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If you’ve just entered a PC gaming space for the first time, one of the things you might notice is that PC gamers love mechanical keyboards. You can find post upon post about people’s favorite keyboards, debating which keyboards to buy, arguing about switches, and looking for guidance when purchasing new parts. So, why do gamers love mechanical keyboards so much? It’s mostly about the additional functionality provided by using a mechanical keyboard. Let’s look at the different reasons why gamers love mechanical keyboards.

Lower Actuation Force

Actuation force is the amount of pressure (measured in grams or joules) that a key requires you to apply to it for the keyboard’s printed circuit board (PCB) to register the keypress and send a signal to the computer. Membrane keyboards—the standard keyboard mechanism you’ll find in most keyboards—have an average actuation force of 180 grams or higher. (For more details on the differences between membrane and mechanical keyboards, check out my deep dive into the major differences here.) Comparatively, mechanical keyboards can go as low as just 35 grams of force, but average around 50 to 60 grams. This means that the average mechanical switch needs 100 grams less of force to actuate. The lowered actuation force can enable gamers to respond to in-game stimuli with lighter keypresses. This can marginally increase functional reaction speed, help prevent repetitive strain injuries, and reduce hand fatigue.

Responsiveness

Membrane keyboards aren’t as responsive as mechanical ones. Ghosting is when a user presses a key on the keyboard but nothing happens. It’s a regular occurrence for people who use membrane keyboards. While ghosting is a risk no matter what kind of keyboard you use, it’s especially relevant for membrane keyboards. When using a membrane keyboard, the PCB registers the keypress when a tab of electrically conductive paint on the rubber or silicone membrane under the keys touches the circuit and completes it. With a mechanical keyboard, the metal spring inside the switch stem chamber is what completes the circuit and registers the keypress. It’s much easier for the PCB to register a physical piece of metal compared to a spot of electrically conductive paint and the PCB will register the keypress faster and more reliably with a metal switch completing the circuit.

Durability

Gamers use their keyboards more often than the average populous. Consider the difference between a PC gamer and someone who only uses their computer to check emails, watch a few YouTube videos, and read the latest news. The number of keypresses that a gamer presses in a single session might be greater than the average user’s full-year usage. Thus, it’s crucial for a gamer’s keyboard to last.

The average membrane keyboard will last around 5 million keypresses before it starts to degrade, 10 million if it has a scissor switch mechanism. Compare to a mechanical keyboard which can last anywhere from 30 million to 100 million keypresses and you’ve got no comparison.