The Best Day Trading Keyboard for 2022 – Tradervue

How to Choose a Day Trading Keyboard

Below are the most important things I paid attention to when I was recently looking for my new keyboard:

Programmable keys

While you can trade with a normal keyboard, using one with hotkeys (programmable keys or macro keys) will make your day trading a lot easier and more time-efficient. Setting up these keys to execute specific commands like buying orders will save you a lot of time which you can then dedicate to research and executing your strategies.

This is by far the most important component of a trading keyboard, so be sure the keyboard you buy has programmable keys.

Mechanical vs membrane

I find mechanical keyboards are generally more durable and easier to clean since I can remove keycaps. That said, they can be heavy and loud. I don’t mind this, but some people may find it inconvenient.

Membrane keyboards, on the other hand, rely on a thin membrane layer that transmits the typing signal. They are quieter, lighter, and more portable than their mechanical counterparts. However, sometimes a key may not be registered as a hit if I don’t press it fully.

Having worked with both types of keyboards, I think both have their advantages and can be used for day trading. So choosing one over the other is mostly a matter of personal preference. Personally, I tend to prefer mechanical keyboards.

Size

Keyboards come in different sizes. The most common is the full-sized keyboard which includes the function row, a number pad, and sometimes hot keys as well. It’s what most people use.

There are more compact keyboards with fewer keys, but for trading purposes, your best option is to go with a full-sized gaming keyboard. Alternatively, you can use a keyboard that you already own and add to it a half-sized keyboard (also called one-handed keyboard) with a set of hot keys.

Connectivity

You have a choice between traditional wired keyboards and Bluetooth wireless keyboards. Both options can work great for day trading. On one hand, a wired keyboard has no latency and will keep working as long as it’s connected, but it uses a USB port.

On the other hand, wireless keyboards have become very reliable and provide a larger operating distance, but you have to keep an eye on battery power. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your working conditions and preferences. If you trade at home, you might want to go with a wired keyboard since it’s more reliable overall.

The 5 Best Day Trading Keyboards for 2022

When I was browsing for my keyboard, there were two main types to choose from, so I’m going to split this list into gaming keyboards, which come with hot keys, and half-sized keyboards.

Gaming Keyboards

1. Logitech G613 LIGHTSPEED

Best for: day traders who want to use a wireless keyboard without having to worry about latency issues

The Logitech brand has cemented itself as one of the best keyboard brands in the world by offering keyboards for every kind of professional or casual user. The Logitech G613 Lightspeed in particular is a great keyboard for day traders or anyone who wants a wireless mechanical keyboard. Wireless keyboards can have latency issues sometimes, but the G613 Lightspeed boasts a staggering response time of 1ms, making it as quick and reliable as a wired keyboard.

For smooth day trading, you can use six programmable G-keys on the left of this keyboard. The mechanical keys ensure comfortable and accurate typing. You will also find the palm support to be comfortable as you trade.

Pros of the Logitech G613 Lightspeed

• 6 programmable keys
• A fast response rate of 1ms
• Compatible with multiple devices and OS
• Palm rest support
• Great battery life

Cons of the Logitech G613 Lightspeed

• The palm rest is not detachable
• No backlighting

Price: See on Amazon

2. Logitech MX Keys

Best for: traders looking for an elegant keyboard with all the essential features they need.

The Logitech MX Keys is a very elegant wireless keyboard that is also built with functionality in mind. Its unique spherical-shaped keys allow for a comfortable and pleasant typing experience. You also have nine programmable keys at the top and a handy backlighting feature for low-light environments.

Furthermore, you can use the Logitech MX keys on a Windows computer as well as Android, iOS, and macOS. Also worth mentioning is the battery life which can last you several days of daily usage without charging. Overall this is a great choice for day trading.

Pros of the Logitech MX Keys

• 9 programmable keys
• Comfortable typing experience
• Backlighting
• Compatible with multiple devices
• Long battery life

Cons of the Logitech MX Keys

• Possible lags when using it with macOS

Price: See on Amazon

3. Logitech G910 Orion Spark

Best for: traders interested in palm rest support and RGB lighting. Also for traders who happen to be gamers.

This mechanical keyboard is designed for gaming. As a wired keyboard, there is no latency when typing and the cable length (1.8 meters) is plenty enough for your trading workspace.

But more importantly, the Logitech G910 Orion Spark features nine programmable keys with 3 profiles, meaning you can program up to 27 hotkeys. Additionally, this keyboard includes media control keys that let you quickly play, pause, resume, mute, and adjust the volume.

Pros of the Logitech G910 Orion Spark

• 9 programmable keys with 3 profiles
• Media control keys
• Palm rest support
• Customizable RGB illumination

Cons of the Logitech G910 Orion Spark

• Somewhat expensive

Price: See on Amazon

4. Razer Ornata Chroma Gaming Keyboard

Best for: day traders who want an affordable yet reliable keyboard.

Another gaming keyboard that works just as well for trading, the Razer Ornata Chroma is designed for typing accuracy and comfort. This wired, hybrid mechanical-membrane keyboard provides a quick and comfortable typing experience that can be enhanced with customizable RGB lighting. But most importantly, you can program any key for your trading needs.

The magnetic wrist rest uses built-in magnets for convenient alignment and is made of soft-touch leatherette that will keep your wrists and hands comfortable during long trading sessions. You can even detach it if you want.

For all these features, the Razer Ornata is actually quite affordable – you can find it at around $60. This makes it the least expensive recommendation on this list.

Pros of the Razer Ornata

• Programmable keys
• Comfortable wrist rest
• Customizable RGB backlighting
• Affordable price

Cons of the Razer Ornata

• Not the most premium build

Price: See on Amazon

Half-sized Keyboards

5. Redragon K585 DITI One-Handed RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

 Best for: day traders who want to add hot keys without buying a keyboard

This one-handed mechanical gaming keyboard can be a great addition to your setup if your keyboard doesn’t have programmable keys or if there isn’t enough of them for your trading needs. The Redragon K585 DITI has 7 programmable keys you can use to instantly send buying or selling orders (or any other command), which saves you time when trading in volatile markets. The wrist rest keeps the hand comfortable and is detachable.

Pros of the Redragon K585 DITI

• 7 programmable keys
• Great for adding hotkeys without replacing your keyboard
• Detachable wrist rest
• Customizable RGB backlighting

Cons of the Redragon K585 DITI

• You still need a regular keyboard for general uses

Price: See on Amazon

6. Koolertron Single-Handed Programmable Mechanical Keyboard

The last recommendation in this list is the Koolertron Single-Handed Programmable Mechanical Keyboard. This keyboard takes hot keys to another level with 46 programmable keys, including 8 macro keys. It’s fully customizable and the keys have no labels, so you can put your own sticker labels and change them whenever you want. You can assign commands, shortcuts, and even turn a portion of this keyboard into a number pad.

This focus on programmable keys makes the Koolertron Single-Handed the best keyboard if you want an extensive array of hot keys for your day trading needs.

Pros of the Koolertron Single-Handed

• 46 programmable keys, including 8 macro keys
• Fully customizable
• Enables a faster input experience
• Great for left-handed people
• Solid build

Cons of the Koolertron Single-Handed

• A bit expensive

Price: See on Amazon

In Conclusion

My day trading keyboard is one of the best investments I have made to increase my productivity and trade smoothly. So be sure to choose a quality keyboard that has programmable keys and provides a comfortable typing experience.

To achieve day trading success, it’s also important to hone your trading skills consistently. The best investment for that is an online trading journal where you can record trades, analyze performance, and develop winning trading habits. Tradervue is a top-rated trading journal that helps you do that and more. Start your trading journal for free today and improve your day trading.