Choosing a gaming keyboard: membrane or mechanical?

Membrane or mechanical

On a membrane keyboard, each key presses down a small rubber dome that closes a contact on a sheet underneath. Typing feels soft and is usually quieter, and these keyboards tend to cost less. The downside: every key feels the same and less precise, and you cannot swap individual switches.

A mechanical keyboard has a separate spring-loaded switch under every key. You feel more clearly when a key registers, and you choose the switch type that suits you. Many models also have sturdier keycaps and more settings in their software.

Switches: linear, tactile or clicky

With mechanical keyboards, the switch is what matters most. There are three main kinds:

• Linear: the key travels down in one smooth motion, with no bump or click. Many gamers like this for fast, repeated presses. Often red, like the Red switch in the Razer Huntsman Mini.
• Tactile: you feel a small bump at the point where the key registers, without a loud click. A good middle ground if you also type a lot. Logitech calls these "Tactile"; Razer's version is the Orange switch, found in the BlackWidow V4 75%.
• Clicky: a bump plus an audible click. Satisfying if you like it, but loud for housemates and on a headset mic. Razer's clicky switch is the Green switch, as in the BlackWidow V4 X.

Not sure? Linear or tactile switches are the safe choice. A keyboard's name often states its switch type. If it only gives a colour, check what that colour means with the manufacturer, as brands do not all use the same colours.

Optical and magnetic switches

Besides classic switches with a metal contact, there are newer types:

• Optical switches detect a press with a beam of light instead of a contact. Razer uses them in its Huntsman range.
• Magnetic switches (also called Hall effect) use a magnet and a sensor to measure how far a key is pressed. That lets you set the depth at which a key registers. It also enables rapid trigger: the key resets as soon as you let it rise a little, which helps when strafing back and forth in shooters.

Keyboards with adjustable switches include the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, the Logitech G PRO X TKL Rapid and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless, which uses Razer's analogue optical switches. If you mainly play slower games or type a lot, you do not need this.

Size: how many keys do you need?

Gaming keyboards come in several sizes. The smaller the keyboard, the more room your mouse gets.

On 60% and 65% boards you reach missing keys through a second layer with the Fn key. You get used to it, but if you often use function keys or arrows, a TKL or 75% is more comfortable.

Layout: US International, ISO or AZERTY

Most people in the Netherlands type on a US International layout: the American (ANSI) layout with a wide, flat Enter key and a long left Shift. You type accents such as é and ë with the "United States-International" setting in Windows. An ISO keyboard has a tall Enter key and an extra key next to the left Shift; British, German and Dutch layouts use it. In Belgium, AZERTY is the norm.

Many keyboards come in several layouts. On GameCrew each layout is a separate version with its own EAN, and in the Netherlands a keyboard opens on its US version when there is one. Check you have the right version before you order, because keycaps are not easy to swap.

Wireless or wired

• Wired: no battery to charge and no receiver needed.
• Wireless over 2.4 GHz: with a small USB receiver, such as Logitech's Lightspeed or Razer's HyperSpeed. Manufacturers build these for gaming, so latency is low.
• Bluetooth: handy for a laptop or tablet as well, but usually slower than 2.4 GHz and less suited to gaming.

Many wireless models do both and also come with a cable for charging and playing. A low-profile keyboard, such as the Logitech G915 X Lightspeed, has flatter keys that feel closer to a laptop.