The Lemokey X0 keypad is a curious thing. Essentially the equivalent of a gamepad for a console, the $32 X0 is a 35-key one-handed mechanical keyboard that can be customized with red or brown switches, double-shot ABS keycaps, and a built-in silicone wrist rest.
But while the keys themselves were fast and precise, this niche product has several major flaws that kept me from using it again. Poorly thought out ergonomics resulted in quite a bit of hand strain when using the X0, and it didn’t save as much desk space as expected. These issues are somewhat mitigated by the ability to switch between 4 key layers, allowing you to quadruple the function of the 35 keys.
Unfortunately, I find it difficult to recommend the Lemokey X0 without further ado, unless you are specifically looking for a cheaper alternative to a keyboard like the Razer Tartarus V2 ($79) or the Redragon K585 ($36). It is not really comparable to the best mechanical keyboardsbut should be considered a solid option for a budget keypad.
Read on to read my full review of the Lemokey X0.
Lemokey X0 review: cheat sheet
- What is that? A mix of keyboard and gamepad, with only 35 keys for space-saving gaming
- Who is it intended for? Gamers who need a second peripheral without having to give up mechanical switches
- How much does it cost? Only $32, from either Amazon or Lemokey’s websiteThe X0 is currently not available in the UK
- What do we like? The keys feel really good when playing and there are enough of them to not prove to be a disadvantage.
- What do we not like? It is only slightly smaller than a mini keyboard and has poor ergonomics that make it more difficult to use than it should be
| Price | $32 |
| Switch | Keychron Brown / Red |
| layout | Keypad, 35 keys |
| Hot-swappable | NO |
| Stabilizers | Plate mounting |
| case | ABS plastic, steel plate |
| Operating system | Windows, Linux, MacOS |
| Connectivity | USB-A wired |
| Backlight | Red |
| Measurements | 5.9 x 9.6 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight | 17.3 ounces |
Lemokey X0 review: The highs
Although the X0 is the most affordable model in the Lemokey X-series keyboards, it features high-quality switches that are easy to use. Performance is supported by a 1,000 Hz polling rate, with multiple key layers allowing for a high level of customization via QMK firmware support.
Performance
I put the X0 through its paces in various games to understand the appeal of the format and I liked a lot. It works great as an MMO keyboard and gives me quick access to all of my skills in Final Fantasy XIV. Using a compact keyboard helped me focus on the essential keys, which improved my gameplay.
The biggest downside was that I couldn’t type anything into the chat, which as a more social player I found quite limiting, especially when organizing my next dungeon group.
Thanks to a 1,000Hz polling rate, the X0 feels snappy in games where every millisecond counts. Playing MOBAs like League of Legends and FPS titles like Valorant ran great on the X0 thanks to the relatively simple control schemes.
When playing more complex games like Hell Let Loose or Insurgency: Sandstorm, I found myself spending more and more time reprogramming the controls for missing buttons. I was particularly frustrated by the lack of the “B” button, which often represents “buy” or “build” in games.
Switch
The good performance is backed up by the excellent switches. My version of the X0 used Keychron brown switches, although it is also available with red switches. If you have used Keychron switches before, you know the quality you can expect here – the brown switches had perfect resistance and a satisfying feel.
They were incredibly responsive and had a long actuation distance that worked flawlessly in all the games I tested them in. As one of the cheapest ways to access these switches, this is definitely a big strength of the X0.
For a cheap keypad, I was also really impressed with the sound of the keys – it sounds pleasant, especially when gaming. The clack of the keycaps on the steel plate was completely non-metallic, and the noise level was generally quiet. This is largely thanks to the quality of the switches, as the keycaps are generally made of low-quality ABS plastic, which on its own is not good for producing good sound.
Adjustment
Lemokeys X0 used QMK firmware that allows you to customize keyboard shortcuts and macros from your web browser. Open the Lemokey launcher allows you to customize the function of each key on four available levels.
The keypad has two function keys that allow you to switch between these levels. These keys also allow you to temporarily switch with a key press, which is useful when implementing a key like Delete, which is missing from the format by default.
I really appreciate not having to install a cumbersome companion app to quickly customize the keypad across multiple devices, which is also a strength of other keyboards from Lemokey and Keychron. The software is very user-friendly as it is well designed and has a sleek look and feel. Although it is not compatible with Safari and MacOS is not listed as a compatible device, I was able to get the keypad working easily using the QMK web app in Chrome on a Mac.
Lemokey X0 review: The disadvantages
One of the main problems with the X0 is the layout of the keyboard, which won’t really win you over unless you’re already a fan. Other design issues make using the keyboard unbearable for long periods of time and limit the keyboard’s usefulness.
Keypad layout
While I recognize the benefits of having a secondary keyboard, especially if your main keyboard has switches that are unsuitable for gaming, the X0 is going to be a really hard sell to someone who isn’t already familiar with the keyboard layout. Using the X0 felt like I was limiting myself, with no real benefit, since you already need a regular-sized keyboard on your desk. While Lemokey pointed out that this could be used for productivity, there just aren’t enough keys to make that comfortable.
The wired-only connection is another disappointment as it limits the possibilities. I would have liked to use the keyboard in my living room while I Steam link or on my Amazon Fire Stick, for example. The keypad is light enough to be carried around from the desk with ease, and part of me wishes that people would take advantage of that.
Spacebar
On paper, using the spacebar as an arcade button for a gaming keypad makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, this has been implemented quite poorly on the X0. The button is very loosely mounted in a raised section of the chassis, much like a D-pad on a retro controller. It would have been nice to see it as a replacement for the arrow keys, but as a spacebar it feels oddly cheap and unresponsive. It offers a larger, more gamepad-like input at the expense of the precision of a regular spacebar, which meant that I had to really press the button rather than the smooth button presses I’m used to, especially in more competitive situations. Button mashing in Quick Time Events was a lot more fun with a big button, though.
ergonomics
The terrible ergonomics are the nail in the coffin for my enjoyment of the X0. Although I have medium-sized hands and have never had a problem with any other keyboard, I did experience hand strain when using the X0 for extended periods of time, especially when using the space bar. It was really difficult to stretch my hand to reach the typical “WASD-Shift” position while keeping the space bar accessible, which was particularly annoying when playing adventure RPGs or platform games where those movement keys are crucial.
I also wish the keypad was significantly smaller. Even without using the spacebar, I found that there was a lot of unused space, making the keypad difficult to use. The individual keys are quite far apart and have some unintuitive gaps, such as between the Ctrl and Alt keys. Aside from having to retrain my muscle memory, I was constantly having to stretch to reach the keys.
The palm rest was positioned far too low to be of any real use to me, which only made the spacing problem worse. It also had a rough, uncomfortable texture that became increasingly frustrating over time, and is tilted to the left in a way that tricks you into holding the keypad at an odd angle.
Lemokey X0 review: Conclusion
While Lemokey doesn’t disappoint with the X0’s keys, the overall format and chassis are too lacking to easily recommend this device as your next keypad.
Don’t be tempted by the low price. You can Lemokey X1 ($36), which offers similar quality and the same switches, but in an 80% key format. When you get more than double the number of keys for $3, you wonder if it’s really worth settling for less. I would also recommend a cheap 60% keyboard like the Newmen GM610 ($39), which offers additional versatility thanks to wireless connectivity while being only slightly longer than the X0.
As keyboards go, the Razer Tartarus V2 is almost twice as expensive as the X0 – but the superior ergonomics and thumbstick controls make it a good value. For about the same price as the X0, you can get the Redragon K585 ($36), with hot-swappable switches and more built-in functionality.
I can’t blame you if you’re still enamored with the idea of an easy-to-use, one-handed gaming keypad, especially given the great switches and the amount of customization available to you. While the price isn’t high for a mechanical keyboard, it still seems like a lot for a keypad with limited functionality and even more limited ergonomic support, which makes me wonder how good the idea of the X0 really was.
