Buying Guide
The Best Membrane Gaming Keyboards
Three keyboards ranked on layout and switches; the K521 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Membrane keyboards are quieter and cheaper than most mechanical boards. Every pick uses membrane switches, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects layout, switches and connection from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
The cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%.
Best for: Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Our take Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
Separate arrow keys.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys.
Our take Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB
IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. | Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money. | Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrow keys. | Buyers who want separate arrow keys. | Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Redragon's K521 is a full-size membrane board with multimedia keys and no driver needed.
Best for
- Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
The maker specifies PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS support. A one-touch light button and breathing modes adjust the rainbow backlight, and the keys give a mechanical-like feel. It is the only pick here with a full-size (104 keys) layout; the GEODMAER 65% has a 65% (68 keys) layout instead.
Like the GEODMAER 65%, it has membrane switches, while the Apex 3 uses whisper-quiet membrane switches. The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the GEODMAER 65% was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys)
- Switches: Membrane
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Dedicated multimedia keys
- Listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS
- Plug and play with no driver
- Full-size (104 keys) layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
Also Consider2 of 3
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GEODMAER's 65% board uses membrane keys with separate arrows and 26-key rollover.
Best for
- Buyers who want separate arrow keys.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when membrane switches, not mechanica is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the cheapest keyboard here. Its 65% layout keeps separate arrow keys, and a detachable USB-C cable gives a steady wired connection. It saves desk space for wide mouse movements.
A 65% (68 keys) layout is unique to it among these picks, while the Apex 3 uses a full-size layout. It shares membrane switches with the K521; the Apex 3 goes with whisper-quiet membrane switches. It also offers a lockable Windows key.
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. It was priced above the K521 and below the Apex 3 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: 65% (68 keys)
- Switches: Membrane
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- Compact 65% (68 keys) layout
- Separate arrow keys
- 26-key rollover
- Lockable Windows key
Cons
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SteelSeries's Apex 3 uses whisper-quiet membrane switches with IP32 water resistance and a magnetic wrist rest.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk widt is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker specifies Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 support. Its whisper-quiet switches are rated for 20 million presses, and 10-zone RGB and dedicated media controls sit on the board. It is IP32 water resistant against accidental spills.
No other pick in this guide offers a full-size layout; compare the K521, which has a full-size (104 keys) layout. The Apex 3 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the GEODMAER 65% and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size
- Switches: Whisper-quiet membrane
- Connection: Wired
Pros
- IP32 water resistance
- Magnetic wrist rest
- Listed support for Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5
- Full-size layout, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Wired only
How We Chose These Membrane Gaming Keyboards
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared three keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the K521 to the Apex 3, state layout, switches and connection and share Wired connection.
- Who each pick suits
- The K521 for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%; the GEODMAER 65% for separate arrow keys; the Apex 3 for IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group.
- Price range
- From the K521 to the Apex 3, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Membrane Gaming Keyboard
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Switches
The K521 and the GEODMAER 65% list membrane; the Apex 3 lists whisper-quiet membrane. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
Extras that separate them
The K521: listed support for PS4, PS5, Xbox and macOS. The GEODMAER 65%: 26-key rollover. The Apex 3: a magnetic wrist rest.
How much to spend
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the K521 at the low end to the Apex 3 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money: the K521. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor: the Apex 3.
Wired, dongle or Bluetooth
A 2.4GHz dongle is fine for games; Bluetooth adds latency and suits typing on other devices. Wired boards never need charging.
How to Choose a Membrane Gaming Keyboard
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money | K521 | The cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65% |
| Buyers who want separate arrow keys | GEODMAER 65% | Separate arrow keys |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Apex 3 | IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The K521, the GEODMAER 65% and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Keyboard | Layout | Switches | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| K521 | Full-size (104 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
| GEODMAER 65% | 65% (68 keys) | Membrane | Wired |
| Apex 3 | Full-size | Whisper-quiet membrane | Wired |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the K521 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. It suits getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Do the K521 and the GEODMAER 65% differ on layout?
The K521 uses full-size (104 keys); the GEODMAER 65% uses 65% (68 keys); the Apex 3 uses full-size.
Will the GEODMAER 65% work with my setup?
The GEODMAER 65% needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub. Small layouts move keys to a function layer, so check the legend for arrows and F-keys. In this guide it ranks second of 3.
What extras do the K521 and the GEODMAER 65% include?
The K521: dedicated multimedia keys. The GEODMAER 65%: separate arrow keys. The Apex 3: IP32 water resistance.
Do Hall effect switches help in games?
Adjustable actuation and rapid trigger help most in fast strafing games. In slower games the difference is small.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the K521, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. Look at the GEODMAER 65% for separate arrow keys and the Apex 3 for IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Check for anti-ghosting on the keys you use together.