10 Best One-Handed Keyboards for Gaming in 2022 (Razer, Redragon, and More)

As you go through the one-handed keyboard options available, you should look into the mechanical switches, the keys, and other features. As you do so, you can use this guide to see which features matter the most to you.

Most mechanical keyboards use red, brown, blue, or black switches, so we want to explain the differences between them. We will also address mecha-membrane keyboards.

Red and clear switches require the least amount of force when you press them, allowing you to type quickly. They also don't make clicking noises when pressed, so they won't disturb others in the area.

However, they aren't tactile, so you have to press the keys completely for them to register on your computer.

Brown keys are tactile, so you can press them halfway and have the computer count those presses. They also require more force to press down all the way, so you can adjust your presses based on how tired your fingers feel. They can handle harder button presses due to their higher force too.

On the other hand, since they take more force to go down all the way, you may need to get used to pressing them halfway. If your fingers get tired while you type, you may want brown switches since they register lighter presses.

Blue switches require slightly less force when pressed in comparison to brown switches but more than red ones. Blue switches stand out since they make clicking noises when pressed. They're also tactile, so they will count half presses for people who want to ensure the game registers every press. 

However, they will make lots of noise, so some gamers may cause problems for others in the house. If you like the idea of physical and audio feedback, blue switches can provide you with that.

Black switches require the most force to activate the keys. They don’t make clicking noises, so they won’t cause a disturbance despite the hard presses. Since they're designed with more force in mind, they can handle hard presses on the keyboard.

On the other hand, black switches don't offer a tactile design, so your hands could get tired from the harder presses. 

Mecha-membrane keyboards use mechanical switches against a membrane to type. These keyboards have one membrane with all the keys on them instead of separate mechanisms for each key. However, the keys have separate switches that press against the membrane.

Membrane keyboards require the least amount of force to activate, making them great for light typers. They also don't require as much pressure to press, so people can type quickly on them with minimal finger movement. 

However, membrane keyboards can't be easily replaced if any of the keys stop working. This can be especially frustrating if you game a lot and tend to wear out or break certain keys, like the WASD keys becoming faded. 

One-handed gaming keyboards have different amounts of keys and macro keys, so let's discuss your options!

Gaming keyboards include 20 to 45 various keys, so look for the keys you need. They usually include all the left command keys like shift, control, tab, and the first five letter keys in each row. 

However, many gaming keyboards will include additional keys like buttons on the left side for more commands. Those keys may be customizable, so you can set them to whatever you want. 

Many of these keyboards have programmable macro keys, which are extra keys you can customize. Some keyboards will have a joystick that's also programmable since each direction can perform a different action.

Some gamers find these keys useful since they can assign commands to them. On top of that, the buttons can be assigned multiple keys at once to make complex commands easier to perform.

However, if you accidentally press one of these keys, the command could happen during an important moment in the game. But if you want to have an easier time performing faster commands in a game, you should find a keyboard with programmable macro keys.

You can get other useful features for your keyboard, such as removable wrist rests, backlit keyboards, and ones that include a mouse.

Many one-handed gaming keyboards come with a wrist rest along the bottom. It allows you to lean your wrist against the keyboard, keeping your wrist comfortable and avoiding strain. Many of them can be removed if you start to sweat or just don't want it in the way. 

Most gaming keyboards include backlights with different colors, such as ones on the RGB scale or a preset option. These backlights make it easy to see the keys in the evening.

Some also use zone backlighting, so you can light up specific parts of the keyboard to color-code different commands in a game. If you want to visually enhance your keyboard to make your gaming easier, you should get one with a backlight.

Some gaming keyboards come with a mouse. If you don’t have a mouse or need a replacement, one with a mouse could be a great option. Even if you don't need a replacement, you can get it as a backup mouse if yours breaks. You can also see if they include wired or wireless options.

Keyboards have wired or wireless connections. Wired keyboards give you a stable connection, so you won't have to worry about your keyboard turning off in the middle of a game. However, wired keyboards can only go so far away from the computer.

Wireless keyboards give you more flexibility by allowing you to use them farther away from the computer. However, they can run out of battery or disconnect from the computer. Wireless keyboards have their uses, but wired is the best for gaming since they are less likely to cause issues in the middle of a game.

You have many options with one-handed keyboards, such as with the number of keys and switches, so keep them in mind as you go through the top 10 best one-handed keyboards for gaming!

A one-handed keyboard can improve your gaming setup, but other pieces of equipment can make it even better. Check these top 10 lists and grab some more items to get an ideal gamer setup!

Author: Garrett Garcia

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