Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboard – Which One Should You Choose?

Whether typing documents, coding, gaming, or browsing, keyboards play an important role in today’s computing. In gaming, for instance, the keyboard directly impacts reaction time, accuracy, and control. A good keyboard can make typing smooth and enjoyable. Typing or gaming experience can vary widely depending on the keyboard style. So, choosing the right type of keyboard can make a big difference. Two major keyboard types dominate the market: mechanical and membrane keyboard. But what exactly is the difference between a mechanical vs. membrane keyboard?

In recent years, the demand for good quality keyboards has grown as more people spend long hours on computers. Students, professionals, gamers, and even casual users are looking for that perfect keyboard. However, many are unsure about the differences between the two keyboard types.

In this mechanical vs. membrane keyboard comparison guide, we will understand the major differences between the two types, look at their pros and cons, and how to choose the best keyboard for your specific needs.

What is a Mechanical Keyboard?

Unlike membrane keyboards, which rely on a single membrane layer for all keys, mechanical keyboards use individual switches under every key. This gives the mechanical keyboards a unique feel and functionality compared to other keyboard types.

Each key switch consists of three main parts: the housing, the spring, and the stem. The housing provides a stable structure that holds the switch components in place. It prevents keys from wobbling and helps maintain consistent alignment of the keys.

Within the housing lies the spring. It determines how much force a user must apply to press the key. A tighter spring creates a stiffer keypress, while a looser one makes pressing easier.

The final part, the stem, moves down when pressed and connects with the internal components to register the keystroke. Different shapes and designs of stems produce various tactile responses. The individual switch structure also means that each keystroke functions independently. It provides a precise control over each keystroke and results in faster response times and more accurate and reliable typing.

Mechanical keyboards are highly audible and tactile. You can feel the key going down, hitting the base with a loud “clicking” sound (however, there are exceptions which we will discuss below). Mechanical keys are much more accurate and robust, and a standard mechanical keyboard can take over 10 million clicks. It means even if you press the keys ten thousand times daily, you can still use them for ten years.

Types of Mechanical Switches

Mechanical keyboards come with various types of mechanical switches, each with a different typing feel and sound. The three primary types are: linear, tactile, and clicky switches.

• Linear Switches: They provide a smooth and consistent keystroke without any noticeable bump or sound at the actuation point. Many gamers prefer linear switches due to their smoothness, as it allows for quick, uninterrupted keypresses. The lack of resistance can reduce finger fatigue during long gaming sessions.
• Tactile Switches: These switches have a noticeable bump at the actuation point, which signals to the user that the key has registered. With this tactile bump, users can type without needing to press the key fully down. It can potentially increase the typing speed and reduce strain. Many typists favor tactile switches because of this feedback.
• Clicky Switches: They add an extra layer of feedback through an audible click sound in addition to the tactile bump. This design appeals to users who enjoy a more classic typing feel, often described as similar to old typewriters. The audible feedback from clicky switches can help users maintain a consistent typing rhythm, although the sound may not suit shared spaces or quiet environments.

Pros of Mechanical Keyboard

• Durability: Mechanical keyboards are exceptionally durable when compared to membrane keyboards. Mechanical keyboards don’t wear out fast, and their responsiveness remains unchanged for years. A mechanical keyboard can take over 30 to 70 million keypresses, sometimes even more. On the other hand, membrane keyboards will stop functioning after taking 5 million key presses.
• N-Key Rollover: N-Key rollover is the number of key presses your computer can register at once. Usually, it is a 1 or 2-key rollover for an ordinary keyboard. This means if you press more than 2 keys at once, your computer won’t be able to track the additional keypresses. This issue is commonly known as “ghosting.” Mechanical keyboards have independent key switches, which allow you to register N of keypresses at once. The crucial aspect is that each key’s feedback is not compromised.
• Customizable: Unlike membrane keyboards, where you cannot remove the keycaps, mechanical keyboards allow you to change them, making them highly customizable. You can remove the keycaps and exchange them with your favorite emoji or add stickers to improve the aesthetics.
• Great Feedback: A mechanical keyboard’s tactile feedback and responsiveness are extremely useful to serious gamers and professional programmers. Feedback frequently improves user satisfaction and typing accuracy.

Cons of Mechanical Keyboards

Mechanical keyboards are great for gaming and typing, but they also have some disadvantages.

• Noisy: Mechanical keyboards are louder, especially with clicky and tactile switches, when compared to membrane keyboards. You can always buy silent mechanical keyboards with linear switches if you are sensitive to noise.
• Not Portable: Generally, mechanical keyboards are a lot heavier when compared to membrane keyboards. So, portability can be an issue here.
• Expensive: Mechanical keyboards are expensive. But their prices are justified considering their durability, flexibility and functionality.

What is a Membrane Keyboard?

Membrane keyboards use a much simpler structure than mechanical keyboards. In a membrane keyboard, each keypress pushes down on a rubber dome, which compresses against a thin membrane layer. This action triggers an electrical circuit and sends a signal to the computer.

This design is significantly different from mechanical keyboards, where each key has its own individual switch. Instead, the membrane keyboard relies on a continuous membrane layer beneath the keys.

The structure of a membrane keyboard consists of three main components: the rubber dome, the membrane layer, and the conductive traces. The rubber dome sits directly beneath each keycap. It provides the primary form of resistance when pressing a key. The rubber dome compresses under pressure and gives a soft, cushioned feel to the keypress.

Positioned directly below the rubber dome, is the membrane layer. It contains several layers of flexible material printed with electrically conductive circuitry. When a user presses a key, the rubber dome pushes down on this membrane, which completes the circuit and registers the keystroke.

Below the membrane layer, there will be conductive traces, which connect the circuit to the computer. These traces act as pathways for the electrical signal created by each keypress.

Pros of Membrane Keyboard

• Quiet: As you already know, membrane keyboards make less noise when compared to mechanical keyboards. The rubber dome absorbs much of the impact from each keystroke (suitable for quiet environments like offices).
• Affordable: The affordability of membrane keyboards is one of the main factors for their popularity. Production costs for membrane keyboards is lower than those for mechanical keyboards. As a result, they are widely available and can often be found in standard laptop and desktop configurations.
• Easily Portable: The majority of membrane keyboards are portable, thanks to their lightweight and compact design. Many membrane keyboards are also thinner than mechanical ones, which makes them easy to carry in a bag or backpack. These keyboards can be used for remote work while travelling.

Cons of Membrane Keyboard

• Short-lifespan: Membrane keyboards have a much shorter lifespan as compared to mechanical keyboards. The rubber domes and membrane layer tend to wear out faster. On average, a membrane keyboard can last about 5 million keypresses.
• No Tactile Feedback: Because membrane keyboards do not use individual switches, they do not provide the same level of tactile feedback that many users prefer. Keystrokes often feel softer and less distinct.
• Less Precise: Membrane keyboards are also less precise than mechanical keyboards. It is due to the single-layer circuit beneath each key and more actuation pressure.
• Hard to Clean and Customize: Membrane keyboards are hard to clean because you cannot remove the rubber dome stitches. At the same time, it makes customization limited.

Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboard – Differences

Here are some things to think about while choosing between mechanical and membrane keyboards:

1. Cost

Your budget is the main deciding factor of the type of keyboard you buy. You already know that the starting price of a mechanical keyboard is much higher than that of a membrane keyboard, mainly due to its build quality and mechanics.

As a result, many people buy membrane keyboards because of their lower prices. However, that doesn’t mean that there are no budget-friendly mechanical keyboards. Some mechanical keyboards are priced competitively with the market for membrane keyboards. But it’s always worth paying the extra money for better-quality mechanical keyboards.

2. Portability

Mechanical keyboards tend to weigh more and include bulkier components due to individual switches and a solid build. While the durable construction of mechanical keyboards improves their longevity, it can also make them less convenient to carry around.

Membrane keyboards are lighter and more portable. Users who travel frequently or move between work spaces may appreciate the convenience of a membrane keyboard even though it lacks the rugged durability of mechanical models

3. Typing Experience

Mechanical keyboards provide a distinct tactile sensation with each keystroke. Membrane keyboards, by contrast, has a much softer and quieter typing experience.

You should go for a mechanical keyboard if you are a fan of its responsiveness, and tactile feedback and clicking sound that it makes.

Due to the superior typing experience that a mechanical keyboard delivers, serious gamers and professional programmers favor it over membrane keyboards.

You must select the keyboard based on how you personally prefer to use it.

4. Aesthetics and Customization

Do you enjoy modifying your gadgets and tech? Do you want to customize your keyboard? If yes, then you should definitely opt for a mechanical keyboard.

Being heterogeneous in nature, the entire build of a mechanical keyboard can be altered. The case, circuit board, and stabilizers can be customized from the keycaps to the switches. Moreover, most mechanical keyboards feature RGB lighting, which is embedded inside the switch and enhances overall aesthetic appeal.

Most membrane keyboards do not support interchangeable keycaps or switch types.

5. Purpose

Of course, the keyboard that best meets your needs is the one that is ideal for you.

For a software programmer who does long coding sessions, typing fatigue is a high priority. There are plenty of great membrane as well as mechanical options.

For a professional gamer who values tactical feedback and fast reaction time, a mechanical keyboard would be the best. And for an avid typist who needs each key’s clicky sound and responsiveness, we recommend going for a mechanical keyboard. Usually, membrane keyboards are only good for regular users.

6. Durability

Mechanical keyboards clearly win if you’re looking for something high-end and durable, clocking roughly 70 million keystrokes instead of an average of 5 million keystrokes for a typical membrane keyboard.

7. Noise

Key presses on a membrane keyboard are generally silent. But those on a mechanical keyboard create loud noises. Many users enjoy the satisfying sound, which contributes to a more tactile experience. However, mechanical keyboards might not be the ideal choice for shared or quiet spaces, such as an office setting, where noise levels must be kept to a minimum.

But you can use mechanical keyboards with quiet switches, typically linear ones that produce less noise.

Which to Choose, a Mechanical or Membrane Keyboard?

• If it’s for serious gaming, mechanical keyboards are definitely better than membrane ones. There are mechanical keyboards with light, quiet and linear switches ( Cherry MX red, Cherry MX speed), which are excellent for gaming. They have lower actuation points ( the distance travelled by a key to register a keystroke) and anti-ghosting (the number of keypresses the computer can register at a time).
• In fact, mechanical switches are also a better choice if you type a lot. These will last much longer compared to a membrane keyboard. For example, the Cherry MX Blue switches are best for typing. They give heavy, clicky and tactile feedback to the user so as to reduce the chances of accidental clicks.
• If you are bothered by the clicking sound, there are quieter mechanical switches ( Cherry MX Black, Cherry MX Brown). They are great at both typing and gaming.
• Membrane keyboards are only a good choice for a regular user. And someone who likes the squishy and silent clicks. Since you won’t use the keyboard much, it will be wise not to choose a mechanical keyboard and save some of your money as they don’t come cheap.

Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboard: FAQs

Conclusion

When it’s time to decide between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane keyboard, try to balance the price with the features that are important to you. For the best bang for your buck, get a mechanical keyboard and ensure it has the right number of programmable keys. It’s worth mentioning that mechanical keyboards are not only for gamers but also excellent for any professional set-up.

If you are restricted to budget and are a regular PC user, you can go for membrane keyboards. Just keep in mind membrane keyboards are not that long-lasting. Paying the premium prices for better quality will always make a difference.