Mechanical keyboards have been around for several decades now. So, what makes them so popular among gamers and coders alike? And why haven’t the sleeker and more affordable membrane keyboards introduced in the early 1990s made them obsolete?

Mechanical keyboards feel good because they are more responsive and accurate than membrane keyboards. They’re typically built with higher-quality materials, giving them a better feel and overall user experience. These features make them more expensive overall but also increase durability.

1. Mechanical Keyboards Are More Responsive

The primary difference between mechanical and membrane keyboards is the way keys are activated for each device. All of the advantages of mechanical keyboards discussed in this article stem from this distinction.

The limited space between keys and switches in a membrane keyboard means that keys have to be pushed all the way down to be engaged. Only in this fully engaged position will a keystroke register.

On the other hand, mechanical keyboards usually have taller keys and more tactile switches. Moreover, the switches are mounted on springs. This design choice means that keys activate switches in a mechanical keyboard well before fully engaging.

The different switch styles used by mechanical keyboards also offer different types of feedback to the user:

Linear switches: Move in a linear progression from the “off” to the “on” position without changing speed en route and may not make a sound.
Tactile switches: Provide some resistance midway through a keystroke to let users know precisely when a keystroke has been registered. They can be particularly useful for those who like to type quickly.
Clicky switches: Provide tactile resistance and a “clicking” sound as feedback when a keystroke has been registered. They are great for those who rely on sonic cues to know when keys are engaged.

The variety of switches available for mechanical keyboards means every user can find one that fits their preferences best.

2. Mechanical Keyboards Are More Accurate

The variety of switches and keycap styles available for mechanical keyboards means that every user can find a combination that gives them the desired feedback.

The keys’ superior tactile and sonic response on them means they get a more accurate sense of the keys they’ve engaged as they type.

Moreover, the mechanical design of the switches and keys means users can engage more keys faster. This is because users do not need to fully engage a key to register a stroke on a mechanical keyboard.

Similarly, users can engage multiple keys simultaneously because the switch is spring-mounted. The keyboard will accurately register each key in the order it was engaged. This function is known as N-key rollover.

Thus, the excellent responsiveness of mechanical keyboards also translates to greater accuracy when working at speed. That’s why users can expect to consistently make fewer errors when engaging keys at the highest speeds using one instead of a membrane keyboard.

3. Mechanical Keyboards Are Faster

As you might have noticed, many of the benefits mechanical keyboards offer are interrelated. Thus, their responsiveness and accuracy inevitably mean that they are also, on average, faster to work with.

This does not mean they will not allow slow typists or inexperienced gamers to operate at the same levels as top professionals overnight. However, the excellent responsiveness and higher levels of accuracy of mechanical keyboards mean that accomplished users will consistently be able to work or play at the fastest speeds they can hit.

When typing out hundreds of pages of manuscripts or thousands of lines of code, the ability to work faster and closer to the speed of thought is a great advantage. Most users would value it.

Speed is also highly appreciated by gamers. As connectivity has gotten better, games have gotten even faster in recent years.

The most proficient gamers today execute several commands each second. Greater responsiveness and higher accuracy help them perform at the top speeds required to compete at the highest level.

4. Mechanical Keyboards Are More Durable

As I mentioned, the keycaps on mechanical keyboards are usually made of higher-quality plastics, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

On average, they also tend to be bigger and bulkier than membrane keyboards. Thus, they are also usually sturdier than their membrane counterparts.

In addition, the physical switches on mechanical keyboards are mounted on springs, allowing them to withstand more wear and tear. Again, this means they are usually more durable than membrane keyboards.

Often the keys on a mechanical keyboard will be good for hundreds of millions of keystrokes. So, although they are more expensive than membrane keyboards, they make up for their increased cost.

Investing in an excellent mechanical keyboard usually makes sense for those using keyboards for hours on end.

5. Mechanical Keyboards Are Easier To Repair and Clean

A mechanical keyboard is easier to dismantle. The keycaps, switches, and casing can all be easily taken apart. This makes it easier to clean regularly.

Unlike many other electronic devices, mechanical keyboards are also relatively easy to repair for the same reasons.

Broken keys or those with symbols that have become erased over time can easily be replaced with new keys. Similarly, when damaged, springs, stabilizers, and other parts can be replaced.

A mechanical keyboard is modular. Each key is made of multiple parts working in tandem on every keystroke. If one or a few parts need to be replaced, it is possible to replace single keys and switches without having to replace all of them at once.

Mechanical keyboards are also relatively simple devices. The only electronic component they contain is a printed circuit board or PCB.

All the other parts are easy for inexperienced users to fix using the most basic tools.

6. Mechanical Keyboards Are Easier To Customize

Because mechanical keyboards are easy to take apart and comprise modular parts, they are also easier to customize.

There’s also a greater variety of options available regarding switches and keycaps that customers can choose from. These options cover everything from functionality to appearance.

You can choose keys and switches for their tactile response or based on how they sound. Some people prefer keys that offer more resistance, for instance. Others may prioritize finding the most satisfying clicking sound from their keys as they work.

You can also choose different colored keys to help distinguish different keyboard sections, thus serving a visual and functional purpose.

Finally, you could also change keycaps just for appearance and build a keyboard that looks as cool as you want. You can select the color of individual sets of keys to your preference. You can also choose to use backlights made of various colored LEDs.

7. Mechanical Keyboards Look Better

Many users also prefer the bulky retro aesthetic of mechanical keyboards.

The association is purely nostalgic for many, but engineers and designers also appreciate the design philosophy behind them.

It recalls an era when a technology’s functions were more apparent in its design, and tools were built to last.

Mechanical keyboards are easily customizable. So, individual users can tailor them to their specific aesthetics, distinguishing them from more typical mass-market products.

Conclusion

Mechanical keyboards have stood the test of time and remain popular among various users due to their responsiveness, accuracy, speed, durability, and customization options. They offer a unique typing experience that is hard to match with membrane keyboards.

Whether you are a gamer, coder, typist, or just someone who appreciates a good keyboard, mechanical keyboards provide a tactile satisfaction that enhances your overall experience. Investing in a mechanical keyboard might be the right choice for you if you seek a reliable, enjoyable, and efficient typing tool.