January 13, 20238 of The Best Membrane Keyboards: 2023

Everyone has different opinions and preferences of things. The same goes with keyboard preference. 

Several individuals prefer a silent membrane keyboard over a noisy mechanical keyboard since clicky sounds can sometimes be too much in a quiet environment. 

So, if the clickety-clackety sounds of a mechanical keyboard annoy you, then a membrane keyboard is the keyboard made for you!

Membrane keyboards are made with a flat surface and pressure pads. Its keys are soft, tactile, and create much less noise compared to a mechanical keyboard. Since they are designed to have a flatter surface, they require less tactile pressure to offer a better keyboard response.

So, if you’re looking for the best membrane keyboard for your setup or work, then this article is for you! We’ve listed 8 of the best membrane keyboards that you can choose from! Just go on reading 🙂

Overview

What is a Membrane Keyboard?

A membrane keyboard has three layers of membranes that are pressure-sensitive. It uses a rubber layer and a circuit in which when you click on the key, the rubber layer then presses the circuit which will register the letter, number, etc. to show up on the screen of your laptop or pc. 

Membrane keyboards have two types of designs. The first design is a flat key membrane keyboard. The keys in this design are placed on the same pad that you push to activate the keypress. Even though this type of membrane keyboard typically utilizes a pressure pad, it lacks a lot of tactile feedback, which makes it difficult to use as a computer keyboard.

While the second design is a dome switch key membrane keyboard. It has a top layer of printed letters on a dome. These letters are printed or laser stretched in others. This is the type of membrane keyboard design that most laptops come with.

Top 8 Best Membrane Keyboard

Product Description

• All-Around Gaming Performance: Able to execute up to ten commands at the same time with built-in key rollover anti-ghosting
• Ultimate Personalization & Gaming Immersion with Razer Chroma: Fully syncs with popular games, Razer hardware, Philips Hue, and gear from 30 plus partners; supports 16.8 million colors on individually backlit keys
• Spill-Resistant Design: Built to withstand most accidental liquid splashes
• Fully Programmable Macros: Razer Hypershift allows for all keys and keypress combinations to be remapped to execute complex commands
• Durable Construction: Supports up to 80 million clicks with a 2-year manufacturer warranty

The Razer Cynosa Chroma is one of the best membrane keyboards that boasts being both high-quality and budget-friendly. 

This membrane gaming keyboard is great for both work and gaming as it can execute up to ten commands with its built-in key rollover and anti-ghosting. It is also built to be spill-resistant to be able to withstand any accidental spilling. 

Its keys feel soft and have quiet keys with its rubber dome build design. And it also has an RGB backlight that you can sync with your gameplay. It supports over 16.5 million colors that you can personalize to your taste.

The Cynosa Chroma may not be like those other ergonomic mechanical keyboards that have a wrist pad, however, you can still adjust its feet to suit your hands’ height. 

Product Description

• Activate functions, shortcuts, or keypresses in just one stroke with six dedicated macro keys, easily set up through CORSAIR iCUE software, or use instant streaming commands through Elgato Stream Deck software.
• IP42-rated dust and spill resistance guards against accidents so your gameplay never has to stop.
• Dedicated volume and media keys let you control media playback and fine-tune volume on the fly without having to interrupt your game.
• Quiet and responsive keys offer comfortable typing during both work and play, with a tactile bump for responsive gaming performance.
• A dedicated Windows Key lock button prevents accidental Windows and contextual menu key presses, ensuring you’ll never interrupt your game at critical moments.

The Corsair K55 RGB PRO is a wired budget membrane keyboard that features IP42 water resistance and an anti-splash design, making it one of the most reliable and affordable gaming keyboards.

It features an RGB backlight that lights up your desktop with six onboard lighting effects. You can assign a color to each lighting zone, or program your vibrant lighting effects across five RGB lighting zones using the Corsair iCUE software.

In a single interface that connects all iCUE-compatible CORSAIR devices across your setup, Corsair iCUE software provides strong dynamic RGB lighting control, advanced macro programming, system-wide lighting synchronization, and much more.

This keyboard is also great for gaming with its 8-key rollover and anti-ghosting features. Even with multiple keypresses, its anti-ghosting with selective key rollover ensures that your FPS and MOBA gaming inputs always register.

Like most gaming keyboards, the Corsair K55 PRO is equipped with programmable macro keys, dedicated media keys, and volume keys. This is also an ergonomic keyboard with its soft rubber detachable palm rest which reduces stress on your hands — perfect for long gaming sessions.

Product Description

• High-Performance Mecha-Membrane Switches Provides the tactile feedback of mechanical keypress on a comfortable soft-cushioned membrane rubber dome switch suitable for gaming
• Ultimate Personalization & Gaming Immersion with Razer Chroma Fully syncs with popular games Razer hardware Philips Hue and gear from 30 plus partners supports 16 8 million colors on individually backlit keys
• Fully Programmable Macro Support Razer Hypershift allows for all keys and keypress combinations to be remapped to execute complex commands
• Ergonomic Magnetic Wrist Rest Made of soft-touch leatherette to maximize comfort over extended gaming sessions with built-in magnets for convenient alignment
• Durable Construction Supports up to 80 million clicks backed by a 2-year

Another Razer keyboard is the Ornata Chroma. The Ornata Chroma is a hybrid keyboard — a mecha-membrane keyboard. It is equipped with cushioned membrane rubber dome keys that allow you to type and game comfortably for longer periods. Its mechanical part features a tactile mechanical keypress which provides great physical feedback for typing without needing too much finger pressure.

It is equipped with fully programmable macro keys which allows for all the keys and keypresses to be remapped to your taste so that it can execute complex commands which is great for gaming. It is also built with an RGB backlight that can sync up to your gameplay. 

The Razer Ornata keyboard is also built with an ergonomic magnetic wrist rest that is made out of a soft leatherette — great for long gaming sessions and work hours. 

Product Description

• Split keyset design helps to position wrists and forearms in a natural, relaxed position
• Cushioned palm rest provides support and promotes a neutral wrist position
• Domed keyboard design positions wrists at a natural, relaxed angle
• Separate number pad provides greater flexibility for workspace setup
• Natural arc key layout mimics the curved shape of the fingertips

The Microsoft Sculpt is one of the best ergonomic keyboards. It maximizes comfort, performance, and productivity. With its split keyset design, it helps your hands to be positioned in a natural and relaxed way. This keyboard works best for work like answering a ton of emails.

It is also built with a cushioned palm rest which allows your hand to rest and support your hands. This ergonomically designed keyboard ensures maximum comfort for its users.  

Another notable feature is its separate number pad which provides you with greater flexibility, plus it saves desk space because you can remove it when you’re not using it.

Product Description

• Professional Mechanical feeling backlit gaming keyboard, Ideal for desktop and PC; Can be used for gaming and office, not the real mechanical keyboard, but it worth more.
• Support Win10, Win8, Win7, Linux, Vista, IBM PC Laptop Pad Google Android TV Box HTPC IPTV Smart TV Mac OS Raspberry Pi, Chrome OS, and Linux OS
• Features rainbow backlight with breathing light function; Press fn + light key to enter into breathing light mode; Press light button thrice to turn off backlight
• Standard 105 Keys full-size keyboard; Comes with 11 special designed multimedia keys combinations, Measures 17.1 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Automatically enters sleeping mode if not used for 10 minutes; Any key press will awaken and backlights turn back on

The Rii RK100 is one of the best affordable membrane keyboards, with wide compatibility, customizable RGB backlighting, and 11 dedicated media keys, this standard full-sized keyboard is worth the try.

This wired keyboard provides you with great tactile feedback, almost like a mechanical keyboard. Its only downside is that it does not have an integrated wrist rest. However, for its price, you could buy a different wrist rest if you wanted to.

Product Description

• Prodigy Series Logitech G keyboard for advanced gaming-grade performance up to 4x faster than standard keyboards so every keypress is near instantaneous from fingers to screen
• Brilliant Color Spectrum Illumination lets you easily personalize up to 5 lighting zones from over 16.8 million colors to match your style and gaming gear
• Tactile performance keys tuned for gaming with responsiveness and more. LCD Display: No
• Dedicated media control let you quickly play, pause, skip and adjust the volume of music right from the keyboard
• Easily customize key lighting, 12 Function keys with custom commands, and more with free Logitech Gaming Software

The Logitech G213 is a membrane gaming keyboard that is known for its advanced gaming-grade performance up to 4x faster than any standard mechanical keyboard.

It is a quiet, yet easy-to-use keyboard that has great tactile feedback like other mechanical keyboards. It is built with slightly tall keycaps that replicate mechanical switches, yet they don’t require as much finger pressure to respond. It is equipped with anti-ghosting features so you can use multiple keys at the same time, which is great for gaming. 

This keyboard is also great for typing tasks as it is made with a rubber dome design which allows you to type faster. With its ergonomic wrist rest, you’ll be a lot comfortable using the keyboard for long hours. 

It’s also spill-proof to avoid any damage from accidental spills. And just like most gaming keyboards, it has a customizable RGB backlight with over 16.8 million colors to choose from.

Product Description

• Metal panel keyboard: The keyboard is designed with an Aluminum alloy panel. 
• Soft & responsive keys
• Cool rainbow backlight: The colorful keyboard has a 7-color rainbow LED backlight.
• Strong compatibility & quality assurance: LANGTU gaming keyboard meets the needs of gamers, typists, programmers, writers, and combines your office and gaming experience. No driver needed Plug-and-Play. Support Windows 2000 / 10/8/7 / ME / XP / VISTA, MAC, Linus. We stand behind our product. If you are unsatisfied with the product for any reason, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

One of the coolest membrane keyboards on this list is the LANGTU Membrane Gaming Keyboard. It is designed with a brushed aluminum alloy, offering not only pretty aesthetics but also durability, plus, it has a 5,000,000-click lifespan. 

Its frame increases not only the keyboard’s texture but also the keyboard’s overall durability. In line with that, it also features a water-resistant feature to avoid damage if you spill a drink on your keyboard.

Its keys are responsive and precise, perfect for work and gaming. All of its keys are incredibly soft to the touch and provide highly precise keystrokes. No need to worry about dust or grime because the keycaps can be easily removed for cleaning. The characters will never fade away thanks to the double-colored injection keycaps, which provide a uniform illumination that is clear.

The brilliantly colored keyboard includes a 7-color rainbow LED backlight, and each key is brightly colored, so you can type and play video games even during the night since the mild light won’t bother your eyes. The backlit’s brightness and breathing pace can be adjusted to your liking. However, because the light is not RGB, it is impossible to modify the color of the light.

The scientific stair-step keycap design allows your fingers to easily reach all keys, enhancing the comfort of your hand. You can use more combos to win a game with the anti-ghosting technology that has 25 keys. Multimedia keys with 12 different combinations make it easier to work on your computer or play a game and increase your productivity.

Product Description

• Signature Light Bar and dynamic RGB lighting effects
• Durable solid Frame for long-lasting durability and stability
• Quiet and Responsive Keys with Anti-Ghosting
• Dedicated Media Controls so you can conveniently control media
• Quick Access Buttons for Brightness, Lighting Mode, and Game Mode to quickly adjust brightness, lighting profiles, and enable game mode with the touch of a button
• Keyboard Lock Mode to secure your station while away from keyboard
• Compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7

The HyperX Alloy Core RGB comes with its signature light bar and has dynamic RGB lighting effects with 6 preset LED lighting effects which you can personalize to fit your gaming setup.

It was built for durability with its solid frame that is spill-resistant and can withstand any accidental spillage of any liquid up to 120ml.

This keyboard has nice quiet and responsive keys that are equipped with an anti-ghosting feature. You can press keys at the same time with its key rollover, and each keystroke will register and execute properly in the order it was pressed as soon as it was entered. The simultaneous signals do not cause keystrokes to be lost, which is great for any intense gaming sessions.

Our Top 3 Picks

Our top pick is the Logitech G213. Not only is it made by a trusted company, but it also has great features at a very great price point. It is easily customized, has 12 Function keys with custom commands, and has great tactile feedback.

The second runner-up is the Razer Cynosa Chroma. It is equipped with a ton of features that we love like its RGB backlight, its built-in key rollover anti-ghosting, it is spill-resistant, and of course, the fully programmable macro keys.

And last, but not least, the Corsair K55 PRO. From its IP42-rated dust and spill, resistance guards to its customizable RGB backlight using the iCUE software. We love almost everything about this keyboard.

Membrane Keyboard VS Mechanical Keyboard

Many ask, “What’s the difference between a mechanical keyboard to a membrane keyboard?” Well, there are a lot of differences between the two, however, we’ve listed their main differences below.

Membrane Keyboard

Pros

Quiet 

One of the major reasons why individuals purchase a membrane keyboard is because the sound of a mechanical keyboard annoys them. A membrane keyboard is perfect for open environments where noise should be kept at a minimum. Even during intense gameplay, a membrane keyboard is still quiet.

Availability

Compared to mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards still take up the majority of the market. This makes it easier for buyers to purchase one.

Budget-Friendly

Membrane keyboards are much more affordable compared to mechanical keyboards since they are made with easily available and cheaper materials.

Size

In terms of size, membrane keyboards are great since they are smaller and much more compact. They are travel friendly and lighter which lessens the risk of damage during travel.

Satisfying Feedback

Although they don’t have the same physical feedback as mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards still have that nice quiet crips feedback.

Cons

Harder to Personalize

Compared to other mechanical keyboards that are hot-swappable and easier to personalize, membrane keyboards are much harder to personalize.

Shorter Lifespan

These types of keyboards have a shorter life span since they are not as sturdy, unlike a mechanical gaming keyboard that is built to handle heavy and intense typings.

Mechanical Keyboard

Pros

Extremely Durable

Compared to a membrane keyboard that is much easier to damage, mechanical keyboards are extremely durable. They’re built to handle heavy hands, especially a mechanical gaming keyboard since gamers click harder due to the adrenaline during gaming sessions.

Great Feedback

They offer you great feedback due to their tactile response. You can also choose from different switches which can change the feedback response depending on where you’ll use the keyboard. 

Not to mention, you can also tweak your keyboard to have a more personalized typing experience.

Stability

As mentioned, mechanical keyboards are significantly more durable than membrane keyboards, meaning, you have more stability.

Customizable

One of the greatest perks of having a mechanical keyboard is that most of these types of keyboards are customizable in terms of keycaps. You can remove them and change them to your liking. 

Cons

Expensive

Mechanical keyboards are built with more expensive materials to ensure that it is durable. Although we can say that they are worth buying for their quality, stability, and durability. 

Heavy

Since they are much more complex than a membrane keyboard, they can be a lot heavier — thus, they are not suitable for travel 

Noisy

This factor is subjective since not everyone wants a noisy keyboard, especially if you work in an open office environment where everyone could hear you type. They are also loud due to their robust design. However, if you still want this kind of keyboard but want to lessen the noise, you can purchase other add-ons that can help dampen the noise. 

Overall

Both types of keyboards are great for different purposes. It all depends on your preferences and where you’ll use the keyboard.

How To Choose The Best Membrane Keyboard?

There are various ways to determine which membrane keyboard is the best. But first, you have to determine your preferences since everyone is different. But we’ve listed the most important factors you need to consider when looking for the best membrane keyboard.

Form Factor

The first step of determining which keyboard is the best for you is deciding on what keyboard layout you want. You can choose from full-sized keyboards, tenkeyless (TKL or 80%) keyboards, 60% keyboards, 75% keyboards, etc. 

The most common one is a full-sized keyboard, meaning, it has all the keys (like a Numpad) you need to operate your computer without having to worry about any function layers. The recently popularized ones are the tenkeyless keyboards, 60% keyboards, and 75% keyboards. Tenkeyless keyboards have most of the keys but without a dedicated Numpad. 

While the 60% keyboards have no dedicated Numpad, arrow keys, and F-row. Although they are still present in a 60% keyboard, they’re just in a function layer. And the 75% keyboard is like the TKL but has no Numpad.

The form factor is just the matter of the keyboard’s size and what keys are available. So if you want to save up desk space, we recommend that you get an 80% keyboard or below. But if you need most of the keys and functions of a keyboard, then go for a full-sized keyboard.

Ergonomic

When looking for a keyboard, make sure that you look for one that is ergonomically designed to provide you maximum comfort during gaming or work. You’re already investing in a keyboard, make sure that you’re comfortable using it.

Build

Make sure that you’re keyboards’ build isn’t flimsy. A flimsy keyboard may lack stability which is important during gaming. You should also look for a keyboard that will last longer, so finding a keyboard that has a durable build should be on the top of your checklist.

Water or Spill-Resistance

Since we’re looking for a keyboard that will endure your everyday accidents, then take into consideration a water and/or spill-resistant feature. This kind of feature will really help your keyboard to last longer, plus it’s easier to keep it clean. 

Cost

Most membrane keyboards are affordable since they are built with cheaper and easier-to-find materials. But even though you’re getting a really cheap membrane keyboard, make sure that you’re getting one that is worth its price.

FAQs About Membrane Keyboards

Are Membrane Keyboards Good for Gaming?

To put it simply, membrane keyboards CAN be used for gaming, however, gamers prefer mechanical keyboards for a reason. Although a membrane keyboard can be used for gaming, your gaming experience may not be as good compared to when you use a mechanical keyboard.

Can You Type Faster with a Membrane Keyboard?

This entirely depends on your typing speed. Although a keyboard with a fast click response and are short-stroke will definitely help increase your typing speed.

Which are More Expensive? Mechanical or Membrane?

Mechanical keyboards are much more expensive since they are built with pricier materials and have a lot more going on compared to a membrane keyboard. So, if you’re on a really tight budget and you just need a keyboard to type with, then choosing a membrane keyboard would be your best bet.

Are Membrane Keyboards Good?

Membrane keyboards do have some advantages. However, its advantages are subjective to what your preferences and needs are. A membrane keyboard is light, compact, quiet, and budget-friendly, so, if those are what you’re looking for in a keyboard, then a membrane keyboard is good 🙂

Final Thoughts

Not one keyboard is made perfectly to fit everyone. Choice of keyboards is always subjective since everyone has different needs and wants. So, we made sure to list various membrane keyboards that you can choose from.

We hope you find the best membrane keyboard for you!