Are Thocky Keyboards Worth It? Best Keycaps for Deep Sound

What Is a "Thocky" Keyboard?

A "thocky" keyboard produces a deep, muffled keystroke sound ("thock") rather than a high-pitched or clicky sound. Enthusiasts love it for its smooth, non-intrusive acoustic quality. The thock sound is typically associated with:

• PBT keycaps (especially thick ones)
• Linear or tactile switches
• Lubed stabilizers and switches
• Foam modding (case foam, PE foam, or plate foam)
• Solid keyboard case materials like aluminum or polycarbonate
• Gasket mount or top mount designs

Why Do People Like Thocky Keyboards?

Image from Akko

• Satisfying acoustic feedback that enhances the overall typing experience
• Quieter than clicky boards, great for shared spaces
• Relaxing sound for content creators and ASMR fans
• Aesthetic and auditory pleasure for keyboard hobbyists

Are Thocky Keyboards Worth It?

It depends on your preferences and how much value you place on the typing experience. Here are a few pros and cons to help you decide:

Pros:

• Satisfying typing experience: Deep keystrokes reduce ear fatigue and improve focus.
• Perfect for ASMR lovers: Ideal for content creators who record keyboard sounds.
• Quiet yet rich: Produces minimal high-pitched noise without being totally silent.

Cons:

• Can be expensive: High-quality keycaps, switches, and modding kits can add up.
• Not always office-friendly: Even a thock can be distracting in super-quiet environments.
• Trial and error: Achieving the perfect thock may require experimenting with different keycaps, foams, and switches.

Are Plastic Keyboards More Thocky?

Not always. While some plastic cases can provide a deeper thock due to their softer acoustics, heavier materials like aluminum or polycarbonate often deliver a more refined, deeper sound. That said, a well-modded plastic keyboard can absolutely produce a satisfying thock.

What Mounting Style Is Best for Thock?

• Gasket Mount: Offers the most muted and dampened sound, ideal for thock.

• Top Mount: Slightly firmer but still great for sound clarity.

• Tray Mount: Least preferred, as it can introduce rattling or less consistent acoustics.

DIY Modding Tips for a Thockier Keyboard

• Use foam (case foam, plate foam, PE foam)
• Lube switches and stabilizers to remove scratchiness and rattling
• Tape mod (placing masking tape on the back of the PCB) for deeper sound
• Switch films to tighten housing and improve acoustics
• Use thicker keycaps like PBT or MT3 profile

Best Keycaps for a Deep Thock Sound

If you're chasing the thock, your keycap choice is crucial. Here are the best options:

Blank Thick PBT OEM Profile Keycap

1. Thick PBT Keycaps

• Why they work: Thicker PBT material absorbs more sound, giving a deeper tone.
• Look for: Cherry or OEM profile with high wall thickness.
• Top Picks: EnjoyPBT, ePBT, Drop MT3, Akko PBT sets.

2. SA Profile Keycaps

• Why they work: Their tall, spherical shape adds resonance.
• Sound: Deeper and more rounded thock.
• Note: Can feel bulky for some typists.

3. MT3 Profile Keycaps

• Why they work: Deep-scooped shape and thick PBT construction.
• Sound: Produces an extremely satisfying deep keystroke.
• Top Pick: MT3 BoW or MT3 Serika from Drop.

Christmas Resin Artisan Keycap

4. Resin Artisan Keycaps (for specific keys)

• Why they work: Denser materials add unique deepness to special key presses.
• Use: Mostly for spacebars or escape keys.

Switches for Thocky Sound

• Best Linear Switches: Gateron Ink Black V2, Durock POM, Gazzew Boba Black
• Best Tactile Switches: Boba U4T, T1 Tactile
• Tips: Lube them with Krytox 205g0 for an even smoother, thockier result

Recommended Thocky Keyboards & Where to Buy

6 Thockiest Keyboards for the Best Deep Sounds

Here are some of the best prebuilt or hot-swappable options if you want thock out of the box:

Best Thocky Keyboards:

• Keychron Q Series (Q1/Q2) – Great aluminum build, mod-friendly
• Akko 5075B/3068B – Affordable and comes with decent stock PBT caps
• Mode Envoy or Sonnet – Premium custom boards with gasket mount
• Ikki68 Aurora – Highly customizable and thocky when modded

Where to Buy:

• MechMarket (Reddit) – For used or rare keyboards
• Drop.com – For MT3 keycaps and custom boards
• KBDfans, CannonKeys, Divinikey – For switches, foams, and DIY kits
• Amazon, Shopee, Lazada – For budget boards and accessories

How to Make Any Keyboard Thocky on a Budget

Want that signature thocky sound without breaking the bank? You don't need to buy an expensive board to get satisfying deep keystrokes. Here's how to transform any budget keyboard into a thocky beast:

1. Lube Your Switches & Stabilizers

• Use Krytox 205g0 or Trybosis 3204 for a smooth, muted sound.
• Even budget switches sound 10x better with proper lubing.

2. Foam Mod Your Case

• Add cheap EVA foam or packing foam inside the case to reduce hollowness.
• Plate foam and switch foam also improve sound dampening.

3. Try the Tape Mod

• Add two layers of masking tape to the back of your PCB.
• This simple trick deepens the tone and enhances sound resonance.

Click here for more information

4. Use Thicker PBT Keycaps

• Swap your ABS caps for budget-friendly PBT keycaps from Akko or XVX.
• Thicker caps = deeper thock.

Final Thoughts: Is the "Thock" Worth It?

If you're someone who types a lot, appreciates rich sound profiles, or simply wants a premium typing experience, yes, a thocky keyboard is absolutely worth it. It might take some fine-tuning, but the end result is a setup that feels great and sounds even better.

Whether you're building from scratch or upgrading your current board, keycaps, switches, and mods all play a huge role in achieving that perfect thock. Invest in thick PBT, experiment with profiles like SA or MT3, choose the right mounting style, and you'll be well on your way.

FAQ: Thocky Keyboards

Q1: What does “thock” mean in keyboards?
“Thock” refers to a deep, low-pitched, and muted keystroke sound that many keyboard enthusiasts find satisfying. It contrasts with higher-pitched "clicky" or "clacky" sounds.

Q2: Can I make a cheap keyboard sound thocky?
Yes! With simple mods like switch lubing, foam inserts, and thicker PBT keycaps, even a budget keyboard can be transformed into a thocky setup.

Q3: Do switches affect the thock sound?
Absolutely. Linear and tactile switches like Gateron Ink Black V2, Boba U4T, and Durock POM are known for producing deeper, smoother sounds, especially when lubed.

Q4: Are PBT keycaps better than ABS for thocky sound?
Yes. Thick PBT keycaps are more durable and naturally absorb sound better, creating a fuller, deeper "thock" compared to thinner ABS keycaps.

Q5: What mounting style is best for a thocky sound?
Gasket mount and top mount keyboards are preferred for thocky builds because they offer a softer and more muted keystroke compared to tray mount styles.

Q6: Are plastic keyboards more thocky than metal ones?
Not necessarily. While plastic can help mute sharp acoustics, premium materials like aluminum or polycarbonate often produce a cleaner and deeper sound when paired with the right mods.

Q7: Where can I buy thocky keyboards or components?
You can find thocky-ready boards and parts at trusted sites like KBDfans, CannonKeys, Drop.com, Divinikey, or even marketplaces like MechMarket. Local platforms like Shopee or Lazada may also offer budget options.

Q8: Is the thock sound just for ASMR?
No! While it's loved by the ASMR community, thocky keyboards are also valued for daily typing because of their comfort, reduced noise fatigue, and overall enjoyable sound profile.