Buying Guide
The Best Membrane Gaming Keyboards
Four keyboards ranked on layout and switches; the K521 is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 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
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Redragon K521 Gaming KeyboardThe cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%.
Best for: Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money.
Check price for Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming KeyboardSeparate arrow keys.
Best for: Buyers who want separate arrow keys.
Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
TECKNET Wireless Gaming KeyboardA 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
Best for: Buyers who want 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
Check price for TECKNET Wireless Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGBIP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K521 costs less.
Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Separate arrow keys. | Buyers who want separate arrow keys. | Check price for GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 4000mAh rechargeable battery. | Buyers who want 4000mAh rechargeable battery. | Check price for TECKNET Wireless Gaming Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| IP32 water resistance at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K521 costs less. | Check price for SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Redragon K521 Gaming Keyboard
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 TECKNET wireless uses 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 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 4
GEODMAER 65% Wired Gaming Keyboard
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 mechanical 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 TECKNET wireless 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 TECKNET wireless at the time of writing.
Key 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
Strong Alternative3 of 4
TECKNET Wireless Gaming Keyboard
TECKNET's wireless board uses quiet membrane keys with a 4000mAh battery and 2.4GHz or wired modes.
Best for
- Buyers who want 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: full-size board takes more desk width.
Why we like it
It suits shared rooms more than fast games. Its 4,000mAh battery lasts a long time between charges, and a 7-degree stand and stepped layout aim for a natural hand position. 25-key anti-ghosting handles gaming. Like the Apex 3, it has a full-size layout, while the K521 uses a full-size (104 keys) layout.
It is the only pick here with quiet membrane switches; the Apex 3 has whisper-quiet membrane switches instead. It also offers near-silent keys. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper GEODMAER 65% and the pricier Apex 3, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Layout
- Full-size
- Switches
- Quiet membrane
- Connection
- 2.4GHz, wired
Pros
- 4000mAh rechargeable battery
- Quick switching between wired and 2.4GHz
- Near-silent keys
- Quiet membrane switches, the only one here
Cons
- Full-size board takes more desk width
- Membrane switches, not mechanical
- Costs more than the K521 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
SteelSeries Apex 3 RGB
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, since the K521 costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when full-size board takes more desk width 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.
Like the TECKNET wireless, it has a full-size layout, while the K521 uses 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 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the TECKNET wireless and the rest.
Key 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
- Whisper-quiet membrane switches, 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
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four keyboards on layout, switches and connection as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 4 picks.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the K521 to the Apex 3, state layout, switches and 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 TECKNET wireless for a 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
- 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 TECKNET wireless lists quiet membrane; the Apex 3 lists whisper-quiet membrane. Sort out switches before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
The K521 needs a free USB port, so check cable length to your case or monitor hub.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps Extras that separate them
The GEODMAER 65%: 26-key rollover. The TECKNET wireless: quick switching between wired and 2.4GHz. The Apex 3: a magnetic wrist rest.
How much to spend
All 4 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the K521 at the low end to the Apex 3 at the top, so decide on features first.
A mechanical keyboard with white keycaps in front of an ultrawide monitor Start from what matters most
Getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money: the K521. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K521 costs less: the Apex 3.
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 who want 4000mAh rechargeable battery | TECKNET wireless | A 4000mAh rechargeable battery |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K521 costs less | 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 |
| TECKNET wireless | Full-size | Quiet membrane | 2.4GHz, 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?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the GEODMAER 65%. It is aimed at 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 TECKNET wireless and the Apex 3 use 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. In this guide it ranks second of 4.
What extras do the K521 and the GEODMAER 65% include?
The K521: dedicated multimedia keys. The GEODMAER 65%: separate arrow keys. The TECKNET wireless: a 4000mAh rechargeable battery.
Should I pick the K521 or the Apex 3?
The K521 suits getting dedicated multimedia keys for the least money; the Apex 3 suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the K521 costs less.
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, the TECKNET wireless for a 4000mAh rechargeable battery 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.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Gaming Keyboards Right Now
- Related guideThe Best Quiet Gaming Keyboards
- Related guideThe Best TKL Keyboards
- Lower budgetThe Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards
- Similar guideThe Best Keyboard for Gaming
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceHow to Choose a Gaming Mouse
- Similar guideThe Best 60% Gaming Keyboards
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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