In-depth review
Drop DCX Keycaps Review (2026)
In-depth review of Drop DCX keycaps: doubleshot ABS, true Cherry profile, 173-key coverage. Research-based assessment.
Drop DCX Keycaps
Doubleshot ABS in true Cherry profile.
Our verdict
Drop DCX is the enthusiast keycap set for Cherry-profile purists: authentic sculpt, crisp doubleshot legends, and a 173-key set that covers layouts budget sets cannot. But RGB builders should look at SteelSeries PrismCaps instead, because DCX legends do not shine through at all, and budget buyers should look at HK Gaming, which delivers dye-sub permanence and 139 keys for less.
What we like
- 173-key set covers full-size, 40s, and extras
- True Cherry profile, sculpted rows
- Crisp doubleshot legends
What to watch out for
- ABS will develop shine with heavy use
- No shine-through for RGB builds
- Pricier than budget PBT sets
Who it is for
Keyboard enthusiasts who want true Cherry-profile doubleshot with maximum layout coverage and do not need backlight.
Doubleshot ABS, done properly
Double-shot molding produces legends as separate plastic, so they are crisp in any color and permanent. Drop's Cherry profile is the real sculpted article: medium height with angled rows, the profile the enthusiast community standardized around. The honest tradeoff is the material: ABS develops shine on the most-touched keys with heavy use, while PBT does not. DCX buyers are choosing legend crispness and profile authenticity over PBT's wear resistance.
Coverage: 173 keys
The 173-key count is the set's superpower: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65%, 60%, and 40% coverage including the odd-sized keys that force most buyers into second sets. For anyone with a non-standard bottom row or a 40% board, this single set ends the compatibility hunt. Few sets at any price cover this much.
How it stacks up
Against YMDK PBT, DCX is the enthusiast step up in every way except material aging: 173 keys versus 104, true Cherry sculpt versus tall OEM, crisp doubleshot versus dye-sub, at a mid-tier price versus budget. YMDK's PBT will resist shine longer, which is its only durable advantage. Against HK Gaming, DCX offers more keys (173 vs 139) and crisper doubleshot legends, while HK counters with PBT that never shines and a lower price; the choice is ABS crispness plus coverage versus PBT longevity plus value.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Crisp double-shot legends that never wear off
- GMK-like quality for less
- Usually in stock
Common complaints
- Mac modifiers sold separately
- Slick ABS surface can develop shine
- Can sound clacky on some boards
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Key count
- 173 keys
- Profile
- Cherry, sculpted
- Material
- Doubleshot ABS
- Stems
- Cherry MX cross, universal fit
- Shine-through
- No
Also consider
HK Gaming Dye Sub PBT Keycaps
Fade-proof legends, Cherry profile, honest price.
- Key count: 139 keys
- Profile: Cherry, sculpted
SteelSeries PrismCaps
Double-shot pudding caps built for RGB.
- Material: Double-shot PBT
- Style: Pudding, shine-through sides and legends
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
How bad is ABS shine really?
On heavily used keys like spacebar and home row, noticeable shine develops within months to a year of daily typing. It is cosmetic and does not affect function. PBT avoids it; that is the core material tradeoff.
Is 173 keys overkill?
For a standard full-size board, yes, you will have leftovers. For 65%, 75%, 40%, or anything with a non-standard bottom row, the extras are the point: they are cheaper than hunting individual keys later.
DCX vs GMK: what is the difference?
Both are Cherry-profile doubleshot ABS. GMK is the German-made original with a premium price and group-buy waits; DCX is Drop's in-stock interpretation at a lower price. Profile and method are the same family.