Programable Keypads

By Xah Lee. Date: 2010-04-30. Last updated: 2020-09-14.

This page lists the best programble keypads.

Why You Need a Programable Keypad?

Here's a sample setup to increase your productivity.

4 buttons for {select all, cut, copy, paste}.
2 buttons for {undo, redo}.
2 buttons for previous/next tab.
2 button for close tab , open last closed tab.
2 buttons to switch previous/next window.
1 button to close window.
4 buttons to switch to 4 your most frequently used apps. For example, browser, terminal, emacs, desktop, image editor, video editor.
1 button to switch windows of the current app.

You can also set up keys for shortcut intensive apps, such as Second Life, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Blender, emacs.

For general purpose and not expensive, the koolertron is the best. Only flaw is require Microsoft Windows to program the keys.

koolertron Keyboard

This is a no-nonsense work horse. Buy one, you get a super keypad, buy 2, you have a split ergo keyboard.

If you want fancy display, get Elgato.

Elgato Stream Deck keypad

If you want the most powerful programability, software works in {Windows, Mac, Linux} , most easy to use software, and 63 programable keys, get Ultimate Hacking Keyboard.