What is the mounting style of a keyboard?
A keyboard's mounting style describes the method by which the plate or printed circuit board (PCB) is secured to the keyboard case. Proper mounting ensures that all components remain securely in place, prevents unwanted vibration and noise, and creates a stable base for the keys.
Mounting styles fall into two main categories: case mounting and tray mounting. There are also two other design options: plate mounting and plateless mounting.
Case mounting creates a solid, uniform structure by attaching the PCB or plate directly to the keyboard case. Common variations in this category include:
- Top Mounting
- Bottom Mounting
- Gasket Mounting
- Sandwich Mounting
- Integrated Mounting
Tray mounting, on the other hand, does not attach the PCB or plate directly to the case, but to a special base plate inside the keyboard.
Tray Mounting
If you see any screw holes, it's probably a tray mount.
Tray mounting is a very simple and widely used mounting method. It involves screw holes on the bottom of the keyboard case, through which screws are passed through both the plate and the PCB to secure the entire keyboard. To ensure everything fits together, the PCB, plate, and case share the same screw positions.
Akko Tray Mounting Keyboard - FUN60 Ultra TMR/HE Magnetic Keyboard
Advantages:
- Cost-effective: It is a one-piece housing without multiple layers. The screw holes are fixed and standardized, which facilitates processing and keeps production costs low.
- Standardization & DIY-friendly: The high level of standardization makes it easy to obtain compatible plates and PCBs – ideal for beginners who want to try their hand at DIY keyboards.
Disadvantages:
- Inconsistent typing feel: The typing feel may be inconsistent depending on the area of the keyboard.
- Limited component performance: High-quality switches and keycaps may not be fully utilized.
Top Mounting
Screwed to the upper housing part
Top mount is a mounting technique in which the plate is attached to the top of the case. The plate typically has screw holes through which screws from the top of the case are threaded and screwed to the bottom of the case, thus creating the complete keyboard structure.
Advantages:
- Consistent typing feel: The stable internal and external attachment ensures a consistent typing feel across the entire keyboard.
- Easier manufacturing: The design is comparatively easy to manufacture and is therefore often used in high-end and mid-priced custom kits and pre-built keyboards. Korean custom brands, in particular, prefer this assembly system.
Disadvantages:
- DIY challenges: Screw and alignment positions are often not standardized and usually require CAD design drawings for DIY construction.
- Limited compatibility: DIY enthusiasts may need to purchase compatible plates, PCBs, or special kits.
Bottom Mounting
Attached to the lower part of the case – popular with high-end keyboards
With bottom mount, the internal components (such as the plate and PCB) are attached to the edges of the bottom case. These components have mounting slots or holes that align with the corresponding screw holes in the bottom of the case. Screws securely connect the parts, completing the keyboard assembly.
This design offers greater and more consistent rigidity than tray mounts. Since there's no attachment to the top case, a "floating" design is possible—while maintaining a more stable construction than a top mount.
Advantages:
- Softer typing experience: By attaching the keyboard to the bottom, this method provides better structural support. This allows for the use of softer materials, resulting in a smoother typing experience—particularly popular with high-end keyboards.
- Floating appearance: The design can be implemented without a top lid, allowing for an elegant, floating aesthetic.
Disadvantages:
Challenges of customization: Like top mount, this method often requires the purchase of compatible parts or the use of original drawings to manufacture custom components.
Sandwich Mounting
Plate between upper and lower housing parts
With the sandwich mount, the plate (positioning plate) is firmly clamped and fixed between the upper and lower housing.
The installation is more complex than it appears at first glance: The positioning plate must fit exactly along the edges of the case so that it is perfectly aligned - at the same time, it should allow for a slight bend to create a certain buffer.
Advantages:
- Pleasant key sound: Because both the upper and lower housing sections are connected to the positioning plate, vibrations are better dampened. This results in a muted, deep sound with a characteristic acoustic that is appreciated by many.
- Stable structure: This construction is particularly robust and stable.
Disadvantages:
Complicated assembly: Requires precise alignment and exact fit, which makes installation more complex.
Integrated Mounting
Housing and plate in one piece
The integrated mount is an integrated design in which the upper housing part and the plate are fused into a single, seamless structure. Both components are milled from a single piece of material—usually aluminum alloy, plastic (PC), or titanium alloy.
In contrast to the sandwich construction, this design lacks circumferential clamping, which can lead to more pronounced keystroke noises.
Advantages:
Stable construction: The continuous connection and fixation by the surrounding components offers a stable typing feel, similar to sandwich assembly.
Aesthetically integrated: The housing appears to be made from a single piece, as no separate positioning plate is required.
Disadvantages:
Impaired typing feel when pressing down: Due to the lack of a lower support plate, the bottom-out feel (the feeling when the key is fully pressed) may be somewhat impaired.
Higher costs: Because more CNC machining time is required for manufacturing, production is more expensive than with conventional housing/plate combinations.
Gasket Mounting
Soft rubber seals hold the plate and PCB.
Gasket mounting is currently one of the most popular mounting methods for mechanical keyboards. With this design, the screws only connect the top and bottom cases—there are no rigid structural parts or screwed mountings inside. Instead, soft rubber gaskets or inserts hold the plate and PCB in place with light pressure.
Akko Gasket Mounting Keyboard- MOD 007 HE Year of Dragon
Advantages:
- Consistent typing feel: The springy effect of the rubber seals creates a consistent, smooth typing feel across the entire keyboard.
- Noise dampening: The seals effectively reduce impact and cavity noise, resulting in a very quiet and consistent sound.
Disadvantages:
High costs: Manufacturing requires precise prototypes and high-quality rubber parts, which increases production costs and requires higher quality standards.
Spring Mounting
Springs support PCB and plate
The spring mount is a rare but innovative mounting method for mechanical keyboards. It uses springs to provide cushioning and flexibility for the plate and PCB (printed circuit board). The goal is to improve the typing feel and reduce noise. The springs are integrated into the keyboard structure and help support the internal components.
Akko Spring Mounting DIY Kit- SPR 67 DIY Kit
Advantages:
- Noise insulation: The spring mechanism reduces the impact noise when keys are pressed and ensures a quieter typing environment.
- Dampened and responsive typing feel: The spring-loaded bearings create a smooth, smooth typing feel, similar to the effect of rubber seals.
Disadvantages:
- Rare: This design is less common and therefore harder to find than other mounting types.
- Complex in design: The construction and assembly are technically more complex.
- Higher costs: The use of additional components and more complex development makes manufacturing more expensive.
Plateless Mounting
Design without plate
The plateless mount describes a keyboard design without a plate. This design completely eliminates the need for a positioning plate, meaning the keystroke is transmitted directly to the printed circuit board (PCB), creating a particularly flexible typing feel.
As mentioned above, this is a design concept, not a dedicated mounting structure. It can therefore be combined with various mounting types, such as top mount, bottom mount, gasket mount, or tray mount.
Advantages:
Unique typing feel: The elimination of the plate creates a particularly elastic and direct typing feel that is clearly different from other designs.
Disadvantages:
- High precision required: The PCB openings must be manufactured very precisely to avoid misalignment.
- Limited hot-swap support: Usually incompatible with hot-swap sockets, as lack of structural guidance can lead to alignment issues with switches and keycaps.
Which mounting type is best?
The ideal mounting method ultimately depends on your priorities—such as cost, typing comfort, sound quality, ease of manufacture, or aesthetics. The gasket mount is very popular among enthusiasts because it offers a smooth typing feel and good noise isolation. However, each mounting type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Which mounting type is best for gaming?
This is highly individual and depends on personal preferences and gaming requirements. Top mounts and gasket mounts are generally recommended for gaming, as they offer a good combination of stability, responsiveness, and comfort. Tray mounts excel primarily due to their high adaptability.
What is the difference between a top-mount and a bottom-mount keyboard?
With a top mount, the plate is attached to the top of the case, while with a bottom mount, it is attached to the bottom. Top mounts are easier to manufacture, while bottom mounts are more common in high-end keyboards. The bottom mount also allows for a "floating" design without a top cover and offers a more robust construction than the top mount.
