Purchasing brand-new hardware has never been trickier than today because modern components are available in a variety of options and they make the search for the best one extremely hard.
Such a situation is unfortunately applicable to almost any type of PC hardware, including the gaming keypads that present a niche product, but are still available in a variety of shapes, features, and quality. For that reason, finding the best keypad may present a tough job, however, with a little bit of guidance, this issue should be relatively easily averted, even if you are not that familiar with the matter.
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Last update on 2022-07-04 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to Choose the Best Gaming Keypad
Finding the best gaming keypad may present an issue for many; however, a couple of instructions on what to look for may prove to be vital for the search and help you find the best fit in no time.
Mechanical Keypad
If you want the premium gaming experience, a mechanical keypad should be one of your priorities. Yes, it is more expensive than the membrane-based ones, but it also provides much better feedback and swift action that may not be crucial for your successful gaming, but can surely make the whole gaming journey much more fun and interactive. Therefore, if your budget allows it, always go for mechanical switches and get the best gaming keypad experience possible.
Macro keys
Ability to program your keys and allow them to conduct complicated actions with just one press of a button is essential for today’s successful gaming. For that reason, it is very important that your desired device provides as many of these keys as possible, so it can be a great asset for long MMO battles.
Backlit Illumination
Although it might not seem as important, the fact is that quality illumination with support for a variety of colors may play a major role in the gaming front lines. Ability to customize the color of your switches and make them easier to notice may give you that split-second advantage and make a difference between winning and losing. Thus, if it is possible, always go for backlit illumination and give yourself that much-needed game advantage.
Best Gaming Keypads
RAZER TARTARUS V2
A Compact MMO Power Tool
If you already own a quality gaming keyboard but still need an additional keypad for your battlefield adventures, RAZER TARTARUS V2 might come as a great choice.
Although its price isn’t among the most affordable ones, its performance and ergonomic design will make it highly useful for MMO fans. Nevertheless, its use demands a training, because it’s whole build and functionality are completely different from the traditional keyboard. Therefore, accommodation is necessary for its proper use.
RAZER TARTARUS V2 is equipped with 32 programmable buttons and is fitted with an RGB that allows for more than 16.8 million color options and full customization with the help of the Razer Synapse 3.0 software. The device itself is compact, quality-built and fitted with mecha-membrane keypads, which deliver much better tactile experience than the regular membrane keyboards.
However, this keypad is dedicated only to a small group of gamers, fans of MMO play, where a large number of buttons has a major role. Therefore, if World of Warcraft and similar MMO titles are your thing, RAZER TARTARUS V2 should be high on your list of priorities.
- Easy programming
- A good option for MMO games
- Expensive
- Limited utility
Razer Tartarus Pro
If you’re shopping for the best gaming keypads in the current year, here’s one from Razer, the Tartarus Pro respectively. Razer is one of the top-dogs in the gaming industry and their “Pro” gear comes with all sorts of goodies for those weird people who are still using gaming pads, things like analog-optical key switches for the best tactile experience money can buy, customizable Chroma RGB lighting for the inner child, programmable macro functionality and, our favorite, variable key pressure sensitivity.
The Tartarus Pro features 32 keys, which makes it the ideal tool for multitasking due to its programmable keys, and comes with a well-designed 8-way-directional thumbpad for providing a more ergonomic experience and improved movement controls, especially if you’re a console oriented gamer.
- Premium build quality
- Ergonomic design
- Fully Programmable Macro Support via Razer Hypershift software
- Razer Analog Optical Switches offer pressure-sensitive inputs
- Customizable Chroma RGB Lighting
- Some quality control issues reported by users
Logitech G13
An Old Guy that Still Has a Lot to Say
It is hard to believe that something developed a decade ago might still offer a performance that is equal or even better than of its modern-day counterparts. However, Logitech G13 proves that something like that is, in fact, real and shows how its old design was actually ahead of its time and why it should be considered for one of the best gaming keypad devices ever.
This future-proof device comes equipped with 25 programmable keys (22 regular keys, four-directional control stick and two buttons), macro recording button and onboard memory that allows for the creation of up to five different profiles. It is both Windows and Mac compatible and more importantly, it offers a highly comfortable use thanks to its ergonomic contour design.
Along with that, this keypad is equipped with customizable backlight, but also a rather uncommon LCD display that can be used to provide valuable information or allow for communication with other fellow players.
When talking about customization, it is worth mentioning that it is entirely managed through the simple to use Logitech software, which allows for a detailed set of every key and function.
Although pretty old, Logitech G13 is still a great tool for MMO titles such as World of Warcraft and altogether a device that just can’t disappoint you.
- Great build quality
- High customizability
- Key layout not natural
Redragon K585 DITI
An Affordable Keypad that Will Fulfil Your Every Gaming Need
If you are searching for the affordable keypad that will offer great value for its price at the same time, Redragon K585 DITI is an ideal choice for you.
It is slim and portable and fitted with detachable wrist rest and 42 keys, seven of which are programmable macro ones. Thanks to the ergonomic design and mechanical blue switches, its use is both easy and very tactile, which on the other hand may present a big advantage in long gaming sessions.
Redragon K585 DITI is highly durable thanks to its quality build and it provides an excellent RGB experience with five backlit modes and up to 16.8 million available colors. More importantly, this device delivers one of the best gaming keypad performances and overall presents an excellent gaming accessory that will surely prove its great value.
- Affordable
- Quality build
- A bit loud
RedThunder One Handed Gaming Keyboard
An Affordable, but Decent Gaming Keypad
RedThunder One Handed Gaming Keyboard is a compact and highly portable gaming keypad that maybe doesn’t bring the premium feeling; however, it brings a very positive user experience that will satisfy most users.
This is an ergonomic, plug-and-play device that works with every major Operating System, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, and comes with a nice set of features that should be appreciated by true gamers. First of all, there is the macro function recording that is today’s gaming standard, then there is an anti-ghosting feature that supports each of its 35 keys, and on top of that, there is RGB backlight that support seven different color themes.
Equally important, RedThunder One Handed Gaming Keyboard offers very responsive performance and ease of use, which along with a solid list of features makes this device a great choice, especially for those that are looking for the best gaming keypad in the affordable area.
- Affordable
- Portable
- Compact
- Good compatibility
- Plug and play functionality
- Responsive
- Not the best quality control
Koolertron Gateron Red Switches Keypad
If you are seeking a well-built, compact and good performing keypad for your gaming activities that can also be used while on-go, Koolertron Gateron Red Switches Keypad is the thing for you.
As you may guess, by its a bit higher price, this is the top-class device that comes with a ton of features and above all, provides great gaming performance. It is fitted with 43 programmable keys, eight Macro keys, and even a short trigger key. Furthermore, it is equipped with a built-in microphone, mini USB port, as well as onboard memory.
Most importantly, Koolertron Gateron Red Switches Keypad comes with Gateron Red switches, with anti-ghosting and supports nine different key program types that involve Normal, Mouse, Burst and other modes.
In general, Koolertron Gateron Red Switches Keypad is a comfortable and easy to use device that brings everything that the best gaming keypad should. There is the premium feeling and the great gaming experience, in other words, win-win situation.
- It can be used simultaneously with the regular keyboard
- Gateron red switches
- 43 programmable keys
- Built-in mic
- Compact
- Comfortable to use
- Onboard memory
- It comes with a trigger
- Pricey
- Limited lighting options
Delux T9
A Basic Gaming Keypad Dedicated to the Not-too-Demanding Users
Finding a functional, but not too expensive keypad is what most gamers want. However, low price usually means that some of the more prominent features have to go, and Delux T9 is no exception to that rule.
Although it offers 46 keys, which is quite a large number, they are all membrane-based, not mechanical. Also, none of the keys is programmable, which drastically reduces the overall value of this keypad. Nevertheless, its ergonomic design, decent build quality and modest, but still existing LED backlight, with three pre-defined profiles, improve the overall image a little bit.
In other words, Delux T9 offers a lot of basic stuff for a reasonable price, which is more than enough for many. However, if you are after a premium product, with numerous advanced features, this keypad just isn’t for you and you would need to find the best gaming keypad somewhere else.
- A large number of keys
- Cheap
- A bit too large
- No programmable keys
NPET T10
An Amazing Device for the Price
If you are into affordable, but top-notch keypads, with great customization options, NPET T10 is the ideal choice for you.
This device offers great ergonomics, it is very functional thanks to its 33 programmable keys and four dedicated macro keys, and it delivers great portability thanks to its lightweight design. Moreover, it is made out of quality plastic and aluminum that make it more resistant to scratches and provide great durability that is also backed with the water-resistant nature of the whole keypad.
Although its software isn’t the best, NPET T10 allows for easy button and RGB backlight customization. It is worth mentioning that its RGB backlight supports nine different colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, cyan, purple, white and rainbow) and that it provides four different color modes that would surely satisfy even the most devoted gamers.
Overall, if you want the best gaming keypad for the money, NPET T10 should without a doubt be your number one priority.
- Great price
- Portable
- Highly customizable
- Software demands for a bit polishing
Conclusion
If you are a die-hard gamer, you already know whether you need a device like this or not. If you think you do, but you’re not sure exactly which one, just look at our list once again and we’re sure you’ll find your right fit – and then it’s game on!