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The circular keycaps sit on TTC Brown switches, which we’ve always thought sounded just a bit louder than the real Cherry MX Browns, but the difference is marginal. They do take a while to get used to unless you’ve recently been typing on an antique typewriter – circular keycaps are easy to miss-hit for the unfamiliar. You’re going to use this keyboard every day, so make sure it fits your typing habits and your needs. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop. While it’s by no means a deal breaker, connecting via USB Type-C at the keyboard end is generally better than a micro-USB connection, as USB-C is easier to plug in and the port may enable faster charging under some circumstances. What matters most, though, is that you have a cable option of some kind. Last, but not least, multiple companies offer wireless ergonomic keyboards, which use an alternative key-layout shape to minimize repetitive stress injuries in your hands, wrists, and arms. The wireless ergonomic keyboards we’ve seen employ a curved, unibody design that prevents you from twisting your wrist. They are, by and large, helpful if you experience wrist or arm pain when you type, though they can take some getting used to when you first switch to one from a standard keyboard.
Like the keyboard, the mouse wirelessly connects via Bluetooth or RF, plugs in via USB-C to charge, and offers a button to turn it off and conserve battery. For an RF connection, it happily uses the same receiver as the keyboard. That means you only need one USB-A port on your computer for the whole set. If your laptop or PC has a limited number of USB-A ports, this can be essential. There are also a few features you’re unlikely to find. Though a few keyboards on our list come with a wrist rest, it’s less likely that a wireless keyboard will include one. Also, without a wired connection, it would be impossible for a keyboard to offer USB passthrough ports on the body, so that’s not something you’ll find, either.Multidevice connectivity allows you to pair the MX Keys Mini with up to three devices at a time; you use the dedicated keys on the Function row to swap between connected devices instantly. Like the other MX Keys products, your copy/paste clipboard can be transferred between devices. First of all, there’s no perfect, best keyboard that will work for every user. Some people love ergonomic keyboards with split layouts, some hate them. It’s the same with modern, laptop-style chiclet keyboards, mechanical keyboards and just about every other type. The best thing you can do is try a range of types and work out which feels best for you, though that’s easier said than done – unless you have a big PC store nearby. We considered the size, weight, and durability of each model against its purpose—whether it was designed to be portable or desk-bound, and compact or fully featured. For instance, we balance the versatility of multi-platform models like Logitech’s K780 against its performance as an actual keyboard you need to use everyday (and in this case, it wins on all counts). How to shop for a wireless keyboard Keys: Look forkeys that are sculpted and spaced for typing comfort. This is why we encourage trying before buying: We’ve had very different experiences with traditional keys vs. chiclet-style vs. flatter key designs, and it’s surprising how little things like the texture or the amount of dimple will make or break a choice. Most mainstream keyboards use membrane technology, which is adequate for most users, but heavy-duty users and gamers will likely prefer keyboards with mechanical switches (which are not reviewed here).Windows hotkeys, or even programmable keys, are great bonuses, especially for power users.
On a positive note, Microsoft says a new set of batteries will last for 36 months, and the price is eminently reasonable. OTHER SWITCH TYPES. Among wireless keyboards, you'll spot the occasional model using membrane or mechanical key switches. Membrane keyboards actuate, triggering the signal that goes to your computer, by pushing down a rubber dome at the base of the key. Mechanical keyboards do the same via a physical switch with a spring or other tactile actuator. Relative to scissor switches, both types of keyboards provide more key-press travel, which leads to a more comfortable typing experience. Many people prefer the low action and light touch of scissor switches, though, so this ultimately comes down to personal preference.As we said, one of these keyboard types will usually work better for you than the rest. However, making the transition from one type to another can be worth the effort if, for example, you’re finding that using a chiclet keyboard all day is making your wrists ache at night. On the top of the keyboard, next to the Bluetooth/RF toggle, is a USB-C port for recharging the permanently installed 650mAh batteries. This is a perk for anyone who considers regularly buying and installing batteries an inefficient hassle. When you plug in the cord to charge, an LED on the top lights up red until fully charged, at which point it turns green. In stark contrast to the original, the 3000N comes with all the latest tech, including anti-ghosting, per-key lighting and full-N-key rollover, which lets you press as many keys as you want at once and still get the desired result. The Cherry MX Silent Red key switches make for a pleasantly quiet, if not completely silent, typing experience, but that’s more down to some resonance in the plastic body. If space or money is tight there’s a tenkeyless version without the numerical keypad, and Cherry says the laser-etched keycaps are abrasion-resistant, too, which is a nice bonus.
Wireless keyboards serve many masters. They're great if you're trying to declutter, or like typing with your keyboard on your lap. Mobile productivity hounds who want gear that’s ready for travel swear by them, too, and some models let you swap one typing peripheral among desktops, laptops, and tablets. In the vast majority of situations, there’s no difference between using a keyboard with a wireless connection and a standard wired one. The only time you’ll notice is when it’s time to charge it—or when you forget to.
Don't Forget the Included Mouse
The keys have a soft, padded feel with just enough bite to satisfy hungry typists, unlike mushy laptop keys. Working or browsing for multiple hours at a time is comfortable and easy. This is no surprise, as Cherry is famous for its mechanical key switches, the infrastructure below the button that dictates how much effort it takes to press down ("actuation force") and how those presses feel.
Bluetooth connections are reliable, but slightly more prone to lag and/or momentary connection loss, especially when you have many Bluetooth connections going on in one place (such as an office or a coffee shop). These issues do resolve themselves, and can often be fixed simply by re-establishing the connection if they don’t, but they can be an annoyance. Bluetooth also tends to drain a keyboard’s battery faster. On the plus side, though, devices with Bluetooth support can connect to phones, tablets, and other devices without a USB port.
In addition to 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, any good wireless keyboard lets you directly connect to a device using its charging cable. Without this option, there’s always a chance that you’ll forget to charge the keyboard or replace its batteries, and you may find yourself temporarily unable to use it. Models that rely on disposable AA or AAA batteries, though, likely don't have a USB connection option. (Credit: Mike Epstein) Its best feature is its deep memory foam wrist rest, which is made up of multiple layers of foam – just like a premium mattress – and a knitted fabric cover to provide genuinely luxurious typing comfort. Chiclet: These use the flatter “Scrabble-tile” keys introduced with Sony Vaio and Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. These generally have a shorter travel and a lighter action, which can improve typing speeds when you get used to the overall feel. It was hands-on all the way with our keyboard testing. We spent at least one full workday typing exclusively on each model we tested, with follow-up time to allow for a learning curve. We assessed the primary typing experience: key design, typing feel, and even noisiness. We also tried the secondary features: hotkeys, switches and dials on multi-platform models, and even the ability to adjust the angle or other comfort characteristics.
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