Top wireless keyboards: Choose between slim membrane and responsive mechanical options
Choose between slim, portable membrane keyboards ideal for office work and tablets, or responsive mechanical keyboards preferred for gaming and heavy use, with options available to suit every budget. Picture: ChatGPT
Image: ChatGPT
There are two big decisions you have to make when you’re in the market for a wireless keyboard, and it comes down to how much portability means to you.
Traditional wired mechanical keyboards for decades were the standard, but now there is more emphasis placed on something that is smaller and can more easily fit into a backpack.
That’s where slim wireless keyboards, also referred to as membrane keyboards, come in.
These are the keyboards you’d like to pair with a tablet, like Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Of course, there are many cheaper alternatives to the Magic Keyboard that won’t break the bank, and they are by some way the most popular.
Mechanical vs. Membrane Keyboards: Which is Right for You?
Brands like Satechi offer excellent wireless keyboards that have both long battery life, quieter key presses, and a slim yet solid design.
However, these slim alternatives do not offer the same type of typing experience as a mechanical keyboard. These are more like the traditional keyboards that have been around since before laptops were around.
Mechanical keyboards are also more responsive and accurate, but ultimately more enjoyable to use. They also last much longer, as they are generally rated to last between 50 and 100 million keystrokes, while membrane keyboards have around 10% of that projected lifespan total.
The mechanical keyboards are also generally preferred for any kind of gaming or heavy use, while the membrane versions are better suited to office work.
Another thing going for membrane keyboards is that they tend to be cheaper, with plenty of options available for under R1000.