Mechanical Numeric Keypad GATERON Brown Switch Wired Ice Blue Backlit Gaming Keypad 21 keys Mini Numpad Portable Keypad Extended layout Black Magicforce by Qisan

I would recommend this keypad to most people who need to use a keypad for high-volume number entry. While its portable for sure, its quite a bit bigger than the more compact options out there. This is necessary compromise for its mechanical switch design which offers superior usability and ergonomics over membrane keys that require you to press down firmly to actuate the key. These GATERON switches feel very, very close the Cherry MX brown switches I am used to so its no issue to work with. For those that don't know switches are color-coded according to their internal design and you pick what color you want based on what feel you want out of your keys. Brown-style switches have a tiny bump in their mechanism to make a tactile bump sensation as you type on them. They also have lighter pressure to actuation making touch typing all the easier, it also means at the end of a long day of accounts receivable posting my finger joints don't hurt from being slammed into a keypad with force for thousands of strikes per day. I also really like that this expanded keypad decided to keep the standard keypad layout and only add new buttons at the top. I've seen too many mess with that layout and I don't need to go around screwing with my muscle memory as I switch computers. What is even better is the functions are actually useful adding escape, tab, and backspace. I've seen other models have silly decisions like a calculator key as the normal press and tab as the modified FN + key press. Sorry when I am using Excel, I'm pressing tab a literal 2500 times for every time I might need to call up the calculator. The back light is actually pretty darn bright, visible in a lit room even at the lowest setting before off. This could be a pro or con depending on your taste. I also really, really, really like that the back-light for numlock goes out when you turn it off. If you are like me and rocking a 60% keyboard and a separate keypad you have no other visual indicator if numlock is on or not. Lets see, its got that slight incline nearly all keyboards have, so again it won't mess with your muscle memory, and the base is a nice sturdy aluminum with a classy looking polished section. With ample rubber on the bottom it also doesn't move around my desk while working. All this for quite an affordable price over other mechanical keypads. Now if only it came in wireless...

The layout of this keypad is outstanding, unlike some that are less than "standard". The lighting options are acceptable and functional, and easy to use or change. The additional keys on the top are excellent, easy to use, and a good selection of functionality. All-in-all, I love this keypad, except...the key touch for the numeric keys is perfect, but the ENTER key (and the double-height + key) is very soft, and it is difficult to know when the keypress has actually engaged. In fact, it is almost impossible to even tell it is a mechanical switch! Much as I really like everything else about this keypad, I'm still debating whether it is going back for a replacement. A couple more days should tell the story. A good ENTER key would earn a solid 5-star rating. UPDATE: Looks nice, but the mechanical switches are junk. Some are soft, some are hard, all are inconsistent. Very disappointing after previous high expectations.

For the love of God, I was looking for a "compact" mechanical keyboard with a layout that has a keypad AND arrow keys (like the ones you typically find in 15.6 or 17.3 inch laptops) but I could not find one. I game, so I wanted a compact keyboard that allows more free movement of the mouse, but my job also requires lot of excel work so the arrow keys and numpad were also a must. Bottom line: I ended up getting these keypads (blue and brown) and 10 key less compact keyboards (one Qisan and one E-element Z88) to use them together and they have been working out great for me. 1) Gateron Switches - I've owned many mechanical keyboards over the years and I probably like them the best. At the very least for me, Gateron Brown > Cherry Brown, and Gateron Blue = Cherry Blue 2) Lighting - Blue, which is always one of the best, and they are BRIGHT. It looks really clean and bad ass. 3) Big (or standard?) "+" key - I just can't state this enough. A lot of keypads on Amazon have a small "+" key which led to a lot of typing error and annoyance. This keypad has the exact same layout as the prototypical keypad found on a regular keyboard, which has been a HUGE + for me. 4) Calculator short key: (FN + ESC) - Oh so damn easy to click these two buttons (Top Right then Top Left) that I find myself using the calculator so much more than before. TLDR: It is not cheap, but If you have a good reason to buy one I highly recommend it.

Pros: The backlight is good and has some cool modes. Built in calculator hotkey is awesome! Love the one handed function keys for everything number related. Pairs well with a TKL keyboard! Has gateron brown switches which are decent, less scratchy but smaller bump than cherry MX browns. I think it has an aluminum top plate and the whole thing is constructed fairly well. Has an adjustable foot too. Cons: Only has 2-key rollover and seems to be somewhere around 60-125hz input polling rate. Definitely not for gaming or even financial work. Seems ok for casual use for typing numbers/calculations. There's a tiny bit of LED PWM flicker but it's not bad at all - it doesn't even show up on my slowmo phone camera so that's a sign that it's good enough.

i'm only giving this 4 stars because the cord isnt' detachable and is USB A, so i need to live my best dongle life to get it going on my laptop. I'd have preferred even a USB b port on the back of the pad but its not that big a deal. the pad itself works great. not the biggest fan of blue LEDs, but you can dim them or turn them off. unfortunately, windows 10 is stupid about how the calculator works, so if you use the Fn shortcut on the keypad it will keep opening a new instance, but that's windows problem, not the products. the full size + key is essential also if you move with any speed, and you dont' see many other 10key with that. so buy this one, you wont' regret it.