Gengar Keyboard or Keycaps? The Complete Pokémon Trainer’s Guide

Looking for a Gengar keyboard to add some Ghost-type energy to your setup? Here’s the thing most product listings won’t tell you: you’re probably not looking for a whole keyboard. What you actually need are Gengar keycaps, the purple and pink caps that transform any mechanical keyboard into a Ghost-type masterpiece.

This confusion trips up a lot of Pokémon fans building their first custom setup, and it’s totally understandable. When you picture that perfect Gengar aesthetic on your desk, your brain just thinks "keyboard." But here’s what you need to know to get exactly what you want without wasting money on the wrong thing.

What People Really Mean When Searching "Gengar Keyboard"

If you’re searching "Gengar keyboard," you’re in good company. Thousands of trainers make this same search every month, and most discover they actually need keycaps, not a complete keyboard. Let’s break down what you’re really after.

A Gengar keyboard would be: A complete pre-built mechanical keyboard with Gengar branding, switches, PCB, case, and keycaps all designed around the Ghost/Poison-type favourite. These don’t really exist as mass-produced products (and if they did, you’d be locked into one specific keyboard configuration forever).

What actually exists (and what works better): Gengar-themed keycaps that fit any standard mechanical keyboard. This means you choose the keyboard that types exactly how you want, then add the Gengar aesthetic on top. Way more flexibility, better typing experience, and honestly more fun to build.

The mechanical keyboard community figured this out years ago: separating the functional parts (switches, stabilisers, case) from the aesthetic parts (keycaps, desk mats, cable) gives you control over both performance AND appearance. You’re not stuck with mediocre switches just because you love Gengar.

Top Gengar Keycap Sets at Keysium

We’ve curated the best Gengar options for different build styles and budgets. Each set captures Gengar’s mischievous Ghost-type personality while delivering quality PBT construction that won’t shine or fade after months of use.

For Cartoon Aesthetic Lovers: Gengar Cartoon Set

The Gengar Pokemon Keycaps Set in Cartoon Purple Pink brings playful Gengar artwork to your board with that signature purple and pink colour scheme. PBT material means these keycaps resist the greasy shine that develops on cheaper ABS caps after a few months.

Perfect for: Casual gamers, Pokémon collectors, anyone who wants obvious Gengar theming that makes people smile when they see your desk.

Best paired with: White or light grey keyboard case to make the purple pop.

For RGB Backlight Setups: Gengar Backlit Set

The Gengar Pokemon Keycaps Set Backlit Purple Red is engineered for keyboards with RGB lighting. The legends are designed to let light shine through, creating that haunted glow effect that perfectly suits Ghost-type theming.

Perfect for: Gaming setups with RGB, streamers who want that dramatic lighting effect, anyone building a board with hot-swap RGB switches.

Lighting tip: Set your RGB to purple and have it pulse slowly for maximum Ghost-type atmosphere. Yes, this is the kind of detail that makes your setup go from good to legendary.

How to Choose Your Gengar Setup

Choosing between Gengar keycap styles comes down to three main factors: your keyboard’s backlighting, your aesthetic preference, and how you’ll actually use the board.

Backlit vs Non-Backlit

If your keyboard has RGB or single-colour backlighting and you actually use it (not just for photos), the backlit set makes sense. The legends are designed to let light through, and purple backlighting creates that ethereal Ghost-type effect.

If you don’t have backlighting or prefer a cleaner look, the cartoon set offers more detailed Gengar artwork that doesn’t rely on LEDs to look good. The dye-sublimated printing is actually more detailed without the need for shine-through legends.

Cherry Profile vs OEM Profile

Most Gengar sets use Cherry profile, which means sculpted keycaps with different heights per row. This creates a natural typing angle that many enthusiasts prefer (your fingers naturally find the home row).

Cherry profile sits lower than OEM profile, giving your keyboard a sleeker look and slightly different typing feel. If you’re coming from a stock keyboard with OEM caps, Cherry profile might feel unusual for the first day or two, but most people adapt quickly and prefer it.

Gaming vs Typing Focus

For gaming, both sets work well. The purple colour schemes aren’t as intense as some competitive gamers prefer (many serious players stick to simple black keycaps to reduce distractions), but if you’re playing casually or streaming, the personality is worth it.

For typing-focused work, consider whether you want Gengar staring at you all day. Some people love the motivation from their favourite Pokémon, others find novelty keycaps distracting during long writing sessions. This is personal preference, no wrong answer.

Building Your Gengar-Themed Keyboard (Complete Guide)

If you’re new to mechanical keyboards and wondering how all this actually comes together, here’s the straightforward path from "I want a Gengar keyboard" to "I have a Gengar keyboard on my desk."

Step 1: Choose Your Base Keyboard

You need a mechanical keyboard that accepts standard keycap sizing. Almost any mechanical keyboard works, but here’s what to look for:

Standard ANSI layout: The most common layout, compatible with nearly every keycap set. If your keyboard has a normal-sized spacebar and shift keys, you’re good.

Avoid: Keyboards with proprietary layouts (Razer used to do this, most don’t anymore), non-mechanical keyboards, or anything with built-in keycaps you can’t remove.

Budget-friendly starter boards: Keychron, Royal Kludge, Epomaker all make solid options under $100 AUD that work perfectly with aftermarket keycaps.

Step 2: Get Your Gengar Keycaps

Order whichever Gengar set matches your setup needs (backlit or cartoon). Most sets ship within a week or two depending on location, and they’ll come with enough keycaps to cover a full-size, TKL, or 65% keyboard.

Step 3: Install Your Keycaps

Keycap installation is genuinely easier than most people expect:

1. Pull off your existing keycaps with a keycap puller (or gently wiggle them off if you’re careful)
2. Press the new Gengar keycaps onto the switches
3. Make sure each cap is fully seated (you’ll hear/feel a click)

That’s it. No soldering, no programming, no technical knowledge required. If you can build LEGO, you can install keycaps.

Step 4: Enjoy Your Ghost-Type Setup

Your keyboard now has massive personality, better-feeling keycaps (PBT is genuinely nicer than whatever came stock), and you’ve joined the custom keyboard community. Welcome, trainer.

Gengar Keycaps vs Other Pokémon Sets

For Pokémon fans deciding between different character keycaps, here’s how Gengar stacks up against other popular options in our Pokémon keycaps collection.

Gengar vs Pikachu Keycaps

Pikachu sets use yellow and white, which creates a bright, cheerful aesthetic that works in any setting (including professional spaces if you’re bold). Gengar’s purple and pink is more dramatic and distinctly gaming-focused.

Choose Gengar if: You want personality that shows commitment to your favourite Pokémon, you have a gaming setup where bold colours fit, you prefer cooler tones over warm yellows.

Choose Pikachu if: You want broad appeal, you’re in a brighter room where yellow pops, you prefer the Electric-type mascot over Ghost-type mischief.

Gengar vs Umbreon Keycaps

Both are dark, cool-toned sets perfect for night owls and gamers. Umbreon sets typically use black and yellow, while Gengar uses purple and pink. Umbreon has that sleek, mysterious Dark-type vibe, while Gengar is more playful despite being Ghost-type.

Choose Gengar if: You love the purple aesthetic, you want something that stands out more, you prefer that mischievous personality over elegant cool.

Choose Umbreon if: You want a more understated dark build, yellow and black matches your setup better, you’re team Eeveelution.

Gengar vs Charmander/Squirtle/Bulbasaur

The Kanto starters each bring their own colour scheme: Charmander’s orange and white, Squirtle’s blue and white, Bulbasaur’s green and white. These are safer, more universally appealing colours that work in professional settings.

Choose Gengar if: You want to stand out, purple is your colour, you’re not worried about professional appearance, you identify with the spooky mischievous energy.

Choose a starter if: You prefer primary colours, you want something more approachable, you have nostalgia for the original 151.

Common Questions About Gengar Keyboards and Keycaps

Can I use Gengar keycaps on any mechanical keyboard?

Yes, as long as your keyboard has Cherry MX-style switches (which is the vast majority of mechanical keyboards). The stem shape is standardised across most brands. If you have a Logitech, Corsair, HyperX, Keychron, or any enthusiast brand keyboard with mechanical switches, Gengar keycaps will fit.

The main exception is keyboards with Topre switches or other proprietary designs, which are rare and usually clearly labelled as such.

Do Gengar keycaps work with Gateron, Kailh, and other switch brands?

Absolutely. Cherry MX-style stems are the industry standard, so Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, Outemu, Akko, and dozens of other brands all use the same stem shape. Your Gengar keycaps don’t care what brand switches you’re using.

Will these keycaps make me a better Pokémon player?

Listen, we can’t make medical claims here, but there’s documented evidence (from us, just now) that Gengar keycaps increase Ghost-type move accuracy by 12% and make Shadow Ball crits 40% more likely. Also they look sick, which is basically the same as performance gains.

In all seriousness: good keycaps won’t make you better at Pokémon, but they will make you enjoy your setup more. And enjoying your setup means you’ll spend more time practicing, which does make you better. We’re calling this the Gengar Performance Theory.

How long do PBT keycaps last compared to ABS?

PBT (the material used in quality Gengar sets) resists shine and wear significantly better than ABS plastic. You’re looking at years of daily use before PBT shows any real wear, versus months for ABS caps to develop that shiny, greasy appearance.

The dye-sublimated legends (the letters and designs) on PBT keycaps are extremely durable because the ink penetrates into the plastic rather than sitting on top. You’d need to physically sand down the keycap to remove the design.

For more details on keycap materials and their trade-offs, check out our comprehensive guide to keycap materials.

Can I mix Gengar keycaps with other Pokémon sets?

You absolutely can, though whether you should depends on your aesthetic goals. Mixing purple Gengar caps with blue Squirtle caps or yellow Pikachu caps creates a chaotic rainbow effect that some people love (full Pokédex energy) and others find overwhelming.

A more cohesive approach: use Gengar for your alphas (letter keys) and complement with neutral purple modifiers, or build separate keyboards for different Pokémon. Yes, multiple keyboards is a legitimate solution. Don’t let anyone shame you for this.

Are these officially licensed Nintendo/Game Freak products?

These keycaps are inspired by Pokémon characters but are not officially licensed. The designs capture the spirit and aesthetic of Gengar while remaining distinct products. This is common in the mechanical keyboard community, where custom keycaps feature countless inspired-by designs for popular franchises.

Ready to Build Your Ghost-Type Setup?

You’ve got the knowledge to transform any mechanical keyboard into a Gengar masterpiece. Whether you choose the playful cartoon style or the dramatic backlit design, you’re getting quality PBT keycaps that capture Gengar’s mischievous personality while delivering the durability you need for daily use.

If you’re still figuring out the basics of mechanical keyboards and keycaps, our beginner’s guide to keycap essentials breaks down everything you need to know about profiles, materials, and compatibility.

Browse our full anime keycaps collection to explore more character options, or jump straight to the Pokémon keycaps category to compare Gengar with the complete Pokédex of available sets.

Your Ghost-type setup is waiting. Time to catch ’em all (but specifically catch the Gengar keycaps because they’re what you came here for).