Top 5 Best Keyboard Stabilizers

Wobbly keys are one of the most frustrating things about mechanical keyboards. When they rattle and shake, they are a real pain to deal with. That’s why I’ve taken the time to find the best keyboard stabilizers for you guys. So let’s turn those annoying clacks into satisfying clicks!

What are keyboard stabilizers?

Stabilizers are essential keyboard components that prevent larger keys from wobbling when pressed. As the name implies, they stabilize the keycaps and help them bind to the switches. Their most frequent placement is under larger keys such as the spacebar, enter, and shift.

The Different Stabilizer Types

There are two main types of stabilizers: PCB-mounted and plate-mounted. As their names imply, one mounts to the plate, while the other mounts to the PCB. Furthermore, PCB stabs can either be screw-in or clip-in.

Screw-in stabs are the best of the bunch. They mount right into the PCB and attach with screws. Thus, they are the most secure and perform the best due to their direct attachment.

Clip-in stabilizers are pretty similar; instead of screwing in, they clip in. Although not as secure as screw-ins, they’re still leagues ahead of the next ones I’ll cover.

Plate-mounts attach by clipping right into the metal plate. This mount style is the easiest to install, but it’s not the most secure.

Take Note: Key Size and PCB Thickness

We measure keycap sizes with u (units); one u equals the width of one regular keycap. The space bar can be either 6.25 u or 7 u, while smaller modifier keys come in at 2 u.

Most PCBs have a thickness of 1.6mm. If, by chance, your PCB is thinner, you can use stabilizer shims to increase the thickness.

TX’s stabilizers, by Kin25, are without a doubt the best keyboard stabilizers on the market. Kin25 enhanced Cherry’s original design by improving tolerances and preventing wire pop-outs. Their lack of flaws makes them my top pick.

As for materials, they have a double-shot stem with an outer layer made of POM and an inner mix of TPU and POM.

Next up are the “Staebies,” a design collaboration between Zambumon and AEBoards. They stand out as among the best keyboard stabilizers available. Their tolerances are super tight, which can be either a blessing or a curse.

Furthermore, they come in two colors: black (nylon) and transparent (polycarbonate). Both versions feature a POM stem.

Finally, we have Owlstab stabilizers, manufactured by Owlab with wires made by Liquidmetal®. Their main feature is the wire, which is a shape-memory alloy. With the addition of a smaller wire entry hole and a smaller outer housing to reduce wobble.

Owlstabs feature an accessory bag with wire cushions and Teflon tape. Also, they are available in smoke and clear variations.

Finally, we have Durock’s stabilizers. These used to be everyone’s top pick, but in recent years, I’m not so sure. Never the less, they are still one of the best screw-in stabs on the market. In my personal opinion, these are only worth picking up if you get a good deal on them.

As for materials, they have a nylon-PA plastic construction and a gold-plated wire. Additionally, they come in three colors: smokey, transparent, and black.

Asceny stabilizers are by far the best plate-mounted stabilizers on the market. That’s all due to their tight plate tolerance. Which fixed the annoying rattle noises associated with plate mount stabs. They are even comparable to some PCB-mounted stabilizers. Also, the stabilizers found on Ducky Keyboards are up to par with Asceny, but you can’t buy them separately.

Not only are these stabs the best, they are even my personal favorites. They feature a high-quality polymer nylon injection and gold-plated wires. With the addition of the no-clip design, there is no need to cut anything.

Conclusion

Stabilizers are a crucial component of all mechanical keyboards. They prevent larger keys from wobbling, and they stabilize the keycaps. I’ve picked out the best keyboard stabilizers for you, whether your keyboard has a PCB or plate mount. For PCB mounts, I recommend the TX stabilizers, and for plate mounts, go for the Asceny ones. In conclusion, explore all the options to see what works best for you.