Mechanical keyboards vs chiclet keyboards: What’s the difference?

I’m partial to mechanical keyboards. Once you get used to the way keys feel and respond, there is no going back. But why? What makes mechanical keyboards so special, and by extension, does that mean that other keyboards like chiclet membrane keyboards are bad? (For your ease of mind, the answer to the latter question is no). To understand these questions better, we need to understand how mechanical keyboards differ from traditional keyboards.

Chiclet membrane keyboard

What happens when you press a key on a keyboard? The key goes down under the pressure from your finger, a keystroke is registered, the key comes up, and then you can type again. The mechanism of how the key goes down and comes back up is primarily what differentiates a mechanical keyboard from regular keyboards.

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Regular keyboards tend to use a rubber or silicon membrane under the keys, with the part under the keys being shaped like a dome. When the key is pressed, the dome is pressed down and since it’s made from an elastic material, it bounces back up and pushes the key up. This is a simple mechanism that works very well, but it does come with some downsides.

For starters, that rubber dome wears out relatively quickly, leading to an inconsistent response and other issues when typing. Eventually, the keyboard will need to be replaced. Another major issue is that the response isn’t always quick or snappy enough for fast typers. Gamers will also notice issues with stuck keys and the like as the keys they use most frequently for gaming (WASD) tend to degrade much quicker than the rest.

Chiclet keyboards are a variation of the regular membrane keyboard that features small, low-profile keys that look a lot like Chiclets chewing gum! These keys are popular in laptops and low-profile keyboards, and usually have rubber domes under them. They have the same issues that regular rubber dome keyboards have, but can sometimes be made of higher quality materials, as in the case of premium laptops like Apple MacBooks, and do offer good feedback as well as longevity. A good chiclet keyboard is a great option if you don’t game or type a lot everyday. There are exceptions, but few and far between.

Mechanical keyboard

Rather than a rubber dome, mechanical keyboards use metal springs in specially engineered plastic housings. The springs offer a faster, more predictable response that pairs well with people who type fast or game a lot. The keys are also much sturdier by design, allowing them to last for decades if treated right.

The best part is that these mechanical springs and switch designs can be swapped out with relative ease, allowing users to choose the kind of feedback and pressure they like for their gaming or typing needs.

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Price used to be a concern when mechanical keyboards first entered the market, but that’s not true anymore. Cheap mechanical keyboards can be had for under Rs 2,000, and are worth investing in if you’re a gamer or someone who types a lot. The one major downside to these keyboards is that they’re quite thick compared to membrane keyboards, and also tend to be heavier. That said, gamers and people who type a lot might find that weight and size beneficial.

If you sit at a desk and work or play games for long hours, our recommendation would be to get a mechanical keyboard. The difference in typing and gaming experience is worth the slight premium you might have to pay. Chiclet keyboards are fine when you type occasionally, and of course, they’re your only option if you have a tablet or a laptop.