Akko Neon PBT Keycaps

Logically, this is where I would be talking about the switches used in this build. However, Epomaker sent me four different switch options, so first talking about the keycaps made more sense to me. I already had this set sent to me earlier for a different reason, but found that it is a good set to use here, especially as Akko is one of the brands sold under the Epomaker banner on their web shop. The Neon PBT keycap set is also a rarely adopted Cherry profile set, which means these are lower in profile compared to the more common OEM profile keycaps.

Packaging is excellent, with a plastic wrap over a thick cardboard wrapper that does a great job showcasing the keycaps inside. Indeed, the entire packaging is color-coordinated to match the neon colors of the keycaps, with the logo, product name, and a close-up print of the keycaps on front. Akko, as with Epomaker, is a Chinese brand, and their contact information has been put on the back in Mandarin. On the side, we also see that the wrapper is placed over a sturdy plastic case that needs to be slid out for access.


The plastic case here, again in the neon blue color to match the keycaps, has the Akko logo in the accompanying red color in the middle. Two substantial hinges are on one side, and a cutout notch on the other helps open the box. This is otherwise quite impressive and adds a lot of protection to what is a bunch of plastic bought purely with aesthetics, customization, and build quality in mind. So any chips or damages during shipping are bad, and now the packaging makes a lot of sense.


Opening the box, we are greeted by the entire array of keycaps in this set, and there are many. Indeed, in addition to supporting all relatively standard form factors from 60% to full-size, Akko provides additional keycaps to support different sizes for the bottom row of the alphanumeric section as well as different sizes for the Ins-Del cluster and such intermediate form factors as 68% and 75%. As such, this set came in handy with the GK68XS default key map that requires small bottom-row keycaps on the right of the space bar, for example. Magnets help keep the box closed as well, and there is a nice metal wire keycap puller held in place in tightly molded plastic notches I was glad to use over the plastic keycap puller thrown in with the case.


I had to use the keycap puller even earlier than I thought since Akko has cross-stem molds in the case to hold all the keycaps tight and secure similar to dummy switches. There may be some trial and error to determine which switches to use, especially for the modifier keys and maybe some of the vanity keycaps of the set. Take your time, although you really should have done your research on the keycap set before purchasing it.


As per the company, the Akko Neon PBT keycap set employs combinations of "purple blue, dark purple, and pink red." Effectively, we see three color sets here, which allows for a good variety of neon-sign-style colors to choose from. The keycap legends are doubleshot injected in a loop-less manner similar to Ducky, with the bars on the underside where the loop breaks would otherwise be. There is basically no backlighting support here because the colors and the plastics used are too dark and thick in general. These are thus very thick PBT keycaps with an average wall thickness of 1.45 mm compared to the usual ~1.3–1.35 mm, and in total, we have 157 keycaps here, 108 for the full-size keyboard layout with media control keys and an additional 49 for different options and colors. The legends themselves are very clean and well applied, and the contrasting colors compensate for the lack of backlighting.