Glorious GPBT Celestial Ice V2 Keycaps Review: Style Meets Function

When it comes to customizing your mechanical keyboard, keycaps are the most visible and tactile upgrade you can make. The Glorious GPBT Celestial Ice V2 keycaps promise a unique aesthetic and durable performance, but do they live up to the hype? In this review, we'll break down the design, build quality, typing experience, and overall value of these popular keycaps.

Glorious has built a reputation for producing high-quality peripherals and accessories, and their GPBT (Glorious Premium Bisque-Terrain) line is no exception. The Celestial Ice V2 set is a follow-up to the original, featuring an icy blue and white color scheme inspired by frozen landscapes. But beyond looks, these keycaps are engineered for serious gamers and typists. Let's dive in.

Design and Aesthetics

The Glorious GPBT Celestial Ice V2 keycaps feature a stunning gradient from deep blue to icy white, evoking the beauty of glacial ice. The colorway is consistent across the entire set, with the alphanumeric keys in a crisp white and the modifiers in varying shades of blue. This creates a cohesive look that will stand out on any keyboard, whether you're pairing it with a black case or a white one.

The keycaps are made using a double-shot molding process, which means the legends are molded into the plastic rather than printed on top. This ensures that the lettering will never fade, even after years of heavy use. The font is clean and modern, with a slightly rounded style that adds to the overall aesthetic. The set includes standard ANSI layout keys, making it compatible with most mechanical keyboards on the market.

• Double-shot PBT construction for long-lasting legends
• Gradient colorway from deep blue to icy white
• Compatible with standard ANSI layouts

Build Quality and Materials

One of the standout features of these keycaps is the material. They are made from PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a type of plastic known for its durability and resistance to shine. Unlike ABS keycaps, which can develop a glossy sheen over time, PBT keycaps maintain their matte texture and color for much longer. This makes the Celestial Ice V2 a great investment for anyone who types or games for hours on end.

The thickness of the keycaps is also noteworthy. They are slightly thicker than standard keycaps, which contributes to a more solid feel and a deeper, more satisfying sound when typing. The texture is slightly grainy, providing a good grip for your fingertips without being rough. Overall, the build quality is excellent, matching the standards set by other Glorious GPBT sets.

• PBT material resists shine and fading
• Thicker keycaps provide a more solid feel
• Slightly textured surface for better grip

Typing Experience and Sound

The typing experience on these keycaps is largely influenced by the profile. The Celestial Ice V2 uses a Cherry profile, which is a popular choice among enthusiasts due to its ergonomic sculpting. The rows are shaped to follow the natural curve of your fingers, reducing fatigue during long typing sessions. The transition from one row to another is smooth, making it easy to touch type without hitting the wrong keys.

Sound is another important factor for many mechanical keyboard users. The thicker PBT material and the Cherry profile combine to produce a deeper, more muted sound compared to ABS keycaps. If you're using switches that are on the louder side, such as clicky or tactile ones, these keycaps will help bring the noise down to a more pleasant level. On linear switches, they produce a satisfying thock that many enthusiasts love.

• Cherry profile provides ergonomic comfort
• Thicker PBT reduces high-pitched noise
• Suitable for both typing and gaming

Compatibility and Installation

The Celestial Ice V2 keycaps are designed to fit most mechanical keyboards with standard Cherry MX-style switches. This includes popular boards like the GMMK series, which are known for their hot-swappable capabilities. If you own a GMMK 3 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard HE Wired/Wireless 8,000 Hz, these keycaps will be a perfect match, allowing you to customize your board to match your style.

Installation is straightforward. Simply pull off your existing keycaps using a keycap puller, align the new ones with the switch stems, and press down until they click into place. The set includes all the keys you need for a standard full-size or tenkeyless layout, including the spacebar, shift, and enter keys. It's a quick and easy way to give your keyboard a fresh new look.

• Fits GMMK 3 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard HE Wired/Wireless 8,000 Hz
• Easy to install with a keycap puller
• Includes keys for full-size and TKL layouts

Comparison with Other Glorious Keycaps

Glorious offers a variety of keycap sets, each with its own unique style. The Celestial Ice V2 stands out for its cool, icy colorway, but how does it compare to others? For example, the GPBT Synth Sunrise Keycaps feature a warm, sunset-inspired gradient, while the Glorious Polychroma RGB Keycaps are designed to let RGB lighting shine through. If you prefer a more subtle, earthy look, the Glorious GPBT Olive Dye Sublimated Keycaps might be more your speed.

In terms of quality, all GPBT sets are made from the same durable PBT material, so you can expect consistent performance across the board. The Celestial Ice V2 is a great choice if you want a unique color scheme that isn't too flashy but still adds personality to your setup. It's also a good option if you're looking for a set that doesn't require RGB to look good, as the gradient colors are striking even in low light.

• Celestial Ice V2 offers a cool, icy aesthetic
• Synth Sunrise provides a warm alternative
• Polychroma keycaps are ideal for RGB enthusiasts

The Glorious GPBT Celestial Ice V2 keycaps are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to upgrade their keyboard's look and feel. With their durable PBT construction, beautiful gradient design, and satisfying typing experience, they offer excellent value. If you're ready to elevate your setup, consider pairing them with the GMMK 3 Barebones Mechanical Keyboard HE Wired/Wireless 8,000 Hz for a complete Glorious experience.