There are no remedies for lost seconds in gaming, so players need the best gaming keypads around to ensure that they make the correct commands instantly. A good gaming keypad gives the user room to customize their device for whatever they need it for. Casting spells, selecting weapons or rapid counters. A keypad with programmable keys or an ergonomic design makes a significant difference when in the heat of battle. With that in mind, which keypad models stand out as the best gaming accessory around today? We have thoroughly tested and researched all the models to bring you the ten best gaming keypads today.
Razer Orbweaver Chroma Gaming Keypad
Premium Pick
Benefits
- Responsive programmable key movement
- Vast colour combinations for the atmosphere
- Adjustable rest pads for all key areas
- Access to save profiles for certain games
Drawbacks
- May rattle during use
- Padding glue can wear easily over time
Delux T9 Singlehanded Gaming Keypad
Great Value
Benefits
- Ergonomic design
- Compatible for left-hand layouts
- Ethereal backlighting
- Comfortable to use
Drawbacks
- Not fully compatible with Windows 10
- Small space bar can be a hindrance
The Best Gaming Keypads in 2024
Buying Guides
What to look for in the best gaming keypads today?
When searching for the best gaming keypads around today, there are several features that you need to look out for. The design, customization options and the style of the keys can all play a massive part in making a good gaming keyboard stand out from the crowd. Some of the features you should look out for include:
Mechanical Keyboard
The need for responsive keys is critical on a good gaming keypad so it’s why many of the best devices utilize a mechanical keyboard for their keys. Mechanical keyboards provide excellent response time to the system itself allowing players to make light touches quickly and repeatedly to get the commands they want. They are also less prone to registering phantom commands which can be extremely frustrating for hardcore gamers. Many mechanical key structures will also come with anti-ghosting designs to prevent this from happening adding to the secure nature of the keys. They are also much more durable than other key types as they can easily last into millions of keystrokes without needing to be replaced or becoming unresponsive.
Natural Designs
One problem with hardcore gaming is that long sessions can put you at risk of muscle cramps or suffering an RSI. It’s why many gaming keypad manufacturers are now opting for a more natural, ergonomic design that supports the natural structure and shape of your hand. By supporting the shape of your hand, you can seamlessly switch between different commands without sacrificing type speed or hurting your hand over time. It also encourages you to only use the one-hand for gaming allowing the other hand to focus on using a mouse for movement or other commands giving you more freedom to play.
Programming and customizing key commands
A critical area for any good gaming keyboard is allowing you to set up the keypad to seamlessly host multiple combinations and commands. Having a keypad that has multiple hotkeys and macro settings gives you great variation in how to set up the peripheral to your exact style and utilize commands with just a click of one button. Once these are set-up, you can use supporting software for the keypad to save and remember each setting for each time you play certain games or mode. Doing this allows you to always access successful set-ups and re-use them instantaneously without spending hours to recalibrate it.
Final Thoughts
Having checked out many of the top gaming keyboards around, any of the ten devices in our selection would be suitable for any pro gamers. We believe that the Razer Tartarus and the Razer Orbweaver stand out the most due to their terrific look and infinite control customization options although the Delux T9 feels great no matter how long we use it for. All of these choices though allow for a pro gamer to be successful in whatever title they choose whilst utilizing the best gaming keypads in the industry today.
FAQ
Gaming keypads are much more effective than standard keyboards in several different ways. Firstly, gaming keyboards are much more sensitive and responsive than the ordinary keyboard allowing gamers to fire in multiple commands in seconds at sometimes three times the speed of a normal keyboard. Furthermore, they have much more room for setting up shortcuts and multiple button configurations making them much simpler to use whilst gaming.
There isn’t a lot of difference between wired and wireless keypads. Wireless gaming keypads give the gamer greater flexibility over where they can play and to find a comfortable position. However, wired gaming keypads won’t be at risk of any lag or have a defined lifespan before it needs to be charged.
Many of the best gaming keypads are capable of withstanding millions of keystrokes before they need to be replaced. Most are now built using composite materials and metal bases giving them better protection from dust and dirt. Many keypads will also receive software updates as well to allow them to work on new operating systems further expanding their lifespan as technology develops.