‘Mechanical vs Membrane Keyboards’: Differences Between Mechanical and Membrane Keyboards.

At first, keyboards were only used for typing but now, they are used for gaming, editing, and for various professional works.

Thus, choosing between mechanical and membrane keyboards might confuse some people now because not all keyboards are made the same, some are made better than the others for the various users.

You can decide which type is right for you after knowing the differences between them.

What is a Mechanical Keyboard?

The mechanical keyboard is the most common keyboard among gamers and typists, it has its own mechanism delivered with Main switches that are normally triggered by spring. The mechanical keyboard may look the same as a rubber dome keyboard because of the same keycaps.

However, the feel of pressing on a spring differs from pressing on a rubber dome. That makes The switches under the keys — the fundamental distinction between the mechanical keyboard and the common one.

There are different switches, with different performances.

The most common switches are blue, red, brown, black. Some require more force than others to be pressed, tactile while making a clicking sound or without. Each key has its switch, which comes with a base, a spring, and a stem.

What is a Membrane Keyboard?

The membrane keyboard is the most common keyboard among casual users, which is made of a single rubber-like membrane under the keys.

It comprises three different flexible layers in its design. The first layer is the top membrane layer, the second layer is a conductive trace made up of holes. And the third one is the bottom membrane layer.

When the key is pressed, it moves through the holes of the second layer, allowing the pressure pads that are located under each key to pass through and contact the conductive traces on top of the bottom membrane layer. Just to say, the membrane contacts a circuit board when the key is fully pressed.

The Ultimate Differences Between Mechanical and Membrane Keyboards:

1- Exchange Keycap

It’s easier to exchange a keycap in a mechanical keyboard than a membrane keyboard and that makes it a piece of cake for you to customize your keyboard to suit your case, desktop, or design theme.

2- Resilience

The mechanical keyboard has more lifespan than the normal keyboard since it's not based on a membrane that wears out rapidly. Hence, you'll always get the same feedback even after a long time.

Unlike mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboard wears out easily and when it tears, the membrane will be mushier and the keys will lose their feedback and the typing will not feel well.

3- Actuation Feedback

In mechanical keyboards, Keys give a loud audible click after each button has actuated. Thus, it is way greater for gaming that requires you to hit one key or more, quickly.

Also, you can stop pressing the button after hearing the click sound as you type the letter is registered, and it does not take much effort to type — instead of wasting your time when the button can not go down any farther.

Some typists have found that membrane keyboards can be "mushy" to type on, impacting their experience of typing. Besides, when you push down on the key, the key takes more effort to type.

4- Weight

The weight of a mechanical keyboard can be about 3 pounds or more. Hence, it’s heavier than the ordinary one. That helps to be more fixed and not being pushed around your desk.

But some can find it a flaw for not being able to carry it or move it from different desktops

On the other hand, membrane keyboards are usually made of plastic, which makes them lighter than mechanical keyboards (which are made of metals that make them heavy). That helps to make it more flexible for you to carry a light membrane keyboard easily and type on your lap or using it outside your office.

5- key Rollover

In mechanical keyboards, each key is individually engaged and registered when you press so many keys or all keys at the same time (N key rollover). They're still recorded in the correct sequence. And this will, in particular, support gaming.

A membrane keyboard can make blind typing difficult if you pressed it halfway, it will not be registered and that will give you a really hard time typing.

6- Cleaning

you can remove the keycaps of mechanical keyboards, and that makes them easier to clean than membrane keyboards.

7- Price

More costly materials and technology are used on mechanical keyboards, so this would cost you more than the usual keyboard (can be made of plastic with common materials), regardless of they come with the same features.

8- Sound

The membrane keyboard is well known for its quiet key sound, it's an advance especially in work offices as while typing on a keyboard with high speed can be loud and noisy, especially the blue switches.

A mechanical keyboard's sound intensity depends on the switches that are used, like blue, since they can be noisy. Therefore, you can't use it inside an office; with other people.

9- DIY Skills

Removing keycaps to customize your style can be an advantage of mechanical keyboards, but you will require some DIY skills, unlike the membrane keyboard.

How to Choose Between Mechanical and Membrane Keyboards?

There is no one keyboard for everyone; each keyboard meets the different needs of different users.

Both keyboards have their pros and cons, then how to choose your right one!

When purchasing a keyboard, there are many key factors to consider: the style of use, flexibility, and your preference.

If you are a traveler and don't care about your keyboard performance, or a student who needs to do some assignments or play casual games. Then, a quiet affordable membrane keyboard is the right one for you, because you won't have to worry about its weight or loud sound.

If you are a heavy user—typist or gamer, the Keyboard choice is far more crucial for you. As you need something that will feel right in your hands, and perform well to your fingers to enable you to perform at your best. Hence, the mechanical membrane is the perfect one for you.

For typists: a mechanical keyboard can improve their overall computing experience and provide enhanced tactile feedback.

For gamers: the mechanical keyboard is the most suitable one, as it might elevate your gaming to the next level. It provides quick typing; which is always required in gaming. Besides, it is heavy and fixed in its place or else you might accidentally push your keyboard away from your desktop or strafe into a wall and punch yourself in the face.

If you hesitate which of the mechanical keyboard switches is right for you. Then, you have two choices:

First, go to the near computer shop or retailer that has a mechanical keyboard on display and try out the different switch types.

Second, to help you compare and determine the type of switch that is good for you and suits your needs, you can buy a mechanical switch tester, which is essentially different keys that hold together all with different switch styles.

Ultimately, the keyboard is the link to your computer. That's why you need to make sure it serves your intent properly and helps you to measure at your best.