What is a membrane keyboard? Is it bad for gaming?

There are two different types of computer keyboards; membrane and mechanical. The choice comes down to preference – an affordable rubber-layered keyboard with less feedback, or a more expensive spring-loaded mechanical keyboard with audible precision.

 

What is a membrane keyboard? As the name suggests, a membrane keyboard consists of three layers; a top membrane, keyholes, and a bottom membrane. When a key is pressed, it travels through the layers to a conductive circuit that registers the keystroke.

 

Unlike mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards require a hard key press to send information to the CPU and output the desired keystroke. Why should you consider a membrane keyboard?

 

Compared to mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards tend to be overlooked because they tend to focus less on trendy features like RGB lights and media controls. However, that's not to say they can't feature these items.

 

The benefit of membrane keyboards lies in serving users on a budget or those looking for a more ergonomic solution for their typing needs. Since there are fewer manufacturing costs involved in designing a membrane keyboard, their keys are cheaper, making the overall cost of a membrane keyboard more affordable.

 

In addition to being affordable, membrane keyboards can also be more versatile because they typically use plastic materials, which makes them lighter and more portable. Mechanical keyboards often boast higher-quality materials and metal parts, making them harder to use in a variety of environments. Arguably, one of the biggest differences between membrane and mechanical keyboards is how noisy they are. Membrane keyboards do not use spring-loaded switches and have multiple rubber layers to dampen the acoustic feedback of keystrokes. For this reason, it is almost impossible to see a mechanical keyboard in an office environment.

What is a mechanical keyboard? Unlike membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards use individual switches for each key. These switches require less pressure to register a keypress. Instead of using a membrane layer, mechanical keyboard switches use a mechanism underneath each key; when the key engages the mechanism, the details of this keypress are sent to the CPU, resulting in a keypress on the screen. Because each key uses an individual switch, mechanical keyboards are considered to be much more accurate than membrane keyboards. Depending on the operation of the keyboard, a key may not always need to be fully depressed to register a keystroke. This is particularly useful for typists and gamers who require a more sensitive response.

Are mechanical keyboards better than membrane keyboards? Mechanical keyboards have three basic switch types; linear, tactile, and clicky. Each switch offers different features, but these mostly come down to preference. For example, linear switches provide no feedback when the actuation point is hit, tactile switches provide tactile feedback, and clicky switches provide an audible click.

 

Gamers and esports competitors tend to prefer tactile and clicky switches over mechanical keyboards because not having to hold down the key all the time means you can cram more actions per minute with these types of switches.

 

In addition to offering a range of switches, mechanical keyboards offer more features compared to membrane keyboards. Features like n-key rollover, anti-ghosting, and macro keys are just some of the reasons why mechanical keyboards are superior to membrane keyboards, at least for a large number of users. Of course, mechanical keyboards are more expensive, and the expense may not be worth it if you use your device for office tasks. However, if you value fast response times, durable construction, and a variety of connection options, a mechanical keyboard is generally a better choice.

Membrane vs. Mechanical: Pros and Cons Like any computer peripheral, there are pros and cons to choosing between membrane and mechanical keyboards. The choice usually comes down to affordability, but if that's not a factor, other features may sway your judgment depending on what you're using the keyboard for.

 

Membrane Keyboard Pros
✓Quieter
✓More Affordable
✓Softer Typing
✓Lightweight

Membrane Keyboard Cons
✗Less sensitive keys
✗Lasts about 2.4 years (5 million keystrokes)
✗Not very durable

 

Mechanical Keyboard Pros
✓Satisfying tactile switches
✓Lasts about 25+ years (20 to 50 million keystrokes)
✓Highly customizable
✓Often includes macro keys
✓ N-key rollover

 

Mechanical Keyboard Cons
✗Expensive
✗Noisy
✗Not always portable

If you're in the market for a basic keyboard that's reasonably priced and can carry some of the features that mechanical keyboards offer, like RGB lighting and media controls, then a membrane keyboard may be enough. However, if you have the budget to buy a mechanical keyboard, it's still worth it. These keyboards often have more connectivity options and technology, making them a better long-term investment. This is especially true if you type for long hours, play competitive games, and want to be able to customize your experience.