Choosing keyboard accessories: maintenance, comfort, and customization

You use a keyboard often, sometimes for hours at a time. Whether you work, study, game or get creative, small accessories can make a big difference to maintenance, comfort and ease of use.

In our collection of keyboard accessories, you’ll find tools to help you maintain and customize your keyboard or make it more practical to use. These include tools for keycaps and switches, as well as accessories for cleaning, protection, comfort or personalization.

Why use keyboard accessories?

A keyboard takes a lot of wear and tear every day. Dust, crumbs and dirt can build up between the keys. Many users also want to customize their keyboard to suit their preferences, for example with different keycaps, switches or maintenance tools.

Keyboard accessories help you work more neatly, safely and precisely. Instead of pulling at keys with your fingers or using the wrong tool, you can use an accessory designed for the job.

What types of keyboard accessories are available?

Keyboard accessories serve a range of purposes. The right choice depends on what you want to do with your keyboard.

Common types of keyboard accessories include:

• keycap pullers for safely removing keys;
• switch pullers for replaceable switches;
• cleaning accessories for dust, crumbs and dirt;
• keycaps for personalization or replacement;
• switches for a different typing experience;
• wrist rests or comfort accessories for extended use;
• protective covers or storage accessories for travel.

When are keyboard accessories useful?

Keyboard accessories are especially useful when you want to keep your keyboard clean for longer, make it more comfortable to use or customize it to suit your preferences. This applies to mechanical keyboards as well as other keyboards that see heavy use.

They’re useful, for example, when:

• you want to clean your keyboard thoroughly;
• you want to remove or replace keycaps;
• you want to adjust or test switches;
• you’re looking for more comfort when typing for long periods;
• you want to protect your keyboard;
• you want to make your workspace more personal or practical.

Accessories for mechanical keyboards

Mechanical keyboards are popular because they’re often comfortable to type on and easy to customize. Accessories are particularly useful for this type of keyboard, since you can remove or replace the keycaps and sometimes the switches too.

Use a mechanical keyboard? A keycap puller and switch puller are practical tools to have. They let you remove keys and switches in a controlled way, for example for cleaning, maintenance or personalization.

What is a keycap puller?

A keycap puller is a tool for removing keycaps from a keyboard. You place the tool under or around the key and gently pull the keycap off.

This is useful when you want to clean your keyboard thoroughly, replace individual keycaps or give your keyboard a different look. It’s a commonly used accessory, especially for mechanical keyboards.

What is a switch puller?

A switch puller is used to remove switches from a mechanical keyboard. This is only possible on keyboards with replaceable switches. These keyboards are often called hot-swappable.

Not every mechanical keyboard has replaceable switches. Always check that your keyboard is compatible before trying to remove any switches.

2-in-1 keycap and switch puller

A 2-in-1 tool combines a keycap puller and a switch puller in one accessory. This is useful if you want to be able to remove both keys and switches without needing two separate tools.

Our collection includes the Ibley red keycap remover and switch puller, for use with keycaps and switches on mechanical keyboards.

Prefer a different color? Also check out the black, white and yellow versions.

Cleaning your keyboard

A clean keyboard is more pleasant to use and looks neater. Dust, crumbs, hair and other dirt can get trapped between the keys. Temporarily removing the keycaps gives you better access to the space underneath and between the keys.

If you like, take a photo of your keyboard layout beforehand. That way, you’ll know exactly where each key goes when you put it back. Work carefully, don’t use excessive force, and only put the parts back once everything is clean and dry.

Replacing or personalizing keycaps

Many users choose keyboard accessories because they want to personalize their keyboard. Different keycaps can give your keyboard a completely different look or make it feel more comfortable to type on.

When choosing keycaps, always check the layout, profile and connection type. Not every keycap will fit every keyboard. A keycap puller helps you remove existing keys carefully before fitting new keycaps.

Replacing or testing switches

With hot-swappable mechanical keyboards, you can change switches without soldering. This is useful when you want to try a different keystroke feel, such as lighter, heavier, quieter or more tactile.

A switch puller helps you pull the switch straight out of the keyboard in a controlled way. Don’t pull at an angle or force it, as you could damage the switch or keyboard.

Comfort while typing

Keyboard accessories aren’t just about maintenance or personalization. Comfort matters too, especially if you type for long hours. Consider accessories that support your wrists, improve your posture or make your keyboard more comfortable for everyday use.

Do you spend a lot of time working from home, at the office or studying? It can be a good idea to look beyond the keyboard itself and consider the accessories around it too. A comfortable workspace can make typing for long periods much more comfortable.

Keyboard accessories for work, study and gaming

For work and study, comfort, quiet and reliability are especially important. You want a keyboard that’s comfortable to type on and easy to keep clean.

For gaming or hobby use, customization and feel often matter more. Think different switches, different keycaps or tools for maintaining and customizing your mechanical keyboard.

So the best accessory for you mainly depends on how you use your keyboard.

What should you look for when choosing?

The right keyboard accessory depends on your keyboard and what you want to do. So don’t choose based only on color or appearance; focus on what you need it for.

When choosing, consider:

• whether your keyboard is mechanical;
• whether you want to remove keycaps, switches or both;
• whether your switches are hot-swappable;
• whether the accessory is compatible with your type of keyboard;
• whether you’re mainly looking for maintenance, comfort or personalization;
• whether the product is just an accessory or also includes other parts.

Keyboard accessory or new keyboard?

Not sure whether to choose an accessory or a new keyboard? First, consider the problem you want to solve.

Choose keyboard accessories if your current keyboard works well but you want to clean it more thoroughly, customize it or make it more comfortable to use. Choose a new keyboard if you’re mainly looking for a different layout, connection, typing experience or functionality.

Working safely with electronics

Going beyond simply removing keycaps to work on circuit boards, switches or other electronic parts? Then it’s important to work carefully. Static electricity can damage sensitive components.

For this type of work, component handling accessories can be useful, such as an antistatic ESD wrist strap. Always work carefully and check beforehand that your keyboard is compatible with the modification you want to make.

Which keyboard accessory is right for you?

Want to clean your keyboard, remove keycaps or change switches? Browse our keyboard accessories. If you use a mechanical keyboard and want one tool for both keycaps and switches, a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller is a practical choice.

Looking for other workspace essentials as well as keyboard accessories? Browse our computer and laptop accessories, computer mice, mouse accessories, external CD/DVD drives and component handling accessories.

Not sure which accessory is right for your keyboard? Feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions about keyboard accessories

What are keyboard accessories?

Keyboard accessories are tools and products for maintaining, cleaning, customizing or improving the comfort of your keyboard. Examples include tools for keycaps and switches, as well as cleaning, protection or personalization accessories.

What do you use a keycap puller for?

A keycap puller is used to remove keys from a keyboard. It’s useful for cleaning, replacing or personalizing keycaps.

What do you use a switch puller for?

A switch puller is used to remove switches from a mechanical keyboard. This is only possible on keyboards with replaceable switches.

Does a keycap puller fit every keyboard?

A keycap puller is mainly designed for keyboards with removable keycaps, such as many mechanical keyboards. Always check that your keyboard is compatible before removing any keys.

Can I use a switch puller to remove any switch?

No. Switches can only be removed easily from hot-swappable keyboards. Removing soldered switches requires different tools and more technical knowledge.

When should I choose keyboard accessories instead of a new keyboard?

Choose accessories if your current keyboard works well but you want to clean it, customize it or make it more comfortable. Choose a new keyboard if you’re looking for a completely different typing experience, layout or functionality.