{"id":20186,"date":"2022-10-22T16:07:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-22T14:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g100.us\/?p=20186"},"modified":"2022-10-22T16:07:09","modified_gmt":"2022-10-22T14:07:09","slug":"mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/","title":{"rendered":"Mechanical vs Membrane Keyboards [A Clear Winner?]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844bb974b95\" class=\"cssicon\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844bb974b95\" class=\"cssiconcheckbox\">1<\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66844bb974b95\" checked><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Why_Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_So_Popular\" title=\"Why Are Mechanical Keyboards So Popular?\">Why Are Mechanical Keyboards So Popular?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Are_Membrane_Keyboards_Still_Worth_Buying\" title=\"Are Membrane Keyboards Still Worth Buying?\">Are Membrane Keyboards Still Worth Buying?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_Worth_It\" title=\"Are Mechanical Keyboards Worth It?\">Are Mechanical Keyboards Worth It?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Membrane_Keyboard_Recommendations\" title=\"Membrane Keyboard Recommendations\">Membrane Keyboard Recommendations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Mechanical_vs_Membrane_-_Which_One_Is_Right_For_You\" title=\"Mechanical vs. Membrane \u2014 Which One Is Right For You?\">Mechanical vs. Membrane \u2014 Which One Is Right For You?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Buy_a_Mechanical_Keyboard_If\" title=\"Buy a Mechanical Keyboard If:\">Buy a Mechanical Keyboard If:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Buy_a_Membrane_Keyboard_If\" title=\"Buy a Membrane Keyboard If:\">Buy a Membrane Keyboard If:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#FAQ\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_Better_Than_Membrane_Ones\" title=\"Are Mechanical Keyboards Better Than Membrane Ones?\">Are Mechanical Keyboards Better Than Membrane Ones?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#How_Much_Should_I_Spend_on_a_Mechanical_Keyboard\" title=\"How Much Should I Spend on a Mechanical Keyboard?\">How Much Should I Spend on a Mechanical Keyboard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Can_I_Game_on_a_Membrane_Keyboard\" title=\"Can I Game on a Membrane Keyboard?\">Can I Game on a Membrane Keyboard?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/mechanical-vs-membrane-keyboards\/#Over_to_You\" title=\"Over to You\">Over to You<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t that long ago that people had this sort of debate. It was a bit more competitive than it is today, a bit more <em>even<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>You could have a conversation, compare notes and opinions, and contrast the pros and cons of each option. It was a comparison that, in some way, made sense.<\/p>\n<p>Now, from a distance, it is obvious that mechanical and membrane keyboards don\u2019t have all that much in common other than the fact that they serve the exact same purpose \u2014 <em>to interface our computers<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20234\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded.jpg\" alt=\"Membrance vs Mechanical keybaord expanded\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20234 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Membrance vs Mechanical keybaord expanded\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Membrance-vs-Mechanical-keybaord-expanded.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>They <em>don\u2019t<\/em>, however, target the same audience. They provide a different kind of user experience.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re priced in wholly disparate ways. And, well, only <em>one <\/em>of them is thriving in today\u2019s day and age: <strong>mechanical keyboards have risen to a level of popularity and ubiquitousness we could hardly have imagined just a few years ago.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The twenty-first century is all about slimming things down.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about efficiency and technological advances and shaving excess \u201cfat\u201d wherever it can be found. It\u2019s about minimalism and an aesthetic that is devoid of any nuance and character. That\u2019s true for architecture as much as it is for laptops, mice, chairs, benches, mobile phones, et cetera.<\/p>\n<p>And in that relentless pursuit, our keyboards lost not only their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=s_3rhPrCSHo&amp;ab_channel=nearLucid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>thock<\/em><\/a> but also their depth and personality.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They retrogressed, all as a result of them having to cater to as broad an audience as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Shallow membrane keyboards might <em>look <\/em>nice \u2014 a highly subjective criterion, to be sure \u2014 but they cannot compete on any other front.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Qr3nYR15wxU\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Qr3nYR15wxU\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_So_Popular\"><\/span>Why Are Mechanical Keyboards So Popular?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They\u2019re better in every way, shape, and form. They\u2019re more aesthetically pleasing, too, according to most users.<\/p>\n<p>They can be tweaked and tuned and adjusted to one\u2019s liking. They\u2019re layered peripherals and tools that can aid us greatly in our daily lives.<\/p>\n<p>A custom mechanical keyboard allows you to change its keycaps, stabilizers, to lube these elements in different ways, perform many different mods (all of which affect the sound and feel), to swap out the switches themselves, and customize them in a myriad of different ways.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A custom mechanical keyboard is a playground with seemingly endless possibilities.<\/strong> The sky\u2019s the limit. Or, well, your own imagination and budget.<\/p>\n<p>Pre-built, \u201cstock\u201d mechanical keyboards aren\u2019t as exciting or malleable, but they still carry much of the same DNA and are a great gateway into a world that many folks around the globe adore and cherish.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A good mechanical keyboard is like a <em>revelation<\/em>.<\/strong> A near-sensory experience. Typing on it evokes a <em>visceral <\/em>feeling.<\/p>\n<p>It is comprised of so many different elements and once they <em>click<\/em> in the right way there\u2019s really nothing like it \u2014 <strong>a state of absolute bliss from the very first keystroke.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The world of mechanical keyboards is like a rabbit hole without an end, a hobby that\u2019ll challenge and reward you in entirely different ways.<\/p>\n<p>And, perhaps best of all, there\u2019s always something new on the horizon \u2014 a new mod or type of switch or keycap set or a different form factor to pique one\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, don\u2019t have that kind of depth.<\/strong> They never <em>did <\/em>and, odds are, never <em>will<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Still, they\u2019re not as bad as <em>some <\/em>people make them out to be. <strong>They <em>are <\/em>inferior and a lot more limiting compared to their more sizable brethren, but should by no means be overlooked.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0c8UdKX6GBA\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0c8UdKX6GBA\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Membrane_Keyboards_Still_Worth_Buying\"><\/span>Are Membrane Keyboards Still Worth Buying?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Membrane keyboards offer no real customizability and, for some, that's perfectly fine.<\/p>\n<p>You just buy a model that catches your eye (or adheres to a certain aesthetic you're partial to), lay it on your desk, and get to work.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20235\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20235\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20235\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features.jpg\" alt=\"Redragon K512 membrane features\" width=\"1500\" height=\"820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-1024x560.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-768x420.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20235\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20235 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201500%20820%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Redragon K512 membrane features\" width=\"1500\" height=\"820\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201500%20820%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-1024x560.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features-768x420.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Redragon-K512-membrane-features.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20235\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/redragonshop.myshopify.com\/products\/shiva-k512-white-gaming-keyboard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Redragon<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>There's no philosophy to it, no bells and whistles you're never going to use, it's sleek, simple, elegant by design, and, perhaps most importantly, more silent than any mechanical keyboard money can buy (somewhat debatable but you do get the point).<\/p>\n<p><strong>That is no small benefit, especially in environments in which audible noises aren\u2019t tolerated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They, too, can come with many programmable keys and macros, RGB lighting, multi-device connectivity, Bluetooth support, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>They're smaller, more compact, and easy to carry around and travel with.<\/p>\n<p>Some folks use their computers for fifteen hours a day. Others just sit down, type out a few emails, check the weather, and go elsewhere to explore the world and partake in whatever activities they have planned.<\/p>\n<p>Membrane keyboards are geared towards entirely different users and should not be compared to mechanical ones \u2014 <strong>they cater to different demographics.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mechanical keyboards are nowadays seen as an indispensable tool for creatives, productivity workers, and \u2014 perhaps most of all \u2014 <strong>gamers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>One could argue (with limited success) that their many benefits and splendors can best be harnessed by a certain <em>kind <\/em>of user.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They\u2019re a great addition to one\u2019s set-up regardless of one\u2019s profession, but to someone who\u2019s not \u201cinto\u201d that whole thing, a mechanical keyboard might seem too archaic, too clunky and loud<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>And, well, that point of view sure does have a bit of weight to it, regardless if you agree with the overall sentiment or not.<\/p>\n<p>Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, are a \u201csafe\u201d pick. They\u2019re not offensive in any way, shape, or form.<\/p>\n<p>They won\u2019t make your coworkers turn on you if you start typing at blazingly fast speeds. They\u2019re not as expensive and they don\u2019t have a cult following surrounding them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They\u2019re not pretentious nor do they come with an instruction manual.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And, as such, they definitely have a purpose and a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Raison_d%27%C3%AAtre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>reason for being<\/em><\/a> in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yZMteLMpyRU\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yZMteLMpyRU\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_Worth_It\"><\/span>Are Mechanical Keyboards Worth It?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They absolutely are! Still, you\u2019d be wise to set certain boundaries.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s easy to get carried away with all the hype; what was once a niche, obscure hobby for a handful of people has now grown into an astonishingly elaborate and widespread <em>scene.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20236\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20236\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20236\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard.jpg\" alt=\"Custom Mechanical Keyboard\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20236\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20236 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Custom Mechanical Keyboard\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Custom-Mechanical-Keyboard.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20236\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/iqunix.store\/collections\/new-arrival\/products\/q66-mechanical-keyboard-hot-swap-diy-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Iqunix<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s also far more expensive than you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a sizable number of people out there who spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on their custom mechanical keyboards.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a thriving scene on YouTube, too, one that is accompanied with many online forums and in-depth guides and what have you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s easy to feel like you\u2019re missing out.<\/strong> Don\u2019t buy into <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/are-mechanical-keyboards-worth-it\/\">the hype<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A mechanical keyboard is a tool, much like any other peripheral. It has its benefits (many of them, in fact). <strong>It\u2019s not, however, going to make you any more productive than you already are, nor will it magically improve your performance in VALORANT.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t subscribe to this train of thought \u2014 one that could seriously damage your wallet and have you chase expensive peripherals that are by no means as jaw-dropping as some folks make them out to be.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The one really big positive about this whole thing is the fact that it paved the way for a truly competitive market.<\/strong> Nowadays you can get an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keychron.com\/products\/keychron-v1-qmk-via-custom-mechanical-keyboard\" target=\"_blank\">absolutely amazing<\/a> mechanical keyboard for less than $100.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s always something better and more well-rounded \u2014 that\u2019s just the way this whole market works \u2014 but users can nonetheless get 90% (if not more) of the whole experience for a truly sensible sum of money.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HVphB6RYBaY\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"860\" height=\"515\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HVphB6RYBaY\" class=\" lazyload\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Membrane_Keyboard_Recommendations\"><\/span>Membrane Keyboard Recommendations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No one seems to be talking about membrane keyboards these days and while we do understand <em>why <\/em>it\u2019s still worth pointing out that they, too, are worth purchasing.<\/p>\n<p>Mechanical ones <em>are <\/em>vastly superior, but there are still certain scenarios where one might prefer a more membrane-like typing experience.<\/p>\n<p>These scenarios might not be great in number, but they <em>do <\/em>exist.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some of the most popular membrane keyboards on the market at the time of this writing:<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-us\/products\/keyboards\/mx-keys-wireless-keyboard.920-009294.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Logitech MX Keys<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20237\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20237\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20237\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys.jpg\" alt=\"Logitech MX Keys\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-768x403.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (max-width: 960px) 60vw, 707px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20237\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20237 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20630%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Logitech MX Keys\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20630%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (max-width: 960px) 60vw, 707px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys-768x403.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Logitech-MX-Keys.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20237\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-eu\/products\/keyboards\/mx-keys-wireless-keyboard.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Logitech<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>A stand-out option, no doubt, and also one that echoes so much of that well-known Apple aesthetic. That, depending on your preference, is either a huge plus or is tremendously off-putting.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless, the MX Keys stands out for a very good reason: it is a truly well-rounded product, has great build quality, smart illumination, can connect to up to three devices, and has a built-in battery that'll last you up to a whopping five months with backlighting turned off.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s even a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logitech.com\/en-us\/products\/keyboards\/mx-keys-mini.920-010388.html\" target=\"_blank\">Mini variant<\/a> as well!<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/store\/collections\/keyboards\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Microsoft Surface Keyboards<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20238\" style=\"width: 870px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20238\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20238\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard.jpg\" alt=\"Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard\" width=\"870\" height=\"554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard.jpg 870w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard-768x489.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20238\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20238 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20870%20554%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard\" width=\"870\" height=\"554\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20870%20554%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 870w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard.jpg 870w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard-768x489.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Microsoft-Designer-Compact-Keyboard.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20238\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/d\/microsoft-designer-compact-keyboard\/8zhrtr7zcswq?activetab=pivot:overviewtab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Microsoft<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Microsoft has numerous membrane keyboards to offer, and they're all quite interesting, too.<\/p>\n<p>First of all, their design is the most striking. Clean, minimalist, and devoid of any unnecessary flair.<\/p>\n<p>They're \u201cmeticulously crafted,\u201d as Microsoft puts it. Sleek and simple, they offer a silent <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/most-silent-mechanical-keyboard-switches\/\">typing experience<\/a> that is very similar to that of a Surface keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>They also come in a few distinct sizes, too! All in all, they're a great option if you're after a no-frills kind of membrane keyboard, one that is easy on one's eyes <em>and <\/em>on one's wallet.<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.razer.com\/gaming-keyboards\/razer-ornata-v2\/RZ03-03380200-R3U1\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Razer Ornata<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_20239\" style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20239\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20239\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2.jpg\" alt=\"Razer Ornata V2\" width=\"1058\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2.jpg 1058w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-1024x552.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-768x414.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1058px) 100vw, 1058px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20239\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-20239 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201058%20570%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Razer Ornata V2\" width=\"1058\" height=\"570\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201058%20570%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1058w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1058px) 100vw, 1058px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2.jpg 1058w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-1024x552.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2-768x414.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2022\/10\/Razer-Ornata-V2.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-20239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.razer.com\/gaming-keyboards\/razer-ornata-v2\/RZ03-03380200-R3U1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Razer<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Ornata V2 from Razer is quite a fascinating option. It features a full-size layout, has just the right amount of RGB, and, perhaps most importantly, a hybrid \u201cmecha-membrane\u201d switch that, according to Razer, combines the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n<p>It is something of an in-between, a weird mix that's actually quite nice. It's not enjoyable as a true mechanical switch but it <em>does <\/em>avoid most pitfalls that are so intrinsically tied to membrane-based keyboards.<\/p>\n<p>It even comes with an included wrist rest. Other gaming-oriented alternatives include the <a href=\"https:\/\/steelseries.com\/gaming-keyboards\/apex-3-tkl\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL<\/strong><\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.corsair.com\/us\/en\/Categories\/Products\/Gaming-Keyboards\/Standard-Gaming-Keyboards\/K55-RGB-PRO-Gaming-Keyboard\/p\/CH-9226765-NA\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Corsair K55<\/strong><\/a> (probably even better than Razer\u2019s Ornata), and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.logitechg.com\/en-us\/products\/gaming-keyboards\/g213-rgb-gaming-keyboard.920-008083.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Logitech G213 Prodigy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mechanical_vs_Membrane_-_Which_One_Is_Right_For_You\"><\/span>Mechanical vs. Membrane \u2014 Which One Is Right For You?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s distill it all down to just a few straightforward bullet points \u2014 a TL;DR, if you will:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buy_a_Mechanical_Keyboard_If\"><\/span>Buy a Mechanical Keyboard If:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You want a premium typing experience<\/li>\n<li>You want to tinker with your peripherals and fine-tune them to your liking (this mostly holds true for custom <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/guide-to-mechanical-keyboards\/\">mechanical keyboards)<\/a><\/li>\n<li>You want to elevate your gaming set-up<\/li>\n<li>You want to enter a layered scene that\u2019ll entertain you for the months and years to come<\/li>\n<li>You want a keyboard that\u2019ll endure millions upon millions of actuations (and withstand any potential gaming-related abuse)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Buy_a_Membrane_Keyboard_If\"><\/span>Buy a Membrane Keyboard If:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You want a wholly silent typing experience<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy typing on your laptop for hours on end<\/li>\n<li>You want something cheap and easily replaceable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s go over a few potential questions you might have regarding this particular topic:<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Mechanical_Keyboards_Better_Than_Membrane_Ones\"><\/span>Are Mechanical Keyboards Better Than Membrane Ones?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>They <em>are<\/em>, objectively speaking.<\/p>\n<p>Custom ones can be fine-tuned and adjusted to one\u2019s liking, with various different switches, stabilizers, keycaps, sound-dampening materials, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>And even pre-built, \u201cstock\u201d ones are better \u2014 they offer a vastly superior typing experience and last much, much longer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Should_I_Spend_on_a_Mechanical_Keyboard\"><\/span>How Much Should I Spend on a Mechanical Keyboard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>That depends entirely on your budget.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays you can get an incredibly good (custom) mechanical keyboard for around $100 or even less.<\/p>\n<p>You could, in theory, spend up to a <em>thousand<\/em>, but you\u2019re not going to get all that much for your money\u2019s worth. And, plus, it\u2019s better to \u201cstart off small\u201d and then build your way up over the years.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_Game_on_a_Membrane_Keyboard\"><\/span>Can I Game on a Membrane Keyboard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For sure! It\u2019s not going to be as pleasurable of an experience compared to even the most basic mechanical keyboard, but it\u2019ll still suffice.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Over_to_You\"><\/span>Over to You<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em><strong>Are you a fervent member of the mechanical keyboard cult or have you not yet made the transition? Let us know in the <a href=\"#comments\">comment<\/a> section down below and, in case you need any help, head over to <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/forum\/\">our forum<\/a> and ask away!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It wasn\u2019t that long ago that people had this sort of debate. It was a bit more competitive than it is today, a bit more even. You could have a conversation, compare notes and opinions, and contrast the pros and cons of each option. It was a comparison that, in some way, made sense. Now,...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2346,"featured_media":20244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[209],"tags":[297],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20186"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2346"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20186"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20872,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20186\/revisions\/20872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}