What Is the Purpose of Keyboard Foam?

Keyboard enthusiasts love to optimize their board's sound; from using lubed switches to clipping stabilizers, there are always innovative ways to improve one's typing experience.

Keyboard cases tend to have some leftover space even after installing the PCB, plate, and switches. For metal cases, this can lead to resonance bouncing around inside the case.

The Benefits of Keyboard Foam

This resonance can produce an unappealing hollow sound that becomes apparent when typing. So, keyboard foam reduces the space in the board and reduces this unwanted hollow sound.

Foam mitigates unwanted case ping, which is the high-pitched reverberation caused by typing in a stock metal case. Additionally, the keyboard sounds notably deeper and fuller overall.

Plate Foam

To further reduce ping, case foam, placed at the bottom of the keyboard, can be paired with plate foam. Plate foam further reduces the potential for unwanted reverberation inside the keyboard.

Plate foam can come at the cost of PCB flexibility, which some users prefer. So, we suggest experimenting to find the best combination.

Case Foam on the GMMK PRO

The GMMK PRO comes with case and plate foam pre-installed, ensuring the board produces a rich, premium sound right out the box. If you want, users can remove the stock foam and replace it with a material of their choice.

Foam Materials

Typically, keyboard owners use EVA or neoprene foam in their keyboards for their efficient sound-dampening qualities.

While case ping is less apparent on polycarbonate or POM cases, it is not uncommon for users to still take advantage of foam - it all boils down to personal preference.