Gaming keyboards come in different shapes and sizes, including the ultra space-efficient one-handed keyboards. These mini-sized keypads are still considered a niche, but if venturing into the unknown is your kind of thing, our list of the best one-handed gaming keyboards is a good place to start.
Best one-handed gaming keyboards (Quick list)
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What are one-handed gaming keyboards?
One-handed gaming keyboards, also known as gaming keypads, are an alternative to conventional keyboards. Keypads are compact and have all the buttons you need to game without taking up as much space as traditional keyboards. Most one-handed gaming keyboards allow you to configure a set of macro keys and customize the key mapping to your preference.
Pros of one-handed gaming keyboards
The compact size of keypads makes them convenient to use and move around if need be. Keypads can be easily positioned for the most comfortable angle, and many have ergonomically-placed buttons and a wrist rest. Some keypads also come with thumb controls or scroll wheels, which add more functionality. One-handed keypads can be ideal for precise gaming in limited space.
Cons of one-handed gaming keyboards
Despite the variety of one-handed gaming keyboards on offer, they remain a niche product for several reasons, most of which relate to their main selling point—the limited number of buttons.
Many one-handed keyboards require you to learn new muscle memory, and sometimes the keys have different positioning or keycap markings than standard keyboards. The biggest setback is that you’ll likely still need a regular keyboard to run all of your PC tasks with any sort of convenience. Having a keypad and a keyboard on one device isn’t the end of the world, but we can see how it might be annoying to some.
Last but not least, while generally well suited for gaming, one-handed keyboards can struggle with games that involve a large number of keymapping. MOBA players in particular could find the space on a keypad insufficient for all their in-game actions.
All in all, one-handed keyboards can provide a streamlined and enjoyable gaming experience if you are willing to accept the shortcomings of its reduced size and the unique perks that come with it.
If you are leaning toward giving one-handed keyboards a proper chance, we’ve prepared some of the best keypads you can buy in 2024.
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Our top picks for one-handed gaming keyboards this year
1) Razer Tartarus Pro
| Key specs | • Switches – Analog optical • Keys – 20 • Macros – Full customization • Thumbstick – Yes |
| What we like about it | • Top tier switches • Thumbstick for movement • High functionality • High customization |
| What we don’t like about it | • Low number of keys • High price |
| Today’s Best Deals | • View at Amazon • View at Razer • View at Walmart |
The best one-handed gaming keyboard in 2024 is the Razer Tartarus Pro. This keypad shines with its incredibly versatile functionality and expertly crafted layout that makes it a pleasure to use. It has 20 standard keys set in a grid pattern, making them easy to reach.
The keys use Razer’s analog optical switches which are known for their high responsiveness. When an optical switch actuates, a beam of light hits the sensor causing the keypress to be logged. This system is more responsive than conventional membrane or mechanical switches.
The analog optical switches add another layer of functionality to the Tartarus Pro. It’s possible to configure each key for a half-press or a full-press. The half-press can be mapped to one function, and the full-press can be mapped to another function. You can also configure the actuation points of the keys for better sensitivity when playing.
Another excellent feature is the ability to create multiple profiles. Users can store their macro keys or button mapping configuration on different profiles to match the games they play. It’s easy to cycle through the profiles using the side button on the keypad.
The Razer Tartarus Pro has other tricks up its sleeve that go beyond conventional keys. It has a scroll wheel on the right side, a thumb-controlled eight-way D-pad, and a large, adjustable wrist rest with ample padding to ensure a comfortable experience.
It’s worth noting that the keys on the Razer Tartarus Pro are numbered 1-20 instead of using a more conventional system. This could be easier or harder to learn based on how your brain is wired, but it has the potential to freak out anyone coming from a regular keyboard.
The Razer Tartarus Pro is pricey for a one-handed keyboard, but you get your money’s worth. It is, after all, our pick for the best one-handed keyboard of 2024.
2) Razer Tartarus V2
| Key specs | • Switches – Mecha membrane • Keys – 20 • Macros – Full customization • Thumbstick – Yes |
| What we like about it | • High functionality • High customization • Thumbstick for movement • Good price to quality ratio |
| What we don’t like about it | • Low number of keys |
| Today’s Best Deals | • View at Amazon • View at Razer • View at Walmart |
We promise we won’t spam you with Razer products for this entire list, just hear us out. The Razer Tartarus V2 is our second-best one-handed keyboard of 2024 because it’s pretty much the Pro with one difference. It is a notable difference, but not enough to push the V2 under any other keypad besides its more expensive big brother.
The one distinction between Razer’s premier keypads is that the Tartarus V2 comes with mecha-membrane keys instead of the analog optical switches of the Pro version. The mecha-membrane keys are membrane keys that attempt to mimic the feel and responsiveness of mechanical keys. They succeed to an extent, but can’t compare with the premium feel of optical switches.
As a result, users can’t program actuation points or set up custom half and full presses like on the Tartarus Pro. The good news is that the reduced features stop here. Everything else you’d get from the Pro, you can also find in the Tartarus V2. It has the same layout with numbered keys set in a grid pattern. Both models share the scroll wheel, eight-way thumb pad, and adjustable wrist rest. The software is also exactly the same.
The Razer Tartarus V2 is basically the Pro without optical switches, which is ideal if you want that trademark Razer quality but aren’t willing to pay the sizable premium for the more expensive keypad.
3) Redragon K585 DITI
| Key specs | • Switches – Clicky blue • Keys – 42 • Macros – Seven macro keys • Thumbstick – No |
| What we like about it | • High number of keys • Plenty of macros for custom layouts • Offers wireless support |
| What we don’t like about it | • Clicky switches can be unsuitable for many users • Relatively large for a keypad, though nothing too alarming |
| Today’s Best Deals | • View at Amazon • View at Walmart |
Our non-Razer one-handed keyboard champion is the Redragon K585 DITI. This keypad has the capabilities of overtaking the Razer ones due to how different it is. Based on your preferences, this could very well be your keyboard of choice.
You would notice immediately that the K585 is a lot richer on the keys, having a total of 42, more than double that of the Tartarus. These include seven macro keys and a rich assortment, relatively speaking, of letters, numbers, F-keys, and classic command keys.
The other distinction you’d notice as soon as you press one of the keys are the clicky blue switches that inherit the Redragon K585 DITI. These offer a distinct tactile feedback and produce a lot of noise. Some gamers love that, some hate it, some love it but they must keep the volume down. Whatever your case, keep that in mind before purchase.
If the K585 sounds like your type of keypad, you can get a wired or wireless model. They both offer key and RGB customization, a detachable wrist wrest, and in the case of the wireless model, a durable battery for maximum comfort.
4) RedThunder G92
| Key specs | • Switches – Membrane • Keys – 35 • Macros – Two macro keys • Thumbstick – No |
| What we like about it | • Friendly design for new keypad users • Has all essential features • Macro keys and RGB lighting on a budget product • Low price |
| What we don’t like about it | • Membrane keys could push some users away • Only two macro keys |
| Today’s Best Deals | • View at Amazon • View at Walmart • View at Newegg |
Simplicity can be king, especially for those on a tighter budget. The RedThunder G92 is a basic one-handed keyboard ideal for first-timers. Basic in this case is a compliment, because this keypad does the basics incredibly well.
The layout is similar to that of the Redragon, though slightly more compact at 35 keys. You still get all the essentials you’d expect, the hit comes mostly in the form of limited macro keys. You only get two of those and they are binded to your F-keys, though you won’t lose the regular usage of the F-keys thanks to a “Fn + F-key” style binding. It sounds clunkier than it actually is, but still, the cost cuts have to come from somewhere.
Another such cut is made with the keypad’s switches, or lack thereof. The RedThunder G92 is a membrane keyboard, which is usually viewed as the lesser layout for gaming. In reality, it’s the cheaper layout, everything else is specific to the keyboard model and its user’s preference. In other words, while we’re not arguing the G92’s membrane is of the same quality as the Tartarus Pro’s optical switches, it’s good enough to soothe your daily gaming needs.
Finally, you won’t have to bother with drivers or software. The RedThunder G92 goes straight to business. What you do get is a rather pleasing RGB lighting in seven different colors, and a wrist rest, all at a fraction of the price of our top three picks. Needless to say, this is the best one-handed keyboard for people who want to try the medium out without investing too much money right away, those on a lower budget, or folks who couldn’t care less about extra features and just want to game.
5) Azeron Cyborg
| Key specs | • Switches – Custom tower • Keys – 29 • Macros – Full customization • Thumbstick – Yes |
| What we like about it | • Quick and easy access to multiple keys • Thumbstick for movement • Adjustable tower layout for optimal comfort • High customization |
| What we don’t like about it | • Could take some time getting used to • No RGB • High price |
| Today’s Best Deals | • View at Amazon • View at Newegg |
Are you ready to get freaky? The Azeron Cyborg one-handed keyboard is a mouse disguised as a keyboard. So much so that the company explicitly clarifies in its marketing for the product that you still need a mouse separately to play games. It’s a product for the bold, no doubt, but it’s the closest we’ll ever get to feeling like a space cowboy in real life.
Its unconventional design’s main purpose is to give you access to as many keys all at once. It achieves it by surrounding your fingers with keys that can be pressed downwards, upwards, or sideways. The main enabler of this keypad is without a doubt the thumbstick, which can be used for all in-game movement, including regulating the speed at which you move with your thumb.
Dealing away with movement completely with just your thumb makes room for the rest of your fingers to do their thing. All 29 keys are fully customizable, which should be enough to mitigate even the most intense MOBA gaming session. You can create as many custom keymappings as you like, and store two of them on the keypad’s memory for quick-switching at any time.
You’ll have to wire your brain differently to master the Azeron Cyborg, and it’s not exactly a cheap product, but if you’re ready to dive deep into the world of one-handed keyboards, it doesn’t get any deeper than this.
How we created this list of keyboards
You have to try something to truly know how good it is. We try to do this with as many products as we can, then compare our own impressions with those of general users, and last but not least, the educated reviews of keyboard specialists. This mixture of our own experience, dedicated expert reviews, and general user feedback helped us define this short list of keyboards.
Published: Feb 26, 2024 01:49 pm