Capacitive Touchscreen Operation
Capacitive touchscreens detect changes in the electrostatic field above the screen. When conductive objects and substances like a naked finger or water comes into contact with the field, the disruption is detected, and triggers a touch reaction. Capacitive touch is the most prevalent type of touch seen in the market today, used in everyday touch devices like tablets, phones, and registers.
Resistive Touchscreen Operation
Resistive touchscreens detect pressure applied to the screen sensor. The touch signal is registered when the two conductive layers of the sensor are pushed together and make contact. Resistive touch is versatile in where it can function and the methods of interaction it accepts, being more tolerant of an environment of contaminants and able to accept input from anything that can be used to apply pressure to the surface.
Infrared Touchscreen Operation
IR (infrared) touch uses a gid of infrared beams emitted from around the edges of a screen to detect touch input. Any physical object that breaks a beam will register as touch input.
It can be considered very versatile in terms of what inputs it accepts but is also susceptible to interference from ambient light sources, dirt and dust accumulation, and has higher difficulty isolating/excluding inputs to not register.
| PCAP | RESISTIVE | INFRARED (IR) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Capacitive sensing | Pressure (any object) | Beam interruption |
| Input Devices | Finger, capacitive stylus | Finger, stylus, gloves, etc. | Any physical object |
| Multi-touch | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sensitivity | Capacitive touchscreens demonstrate superior sensitivity, responding to the lightest touch without requiring pressure. This high sensitivity enables smooth scrolling, quick response times, and an intuitive user experience. The technology can even detect finger proximity before actual contact occurs. | Resistive touchscreens require deliberate pressure to activate, which can result in slower response times and less fluid interaction. However, this pressure requirement also provides protection against accidental touches, making them suitable for environments where inadvertent activation must be minimized. | Responds to a wide variety of inputs, as any physical object that breaks an infrared beam will register as a touch. However, this can make it more difficult to isolate or exclude unintended touches. |
| Durability | High (glass, scratch-resistant) | Moderate (plastic, can scratch) | High (no direct contact with sensor) |
| Environmental Tolerance | Durable glass surface, resistant to scratches and wear. Can be affected by water, humidity, and non-conductive contaminants, sometimes resulting in false or missed touches. | Plastic outer layer is more prone to scratches, dents, and wear over time. Performs reliably in harsh or dirty environments, unaffected by water, dust, or gloves. | Susceptible to interference from ambient light sources, as well as dirt and dust accumulation. |
| Power Consumption | Capacitive touchscreens typically consume more power due to their continuous monitoring of electrical fields and more complex control circuitry. | Resistive touchscreens demonstrate lower power consumption as they only consume power when pressure is applied. | Moderate to high, as the infrared LEDs are continuously active. |
| Optical Quality | Excellent | Good to Fair | Excellent (no layers over the display) |
| Cost | Higher Higher manufacturing cost due to complex construction and controller requirements. | Lower Simpler to manufacture and integrate, making them ideal for budget-sensitive or industrial applications. | Moderate to high, depending on size and resolution. |
| Typical Applications | Smartphones, tablets, consumer electronics, kiosks—where multi-touch, high sensitivity, and optical quality are priorities | Industrial controls, ATMs, POS terminals, medical devices—where glove use, environmental resistance, or cost are more important than multi-touch or high clarity | Large-format displays, interactive whiteboards, outdoor kiosks, and industrial applications. |