Why you need a macro pad, even if you have a mouse with 19 buttons — from $10 mechanical numpads to multi-screen window management

The article compares macro pads ranging from cheap numeric keypads to button-and-knob decks, highlighting how they can speed up everyday work.

Use cases include data entry, app shortcuts, Blender and other 3D modeling tasks, streaming controls, and multi-monitor window management.

Tom's Hardware argues that a standalone macro pad can improve workflows more reliably than software shortcuts or extra mouse buttons.

Examples such as the Elgato Stream Deck, Turtle Beach KP7, Razer Tartarus, Epomaker EK21, 8BitDo, and AutoHotKey are discussed.