It’s commonly accepted in the PC gaming world that mechanical keyboards are better for gaming than your average membrane keyboard, but a lot of the time no explanation is given for this belief. There are also arguments for the other side, with some users preferring membrane keyboards. So which is best?

Membrane Keyboards

Membrane keyboards work from their rubber-like membrane (hence the name) that sits between the circuit board and the keys. This membrane has lots of raised dome-like bumps underneath the keys and when the key is pressed the dome is compressed, contacting the circuit board and sending a signal through the board to the computer.

Membrane keyboards can be very light and thin, making them ideal for portable computers and laptops. Since the membrane covers the circuit board, the keyboard is less likely to be affected by dust and dirt getting between the keys.

The main downside to membrane keyboards is they have a shorter lifespan due to the rubber domes degrading over time. They wear out quickly which results in either a long press or non-responsive keypresses. They also lack key rollover which is a feature that allows for multiple keys to be pressed at once. Membrane keyboards generally have little to no rollover ability which can result in keystrokes not being registered.

Mechanical Keyboards

As the name suggests, mechanical keyboards operate by mechanically moving switches for each key. There are a variety of different mechanical key switches, each giving a different feel and sensitivity, but the most common ones use two metal connectors that are separated by a segment of the plastic switch body.

They work by compressing a spring in the switch body, allowing a signal to be sent to the computer. These switches are great for giving a solid click feeling to help the user know they have activated the key, and the higher actuation point meaning the key doesn’t need to be pressed as far in to send the signal. This allows for fast keystrokes when typing or gaming.

They also have a high key rollover count allowing for more simultaneous keypresses without losing any keystrokes. The only downside is mechanical keyboards are generally more expensive than membrane keyboards, are thicker and heavier and are easier to damage due to materials getting caught in the switches.

Which is best for gaming?

Membrane keyboard’s key benefits are for more general use and portability, which are less important for gaming as wireless connections like Bluetooth usually induce latency in recognising the keystrokes which can prove detrimental in games requiring fast reflexes.

Membrane keyboards are also great for their ease of cleaning and durability since they are less affected by dust and dirt, which can have more of an effect on mechanical keyboards. For this reason, they have the upper hand when it comes to accidental damage.

Mechanical keyboard’s key benefits are their fast response time and tactile feedback, which are needed for most games. They are also winners when it comes to longevity as the mechanical switch will outlast the membrane domes.

When it comes to key rollover, this is a solid win for mechanical keyboards since it’s very common for games to require multi-button inputs and keypresses not being registered can cause serious detriments in games, since mechanical keyboards allow for over 10 key rollovers with fast activation time. In contrast, membrane keyboards generally have very low to no key rollover capabilities.

Both mechanical and membrane keyboards have their place and are useful for different purposes. When looking only at gaming performance, mechanical keyboards outperform the membrane keyboards. There are certain situations where membranes would be preferable, namely in the streaming or video creation areas since the click sounds created by mechanical keyboards can be distracting to the audio.