There are two main reasons to remove the keycaps from your keyboard: you're either cleaning it or installing new keycaps. And in this modern era of artisan low-manufacturing double shot PBT keycaps, you want to make sure you have the right tool for the job, lest you inadvertently damage a keycap that you have no ability to replace.
We've selected several keycap pullers and keycap puller kits that should be able to help you whether you're installing the latest resin keycap you ordered from Etsy or just finally cleaning that crusty old Logitech you bought for five bucks fifteen years ago. Let's take a look!
APUXON Rounded Key Puller
First up, we have the simplest option out there because sometimes you just need to remove the keys from a keyboard quickly and cheaply. If you've bought a mechanical keyboard in recent years, you probably have a few of these lying around somewhere, but if you've lost yours or never had one, to begin with, these will get the job done. They're probably a bit too stiff for the more delicate hand-crafted artisan keycaps out there, but if you're cleaning out some old keyboards, then having a couple in a drawer can be a lifesaver.
SYIDINZN Keycap Puller
This keycap puller from SYIDINZN sports a large, easy to grip stainless steel handle that should make wielding it much more comfortable. And that's no small feat; anyone who has gone through the laborious task of removing every individual key on a keyboard will tell you that your hands will get tired. It uses the popular wire style that will slide down the sides of your keycaps easily without damaging them. And as a bonus, it contains a mini screwdriver in the base.
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Zonon Keyboard Cleaner Tools
This set from Zonon includes a stainless steel dual-headed keyswitch and keycap puller, but the real meat of this kit is the included brush. It features a removable dustpan so that you can quickly sweep any debris out of your keyboard, into the mini dustpan, and directly into the trash without ever having to touch the dirt. Additionally, the dustpan fits into the stem of the brush and offers a small hook to hang the entire thing near your desk for easy access. So if you're the type to be using other people's keyboards, possibly at work, and need something to make sure the keyboard you're using stays totally clean, then this kit should do the trick. As a bonus also comes with a set of silicone o-rings for those of you who need to dampen your mechanical keyboard's sound.
Ortarco Keycap Puller
This keycap puller from Ortaco pulls (pun intended) double duty as a keyswitch remover. It's a simplistic wire keycap remover on one end and on the opposite end terminates in a metal-pronged keyswitch removal tool for those of you with hot-swappable keyswitches. The ends of the tool are made of stainless steel, and it comes with two small brushes for cleaning out the base of your keyboard as you work, which is especially important work when you're swapping keyswitches.
ZOMOPLUS Keycap Puller
Some people take their desk aesthetic very seriously. White and pink PC accessories have started to take over a small portion of the market, and ZOMOPLUS is here for those of you who demand desk accessories to match. In addition to being a cat paw (or any of their other neat designs), it's also a functioning, sturdy wire-style keycap puller. It might seem silly to some, but why stop at your keycap puller for those of you who spent hours tracking down white and pink keyboards and mice?
Gikfun Keycap Puller
This kit comes with everything you might feasibly need to remove both keycaps and keyswitches from your keyboard. Sure, the tools included might look like something you stole from a high school science lab, but having dedicated tools to get the job done is sometimes more important than looking sleek. Included in this kit, you'll find a wire keycap puller, an insulated keyswitch puller, and a set of tweezers. The puller itself can hold up to three keys at once, so you'll be able to get the job done comfortably and efficiently.
HONKID Keyboard Lube Kit
If you're the type to roll out a bevy of tools when working on your keyboard, then this kit should have everything you need outside of a table to work on. Included, you'll find a dual keyswitch/keycap puller, a cleaning brush, tweezers, a stem holder, and a small set of brushes for applying lubricant. It might seem like overkill to some, but having a stem older and brushes to apply lubricating oil makes the job infinitely easier and more efficient.
Related: How to Remove Keycaps | How to Take Off Your Keyboard’s Keycaps
Sumgsn Switch Opener with Switch Puller
Finally, we have a keycap puller kit from Sumgsn that includes many of the same tools you've seen elsewhere: keyswitch puller, keycap puller, stem holder, and brushes. But what makes this set stand out is the keyswitch holder. This little plastic box fits four-prong switches for those of you who need to disassemble your actual keyswitches for modification. It's a small addition, but depending on why you're pulling up your keycaps in the first place could prove invaluable.
If you own a keyboard, then chances are it needs a cleaning. And if you own a mechanical keyboard, then chances are you've felt the urge to swap keycaps or even keyswitches. Having appropriate tools can make the job go from tedious to nearly enjoyable. While that little plastic ring that came with your keyboard might be okay for popping the occasional keycap off, you probably want something a bit easier to use for changing out a whole set of keycaps.
For more hardware recommendations, check out 2021’s 7 Best Dual Monitor Stands and 2021’s 5 Best Gaming TVs for Xbox Series X/S.
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Published: Sep 27, 2021 08:55 am