A good gaming keypad adds to the overall experience of your game. Normal keyboards just don’t have the comfort and functionality that a gaming keypad has. After all, gaming keypads were designed for a smooth gaming experience.
While they lack the full functionalities of gaming keyboards, gaming keypads are nonetheless convenient. And unlike regular keyboards, gaming keypads have special buttons that allow you to play more easily. Whether you’ve been gaming for years already or just started out, having gaming keypad can enhance your gaming experience.
With many choices available on the market, which one would you buy? To make choosing easier, we’ve come up with a list of the best gaming keypads available.
Top Picks
[amazon box=”B07754PYFK,B07YQKS4B5,B00QE1XH8Q,B06Y2Y6RPP,B07NBJVH4G,B001NEK2GE,B07F1PJVS8,B07BJMZ34Y” template=”table”]
How to Choose the Best Gaming Keypad
This list contains 8 of the best brands to choose from. But before that, it’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for in a keypad, otherwise you won’t be able to fully maximize its use.
This buying guide will explain the factors that you have to consider before you buy your first keypad. They are as follows:
Keypad Type
There are two types of keypads you can choose from: the mechanical key type and the membrane key type. The main difference between them is their respective sensitivity. Mechanical keys are actually more sensitive than membrane types, thereby making them a lot easier to use. Naturally, mechanical keys are more expensive than membrane keys, but the latter is much more durable.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is extremely important when it comes to choosing the best gaming keypad. After all, the whole point of a gaming keypad is to make sure that your gaming is as comfortable as it gets. This means that the ideal gaming keypad is one that has keys not too close or far from each other so you can press them easily.
A good keypad also is the right size that is comfortable for you to play with. Lastly, you’ll want one that has other comfort features like a cushion for your wrist or something similar.
Programmability
Programmability is really important when you buy a gaming keypad as this allows you to enhance your gaming experience. You have to make sure that all the keys, the joystick, and the direction pad can be programmed. This allows you to have complete control over your keypad. Couple this with the best gaming mouse for an overall exciting experience.
Other Features
Generally, the more features your keypad has, the better your gaming experience is. Some other features that you can look for are backlights to help you see the keys better in the dark and anti-ghost keys to make the keys more sensitive to pressing. Another feature to look for is built-in profiles that work for most multiplayer online games.
Types of Game You Play
You also need to consider the type of games you’ll be playing. If you prefer playing FPS (first person shooter), you need to prioritize comfort and accessibility. Meanwhile, if you’re more of a MOBA or MMO gamer, you need a gaming keypad that allows you to set up macros quickly and easily. Obviously, you need a keypad with programmable keys to support various combinations of commands in one press.
Price
The last thing to take into consideration is the price. Generally, higher priced keypads (like the mechanical types) have better and more features you can enjoy. However, you’ll ultimately have to follow your budget. The products that we’ve listed below are fairly priced and have some of the best features you can find.
8 Best Gaming Keypads
Razer Tartarus V2 Chroma
The Ideal Keypad for MMO Gameplay
The combination of its design and functionalities makes the Razer Tartarus a keypad that’s specially designed for gaming. It has 20 keys that are very sensitive, making it easy for you to press them rapidly when playing quick action games like MMOs. All keys are programmable and come with an 8-way directional thumb pad to make gaming more fun and exciting.
Lastly, it’s known for its special Razer Mechanical Switches which give you the ultimate comfort and gaming experience.
Pros:
- Comes with optimized Razer Mechanical Switches
- Easy programmable hotkeys and macros
- Ideal for MMO gaming
Cons:
- Flimsy keys
- Expensive
Razer Tartarus Pro
Very Good for Raiding
Razer Tartarus Pro features innovative pressure sensitive inputs, capable of catching different types of pressure, something which was first presented on the analog joystick.
To help you be an effective gamer as possible, there are 32 buttons, which will allow you to completely customize your macros.
Instead of standard arrow keys, there is a thumbpad that will allow you to move to 8 different directions, which is similar to how you move by using joystick on consoles.
Along with that, there is a Razer Hypershift feature, which lets you map your buttons the way you want. This is extremely helpful to professional gamers, as well as for hardcore MMO players.
To make your gaming experience even more enjoyable, there is background lighting, which has around 16.8 million different colors and which is capable of syncing with the way you play your games. Also, you can completely customize it to fit your desires.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Quite comfortable
- You can customize keys however you like
- Supports different pressure levels
- A large number of hotkeys
Cons:
- The software could slow down your PC a bit
Delux T9 46-Key
Designed for an Enjoyable Windows Gaming Experience
Though it is a wired keypad, the Delux T9 is still an awesome choice that comes with a great design and function keys. It also sports a recess type key so you can have easier control over your game. The red-capped WSAD keys also make things easier for players who are used to pressing these letters to move in different directions.
With its ergonomic design, serious gamers can enjoy their game with the utmost comfort and convenience. It’s made to be compatible with Windows XP, Windows, Windows 2000, and Windows 8.
Pros:
- Handy and portable design
- Recess type keys
- Volume control keys on the side
Cons:
- No backlight
- Steep learning curve
Koolertron Cherry MX Programmable Gaming Keypad
More Keys Equals More Fun
The Koolertron keypad is one of the best gaming keypads in the market, especially for those who play on Mac. It has 43 programmable keys with special configurations for a full gaming control.
However, this isn’t just a gaming keypad. Its design and architecture also make it perfect for video editors and graphic designers who want a much easier time with keyboard commands. It also has a built-in MCU to allow you to save your configurations with ease.
Pros:
- Built-in MCU to allow configuration saving
- Anti-ghosting feature
- Portable and handy design
Cons:
- Hard to understand instructions
- Difficult to use because of a complex software
Redragon K585
Excellent Gaming Keypad for Travels
K585 from Redragon is a pretty good gaming keyboard that removes unnecessary buttons and keeps only the ones you will need for gaming.
The keyboard itself is very thin and portable, so you can carry it with you, wherever you go, which is good for people who like to play games during travels.
When it comes to installing it, it doesn’t require any installation from CD/DVD. Instead, you can simply download the latest drivers from the website providers in the package.
K585 has 7 possible macro keys, which can easily be set and activated, which will make it easier for you to use them in games, thus, making you a more effective gamer.
As for its prettiness, there are 5 different lighting modes that will make it easier for you to play your games during long nights.
Apart from that, this keypad is extremely comfortable because it has a wrist rest that can be detached anytime. It can help you play longer, without hurting your arms.
Pros:
- Very thin, practical for travels
- Easy to install
- Extremely comfortable
- Has different color modes
- A good amount of macro keys
Cons:
- It’s a bit loud
Logitech G13 Programmable Gameboard
The Best Gameboard for WoW
Gaming keypads come in all shapes and sizes, and some are a little more full-featured than others. The Logitech G13 falls into that category with a hybrid design that will keep your fingers fresh and ensures you have all the information you need at the ready.
This board is packed full of features, but we’re going to start with the keys. There are 25 of them, all of which are programmable and backlit. You can customize those colors through the included software along with several other features. While it’s something hardcore gamers will appreciate, it can take some time to set this board up if you are a beginner or easily frustrated.
There’s a lot of plastic on the G13, but that’s to be expected. Overall, we feel it’s well-built, and we didn’t notice many complaints when it comes to the quality. Logitech went with an ergonomic design that is easy on the wrists, and we’re always fans of any gear that uses soft-touch rubber. As you’d expect, the palm rest is fixed, but very comfy and will hold up well over time.
Another cool feature of this gamepad is the small analog joystick set slightly above the wrist rest to the right. It’s programmable with two buttons and pairs nicely with the small LED display. From here, you will get the scoop on in-game data along with important system information. Last but not least is onboard memory that’s large enough to accommodate five profiles.
From the contoured design to that programmable stick, the Logitech G13 could be your new best friend depending on the types of games you play. It’s perfect for games like World of Warcraft, but the joystick is a little rough and the edges. It’s also not exactly a gadget we would consider plug and play. As mentioned, there is a bit of a learning curve with the Logitech G13 although one worth overcoming if you need an awesome gamepad.
Pros:
- Comfortable ergonomic design
- 25 programmable keys
- Backlighting
- Bright LCD display
Cons:
- The price
- Set up can take some work
GameSir GK100
Perfect Gaming Keypad for Battle Royale Games
GK100 features 34 mechanical buttons, while also removing some unnecessary buttons, which you wouldn’t need to gaming.
Combined with 4 different keys on the sides, it allows you to create your own macros, for faster and smoother gameplay.
The device itself is very easy to set up because there is no need for additional software installation or any kind of special action.
All you need to do is connect it to your computer and the system should automatically recognize it, allowing you to use it instantly.
This gaming keypad features Optimized Key Functions, allowing you to set secondary use for every button, which is very useful in battle royale games, where you often need to have a good amount of shortcuts and macros.
In order to make yourself as comfortable as possible, you can slide the palm and wrist rest to any position or place you want, due to the Sliding-Rail system.
As with many other products from this category, GK100 also features RGB illumination, allowing you to choose between 8 different color modes.
Pros:
- Possibility to create a lot of macros
- Extremely easy to install
- You can assign a secondary function to every button
- Quite comfortable ergonomic design
- Has 8 different lighting modes
Cons:
- Macros combined with additional mouse buttons don’t work
Deebl Gaming Keypad
Cool and Ergonomic Keypad
Although its features are not that outstanding, this is definitely the most durable gaming pad on the list. Being made of durable materials, it has a long shelf life and doesn’t have flimsy keys like other keypads. The gaming features would include programmable keys, multi-key trigger, and anti-ghosted keys. Aside from durability, it’s also designed for comfort and convenience.
It’s also compatible with various OS like Windows, Mac OSX, and more.
Pros:
- Cool and ergonomic design
- Compatible with almost all OS
- Has 16 keys rollover for better control of your game
Cons:
- It is a bit small
- Button force needed is not as light as others
Conclusion
These 8 gaming keypads are the best gaming keypads that you can buy for yourself if you’re a hardcore gamer. If you’re looking for the best one in the market, you have to decide based on your own gaming habits. To make things easier, use the buying guide to determine what exactly you’re looking for in a gaming keypad so you’ll know which choice to make.
One Reply to “The Best Gaming Keypads in 2023”
It’s a shame there are no right handed gaming pads. It’s bad enough trying to find a left handed gaming mouse.