Stabilizers are used for keys that are longer than 2u, including shift, backspace, enter, and space. The role of a stabilizer is to stabilize the key; it allows for longer keys to work, even when they are pressed on the edges. The stabilizers are usually made up of 2 stabilizer inserts and a stabilizer wire. The stabilizer can introduce unwanted noise in the keyboard, such as stabilizer rattle or a "tick" sound generated by unbalanced wires hitting the stabilizer housing.

There are two types of stabilizers: plate mount and PCB mount stabilizers. Plate mount stabilizers snap into the keyboard plate, and the PCB mount stabilizers are mounted on the PCB. It is generally accepted that PCB mount stabilizers are superior to plate mount stabilizers because they have less wobble room, thus generating less noise. There are two types of PCB mount stabilizers: snap-in and screw-in stabilizers. Screw-in stabilizers are superior to snap-in stabilizers because again, the stabilizers have less wobble, thus generating less noise.

Some stabilizers, like the ZealPC stabilizers, have a thin plastic film in the stabilizer insert to keep the wire from rattling. They are highly sought after; old cherry stabilizer inserts and ZealPC stabilizer inserts are the only ones known to have these films. Everglide/Durock stabilizers, which are often considered clones of ZealPC stabilizers, do not have these films. Thanks to the film, only minimal modding-i.e. dipping the stabilizer wire in Krytox Lube-is required for the stabilizer to not rattle.