Best Keyboard for One Handed Typing
You would never want a medical condition to affect your typing productivity in the job or study. But it happens that a condition like hemiplegia, brachial plexus injuries, broken fingers, or a fractured wrist leaves one arm in a weakened state. In that case, you would need a keyboard that allows typing on one hand without breaking any sweat.
These are the keyboards that have design features to be compatible with single-hand typing. Each of them aids with an easy transition from a standard keyboard and perfect for people with limited dexterity:
- Logitech K480 — Best Overall One-Handed Keyboard
- Logitech K400 — Best One-Handed Keyboard with a Touchpad
- Matias FK303 Mini Tactile Pro — Best for Small-Handed People
- Perixx PERIBOARD-407W US — Best Pocket-Friendly One-Handed Keyboard
If you need a keyboard for one-hand typing, it needs to be easy to use which does not differ much from a standard keyboard. The transition has to be smooth with little or no learning curve. It should not feel like learning a new layout because that would hamper your typing speed too. Also, a keyboard for single-handed typing should be compact that is easy to handle with one hand.
Logitech K380 — Best Overall One-Handed Keyboard
Pros
- A compact, easy-to-handle keyboard
- Pairs with multiple devices
- Quiet keycaps
- Long battery life
Cons
- No backlighting
- No Macro programmable keys
- Keycaps feel a little cheap
Despite being portable, the Logitech K380 is nicely built to withstand the use and abuse of long working hours. You can pair it up with any Bluetooth-capable device and use it without any glitches.
Considering the small side, the keyboard is packed with features, including media hotkeys and multi-device pairing. There is no Macro key but you can reprogram the keys from F4 to F7 through Logitech’s Options software.
The K380 supports any iOS device. If you want a somewhat similar keyboard that supports all types of operating systems, go for Logitech K780.
The keyboard draws power from two AAA batteries (included) that can last up to two years, thanks to the automatic power-saving technology.
Typing Performance
This is a decent keyboard that is easy to handle with one hand due to its high portability. With 4.9 by 10.9 inches of dimensions and less than 1 lbs of weight, you can move it around with one hand.
The keys have generous space between them, there is less chance of pressing the wrong switches during typing. A low actuation force creates a responsive typing experience.
As the K380 is almost 11 inches shorter in width than a standard keyboard, which makes it easier to reach from one key to another without overreaching.
Typing on this keyboard is light and responsive although the keycaps feel a little cheap. The scissor switches have a generous tactile bump that feels good due to the short pre-travel distance.
Typing for an extended period is not fatiguing despite no wrist pad because of the keyboard’s low profile (only 0.6 inches of depth). Also, it’s good for office environments due to the minimal typing noise.
Logitech K400 — Best One-handed Keyboard with a Touchpad
Pros
- Wireless connectivity
- Touchpad supports gestures
- Integrated touchpad
- Extremely lightweight
- Dedicated media hotkeys
Cons
- No backlighting and Macro keys
- Keys are less responsive
For a keyboard to be suitable for one-handed users, it has to be compact and provide a decent typing experience. This Logitech K400 checks out both boxes.
However, its positive features don’t end here. This wireless keyboard is lightweight (only 0.79 lbs or 12.7 ounces), which makes it easy to pick up and use with one hand.
The K400 has dedicated media hotkeys to control several functions, such as adjusting volume, playing a track, muting the sound, and more. However, it does not have backlighting, macro functions, or fast USB 3.0 ports.
The keyboard runs on two AA batteries (included), which can last up to a year. There’s an on/off switch, so you can save battery power when the keyboard is not in use.
Typing Performance
The K400 is a basic keyboard with an integrated touchpad. However, it’s a good choice for one-handed typing for its smooth typing experience and easy-to-read printed characters.
Due to little space between the keys, it could feel a little cramped if you use both hands, but that should not be a problem for one-handed typing. This keyboard is more suitable for right one-handed typing because of the touchpad’s placement to the right side. The reach from the button “A” to the “Backspace” is 8.25 inches, which is 9 inches in a standard 101-key QWERTY keyboard.
The low-profile keys are quiet but the rubber dome keycaps are less sensitive to touch than mechanical switches. However, one-handed users will still find the performance satisfactory.
The touchpad has built-in mouse buttons, just like the touchpad of a laptop. One great feature is that this touchpad supports gestures for several functions, including moving the cursor, right and left click, scrolling, and more.
Matias FK303 Mini Tactile Pro — Best for Small-Handed People
Pros
- A solid, compact unit
- Three USB 2.0 ports
- Highly compatible for a Mac setup
- Clicky typing experience
- Light touch for keystroke registration
Cons
- Loud for an office setting
- No backlighting
- Compatible with iOS only
The Mini Tactile Pro is a super-compact keyboard that is great for one-handed and small-handed (women and children) people. With 13.3 by 6.5 inches of dimensions, it’s a great portable unit that can be handled easily by one hand. Also, it’s easy to store in a bag because of the detachable USB cable.
Designed exclusively for iOS devices and being available in white only, it blends seamlessly with a Mac setup. There are several Mac-friendly function (Fn) keys for controlling various special functions, such as volume, brightness, and more.
There are three USB 2.0 ports that come in handy if your laptop has only two ports. Use them for plugging into a mouse, flash drive, or anything you want.
Typing Performance
If you love mechanical keyboards, you will enjoy typing on this keyboard because of its “clicky-clacky” feeling. As its name is “Tactile Pro”, it’s quite expected that the keystrokes will produce an audible tactility.
The switches feel a little loose when you press but there is a springy reaction too that makes typing highly comfortable. Registering keystrokes requires only a light touch.
The keyboard is louder than usual rubber dome keyboards, which will feel noisy in an office environment. However, the clacky reverb feels quite satisfying if you like to type a lot. The combination of click and thunk will definitely make you fall in love with this keyboard.
There is no Numpad but you won’t need that unless you do plenty of data entry work. A top number row should be enough for general users. On a plus side, this keyboard has plenty of special symbols that you can type by pressing the Shift-Option combinations.
The special lettering on the keycaps has been printed in a small font, which makes it tough to find them quickly. Also, all letters are printed in grey color, which does not provide the best visibility on a white surface.
Perixx PERIBOARD-407W US — Best Pocket-Friendly One-Handed Keyboard
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Several hotkeys
- Keys have slight tactile feedback
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Keycaps feel a little cheap
- There is little typing sound
If you are looking for a compact keyboard compatible with the Windows operating system, this one from Perixx is a good choice. With 12.6 by 5.55 inches of dimensions, it’s great for one-handed use. Also, it’s weight is only 0.84 lbs, which makes it easier to move around and carry in a backpack while traveling.
This wired keyboard connects to a laptop through a USB cable. The cable’s length is 5.9 feet, enough for keeping the desired distance between the keyboard and the computer.
Built with ABS plastic, the chiclet keyboard can withstand the pressure of long work hours. However, the keycaps feel a little cheap but not unexpected if you consider the price.
Assigned into the function (Fn) keys are 11 hotkeys that offer one-push access to many functions. These hotkeys are for volume control, brightness adjustment, stop and forward/backward a track, and many other options. Despite not having a Numpad, it has a NumLock key for locking the functions of the numeric keys.
Typing Performance
If you are struggling with hand or wrist problems and need to type in one hand, this mini keyboard would be a great option. You will get better positioning for your hands and arms at less than $20.
The low-profile membrane keys need more force and less physical travel for actuation than rubber dome switches. They have slight tactile feedback that allows touch-typing with less effort.
You will feel good when typing because the keys are flat and smooth with rounded edges. Also, the keyboard sits nicely on any surface with a slight incline on the top side. The typing sound is soft but not completely silent. No-lag keystroke registration is a great feature for those who type quickly.
Eli Civil
A software engineer, entrepreneur, and keyboard enthusiast. I spend my time click-clacking on keyboards. About Eli Civil
