to Consider When Shopping for Keyboard Stabilizers
The purchase of a keyboard stabilizer requires careful thought, just like the purchase of any other piece of computer hardware. That includes the size, type, mods and so much more.
However, all these factors can be summed up in three – the type of stabilizer, its size, and its mounting style.
• The Type
There are three types of keyboard stabilizers: Cherry Style, Costar, and Optical. Let’s run through each of them quickly.
Cherry-style stabilizers are the most popular because they are easier to modify and customize. They’re best for gamers who like to constantly replace their keys and they’re overall extremely versatile.
Costar Stabilizers are great for those who don’t often replace or play with their keys. They’re not only cheap, but they do exactly what you want them to without any tweaks. They’re what we like to call the ‘install and forget’ type of stabilizers.
Lastly, we have optical stabilizers. Optical stabilizers are commonly used on optical switches and keyboards with unusual key structures. These stabilizers give a rattling sound to your keyboard, so they’re not very suitable for quiet environments.
• The Size
There are three stabilizer sizes: 2u, 7u, and 6.25u. The size 2u is for the smaller keys such as the number and letter keys. Whereas 6.25u and 7u sizes are for the spacebar. Standard keyboards use 6.25u for the spacebar, while custom-made or larger keyboards use the 7u size.
• Mounting Style
If you’re picking a Cherry-style stabilizer, then you also have to consider the mounting style you’re going to get. You have three routes – plate mounted, screw-in, and snap-in.
Plate-mounted stabilizers are best for standard mechanical keyboards. They are attached to the keyboard’s metal plate instead of the printed circuit board (PCB). However, they add more rattling to your keyboard which can either be a pro or con depending on your preference.
Screw-in stabilizers are screwed directly into the PCB. They are incredibly secure, rattle less, and do not get easily dislodged. Similarly, snap-in stabilizers are mounted onto the PCB. They are more effective than plate-mounted stabilizers but they can get dislodged at times.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any concerns or questions about keyboard stabilizers, we’ll try to answer them here.
1. What do key stabilizers do?
Key stabilizers prevent rattling, shaking, and tilting while typing. So if you’re having accuracy issues because of your loose or shaky keys then you might need a stabilizer.
2. How many stabilizers do you need for a keyboard?
A full-sized keyboard needs seven 2u stabilizers and one 6.25u stabilizer for the spacebar. Tenkeyless keyboards, however, only need four 2u stabilizers since they have fewer keys.
3. Do you need to lube keyboard stabilizers?
Keyboard stabilizers need thick grease-based lube for them to function properly. You can use dielectric grease, silicone grease, and so on.
4. What size keyboard stabilizer do I need?
A standard keyboard uses a 6.25u stabilizer for the spacebar and 2u stabilizers for the other keys. However, custom-made ones might need a size 7u for the spacebar.
5. Do all screw-in stabilizers work on any keyboard?
Screw-in stabilizers are for custom-made keyboards and do not always work on pre-built ones. They are rarer than other types of stabilizers, but they’re popular among keyboard gurus.
Conclusion
And with that, we are set! You won’t again have to worry about working with keys that are uneven or unstable again if you invest in a keyboard stabilizer of high enough quality.
If you look through the options we’ve provided, you should have no trouble finding the right one. If not, though, there is no need to worry. There are a lot more keyboard stabilizer types and brands you can explore. You just need to know what you want, and have the patience!