The TAI-HAO Taihao ゴム製キーキャップセット is a partial keycap swap kit that targets one specific complaint — fingers slipping off the keys — for well under the price of a new keyboard. This article covers what it fits, where you have to compromise, and who should skip it.
Overview
TAI-HAO is a Taiwanese keycap specialist, and this 18-piece set is its most gamer-focused product. Red rubber-coated caps are meant for the keys you touch every single match — WASD, the arrow cluster, Esc — not for the whole board.
This is explicitly not a full set, so it will not change the overall look of your keyboard.
The surface uses a diamond texture so your fingertip catches rather than slides, and the rubber layer absorbs some of the bottom-out shock. Legends are double-shot molded, meaning the characters are formed from a second piece of plastic rather than printed, so they cannot wear off and they let backlight through.
As of the 2026-09-07 data capture, the Amazon.co.jp listing shows 493 reviews at 4.4 out of 5 stars (88% positive).
That is a large enough sample to trust: for the narrow job of adding grip, this set does what it claims.
Connectivity & Compatibility
Compatibility comes down to a single question: does your keyboard use a Cherry MX cross-shaped (+) stem? Cherry MX itself plus every MX clone — Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, TTC, Akko — shares that stem, so the caps drop straight on.
| Keyboard type | Fits? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry MX / Gateron / Kailh / Outemu | Yes | Common cross stem |
| Cherry MX Low Profile and other low-profile switches | No | Different stem and cap height |
| Laptop scissor-switch keyboards | No | Caps are not independent units |
| Membrane / rubber dome | No | Proprietary stem shapes |
| Standard Topre capacitive | No | Cylindrical stem unless MX sliders are fitted |
| Optical switches with MX-style stems | Yes | Physically compatible |
The profile is OEM-equivalent. Most prebuilt keyboards use OEM or something close, so mixed rows usually look consistent.
Mix these with Cherry, SA, or DSA profile caps, however, and the 18 swapped keys will sit at a noticeably different height and angle.
One detail buyers often miss: these are 1U (standard width) keys. Wide keys such as Shift, Enter, and Space are not included.
Installation needs no tools or software — pull the old cap straight up with the bundled puller, then press the new one down vertically.
Product Info
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Keycap count | 18 |
| Switch compatibility | Cherry MX and clones |
| Material | ABS base with rubber coating |
| Molding | Double-shot |
| Profile | OEM-equivalent |
| Included | Keycap puller, two extra PBT Tai-Hao caps |
The Japanese listing showed ￥1,497 at the 2026-09-07 capture — roughly ￥83 per key, entry-level territory for keyboard accessories. Amazon pricing moves constantly with sales and stock, so check the product page for the current figure.
Note that the record labeled "Amazon US" carries the same ￥1,497 yen figure pointing at the Japanese listing; it is a duplicated capture, not a US retail price, and should not be read as one.
Because the base is ABS under a rubber layer, the usual ABS shine is not the limiting factor here — degradation of the rubber coating itself is what determines service life. The two bundled PBT caps are best treated as a sample of a different material rather than a meaningful part of the set.
Comparison: What Each Option Actually Changes
- Rubber-coated caps (this set) — cheapest and easiest; grip improves immediately. In exchange you accept a slightly tacky feel and the possibility of the coating degrading over years.
- A full PBT set — textured, shine-resistant, and uniform across the board, but costs several times more and grips less aggressively than rubber.
- A new keyboard — cap swaps cannot fix switch weight or typing noise. If your complaint lives in the switch, ￥1,497 spent here is wasted.
In short, this set fits people who like their keyboard but slip on a few specific keys. If the dissatisfaction is board-wide, another fix will be cheaper in the end.
Best Use Cases
- Competitive FPS players — grip on WASD and the arrow cluster is the clearest benefit, especially if your hands sweat. The 4.4-star average across 493 reviews largely reflects this use case.
- Long-session typists — the rubber cushions bottom-out impact, which helps if hard plastic caps leave your fingertips sore.
- Cautious customizers — for around ￥1,497 (2026-09-07 capture) you can test how a different cap material feels before committing to a full set, and the red adds an accent color.
- Users who type in the dark — double-shot legends pass backlight and never wear away.
Things to Check Before Buying
Treat rubber as a consumable. Rubber-coated surfaces can become sticky or chalky over time depending on use and climate.
This is a property of rubberized finishes in general, not a defect unique to this product. Budget for eventual replacement rather than expecting a permanent upgrade — at this price that is a reasonable trade.
Do not buy this for silence. Most mechanical keyboard noise comes from the switch and plate, not the cap.
Swapping 18 caps will not produce an audible difference. O-rings or silent switches are the right tool for that job.
It is not a full set. Only 18 keys change, so your board will visibly mix two materials and two colors.
Wide keys are excluded entirely, so you cannot rubberize every frequently used key.
Backlighting will not be uniform. Legends light up, but the added rubber thickness can change how these keys glow relative to the originals.
If your RGB setup has to look even, weigh that first.
Verify the listing yourself. Manufacturer, model, and compatibility fields on Amazon product pages occasionally carry data from a different item.
For keycaps, a wrong "compatible switch" line turns the purchase into an unusable part, so check the product photos for the cross-shaped stem and the exact key selection before ordering.
FAQ
Q. How do I confirm it fits my keyboard? A.
Pull off one cap and look at the switch stem. A cross (+) shape means MX-compatible and these will fit.
Cylindrical or unusual shapes will not.
Q. Which keys are included? A.
Eighteen high-use keys such as WASD, arrows, and Esc. The exact selection can vary by listing, so confirm with the product images before ordering.
Q. Will typing get quieter?
A. Only marginally. Choose O-rings or silent switches if noise is the problem.
Q. Will the legends wear off? A.
No — they are double-shot molded, formed from plastic rather than printed. The rubber surface, however, does wear.
Q. Are tools required? A.
No. Use the bundled puller, lift straight up, and press the new cap down vertically.
Pulling at an angle can damage the switch.
Q. Can I mix these with other keycaps? A.
Yes with OEM-profile boards. Mixing with Cherry, SA, or DSA profiles will leave those rows at a different height and angle.
Product Disclosure (Amazon)
- Manufacturer: TAI-HAO
- ASIN: B07WPR2K6V
- Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.
