The silicone keyboard cover and the TPU keyboard cover have significant differences in terms of durability, clarity and resistance to wear. Understanding these differences can help you better meet customer needs and enhance brand competitiveness. We hope this guide helps you make a more informed sourcing decision.
What Is a Silicone Keyboard Cover?
A silicone keyboard cover is a protective accessory made from silicone elastomer and designed to cover keyboard keys. It is usually produced through compression molding , transfer molding and LSR injection molding processes.
Once cured, silicone maintains excellent thermal stability and shape retention. Silicone keyboard covers can be manufactured using RoHS-compliant materials.
If your customers are looking for a material that is soft and fits the shape of the keyboard, we recommend silicone. The silicone keyboard cover can prevent dust, liquids, skin oils, etc., and also provides a soft and comfortable typing surface.
Moreover, silicone has waterproof properties, making it an ideal choice for your customers to protect their keyboards on a daily basis.
Target User Groups
The silicone keyboard cover can be suitable for most customers’ daily office use, such as email and document processing, web browsing. The main groups include:
- Users of shared or public computers, such as those in offices. Therefore, business owners are your main customers.
- Students with laptops and families with desktop computers.
- Medical or laboratory staff who need frequent disinfection, because high-quality silicone can withstand repeated cleaning with alcohol -based and chlorine -based disinfectants.
What Is a TPU Keyboard Cover?
The TPU keyboard cover is a protective layer made from thermoplastic polyurethane, mainly processed by injection molding. Unlike silicone, TPU can be re-melted and reshaped when heated again. Similarly, the TPU keyboard cover can comply with RoHS requirements and is in line with market requirements.
The TPU keyboard cover is oil-resistant, thin and transparent. It not only provides protection for the keyboard but also maintains the appearance and touch sensation of the keyboard.
Target User Groups
TPU keyboard covers are often positioned as premium products because of their thin profile and high transparency.
If your customers desire a smooth typing experience or do not want to alter the original feel of the keyboard while maintaining a simple appearance, the TPU keyboard cover is suitable. Your main customers include:
- Premium laptop accessory brands, which can be used as accessories for products like MacBook.
- Users of backlit or RGB keyboards, who have high demands for the transparency of the keyboard cover.
How to Choose Between TPU and Silicone Keyboard Covers？
Material Properties Comparison
By comparing the properties of silicone and TPU materials, you can, based on customer demands, select the appropriate supply sources by referring to data such as transparency, effectively reducing selection errors and after-sales costs. The specific comparison can be referred to the following table:
| Property | Silicone | TPU |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Highly transparent |
| Typical hardness | 40–80 Shore A | 70–85 Shore A |
| Feel | Softer, rubber-like, damping sensation | Firmer, smoother, closer to bare keys |
| Dust attraction | High | Low |
| Temperature range | -40°C to +200°C | -30°C to +80°C |
Tips: The data in the table is merely a typical range we have summarized. When making the purchase, you should ask the supplier to provide precise product information.
Durability and Longevity
Durability Comparison
TPU generally provides better abrasion resistance, while silicone offers superior heat and aging resistance. After repeated usage tests, you will find that the TPU keyboard cover has less wear and tear than the silicone keyboard cover.
However, silicone keyboard covers generally provide good elasticity and long-term stability, while high-performance TPU grades keyboard covers can provide equal or even higher tear strength depending on formulation.
Yellowing and Cleaning
After your customers have used the keyboard for a long time, you will notice that keyboard covers may gradually yellow over time depending on UV exposure, formulation and environmental conditions.
Yellowing resistance depends on formulation and UV stabilizers. The high-quality silicone and aliphatic TPU keyboard cover has extremely strong UV resistance and can be used for a long time.
Your customers will find that the keyboard cover gets dusty after use, so it needs cleaning. The silicone keyboard cover is more prone to getting dusty. Although both can be washed, the silicone keyboard membrane requires a longer drying time.
Typing Experience and Keyboard Performance
The typing experience and performance of the keyboard after using the keyboard cover are the factors that most influence customers’ purchasing decisions.
The TPU keyboard cover can offer a typing experience that is closer to that of the original keyboard. This is because its thinner profile and lower compression under finger pressure enable your customers to receive better key feedback.
In contrast, silicone keyboard covers offer a softer and more comfortable user experience. Although some of your customers appreciate the additional comfort and noise reduction it provides, this softer material affects perceived responsiveness of the keys and makes them feel a bit heavy.
Cost, Warehousing and Logistics
Cost is an important factor you consider during the procurement process, as it will affect your product positioning, pricing and profits. The table below summarizes several cost comparisons between silicone and TPU keyboard covers:
| Item | Silicone | TPU |
| Raw Material Cost | Lower | Higher |
| End Selling Price | Budget-friendly | Premium priced |
| Molding Requirement | Simple | High precision required |
| Custom Printing | Easy to process | Moderate difficulty |
You will find that the raw materials, molds and printing costs of the TPU keyboard cover are higher than those of the silicone keyboard cover. Therefore, the final product price is generally also higher than that of the silicone keyboard cover.
In the process of storage and transportation, you should also pay attention to the following: The silicone keyboard cover is not prone to deformation, but some low-grade silicone formulations may exhibit slight oil migration under prolonged high-temperature storage. It needs to be stored in a dark place. While the TPU keyboard cover needs to guard against hydrolysis.
If you want to ship with a transparent outer packaging, the TPU texture will be more outstanding, and its visual quality is superior to that of the silicone. This will make it easier for you to sell at a premium price to the end customers.
FAQ
Does Silicone Keyboard Cover Affect Typing Speed and Accuracy?
Yes, the silicone keyboard cover might affect your customer’s typing speed and accuracy. But it’s not just the silicone keyboard cover that has this effect. Only soft and thin TPU keyboard covers might have a smaller impact, while thicker or less flexible protective covers might require more adaptation time, especially when first being used.
Most customers will regain their typing speed and accuracy to normal levels after a period of adaptation.
Which Material Makes a Better Keyboard Cover, TPU or Silicone?
It cannot be said which material is better. It can only be said that which material is more suitable for your target market and price positioning. If your target customers are more concerned about budget, a silicone keyboard cover with lower cost and sufficient durability might be more suitable for you.
Or if you want high sales and price-sensitive distribution channels, a silicone keyboard cover can help you achieve better profits at a lower price point. For high-end retails or brand sectors, TPU keyboard covers are more suitable for them. When your customers use gaming laptops or backlit keyboards, they might also prefer TPU keyboard covers.
How Long Before Silicone and TPU Keyboard Covers Turn Yellow?
The rate of yellowing depends heavily on UV exposure, formulation, and environmental conditions. Light-colored or transparent silicone covers may gradually yellow with prolonged UV exposure, while dark silicone keyboard covers usually do not show yellowing visually.
If the TPU keyboard cover contains UV stabilizers, it will typically start to yellow noticeably after 12 to 24 months. TPU keyboard covers without UV stabilizers yellow more rapidly, especially under sunlight exposure.
How to Verify Silicone and TPU Keyboard Cover Quality Before Bulk Order Purchases?
No matter whether you choose the silicone or TPU keyboard cover, you can follow the following steps:
First, you should ask the supplier to provide material certification documents, such as those meeting RoHS, REACH, and SDS standards. Second, conduct sample tests. You can order 5 to 10 samples to test the actual keyboard model, such as checking the consistency of thickness, edge trimming conditions, and transparency.
During the supplier’s production process, you can request them to submit production videos for further inspection of the defect rate of keyboard covers, packaging quality, and batch consistency. If your supplier’s price is abnormally low, be cautious as it may indicate the use of recycled materials or low-grade materials.
Are Silicone and TPU Keyboard Covers Safe for Laptops?
It is safe when designed and used properly. However, if the keyboard cover is too thick or poorly cut, it may touch the screen when closed, causing screen contamination and potentially dissatisfying your customers.
Moreover, after long-term use, especially during heavy operations, the silicone keyboard cover may slightly reduce airflow around some laptop keyboards, although the practical impact varies by device design.
Final Thoughts
If your project requires custom silicone keyboard covers, we can meet your requirements. Legensilico not only has over 20 years of experience in silicone manufacturing but also can provide you with a one-stop service. If you are interested in our silicone products, please feel free to contact us at any time.
