Is a Resistive Touchscreen Right for You?

There's no denying the fact that touchscreens are convenient. They don't require external peripherals like a keyboard and a mouse. Rather, you can control them by performing touch commands.

All touchscreens support touch commands. They feature an integrated display, such as a liquid-crystal display (LCD), that responds to touch commands. There are different types of touchscreens, however, one of which is resistive. If you're thinking about buying a touchscreen, you might be wondering whether a resistive touchscreen is the right choice.

How Resistive Touchscreens Work

Resistive touchscreens work by leveraging two layers that are separated by air. Each of the two layers features conductive traces. A voltage is applied to the bottom layer. When you perform a touch command, you'll press the top layer into the bottom layer. The voltage will then travel through the top layer, allowing the resistive touchscreen to identify when and where the touch command occurred.

Pros of Choosing a Resistive Touchscreen

You can use any object to control a resistive touchscreen. In addition to a bare finger, for instance, you can control them with a stylus. You can also control resistive touchscreens while wearing gloves. Capacitive touchscreens, conversely, will typically only work with a bare finger.

Resistive touchscreens are durable. Many businesses, in fact, prefer them over capacitive touchscreens because they can withstand harsh environments. Even when exposed to moisture, resistive touchscreens won't succumb to damage. They feature a sealed design that protects them from moisture-related damage.

Resistive touchscreens are inexpensive. If you're on a budget, you may want to choose a resistive touchscreen over a capacitive touchscreen. They feature a simpler design that results in a lower price.