Do you want to own a one-handed gaming keyboard specially dedicated to your video games? Discover a selection of the 5 best on the market as well as a buying guide to choose one that will meet your expectations. A FAQ is at the end to answer your questions about this little-known device.

The 3 best one-handed keyboards in our ranking!

Know before purchasing!

• The one-handed keyboard is not a necessity for all gamers, but it provides a real advantage in the comfort and performance it provides. You will have concentration at your fingertips with keys that can be configured according to your needs.

• Be careful though, because they do not replace normal keyboards. In fact, they do not include all the keys (notably numbers and special characters). In addition, one-handed keyboards are in QWERTY (the English key layout format). However, with certain models you will be able to configure all of the keys and thus change the associated letters by default.

• Make sure you have a USB socket available on your PC, otherwise you will not be able to use your keyboard one-handed!

Comparison of the 5 best one-handed keyboards

1. The Razer Tartarus V2, an ultimate one-handed keyboard

2. The Redragon K585 DITI, a Type-C one-handed mechanical keyboard with USB port

3. The Docooler HXSJ V100, very good value for money

4. The ZJFKSDYX K50, a versatile one-handed mechanical keyboard

5. The Havit Combo, a one-handed keyboard and mechanical mouse

BUYING GUIDE FOR THE BEST ONE-HANDED KEYBOARDS

a) The type of keys

The type of keys on your future one-handed keyboard (or mini-keyboard) is an essential point to take into account when making your purchase. There are 3 different types: chiclet, membrane and mechanical, each with advantages and disadvantages. We advise you to choose it intelligently according to your needs and its future use. •

The chiclet keyboard

This is a type of keyboard that is not very common on independent keyboards since they are generally used on laptop PCs. The chiclet keyboard has flat keys spaced between them about 1 or even 2 cm. Although relatively quiet, the reaction time is not optimal, which could cause you problems in game. For this reason, very few one-handed keyboards offer this type of keys.

Benefits :

• Silent
• Compact layout

Disadvantages :

• Low reactivity
• Not optimized for one-handed keyboards
• Unpleasant feeling in game

The membrane keyboard

This is the type of keys that make up “classic” keyboards. The operation is based on a rubber dome located between two layers, also made of rubber. Once the button is pressed, the sandwich of the three layers (top, dome and bottom) come into contact to send an electrical signal via printed circuits.

This system allows the membrane keyboard to situate its noise pollution when typing and its responsiveness between the chiclet keyboard and the mechanical keyboard. If you are looking for keys that are less noisy than the latter, you can opt for the membrane keyboard. Be aware, however, that it is not the best type of keyboard for a gamer.

Benefits :

• Restricted noise pollution
• Economical price (between €10 and €30)

Disadvantages :

• Fast typing not optimal due to slow key feedback

Unreliable in the long term with regular use

The mechanical keyboard

If you are looking for the Best Cheap Gaming Keyboards , These are the type of keys to choose for gaming because they allow better precision, more pleasant comfort and a much superior typing sensation than membrane and chiclet keyboards. A mechanical keyboard works on a different principle since all its keys are independent where an electric current flows through each one, but is only activated when pressed, like a switch.

This system makes mechanical keyboards much noisier than the other two, so take this point into account when making your purchase. There are several variations of mechanical keys, where each is composed of a color switch. The switch is the central part of the button which, once pressed, depresses to bring two electrical wires into contact.

Once in contact, the wires send a signal and the key is considered pressed. The force required to press and the speed at which the switch returns to its initial position depends on its type. Without going into technical details, here is the most important information on the 3 most used switches in France:

1. The Cherry MX Red

These are the most suitable for FPS (First Person Shooter) because they have excellent typing speed, even when you press several at once. Its sensitivity is very high which could cause typing errors. However, they require a habit to get into if you move from a classic keyboard to Cherry MX Red. Once you get used to it, they will be a perfect asset during your games to gain long-term reliability, pressure speed and comfort of use.

2. Cherry MX Brown

These are the most versatile switches, striking a balance between sufficient speed for gaming and the ability to feel when the key is pressed. They obviously remain noisier than chiclet and membrane keyboards, like any mechanical keyboard.

3. Cherry MX Blue

The Cherry MX Blue emits a clicking noise signaling that the key is indeed pressed. In fact, the MX Red and Brown do not have this particularity, which makes the MX Blue an interesting choice to know if the key has been taken into account, therefore improving your typing precision. However, there is a big drawback in terms of noise pollution. Apart from having a high sound while typing, you will also have that clicking sound which might annoy those around you. Our choice and recommendation for a one-handed keyboard is obviously the Cherry RX Red which will give you the best gaming performance with optimal speed, reliability and comfort.

b) The number of keys

This is a parameter to take into account when choosing your one-handed keyboard. The more keys you have available, the more you can configure different commands but the bigger your keyboard will be and will take up space. If your desk is small or already busy, consider switching to a small and compact one-handed keyboard. If, on the other hand, you do not have this problem, you can help yourself with this guide by type of game:

FPS (First Person Shooter)

No need for many keys for FPS, so prefer a mechanical keyboard for increased responsiveness. However, you can use the keys near ZQSD to configure your skills, secondary weapons, interactions or grenades for easy accessibility.

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)

Regarding MOBAs, it is interesting to integrate macros for a sequence of skills or actions saving you execution time. So remember to have macro keys nearby that you have previously configured and opt for a mechanical keyboard for better responsiveness.

MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing game)

As with MOBAs, the one-handed keyboard with configurable macros will save you a lot of time during battles. The mechanical keyboard is not a necessity but it nevertheless gives you an advantage over your enemies.

RTS (Real Time Strategy)

Having a lot of buttons for an RTS is not synonymous with increased performance at the same level as MOBAs. However, you will have everything to gain with a good configuration of the keys for group management (by default with F1, F2, etc.), the use of skills or even shortcuts for the actions of your troops (construction, withdrawal, use of special skill, etc.). A plus you can treat yourself to is a wheel or joystick, making it easier to maneuver the camera during combat.

CMS (Construction and Management Simulation = management games)

Finally, management games may require a few keys which find use close to RTS. The management of buildings, their construction, access to particular menus etc., but it will really be thanks to a joystick, or even a wheel, that you will get the most out of the one-handed keyboard.

c) The configuration of the keys

Although the number of keys is an important factor, their configuration is even more important. This will allow you to assign personalized settings to your one-handed keyboard so that it fulfills its missions: making you gain speed, efficiency and comfort of use. The ease of configuration will depend on your one-handed keyboard, which can be done in two ways. o

By key combination (manual)

This configuration is done “manually” by pressing several keys at the same time (usually two) to activate the recording mode then press the keys you wish to configure. For example, in the case of the K50 one-handed keyboard from ZJFKSDYX, you just need to press FN + G1, wait for the light to flash, then save the combination.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Quick to record Simple to use Plug & Play	Limited customization No way to know recordings

Thanks to software

Another way to configure your keys on your one-handed keyboard is to use dedicated software. Some are more complete than others but all allow you to configure the macro keys.

Additional options include LED backlight configuration, sensitivity, gaming profiles, etc. This is particularly the case with the free Synapse 3 software from Razer, compatible with the Tartarus V2, giving you the possibility of adjusting colors, lighting effects and above all configuring detailed macros (sequence of buttons, delay time). activation between each, type of action, etc.).

Different profiles can be configured depending on the program or video game you are playing. Enough to gain efficiency on the battlefield! However, you will have to spend a little time configuring all of this, but once done you will be able to take full advantage of your one-handed keyboard with integrated macros.

Obviously each software is different, offering more or fewer setting options, but they allow you to view each of your recorded macros. No need to remember which key corresponds to which macro or delete a macro by mistake, just go to the software to view and modify them.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Allows you to easily find your macros Setting colors and effects Using game profiles Additional configuration options Some software manages several devices	Requires a PC to configure A little longer to setup

d) The layout of the keys

This may seem trivial at first glance, but the layout of the keys on the keyboard (even more so when it is one-handed) is very important for comfort of use. Having to spread your fingers too far apart to reach the necessary keys risks giving you cramps. On the contrary, having keys too close together can reduce your typing speed or worse, your accuracy. So you need to find a balance between the two, not too far, not too close. We advise you to choose a keyboard leaving 1 cm between two keys. Other factors are taken into account for the layout of the keys, namely the accessibility of macros to be able to use them easily and the availability of additional control keys. The first is important since it can directly impact your comfort of use while the second can be considered a bonus.

Macro Accessibility

Having a one-handed keyboard is one thing, but being able to easily and quickly use the macro keys it offers is another. In order to fully utilize its capabilities and the benefits that macros offer, they must be positioned ergonomically for your fingers. A large majority of macro keys on one-handed keyboards are accessible via the little finger (the little finger as a reminder). If you are playing an FPS, your hand is positioned by default as follows:

– Pinky: SHIFT, CTRL (sprint, crouch)

– Ring finger: Q, A, W (go left, grenade/spotter, lie down)

– Major: Z, S (go forward, go backward)

– Index: D, E, F (go right, interact, use)

– Thumb: SPACE, C (jump, crouch)

As you can notice, the pinky and thumb keys are less often used and 'necessary' for playing. This is why the macros accessible to these fingers are the most effective. They allow you to continue your action without having to penalize a directional finger. The vast majority of them will be on the left, while the remaining ones will be either above the classic keys or at the bottom right. So intelligently configure your macro keys according to their positioning on the keyboard but also according to their usefulness.

Additional control keys

The additional control keys may be of different shapes to adapt to uses that are not compatible with traditional keys.

Scroll wheel

The wheel will allow you to associate a command linked to the sound or zoom adjustment. Although superficial at first glance, the wheel is particularly useful for professionals thanks to the additional zoom it brings at your fingertips. It is very practical when you need to enlarge an element during photo editing, or scroll the timeline during video editing. For players of RTS or management games, it will be used for a type of zoom to be combined with the mouse wheel (vertical for one and horizontal for the other).

Joystick

It will satisfy video game players requiring one. Very practical for precisely controlling a character, the joystick also allows you to move objects or the camera more easily. This is not necessarily a competitive advantage for speed, but it provides more comfort and precision during games. The joystick can also be used as a professional, particularly practical for scrolling through images or moving objects with precision.

Directional pad

The directional pad is dedicated to a key configuration with the advantage of having directions or a selection of several choices. The first is more oriented for professionals, including scrolling images while the second can be dedicated to skills or inventory.

Button

The buttons can be compared to keys because their function does not change. The only difference that can be made is in the pressure, which can be harder or more flexible (for example a console button versus a throttle trigger). If you are a professional, you will be able to use this button if it is close to the directional pad. This is particularly the case with the Tartarus V2, offering a button, a joystick and a space bar accessible to the thumb. The button can be used for example for the ALT or CTRL key, making modifications easier.

e) Shape of hand support

This is a key element in your comfort when using your keyboard one-handed. The shape of the support will determine the position of your wrist and then the angle of your fingers on the keys as well as their access. The supports are arranged in different ways before the key palette. Some are flat (at the same level), others angled to form a triangle while others are rounded at palm level.

Flat hand supports

They are not the most comfortable because you will have to straighten your fingers to be able to press the keys on the keyboard properly. Very few one-handed keyboards have this wrist rest layout for this reason.

Inclined hand supports

These are the most common supports, because they are the easiest to adapt from a standard keyboard transition to a one-handed keyboard. They are very similar to the first ones for pleasant comfort. The support is oriented sloping while the key palette is oriented downward, which allows you to press the desired key while avoiding typing errors, but also to reach distant keys more easily.

This is a wrist rest that we recommend for a first one-handed keyboard. However, find out about the material it is made of, favoring a top layer of foam. In fact, some keyboards do not have one in favor of a simple plastic plate.

Rounded hand supports

The rounded wrist rest will not be comfortable for all users due to its atypical grip. Its shape is nevertheless very ergonomic, giving your wrist the opportunity to rest completely on the foam cushion. The tilt axis of your fingers will be perfect for pressing the keys precisely and quickly. Before you can reap all its benefits you will have to adapt to this position.

f) Its size and where to position it

The size of a one-handed keyboard is not very large but it still represents an additional device in your setup. If you already have a PC keyboard you will need to find a place for it next to this one. It's best to keep your keyboard one-handed to the left of your standard keyboard.

In case your desk is too small, but you still want to use a one-handed keyboard, prefer the compact one with fewer keys to keep the essentials. If, however, you do not want to make a concession on this last point, you will either have to move your standard keyboard (by moving it back for example), or unplug it.

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