There are many touch panel technologies on the market, the most common ones are resistive touch screens and capacitive touch screens. Both touch screens have their own characteristics. When choosing which touch screen, users need to consider many factors. So how should they make the right choice? Hot Display is a customized expert focusing on display screen R&D, production and manufacturing. In terms of touch display screens, the technology is mature and stable, and it is constantly innovating. It has developed a variety of display screens. The experienced Hot Display R&D team has summarized the advantages and disadvantages of capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens from all aspects. Users can refer to them in combination with actual products.
Understanding capacitive and resistive touch screens
As we already know, capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens differ in structure, working principle, and functional characteristics. A capacitive touch screen is an input device that determines the touch position by detecting changes in the electric field on the surface of the touch screen. Its working principle is based on the capacitance effect of the human body. When a finger or a conductive object touches the screen, it causes changes in the electric field around the touch point, and the touch screen controller determines the touch position by detecting these changes.
A resistive touch screen is an input device that works by detecting changes in resistance at the touch position. It consists of a multi-layer structure, usually including two layers of transparent resistive material (such as indium tin oxide, ITO) and a layer of separated insulating points.
For the structure and working principle of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen, please refer to the following related articles:
Introduction to capacitive touch screen
What is the structure of a four-wire resistive touch screen?
The main features and advantages of capacitive touch screens include:
High sensitivity, can realize multi-touch function, support gesture operation.
High transparency: Due to the use of transparent conductive materials (such as indium tin oxide, ITO), the screen display effect is good and does not affect the image quality.
Strong durability: The surface of the capacitive touch screen is usually covered with a layer of hardened glass or other protective materials, which is wear-resistant and scratch-resistant.
High precision: It can accurately locate the touch position and is suitable for application scenarios that require precise operation.
Beautiful design: Usually no outer frame is required, and a borderless design can be achieved, which has a beautiful appearance.
The main features and advantages of resistive touch screens include:
Support multiple touch modes: Resistive touch screens can be touched with fingers, gloves, stylus or other hard objects, which is very flexible.
Low cost: Resistive touch screens have lower manufacturing costs than capacitive touch screens.
Mature technology: Resistive touch screen technology developed earlier, and the technology is relatively mature and reliable.
High accuracy: Resistive touch screens perform well in situations where precise input is required (such as drawing and handwriting input).
To sum up, capacitive touch screens and resistive touch screens each have their own advantages. The specific choice of which one needs to be combined with the differences between the two and the actual needs of users. The following intuitively lists the advantages and disadvantages of these two touch screens from various aspects.
Capacitive touch display VS resistive touch display
Comparison Items | Resistive Touch Display | Capacitive Touch Display |
Price | Low | Relatively high, special designs can be low |
Multi-touch | No | Support |
Touch gestures | Difficult | Support |
Touch durability | 3H, easy to scratch | Can be up to 9H, not easy to scratch |
Energy consumption | Reduced | Higher |
Touch sensitivity | Low | High (adjustable) |
Touch resolution | High | Relatively low |
Image clarity | Not good | Good |
Touch material | Any kind | Fingers. Can be designed to use other materials such as gloves, stylus, pencils, etc. |
Exposure to water and oil | No design change | Requires special design |
Surface decoration | Difficult | Convenient |
Different shapes | Difficult | Convenient |
Top cover | Can be done | No |
Two-dimensional surface | Difficult | Achievable |
Dimensions | Small and medium | Small to very large sizes |
Harsh environment | Easy | Difficult |
False touch | No | Needs careful calibration |
Functionality | Low | High, shielding must be designed |
After various comparisons and combining your actual situation, I believe you can
definitely decide which touch screen is most suitable for you!
Still can't decide? We have actual products for your reference!
Capacitive touch display
4.3 inch 480x272 dot matrix smart serial port screen TFT LCD display module URAT capacitive touch screen HMI IPS sunlight readable compatible with Raspberry Pi
▶ Type: UART smart serial port screen module
▶ Display content: 480x272
▶ Display inches: 4.3”
▶ Dimensions (mm): 122.5x73.2x7.9
▶ VA size (mm): 105.50x68.2
▶ AA size (mm): 95.04x53.86
▶ Product application: custom programming display
▶ Viewing angle: IPS (U80/D80/R80/L80)
▶ Backlight type or brightness: 500cd/M2
▶ Connection method PIN number: 10pin
▶ Interface method: UART/RS232
▶ Special instructions: with capacitive touch screen
▶ Working temperature: -20~70℃
▶ Supply voltage: +5V
Full viewing angle IPS/2.8 inch TFT/LCD display module/240x320 dot matrix color screen module/SPI interface/ST7789V/wide temperature/optional capacitor
▶ Type: TFT vertical screen
▶ Display pixels: 240x320 Px
▶ Dimensions (mm): 50.00 (H) x 69.20 (V) x 2.30 (D)
▶ Display inches: 2.8"
▶ Effective size (mm): 43.20 (H) x57.60 (V)
▶ Application: C8051/Arduino/STM32
▶ Viewing angle: IPS full viewing angle
▶ Brightness: 500cd/m2
▶ Pin: FPC-10PIN
▶ Interface: SPI
▶ Special instructions: Anti-static ESD 8KV
▶ Operating temperature: -30~85℃
▶ Power supply voltage: 3.3V
▶ Driver chip: ST7789V
Resistive touch display
8. inch TFT color LCD screen 800x600 pixels IPS resistive touch display
▶ Type: TFT LCD resistive screen
▶ Display content: 800x600 PX
▶ Dimensions (mm): 183x141x7.25
▶ AA size (mm): 162x121.5
▶ Product application: medical, home appliances, industrial control
▶ View: full viewing angle
▶ Brightness: 280cd/m2
▶ Number of PINs: FPC-50PIN
▶ Touch: resistive touch screen
▶ Interface mode: TTL 24-bit
▶ Special instructions: anti-static ESD 8KV
▶ Working temperature: -20~70℃
▶ Power supply voltage: 3.3V
▶ Driver chip: HX8264+HX8696
Hot Display is an expert in display manufacturing. We continuously improve and innovate touch screen display technology and support customized touch screens for various needs. For more customized touch screen related products, please contact us directly!
Recommended reading: Waterproof standards for touch Display