Mechanical keyboards are clearly better than regular membrane keyboards. They offer a rich and stable feel with various switch options, unlike membrane keyboards which have a single feel and get mushy over time.

Mechanical keyboards last longer and are more durable; you can even replace individual broken switches. Membrane keyboards have a shorter lifespan and their overall structure is more fragile.

Functionally, most mechanical keyboards have full N-key rollover and are highly customizable with replaceable keycaps and switches. Membrane keyboards have poor customization and can have key conflicts.

Aesthetically, mechanical keyboards have good keycaps, diverse designs, and often cool backlighting, while membrane keyboards look traditional and plain.

In terms of speed, mechanical keyboards have fast actuation, giving quick feedback, which is especially important for gamers as it reduces latency.