（Because Not All Keycaps Are Created Equally Tall! ）

If keyboards were shoes, keycap profiles would be the soles-and trust me, your typing speed/comfort depends on picking the right "footwear". Today we'll spotlight the OEM and Cherry titans (spoiler: they control 80% of the market), then meet quirky cousins like SA, DSA, and the new-gen MOA. Let's dive in!  

The Main Event: OEM vs Cherry (AKA "The Clash of Titans")  

1. OEM Profile-The Workhorse  

To a certain extent, the OEM profile can be considered the "Toyota Camry of keycaps." Around 70% of keyboards in Asia use it as the standard keycap height, especially pre-built keyboards from brands like Logitech and Razer, which predominantly feature OEM profiles in the Asian market. With a basic height of 12-13mm (higher than Cherry), the OEM profile is characterized by its gentle spherical concavity and moderate typing angle. It's particularly suitable for office workers and gamers who need to switch keys quickly.

The advantages of the OEM profile are closely related to its use cases. The slightly elevated height, which conforms to mild ergonomics, can help office warriors alleviate wrist strain during the 8-hour work marathon. The high sidewalls of the keycaps also provide protection against accidental coffee "tsunamis"—you know, coffee is an essential staple for workers, and the likelihood of spills in the office isn't exactly low.

Additionally, if you're a newcomer to the custom keyboard community, OEM keycaps can be your first choice for experimentation. Like instant noodles, OEM keycaps are affordable, reliable, and readily available in computer markets in Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore.

2. Cherry Profile-The Precision Master  

Some people describe the original factory height keycaps as "German engineering meets Japanese minimalism." For keyboards, it's like Levi's 501 for jeans—a classic icon with a cult following. It's the origin of everything, the pioneer, the epitome of classics. This is why Westerners/mechanical keyboard enthusiasts are so obsessed with it.

The original factory height measures approximately 11-12mm (1mm shorter than OEM), with a flatter top and sharper cylindrical edges compared to OEM. It's perfectly suited for programmers or typists who crave tactile feedback, and it's also an excellent choice for esports players.

Compared to other heights, its advantage lies in its perfect balance—faster actuation and shorter finger travel distances due to its lower height, which can improve professional players' reaction times by at least 0.5 seconds. Its typing sound is also very pleasant; in the popular "thock" sound trend on TikTok, 68% use original factory height keycaps. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, it's a classic starting point—meaning all industry standards look to it, and in turn, it's the most standard-compliant, such as its switch compatibility.

 【The next installment is about other height keycaps! Welcome to follow~】