Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Full-size format | Materials: Plastic chassis with low-profile scissor switches | Switches: Scissor switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Sure, good illumination with ambient gentle sensors | Software program: Logi Choices+

Logitech is aware of the way to make a strong keyboard, and the Grasp sequence has been a wonderful one over the previous few years. The MX Keys S is the most recent full-sized version and it combines a low-profile design with snug keys and helpful customization instruments. It appears fairly smooth in black, white or graphite, measuring just below 17 inches in width and solely 0.8 inches excessive off your desk. Its spherically-dished keys cradle your fingertips each time you press, and whereas I wouldn’t go thus far to say they completely prevented me from placing any typos on this information, the form undoubtedly helps greater than different, flatter keycaps I’ve used.

This can be a backlit keyboard with “good illumination,” which simply means the backlight will kick on when your fingers method the board and alter relying on the lighting in your surroundings. I’ve a good quantity of pure gentle in my dwelling workplace throughout common working hours, so I opted to show the backlight off — for those who do the identical, you’ll be able to stand up to 5 months of battery life out of the MX Keys S (Logitech estimates 10 days with good illumination on). The keyboard has a built-in USB-C port for charging as nicely.

Along with the low-profile design that also features a quantity pad, the most important kickers for the MX Keys S are its broad compatibility and customizable options with Logi Choices+. This peripheral works with Home windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Linux and iPadOS, and it has three gadget pairing buttons so you’ll be able to join it to as much as three units without delay and change between them as needed. Logi Choices+ is free software program that many Logitech equipment use, and for the MX Keys S, it permits you to customise brightness ranges and length, set good actions (one-key shortcuts you program to your liking) and extra.

The Grasp Sequence additionally features a “mini” version of this keyboard that nixes the quantity pad and $10 from the value tag. I’ve used that and luxuriate in it as nicely, however whenever you’re solely saving $10, the full-sized model appears like a greater worth. Can you discover cheaper wi-fi keyboards than both of those? In fact. However Logitech’s experience on this area actually shines within the Grasp sequence, and with the MX Keys S particularly because it stands out as a high-quality wi-fi keyboard with a bunch of additional options at a good value. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Compact (75% format) | Materials: Plastic body with retro-style keycaps | Switches: Mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+

Logitech’s Pop Icon Keys takes lots of notes from the Grasp sequence and interprets them right into a extra enjoyable (and cheaper) package deal. The $50 keyboard doesn’t embrace a quantity pad, however as an alternative has a row on the proper facet that features 4 buttons which you can customise utilizing Logi Choices+. I’ve mine programmed to activate macOS’ mission management, open the emoji keyboard and to maneuver web page up and down, respectively. However these aren’t the one buttons you’ll be able to customise — 11 of the highest operate keys may also be programmed to your liking as nicely.

The Pop Icon keycaps have a slight indentation to them, although not as dramatic as these on the Grasp sequence keys, and the typing expertise is a cushty and quiet one general. Whereas this isn’t billed as a journey keyboard, it’s sufficiently small to suit into an ordinary work bag or backpack, so you might take it with you with out a lot problem.

You’ll be able to join the Pop Icon keys to as much as three units without delay and change between them simply, and the keyboard helps macOS, Home windows, Linux, Chrome, iPadOS, iOS and Android units. In addition to there being no choice for a quantity pad configuration, arguably the most important draw back to this keyboard is the truth that it runs on two AAA batteries. Logitech estimates it’s going to last as long as three years earlier than it’s worthwhile to substitute them, so perhaps that’s a professional for some reasonably than a con. I additionally respect that, when related to a Mac laptop over Bluetooth, you’ll be able to nonetheless monitor the Pop Icon Keys’ battery life from the Bluetooth menu.

That is additionally an amazing value for a strong wi-fi keyboard. Logitech itself makes even cheaper ones, however the Pop Icon Keys strikes a very good stability between design and capabilities at this value level. The greatest query, for those who select this keyboard, is which colorway you fancy probably the most out of the 5 choices. — V.P.

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Logi Bolt USB receiver | Dimension: Full-size with built-in numeric keypad | Materials: Plastic body with fabric-covered wrist relaxation | Switches: Scissor switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: No | Software program: Logi Choices+

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

The Ergo K860 from Logitech combines 4 useful ergonomic options in a keyboard that operates very like any normal board. The Alice break up shifts your elbows aside whereas protecting your forearms and wrists lined up. The tenting raises the keys upward within the center, rotating your palms subtly towards each other. The optionally available unfavourable tilt slopes the underside edge above the highest edge to maintain the backs of your fingers straighter. And there’s a palm relaxation inbuilt, which some discover extra snug throughout lengthy typing classes.

In contrast to different extra aggressively ergonomic boards, there’s no studying curve right here. Typing on the Ergo K860 feels quite a bit like typing on an ordinary set of keys. The low profile, scissor-switch keys are springy and straightforward to hit. You even get a ten-key quantity pad, navigation keys and arrow buttons, all of which make it a full-featured and acquainted accent. You’ll be able to program the keys with Logitech’s software program, however this can probably enchantment most to those that simply need a plug-and-play board for a Mac or PC setup. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Connectivity: Wired (USB-C) | Dimension: Break up ergonomic format with 52 keys | Materials: Plastic housing | Switches: Kailh Choc low-profile switches (tactile, linear, or clicky) | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: No | Software program: Oryx and VIA

Learn our full information to the best ergonomic keyboards

If you happen to’re able to make a severe dedication to rising your ergonomics, I like to recommend the ZSA Voyager. I exploit it day-after-day and, regardless that it’s not tremendous transportable, I introduced it with me once I labored away from my dwelling workplace for every week. However at first, it took me not less than three weeks earlier than I used to be snug typing on it. Not solely will it’s worthwhile to reprogram the keys (and bear in mind what they do), you’ll want to make use of your fingers differently than you’re used to. For one, your thumbs will do excess of simply hit the spacebar. They’ll function the return, shift, management and even layer buttons, relying on the way you program the board.

However the ergonomic advantages are equally vital. The totally break up board lets me open up my arms and chest. On days once I’m feeling significantly tight, I’ll put the 2 halves a full foot aside. Relocating the return, command and forward-delete key to the thumbclusters saves me from shifting my fingers across the board and the layers operate permits for way more performance than an ordinary keyboard.

That mentioned, it additionally provides to the safety of my laptop, making all of it however unimaginable for different folks to sort with the Voyager. It comes with magnetic knobs for the middle tenting function, however I want it got here with the choice to raise the center a little bit greater. I created further raise by including rubber bumpers to the board, however for the value, it’d be good to not must MacGuyver it. Nonetheless, at any time when I’m pressured to make use of an everyday keyboard, I really feel like I am toiling within the typing pool at Sterling Cooper. — A.S.

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB-C wired | Dimension: 75% format | Materials: Aluminum high case with PC plate | Switches: Gateron Jupiter switches | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: South-facing RGB LED | Software program: QMK/VIA

Learn our full information to the best mechanical keyboards

The Keychron Q Max series doesn’t come low-cost, but it surely has nearly all the things we wish out of a high-end mechanical keyboard. Its full aluminum case is exceedingly sturdy, hefty and funky to the contact. Whereas its PBT-coated keycaps are on the taller facet, they’ve a beautiful texture and are sculpted in a manner that lightly hugs your fingertips. There are a number of change choices out there, all of that are hot-swappable, whereas a double gasket-mount design contained in the keyboard offers every press a cushioned but springy really feel by default. Mixed with a number of layers of froth, these presses have a delightfully poppy and even sound.

We examined the tenkeyless Q3 Max, however Keychron gives a number of different size and layout options as nicely. Every can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C and consists of further Home windows- and Mac-specific keycaps within the field. There are nonetheless issues to nitpick — there’s a faint little bit of rattle to a few the bigger keys; you’ll be able to’t alter the keyboard’s peak; and Keychron’s one-year warranty is fairly brief — however for those who simply need to purchase a mechanical keyboard that delivers a premium expertise from the leap, this can get you there. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter

Connectivity: USB-C wired | Dimension: Tenkeyless (80%) format | Materials: Plastic body | Switches: Keychron mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Pink LED | Software program: QMK/VIA

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We suggest the Keychron C3 Pro if you wish to spend as little as doable for a pleasant mechanical keyboard. It’s a stellar worth at just below $50, with factory-lubricated switches, a gasket mount, a number of layers of inside foam and different touches we don’t often see on this value vary. The stabilizers keep away from any aggressive rattling, and there’s not one of the pinging noise you get from many cheaper instances. All of this helps really feel snug for typing, whereas the tactile Brown switches in our take a look at unit sound pleasantly clacky.

As with every funds keyboard, you need to make some sacrifices. It solely works wired, for one, and the ABS keycaps really feel slicker and cheaper than the best PBT caps. Whereas the case doesn’t exhibit any severe flexing, it’s nonetheless fabricated from plastic. You additionally must pay $10 further to get a version with RGB backlighting and hot-swappable switches — the bottom mannequin continues to be an amazing purchase for these seeking to get into the pastime on a budget, but it surely saddles you with a red-only backlight and prevents you from simply popping in new switches down the highway. – J.D.

Connectivity: USB-C wired | Dimension: 80% format | Materials: Plastic or zinc alloy case choices | Switches: Lekker Corridor-effect analog switches | Scorching-swappable: Sure | Backlight: Per-key RGB with customizable LED bar | Software program: Wootility

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

The Wooting 80HE is our favourite keyboard for avid gamers because of its magnetic Corridor impact switches, which may reply to various ranges of stress. This allows you to customise the actuation level of every particular person key, so you might make them extra delicate throughout quick-twitch capturing video games or extra deliberate whenever you simply need to sort. One other function referred to as rapid trigger enables you to repeat inputs sooner, with out having to attend for a given key to return to a hard and fast reset level. That may be an actual boon for, say, strafing backwards and forwards extra exactly throughout a 1v1 shootout in Overwatch. You too can tie a number of instructions to 1 key: In Halo Infinite, for instance, you might make it so flippantly urgent W makes you stroll extra stealthily, whereas urgent all of it the best way down makes you run at full velocity.

Does everybody want all of this? In fact not. Any keyboard is usually a “gaming keyboard,” and nothing right here will magically make you good at video games. However for extra hardcore sorts trying for any further little bit of granular management, they will make a tangible distinction.

The 80HE isn’t the one keyboard to supply this set of tips, but it surely stands out for getting the remainder of the package deal proper as nicely. Wooting’s Wootility software program is best-in-class, making it significantly straightforward to tweak settings and customise the RGB lighting. It can save you a number of management profiles on to the gadget. And whereas the all-plastic case isn’t the highest-quality factor on the market for $200, the inventory {hardware} nonetheless feels and sounds nice, with crisp PBT keycaps, {smooth} pre-lubed switches and a pleasingly thocky tone. – J.D.

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth, and USB-C wired | Dimension: Tenkeyless (TKL) format | Materials: Aluminum high plate with plastic base | Switches: OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable mechanical switches | Scorching-swappable: No | Backlight: Per-key RGB | Software program: SteelSeries GG

Learn our full information to the best gaming keyboards

If you would like the Wooting 80HE’s gaming-friendly options in a wi-fi keyboard, we just like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (Gen 3). It gives many of the identical adjustable actuation and speedy set off instruments because the 80HE, plus a “protection mode” that makes it more durable to hit close by keys accidentally and preset profiles for some standard video games. The typing expertise is a plus as nicely, with crisp and easy-to-reach PBT keycaps, a sturdy aluminum high plate and smooth-feeling switches which are sufficiently muffled. There’s a magnetic wrist relaxation within the field, and the entire thing can join over a wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth or USB-C.

Our most important points with the Apex Professional contain SteelSeries’ GG app. A lot of the expertise with these analog-style keyboards comes right down to software program, and GG is a bit much less refined than Wootility throughout the board. At $270, the Apex Professional is certainly on the upper finish of the value spectrum, too. Nonetheless, the app is simple sufficient to grok over time — particularly in comparison with different gaming fashions we’ve used — and the board as an entire will get far more proper than incorrect. – J.D.