8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad Review

On Prime Day, I purchased the new 8BitDo Mechanical 18 Numpad to complement my 8BitDo C64 keyboard. I tried to cancel it, but it was the only item I regretted checking out with.

Upon initial inspection, it seems absurd, given the $44.99. 8BitDo produces excellent products (see this post about microcontrollers). Is it worth the wait now that it's here?

Meet the 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad.

What on earth is this thing? It's actually a calculator that doubles as a number pad. It may be paired over Bluetooth with Android 9+ or Windows 10+. Their model is compatible with all of their keyboards, so pairing it with those would be ideal, as I did.

This number pad is powered by a 1000mAh Li-on battery that can be recharged. According to the website, it can run on a 4-hour charge for 160 hours. That is encouraging!

How Is It?

I must admit that I am not a keyboard specialist. I won't be able to make many comparisons because this 8BitDo keyboard was the first one I purchased. I have also tampered with it for the calculator and general operations, but I haven't been able to connect it and utilize it in a practical situation.

This has a pretty nice build quality. It looks great next to my identical C64 keyboard and has a decent weight. It is a terrific, consistent presence across your desk because the button presses feel the same.

In relation to button presses... They sound and feel amazing! When typing, it feels really haptic and makes an excellent clicky-clack sound. Everything about it feels absolutely right. Grading papers and entering grades with it excites me.

Changing the Bluetooth connection knob on top is a pretty simple process. Additionally, there is a lovely calculator button that instantly transforms the gadget into a calculator with a beautiful LED screen on top.

Verdict

Does this item justify its $44.99 price tag? Well, it depends. Do you want a comfortable number pad to use? Is a vintage calculator necessary to carry to work? Then, sure, you should acquire it since it is for you.

Ultimately, it's a really specialized product that won't be popular with everyone. However, it is genuinely for the folks it does appeal to. Since I didn't understand how much I used a number pad until I was without one, I will keep it. It feels fantastic and is a lot of fun to use.