You might have heard of 40% keyboards on gaming forums, but do you know what they actually are? The clue is in the name — these unusually small keyboards come with only 40% (or thereabouts) of the number of keys of a regular keyboard.
Now, you might be thinking that that’s an oddity that you could do without, but the truth is that these types of keyboards do offer some key advantages that other, fuller-size keyboards do not. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the benefits of 40% keyboards and give our recommendations on the best ones out there to buy, should you decide that it’s what you need to take your gaming performance to the next level.
Benefits of 40% Keyboards
Full-size keyboards have 104 keys. 40% keyboards only have 46 or 47. They cut out function keys, keypads, arrow keys, the numerical key row you usually find at the top, and in some cases even some of the letters.
Why would someone voluntarily give up keys on their keyboard, you ask? It’s because the benefits of having only 40% of the keys are greater than what you lose. To some people, anyway.
The first advantage is that the keyboard is much smaller. If you’re stuck for space on your desk, or you just want to have a less cluttered gaming setup, then a 40% keyboard is a perfect choice. They’re also highly portable, small enough to fit in a laptop bag or to comfortably carry in your hands. In general, they’re less expensive than full-size gaming keyboards, too.
They can also be highly ergonomic, especially for people with smaller hands. If you’re looking for comfort, but large keyboards seem to offer more problems than solutions, then a 40% or 60% keyboard could be the way to go.
Last, many of these keyboards are built specifically for PC gaming. So, the keys you are losing are the keys that are rarely used in many games.
The Best 40% Keyboards on the Market
RedThunder Wireless One-Handed Gaming Keyboard
The RedThunder Wireless One-Handed Gaming Keyboard 40% keyboard is a great starter keyboard in the 40% keyboard category. It’s a solidly-built, expertly-designed keyboard that does exactly what it needs to do. This keyboard boasts 4.3/5 rating on Amazon with over 1,000 reviews. Many reviewers state that it is very comfortable and that it simply gets the job done. This keyboard is also wireless, making it super easy to move around or travel with.
It’s not necessarily the best 40% keyboard on the market, since it doesn’t have as many features as other options, but it’s probably the best entry-level option out there. If you’re looking to dip your toe in the 40% waters, then the RedThunder keyboard will show what that world of keyboards is all about without breaking the bank.
Drop Planck V6
The Drop Planck V6 keyboard is not for amateurs. You’re essentially purchasing the bare bones of a keyboard that you’ll then build yourself. If that doesn’t daunt you, then you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a well-built gaming keyboard that fits exactly to your specifications.
There’s very little pre-built about this keyboard, and that’s exciting. If you have some experience in building keyboards and want to try out building your own 40% keyboard, then this is the one you should buy. It’s slightly more expensive than other options, but it’s worth the money. Indeed, many reviewers say that they’ll never go back to using a full-size keyboard.
Redragon K585
The first thing you’ll notice about the Redragon K585 keyboard is the shape. A regular keyboard, this is not. The ergonomic design does take some getting used to, but it’s worthwhile investing the time and energy. Once you’ve got the hang of things, it may well be the most comfortable keyboard experience of your life.
Featuring wireless connectivity and highly customizable, it’s a game-changing keyboard, albeit one that’s slightly more expensive than other options. But it seems to be worth the price, having received highly positive reviews from gamers, with an average score of 4.4/5 from 700 ratings.
Final Thoughts
40% keyboards are not for everyone. Many of the 40% keyboards don’t even have all the keys you would need for getting work done. If you look at an image of one and can’t immediately see the advantages, then they’re probably not designed with you in mind. They’re for people who prioritize space on their desk and portability, and who cannot get their desired level of comfort from other keyboard types, particularly when gaming.
It’s a niche market with few options out there, but the companies that have produced 40% keyboards have done so well. You can’t really go wrong with the RedThunder, Drop Plank V6, or Redragon K585.