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You might have noticed that there are a lot of articles about keyboards on this blog. That’s because I like keyboards and this is my space to talk about the keyboards that I’ve tried out in the pursuit of the perfect keyboard. Thus, it’s only right that I give membrane keyboards a fair shake when it comes to trying new keyboards. So, this poses a question. “Can you use a membrane keyboard for gaming?” The good news is that you can use a membrane keyboard for gaming if you want to. The bad news is that your experience might be different if you do. Let’s assess.

The Difference Between Membrane and Mechanical Keyboards

There are a few main differences between membrane and mechanical keyboards that you’ll want to keep in mind when choosing a keyboard for your gaming computer. For more detailed information about the differences between membrane and mechanical keyboards, check out my article on that topic. The main differences you’ll want to consider when choosing between a membrane or mechanical keyboard are the durability, lifespan, and actuation force.

PC gamers use their keyboards more than the average person. They’re naturally inputting thousands more keystrokes per day than someone who only uses their computer to Google the occasional factoid, check their email, and maybe watch a YouTube video. For this reason, most gamers need a keyboard that is durable, has a long lifespan, and a low actuation force.

Durability

Membrane keyboards, like Amazon Basics Low-Profile wired keyboard, are typically less durable than mechanical ones. There are a few reasons for this. One is that membrane keyboards are usually designed to service as many people as possible. This means that premium components are out of the question since they would drive the cost of the unit up. It also means that higher-quality build components aren’t financially feasible within the keyboard’s scope.

Lifespan

Membrane keyboards have an average lifespan of around 5 million keystrokes. After this point, they will usually start to degrade and eventually will need to be replaced. Scissor-switch membrane keyboards have a bit more longevity, averaging around 10 million keystrokes. Conversely, mechanical keyboards have a low end longevity of around 30 million keystrokes, with some models going well above a 100 million keystroke lifespan. That means a mechanical keyboard lasts 6–20× longer than the average membrane keyboard and 3–10× longer than the average scissor switch keyboard.

Actuation Force

Actuation force is the amount of force you need to exert on a key for the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to register the keystroke and send that data to the computer. The average actuation force of a membrane keyboard is around 180 grams of force. On the other hand, a mechanical keyboard switch’s actuation force can go as low as 35 grams, like the Gateron KS-15 switches, l with most switches averaging around 50–60 grams.

Gamers need to be able to react to in-game stimuli quickly. That means a switch with a low actuation force allows them to input actions faster since they don’t have to press the key down as hard.

Can You Use a Membrane Keyboard for Gaming?

Yes. You can game with a membrane keyboard. It’s not impossible by any means. It’s not like your game is going to chastise you for using a membrane keyboard. However, it’s a different experience when you play action-oriented games on a membrane keyboard.

The most stark difference you’ll feel when playing action games on a membrane keyboard is the high actuation force. If you’ve never used a keyboard with a lower actuation force you won’t be able to feel it since you have no frame of reference. However, those who have used mechanical keyboards for a while typically feel a lot more hand and wrist fatigue when returning to membrane keyboards.

Gaming will also wear your membrane keyboard out faster. You’ll need to replace your keyboard more often and it might end up costing you more money than you would have spent on a nice mechanical keyboard built with more durable parts.