Tips for Choosing a Gaming Keyboard for Gamers with Big Hands

Hitting the wrong key on your keyboard can sometimes be frustrating. Apart from slowing your gaming pace, it can also impede the quality of your overall gaming experience. And this, especially, can be a big problem for gamers with big hands. We understand how frustrating constantly hitting the wrong keys can be, so we created this guide to help gamers with big hands select the best gaming keyboards.

When choosing a gaming keyboard for gamers with big hands, it’s vital to consider the layout and ergonomics of the keyboard, as well as the type of switches used. Additionally, consider the keyboard’s height, the presence of a wrist rest, and the keyboard’s connectivity.

It is also important to read reviews from other users with big hands to get an idea of how well the keyboard fits their needs. Finding a keyboard like this that is comfortable for your hands is vital for computer use including working and gaming. Check out this video tutorial by Mattie K.B. that explains the different sizes of keyboards that are available.

This article will highlight what features to look out for when buying a gaming keyboard for users with larger hands. 

A gaming keyboard that would be suitable for gamers with big hands should ideally have a wrist rest to support the wrists and hands.Gamers with large hands will benefit from using a keyboard with a wrist rest to ease hand strain. Image Source: Amazon.

You might also want to weigh the differences between a gaming keyboard vs. a keypad to find the one that makes the most sense for you.

Keep the following factors in mind when choosing a gaming keyboard for large hands: 

1. The Layout and Ergonomics of The Keyboard

Regarding the layout, a full-sized keyboard like this one with a numeric keypad is typically preferred by gamers with big hands, as it provides more space for the hands to move around and allows for more comfortable and precise finger placement. Additionally, a keyboard with a standard layout, such as the QWERTY layout, can make it easier for gamers with big hands to find the keys they need quickly and accurately.

2. The Type of Switches Used

When it comes to the type of switches used, mechanical switches are often preferred by gamers with big hands. These switches provide tactile and audible feedback, which can help to improve typing accuracy and speed. Additionally, mechanical switches have a longer lifespan and are more durable than membrane switches. Gamers with big hands might prefer switches with a higher actuation force, as they are less likely to cause typing errors. This study from Sage Journals found that key switches that feature a shorter tactile distance and operating travel had the best outcomes in terms of ergonomics, comfort, and typing experience. 

Additionally, it’s important to consider the keycap profile. It should be contoured or sculpted to better fit the fingers. It’s also worth noting that many gaming keyboards have customizable keycaps, which can be swapped out for larger or more ergonomic options. Our article that discusses how many keys a keyboard has explains the sizes and number of keys on various keyboards if you are looking for a compact keyboard that is easily portable or if you want a large keyboard that feels comfortable for larger hands.

3. The Keyboard’s Height

Keyboard height can have an impact on the comfort of typing and gaming. A low-height or low-profile keyboard typically puts less strain on the wrists and hand muscles, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially for people with larger hands. However, it is worth noting that keyboard height is a personal preference, and what may be comfortable for one person may not be for another.  

This article from the Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society explains how the height and slope of a keyboard affect the user’s wrist angle when typing, which leads to discomfort and fatigue when typing. Our article about keyboards with flat keys can help you clarify any confusion about the keycap height of gaming keyboards. 

4. The Presence of a Wrist Rest

Long periods of gaming with a keyboard can cause discomfort, so it’s common for gamers to add a wrist rest to their keyboards. Since gamers with big hands are even more prone to experiencing pain and discomfort, it’s necessary for them to have a wrist rest like this one attached to their keyboards. Wrist rests are soft cushions that support the wrists and allow gamers to rest their hands in the most natural and neutral positions. The extra comfort they afford allows gamers to play games for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue or any kind of pain. This article from Computer Station Nation discusses the three best wrist rests for a keyboard and mouse. The brands chosen are mostly ergonomic and reasonably priced.  

5. The Keyboard’s Connectivity

Gaming keyboards are classified into two varieties based on their connectivity – wired keyboards like this, and wireless keyboards like this. Wired keyboards are more responsive than wireless keyboards, but wireless keyboards, on the other hand, run on batteries and offer more comfort and flexibility than cable keyboards. The choice of which gaming keyboard to go for will often depend on the needs and personal preferences of a gamer. This article from Computer Station Nation provides readers with a comprehensive review of  the top wireless keyboard and mouse combinations currently available in the market. Our comprehensive guide comparing wireless vs. wired keyboards for gaming takes an in-depth look at these two keyboard types and discusses the pros and cons of each so that you can choose the one that best suits your gaming needs. 

A wired gaming keyboard with a wrist rest would be more comfortable for a gamer with big hands.The detachable wrist rest for gaming keyboards is an ergonomic feature that allows users to play games or type for a long period without feeling pain or exhaustion. Image Source: Amazon.

Similarly, you might be interested in learning what the best gaming keyboards are for iPads as well as the different gaming keyboard types and how to choose the right one. Be sure to read our related articles for more information.

Ideal Gaming Keyboards for Gamers With Big Hands

Searching for a gaming keyboard that’ll be a perfect fit for a gamer with big hands can sometimes be difficult. To help, we have compiled a list of popular gaming keyboards that’ll be good for gamers with big hands. We also compare the features, the upsides, and the downsides of these keyboards. 

Keyboards that provide the best typing and gaming experience for gamers with big hands are the Corsair K70 RGB PRO Keyboard, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed keyboard, the Razer Ornata Chroma Keyboard, the Corsair K100 RGB keyboard, and the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Keyboard.

Gamers with larger hands need to be able to choose a keyboard that feels comfortable for them, especially when gaming for long periods or competitively. Ensuring all your gaming equipment fits your gaming style and hand size will provide an enjoyable gaming experience. Ultimately, the best keyboard for gamers with big hands will depend on personal preference and budget. 

The following keyboards are ideal for gamers with big hands:

1. Corsair K70 RGB PRO Keyboard

This Corsair K70 Pro is a full-sized gaming keyboard designed to make gaming exciting and comfortable for gamers with big hands. Its huge size allows considerable space between individual keys, lessening the likelihood of a gamer accidentally striking the wrong keys. The linear Cherry MX switches located beneath their keys make keypresses light and responsive. They’re thus good for playing first-person shooter games (FPS) or games that demand a quick response from a gamer.

The Corsair K70 RGB Pro keyboard also includes several unique switches called tournament switches. Those switches are located at the top of the keyboard and are used to activate tournament modes. When activated, the tournament mode disables macros and changes the RGB backlight to a single static color. This is done to minimize distractions during competitive gameplay. They also have backlights, which allow gamers to play in the dark. If you want to learn more about gaming keyboard backlighting then take a look at our article about how to change gaming keyboard light settings for different scenarios. 

Another special feature that separates the Corsair K70 keyboard from other Corsair K series is its six-foot detachable USB-C-to-USB-A cable. This special feature makes it very easy for gamers to detach the cables from the keyboard, without breaking the cable connectors. They also support the proprietary iCUE software which allows gamers to increase the polling rate of the keyboards up to a maximum of 8000 Hz and is also used to record macro keys.

Pros:

  1. Their very low latency and high polling rates increase their responsiveness, making them suitable for playing first-person shooter (FPS) games.
  2. They have customizable RGB backlights that make it possible for gamers to play games comfortably in the dark.

Cons:

  1. They are large and take up a lot of space and may not be ideal on small desks.
  2. They’re quite expensive to purchase.
  3. The media keys are not integrated into the keyboard, which might make it hard for some users to find them quickly.
A gaming keyboard should have ideal key spacing and backlighting for a gamer with big hands to play comfortably. The Corsair K70 RGB Pro keyboard is a full-sized keyboard that offers maximum comfort for gamers with big hands. Image source: Amazon.

2. Logitech G915 Lightspeed Keyboard

This Logitech G915 Lightspeed is a low latent gaming keyboard that is good for gamers with big hands. Their keycaps have a low profile, and the switches underneath the keys are responsive with tactile feedback. Our article about the three main switch types explains what tactile switches are and how they can improve your gaming experience. 

The Logitech G915 also comes with a dedicated set of programmable macro keys that can be used to execute in-game actions faster. However, these dedicated sets of macro keys are the only set of macro keys that can be programmed. Other keys on this keyboard can’t be programmed or remapped.

Logitech G915 keyboards also have other great features. For example, they have dedicated media controls that are used to adjust audio without having to minimize or interrupt gameplay. They also have RGB backlights, allowing users to play in low-lit conditions.

Pros:

  1. They have incredibly low latency, with switches that are highly responsive and tactile.
  2. They have customizable RGB backlights that allow gamers to play games in the dark.

Cons:

  1. They are very expensive.
  2. Keys that are not part of the dedicated set of macro keys of the keyboard cannot be programmed.
Another good choice for gamers with big hands is the G915 Lightspeed.The Logitech G915 Lightspeed keyboard has low latency and is a good choice for gamers with big hands. Image Source: Amazon.

3. Razer Ornata Chroma Keyboard

This Razer Ornata Chroma is a fairly large, full-sized gaming keyboard. Attached to this keyboard is a plush wrist rest that supports the gamer’s wrists for added comfort. A unique feature of this keyboard is its mecha-membrane switches. These mecha-membrane switches provide the soft touch of a membrane switch and also the tactile feedback of a mechanical switch. So, keypresses are usually light, soft, and very responsive. 

If you want to learn more about the feel of a membrane keyboard when gaming, then take a look at our article that compares membrane keyboards vs. mechanical gaming keyboards

They also have customizable RGB backlighting, which allows gamers to play games in the dark. While their switches are usually very soft and responsive, they do, however, have deep pre-travel distance, which increases their actuation time. 

Pros: 

  1. The mecha-membrane switches underneath the keys provide a nice typing experience.
  2. They have customizable RGB backlights, which allow gamers to play games in the dark.

Cons:

  1. They have very limited features.
  2. They may sometimes require the gamer to make a few adjustments.     

4. Corsair K100 RGB keyboard 

This Corsair K100 is a full-sized gaming keyboard that makes gaming with big hands easy and comfortable. It has a detachable wrist rest which not only supports gamers’ wrists but also prevents pain and discomfort. Its low latency and high polling rate, which can be increased to a maximum of 8000Hz, make it very responsive and ideal for playing first-person shooter (FPS) games or games whose success depends on the gamer’s quick performance.

The Corsair K100 keyboard has RGB backlights that enable gamers to play in the dark, which can be customized through the proprietary iCUE software, which is compatible with this particular keyboard. They also have six dedicated macro keys and a dedicated set of media keys. Since their switches have short pre-travel distances, their keypresses actuate or respond quickly. These features set a gaming keyboard apart from a regular computer keyboard. If you want to learn whether gaming keyboards are expensive, then take a look at our article that breaks down what contributes to their higher cost. 

Pros:

  1. They have customizable RGB backlights, which allow gamers to play games in low-lit conditions.
  2. Their low latency and high polling rates make them fit for playing first-person shooter (FPS) games.

Cons:

  1. They are expensive.
  2. Their switches have very low tactile feedback.

 The mecha-membrane switches under the keys of the Razer Ornata Chroma keyboard provide the soft touch of membrane keys but with the tactile feel of mechanical keyboard switches.

5. HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Keyboard

This HyperX Alloy FPS Pro is a high-quality tenkeyless gaming keyboard. It has a good key rollover feature that prevents the ghosting of the keyboard. Its highly responsive keys and good key rollover feature make them ideal for playing games that demand quick responses from gamers. Though it has a single red backlight color which doesn’t support customization from proprietary gaming software, they’re still a good option for those who are minimalistic and expect little from a keyboard.

Pros:

  1. They are impressively built.
  2. Their good N-key rollover feature and responsive keys create an exciting gaming experience.

Cons:

  1. They don’t support the HyperX NGENUITY proprietary gaming software.
  2. They don’t have programmable macro keys.
The size and the anti-ghosting feature of the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro gaming keyboard make it a great option for gamers with large hands. The HyperX Alloy FPS Pro keyboard has highly responsive keys and a good key rollover feature, making it ideal for playing games that demand quick responses from gamers. Image Source: Amazon.

You may also be interested in adding a gaming keyboard stand to your gaming system. If so, be sure to take a look at our related article to find tips and tricks for finding the right one.

Summary of Gaming Keyboard for Big Hands

Keyboard for Large Hands Pros Cons Price
Corsair K70 Pro Their very low latency and high polling rates increase their responsiveness They are large and expensive ~$170
Logitech G915 Lightspeed They have low latency, with switches that are highly responsive and tactile They don’t allow a gamer to program any key that’s not part of the dedicated set of macro keys ~$250
Razer Ornata Chroma The mecha-membrane switches underneath the keys provides an enjoyable experience They have limited features ~$30
Corsair K100 The low latency and high polling rates make them fit for playing first-person shooter games Their switches have very low tactile feedback ~$180
HyperX Alloy FPS Pro Good N-key rollover feature and responsive keys They don’t have programmable macro keys ~$130

Additionally, if you decide to add a gaming keyboard splitter, you may be able to utilize more than one of these appropriate keyboards. If you’re interested, be sure to read our related article for more information.