Category: Laptops

Who’s it for: The Logitech MX Keys is a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard that’s versatile enough for many different uses and platforms, including both Windows and Mac.

The Logitech MX Keys is a full-sized Bluetooth keyboard that’s large enough for desk use, but thin enough to do some off-desk typing, too. When Insider writer Matt Smith tested the Logitech MX Keys earlier this year, he said that the keyboard is comfortable to use even if you don’t spend the extra $20 for the wrist pad.

The MX Keys uses scissor switches and low-profile keycaps  with finger-sized imprints for comfortable typing. The scissor switch is also quiet and responsive. With the body built from one piece of metal, the $100 keyboard also has a much nicer feel than cheaper options. You can use the keyboard with Bluetooth or a dedicated Wireless USB dongle. Backlighting that senses your fingers helps stretch the battery life, which Logitech says can hit 10 days.

Logitech offers options designed for either Windows or Mac, but the keyboard also works with iOS and Android. The keyboard can remember three devices, so you can easily switch back and forth between your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. While the full-sized keyboard isn’t going to tuck into a backpack easily, the thin design means it will easily jump from room to room in your home

MX Keys Advanced Wireless Illuminated Keyboard (button)
Best Bluetooth keyboard for gaming

Who’s it for? With a fast wireless connection, the Logitech G915 TKL is ideal for gamers who can’t always depend on Bluetooth that want wire-free speed.

Gamers tend to choose the reliability and speed of a keyboard with a wired physical cord connection — but some wireless keyboards are gaining the speed needed for gaming. If you don’t mind trading a cable cord for a higher price tag, I prefer the G915 over other mechanical keyboards for the office because of the quieter typing, low profile keys, and longer battery life. (I tested the tactile white version, other options will have a louder click.) Along with a Bluetooth connection, the keyboard packs in Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed wireless, which the company says delivers a 1 millisecond response speed.

The G915 TKL is a mechanical keyboard, but it doesn’t look like one at first glance. That’s because the keyboard uses low-profile keys. The keyboard has a great feel to it that’s a cross between the thin keys of my Macbook and the thicker ones profile of a typical mechanical. It also houses a scroll wheel, dedicated media keys, and a few other macro keys.

With a 40 hour battery life rating, I used the Logitech G915 TKL for several workdays without recharging. I even went on vacation with the keyboard in sleep mode, and it still had power two weeks later. While 40 hours isn’t a long battery life compared to membrane keyboards, mechanical keyboards are power hungry and others have even shorter use times before recharging. A battery life indicator is visible right from the top of the keyboard.

The low profile keys along with the Bluetooth and wireless technology make the G915 TKL a gaming keyboard that’s easier to transport and more responsive than most. The trade-off is that it’s pricier than many wired keyboards that are geared for gaming. Wired keyboards may still be more reliable.

G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless RGB (button)
Best mechanical Bluetooth keyboard

Who’s it for? The Razer Pro Type is a mechanical keyboard that’s designed to eliminate desktop cord clutter.

A mechanical keyboard designed for professionals rather than gaming, the Razer Pro Type is one of the few mechanical keyboards that offers built-in Bluetooth as well as 2.4GHz wireless. The wireless design eliminates desk clutter while the white and silver design feels more in tune with office aesthetics than the colorful backlighting of a gaming keyboard.  With white backlighting, the Razer Pro Type offers the cleaner look of a laptop keyboard but with all the feel of mechanical keys. While I preferred our top pick for Bluetooth gaming, the G915, for it’s low profile keys and longer battery life, the thicker keys of the Razer Pro Type feels more like a true mechanical keyboard.

The Razer Pro Type has a great, clicky feel — I’m using it as I write this article. The large keys are more tactile than most thin Bluetooth keyboard keys and produce a satisfying click with each press. The full-size keyboard still has the extra number pad, though the function row doubles as Windows media keys instead of dedicated macros.

While the Razer Pro Type looks and feels great, mechanical keyboards are power hungry. The keyboard’s battery life is only rated for 12 hours. The Logitech G915 TKL is a wireless and Bluetooth mechanical keyboard with up to 40 hours of use per charge, but it’s almost twice as much.  The G915 also has lower profile keys where the Pro Type  has the more traditional chunky keys of a mechanical keyboard. If you prefer the thicker keyboard or are on a more limited budget, the Pro Type is a safe choice. The Pro Type doesn’t come with a wrist pad, however, so that may add to the cost.

Pro Type Wireless Keyboard (button)
Best Bluetooth keyboard on a budget

Who’s it for? Affordable and compact, the Logitech K380 is ideal for those who want a keyboard small enough to slip into a laptop bag without spending a fortune.

Getting a portable Bluetooth keyboard that works with multiple devices doesn’t have to be expensive. Retailing for about $40, the Logitech K380 is a compact keyboard that’s easy to bring along. Previously our pick for best Bluetooth keyboard overall, the keyboard also has a battery that will last for two years, though that’s in part because the keyboard doesn’t even offer backlighting.

The K380 can save up to three devices for easy pairing. The keyboard works with any operating system that supports external keyboards, allowing it to move from a laptop to a tablet and from a PC to an iPhone. Logitech says that the keyboard automatically remaps the keys when switching between operating systems.

The K380‘s thin profile and 60 percent design makes it easy to toss into a bag. The size may make the keyboard a little less comfortable for long stretches of typing, however. If portability isn’t important and you want something affordable to type on for eight hours a day, there may be better options.

K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard (button)
Best folding Bluetooth keyboard

Who’s it for? The easy portability makes the Arteck folding keyboard ideal for on-the-go users that prioritize size.

Folding keyboards tend to have oddly shaped or sized keys in order to place the fold. That usually creates a lot of typos at first, however, which is why the folding keyboard that stands out most in my research is the Arteck HB066 Bluetooth Keyboard. The fold moves around the keys instead of moving the keys around the fold for an experience that’s closer to a traditional keyboard.

The Arteck HB066, also previously our pick for best Bluetooth keyboard overall, folds around two hinges. That makes it roughly the size of a smartphone when folded, yet it unfolds into a 60 percent size QWERTY keyboard. It’s also affordable, selling for under $30 on Amazon

Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac OS, the keyboard is ready for almost every device you own. While made from aluminum alloy, the HB066 lacks some of the extra buttons and features other folding keyboards have. But, the keyboard gets high marks for the unique fold that prevents oddly-sized keys. 

HB066 Bluetooth Keyboard (button)
Best Bluetooth keyboard for iPad

Who’s it for? With a removable keyboard that never needs to recharge, the Logitech Combo Touch is a versatile iPad and iPad Pro keyboard.

The Logitech Combo Touch is, technically, not a Bluetooth keyboard. The iPad and iPad Pro keyboards instead use the smart connector on the iPad itself to both connect and draw power. That gives the Combo Touch almost all the benefits of a Bluetooth keyboard – but with none of the recharging. The low-profile keys are responsive and, while not as nice as my MacBook, still feel great. The Combo Touch is available in versions for the iPad, which I tested, as well as options for the iPad Pro and iPad Air.

The Combo Touch includes a case that can be used with or without the keyboard. The case protects the back and three sides of the iPad, which is one of the reasons I chose the Combo Touch over Apple’s own Magic Keyboard. The keyboard detaches magnetically. When the keyboard is detached, the iPad still has the kickstand and protective case. I love that you can quickly go from typing to reading by simply pulling the keyboard off.

The Logitech Combo Touch is my favorite iPad keyboard that I tested. However, if you want the most protection, the Combo touch still leaves a side exposed. The Zagg Pro Keys is a true Bluetooth keyboard that covers the back and all the sides, with a 6.6-foot drop rating. That extra protection covers the smart connector, however, so the Zagg Pro Keys requires recharging. I also prefered the Logitech’s kickstand design. That said, my iPad has been dropped accidentally with the Combo Touch on and it came away unscathed. If you want the best blend of protection and no-recharge convenience, the Logitech Combo Touch is a great choice.

Combo Touch (11-inch iPad Pro) (button)
What else we’re considering

We’re continuing to test a range of Bluetooth keyboards. Along with the keyboards above, we’re also testing the highly-reviewed keyboards below. We’ll update this post once we’ve finished full testing.

• Logitech K830 Living Room Keyboard: This media keyboard has a touchpad built in so you can both navigate a smart TV and type without the tedious “typing” on a remote control. It has illuminated keys, which are helpful while you’re watching movies in the dark.
• Logitech Ergo K860: This keyboard is both Bluetooth and ergonomic. The curved keyboard design is made to reduce stress on the wrists. This one could be a good option for cord-haters who have,or want to avoid wrist strain.
• iClever BK08: This folding keyboard also builds in a touchpad, making it a keyboard and mouse in one. The keys are a little smaller as a result, though, which means the question mark and apostrophe need a Fn key pressed simultaneously, rather than just hitting one key. 
• Zagg Pro Keys with trackpad: Similar to the Logitech Combo Touch, the Zagg Pro Keys with trackpad gives the iPad a Macbook-like treatment. If you want the most possible protection, the Zagg is the better option than the Logitech because all sides of the iPad are covered. It has a great feel and feels very durable. However, I prefered the Combo Touch because it doesn’t need to recharge. And, if you pull the keyboard off the Zagg, you also remove the kickstand. I prefer to have the kickstand still attached so I can read or watch movies without the keyboard. 
• Zagg Pro Keys: The Zag Pro Keys is also available in a version without the touchpad. Selling for $100, this is a more affordable option that still offers protection. The keyboard feels great, but will need to be recharged. Removing the keyboard will also remove the kickstand, but not the protective case.
• Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad: I used an earlier generation of the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. The keys feel great and the connection couldn’t be simpler. But, I cracked my last iPad screen when I dropped it in the Magic Keyboard. I prefer the way the Logitech Combo Touch and Zagg Pro Keys double as a protective case and a keyboard in one — and both are more affordable than the Magic Keyboard.

What to consider when choosing a Bluetooth keyboard

Bluetooth keyboards tend to have a wider variety of features than their corded counterparts. The connectivity means these keyboards aren’t just for desktops but can also control your smartphone, tablet, or even smart TV. What you plan to use the keyboard for will impact which one is the best for you.

Size: Do you want to take your Bluetooth keyboard anywhere or will the keyboard mainly stay on your desk or in your living room? Foldable keyboards and compact, 60 percent keyboards are made to easily tuck into a bag and go anywhere. But, they lack some keys and can be uncomfortable to type on long-term. If you don’t need the number pad, a tenkeyless or TKL keyboard is a happy medium, offering more comfort while still fitting into a backpack. TKLs also take up less space on a desk, letting you keep your mouse more easily within reach.

Type: Scissor switch keyboards are quieter, more affordable, and have a lower profile. Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, can offer more tactile and auditory feedback that many regular typists love, plus they tend to have greater durability.

Ergonomics: The wrong type of keyboard can cause wrist strain with extended use. Dr. Kevin Weaver, a certified ergonomics expert by the Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists and the Oxford Institute and a Clinical Assistant Professor of physical therapy at New York University, suggests typists with larger hands choose a larger keyboard. A wrist pad, contoured keys, and softer scissor switches may also be more comfortable, he says.

Extra features: Many keyboards go beyond the typical QWERTY layout. Some offer media keys — particularly those for smart TVs — or other macros. Others have different shortcuts built in for gaming or more general tasks.

Working from home? Check out our other home office guides

• The best standing desks
• The best active seating for your office
• The best office chairs
• The best desk lamps for your office