Keyboard Mounting Styles Explained: Gasket, Tray, Top and More
Updated
A keyboard's mounting style is how the plate and PCB are held inside the case. It's one of the biggest factors in how typing feels (stiff or cushioned, even or inconsistent) and how sound travels through the board. Gasket, top, tray and O-ring mounts are the most common in custom keyboards.
The main mounting styles
Tray mount
The PCB screws directly onto standoffs in the bottom case, with the plate attached to the switches. It's simple and cheap, so it's common on prebuilt boards. Keys near the screw points can feel stiffer and sound different from keys in between.
Top mount
The plate screws into the top half of the case. Typing feels firm and consistent, and it's a long-standing favorite on high-end boards.
Bottom mount
Like top mount, but the plate screws into the bottom half of the case. It usually feels similar to tray mount, a little more solid.
Sandwich mount
The plate is clamped between the top and bottom halves of the case. It's very stiff and solid, and common on stacked acrylic cases.
Gasket mount
The plate sits between strips of soft material (gaskets) instead of being screwed down. It feels cushioned and even across the board, and usually sounds softer. See what is gasket mount.
O-ring mount
A rubber ring wraps around the PCB and is squeezed between the case halves. It gives a soft, bouncy feel similar to gasket mount with a very simple design.
Integrated plate
The plate is machined as part of the case. It's extremely stiff and sounds very defined, with no flex at all.
Plateless
No plate at all: switches are held only by the PCB. It's the softest, most flexible option, but switches can be less stable.
How mounting styles compare in community ratings
Which mounting style should you choose?
- Want a soft, cushioned feel? Gasket, O-ring or plateless.
- Want firm and consistent? Top or sandwich mount.
- On a budget? Tray mount, improved with foam and the tape mod.
Mounting interacts with the plate material and the case, so a soft plate in a gasket mount feels very different from a brass plate in the same case.
Frequently asked questions
Which keyboard mounting style is best?
There's no single best. Gasket and O-ring mounts feel softer and more even; top and tray mounts feel stiffer. Pick based on the feel you want, then compare sound samples.
What is tray mount?
Tray mount screws the PCB directly to standoffs in the bottom of the case. It's simple and cheap, but the screw points can make some keys feel and sound stiffer than others.
Gasket mount vs top mount: which is better?
Gasket mount isolates the plate on soft gaskets for a cushioned, even feel. Top mount fixes the plate to the top case for a firmer, more consistent feel. Both are common on high-end boards.