Macro pads resemble miniature keyboards and supplement a regular keyboard’s functionality by offering more customization options. As their name suggests, macro pads allow users to map the keys to specific functions or a sequence of keys. Doing this creates shortcuts for certain functions and can increase users’ efficiency and productivity.
These devices come in many shapes, sizes, and budgets. Some only have a handful of programmable keys, while others rival full-size keyboards in functionality. Many macro pads come with mechanical switches to give users the best typing experience possible.
Gaming keypads are a type of macro pad optimized for users wanting the edge when they play. While having the usual programmable buttons, gaming keypads also have advanced features, like RGB lighting, pressure-sensitive keys, and built-in analog sticks.
Best Macro Pad:
1. Cooler Master ControlPad
Cooler Master’s ControlPad looks like a traditional macro pad, but it’s also optimized for gaming. It gives users the best of both worlds with 24 programmable buttons and two scroll-wheels in a subtly designed package.
Despite its humble looks, the ControlPad features innovative technology to make it stand out. Cooler Master includes its Aimpad technology to give each key two actuation points. Users can configure one function to a half-press and another function to a full-press with the pressure-sensitive keys.
Solid build quality is another strong point of the ControlPad. It has a brushed aluminum frame with a detachable padded wrist rest. The ABS keycaps are marked with numbers going up to 24 and feature per-key RGB lighting. Users can choose between Cherry MX or Gateron Red linear switches for a better typing experience.
2. Koolertron One-Handed Macro Mechanical Keyboard
Koolertron’s One-Handed Macro Mechanical Keyboard is a traditional macro pad with a grid layout. It comes with 23 keys with letters and an extra 23 black keycaps. Despite its simple layout, the Koolerton keyboard allows up to four custom layers. This means the keyboard can have up to four different sets of key bindings with an additional function key to switch between them.
The Koolertron keyboard is compact, making it ideal for desks with limited space. It measures 5.0 by 3.5 by 1.2 inches (122 by 88 by 30 millimeters) and has a detachable USB-C cable. The detachable USB-C cable makes the macro pad easier to transport, and users can easily replace it if it gets damaged.
This macro pad is a jack of all trades and works equally well with gaming and office work. It doesn’t have advanced features like the Tartarus Pro and ControlPad, but it gets the job done and costs far less.
3. Razer Tartarus Pro
The Razer Tartarus Pro takes a different approach to the ControlPad and makes no claims to be anything other than a gaming device. It has a futuristic design to differentiate it from other macro pads. Some of these include a scroll wheel, D-pad, and 19 programmable buttons.
Razer furnishes the Tartarus Pro with optical switches instead of mechanical switches. Optical switches actuate by allowing a light beam to pass through the stem when the key is pressed. They are generally faster and more reliable than mechanical switches and allow for custom actuation points. Users can decide how light or heavy they want each keypress to be and map the buttons accordingly. Like on the ControlPad, the Tartarus Pro allows users to program the switches to perform one function with a half-press and another with a full-press of the keys.
Another way the Tartarus Pro distinguishes itself from macro pads is its inclusion of a thumbpad. The thumbpad on the Tartarus Pro is eight-way and mimics the feel of an analog stick on a controller. It can be used for navigating through menus or for controlling characters in a game.
