Stabilizers, also known as stabs, are keyboard components that prevent larger keys from wobbling when pressed. They are located next to the keyboard switch and serve to stabilize the keycap when pressed.

There are three types of stabilizers: Cherry-style, Costar, and Optical. 

The most common stabilizers are cherry-style stabilizers. They are the most popular stabilizer type because they are simple to modify and offer various mounting styles, colors, and material types.

Costar stabilizers are a less common type of stabilizer that is mostly found on older keyboards, though some newer keyboards may have them. Costar stabilizers are difficult to use and must be hooked into the keycap in order to fit. Getting the stabilizer bar to insert into the keycap properly can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. So in my opinion I wouldn’t really go for it.

Optical stabilizers, which have an unusual design, are typically found only on keyboards with optical switches. They have small clips that insert into the keycap and snap into the stabiliser bar under the keyboard plate.

The three main components of stabilizers are the stabilizer bar, stabilizer insert, and stabilizer housing. These three components work together to keep the larger keys stable and reduce rattle (only for cherry stabs). At this point, I will only be explaining the components for cherry stabs as first of all it is the best type of stabilizer out there is and it is the most common one, which means other stablizers are less relevant.

Another thing about the cherry stabilizers is that there are 3 mounting styles. Some people may ask: ‘Why it would matter to talk about 3 mounting styles?’, ‘Why not just show us the most popular one?’ Well, this is because different mounts attach differently to certain keyboards.

Plate-mounted stabilizers are the most common mounting style, and they can be found on almost all pre-built mechanical keyboards. Instead of the printed circuit board, these stabilizers are attached to the metal plate inside the keyboard (PCB).

Screw-in stabilizers screw into the PCB and are attached with screws. People say this is the best mount because the stabilizers are more secure and vibrate less.

Snap-in stabilizers are mounted to the PCB, they vibrate less than plate-mounted stabilizers, making them a better option. The only disadvantage is that they are much less common than plate-mounted keyboards and are usually only found on custom keyboards.

As for this article, it is a really bare bone introduction to the mechanical keyboards stabilizers. Of course, there are other things that you are able to do with the stabilizers, and of course there are ways to improve the sound. As for starters, this is all the necessary information you need to help you get into the world of keyboards. As for recommendations, I highly suggest cherry stabilizers, they may be more expensive but they are worth the price. It is also worth noting that you should ALWAYS check for what stabilizer you need for your keyboard! Of course, there will be always be more ways in how you can enhance the sound of your keyboard when typing!