Guidemaster: The best wireless keyboards you can buy in 2019

Sometimes the default is not enough, which is often the case for keyboards. Whether you work on a desktop computer or a laptop, the keyboard assigned to you or the keyboard built into the machine may not be optimal for your work style. If this is the case, you may want to rearrange your workspace to fit a wireless keyboard that connects to your device via Bluetooth or a USB receiver.

But there are a multitude of wireless keyboards to choose from. Major computer manufacturers, as well as major accessories manufacturers, all manufacture wireless keyboards for various types of use, from fixed typing to mobile work. Fortunately, we recently explored the vast world of wireless keyboards. A modern wireless keyboard may never be as popular as your old M model, but are Good options exist and here is the information you will need to make your buying decisions easier.

Note: Ars Technica can earn compensation for sales from links on this post via affiliate programs.

Contents

Who needs a wireless keyboard?

The decision to buy a wireless keyboard will be more obvious to some than to others. Those who own a tower or a traditional mini PC need a keyboard to use their machine and can choose a wireless keyboard to save office space.

As its name indicates, these keyboards do not connect to PCs with cables. Instead, they use tiny USB receivers or a Bluetooth connection to connect to a computer. This makes them ideal for those who hate cluttered desks or for those who already have enough cables to take up space in their workspaces.

Wireless keyboards, especially Bluetooth wireless keyboards, are also suitable for those who want to use a text input device on multiple devices. Many (but not all) Bluetooth keyboards can connect to different devices running different operating systems. You can buy one that allows you to type on your Windows PC, then switch to your Android smartphone by pressing the appropriate keys a few times. For those who often go back and forth between a PC and a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, a wireless keyboard makes typing and interaction with all your devices easier.

It goes without saying that the keyboards on the screen that you are forced to use on mobile devices are not the best. Some rely solely on mobile devices, avoiding traditional computers as a whole, and these users may want a wireless keyboard to make typing easier on their mobile devices. In the same order of ideas, others may simply be unhappy with the physical keyboard provided with their PC (be it a traditional tower or a laptop) and wish for an external solution.

What makes a good wireless keyboard?

Keyboard preferences are very subjective because many styles and features are optional and not necessary. However, we think that a good wireless keyboard should check a few essential boxes, especially in the areas of connectivity and design.

Most wireless keyboards connect to computers using radio frequency (RF) or Bluetooth. The first ones usually work on the 2.4 GHz wireless signal and come with a USB receiver that serves as a link between the keyboard and your PC. Bluetooth-connected keyboards connect to PCs without the need for a USB receiver. However, your PC must have Bluetooth capabilities to do this, which is not a problem for modern devices, but perhaps on older PC models.

Regardless of the type of connectivity, a good wireless keyboard needs a solid, stable connection with its host PC. Nothing is worse than a jerky input of a wireless accessory, and having a solid base connection can prevent this from happening.

A good wireless keyboard should also be comfortable to use with a shocking concept, right? This is one of those aspects that will be unique for all users. Some may be perfectly happy typing on the keyboard that is attached to their laptop, while others are looking for lighter grazing mechanical keyboards or similar devices. We will see in detail how we judged each keyboard we tested in the next section, but in general, a good wireless keyboard should make the typing experience easier and more comfortable than the one you had before.

How we tested and judged

Typing comfort: We performed the 200-word FFtFingers typing test on all keyboards that we tested to assess the ease with which everyone could do it quickly and efficiently. We also spent at least two days with each keyboard and typed hundreds of words during our normal working days (as a writer, I spend more hours typing, so each keyboard receives a considerable amount of love). We also took into account the movement and the actuation of the keys. As a rule, the keys should have a movement distance of about 1.2 mm and the actuation should not be too low to allow accidental strikes.

Connectivity and compatibility: We considered Bluetooth and RF wireless keyboards for this guide. We generally think that Bluetooth is the best option of both because it does not grab a USB port as RF models do with their receivers. However, both are good options for those who want to give up their traditional hardwired keyboards.

Connectivity goes hand in hand with compatibility. Some wireless keyboards are designed for a single operating system, while others (which are arguably the best in the group) can run on different types of devices. We used a MacBook Pro, a Dell XPS 13, an iPhone XS Max and a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to test keyboards. For RF keyboards, we only connected them to the MacBook Pro and the XPS 13, but we tried to connect and use each Bluetooth keyboard with all four devices. In doing so, we were able to verify how well a wireless keyboard was working properly with operating systems not explicitly supported by its specifications.

Portability: Keyboards come in all shapes and sizes. Some are designed to be minimalist, others are designed to offer a higher level of ergonomic comfort. We did not limit our tests to just the compact keyboards, but instead took into account the dimensions of each device to see if it could fit into a standard backpack (which could hold a 13-inch laptop or a large tablet). Because Bluetooth keyboards are wireless, you can take them anywhere and use them with multiple different host devices.

Price: Wireless keyboards can cost between $ 25 and $ 150. Our ideal price range for a solid wireless keyboard ranges from $ 40 to $ 70. We have tested a number of devices in and around this price range to be able to recommend a range of products, including those that meet a strict budget and those that are more luxurious.

Best together

Kanex MultiSync Slim Wireless Aluminum Keyboard

Specifications in Brief: Logitech K780 Multi-Peripheral Wireless Keyboard
Price	$ 61.75
OS compatibility	Android, iOS, Mac OS, Windows
connectivity	Bluetooth
Connected devices	Up to 4
Key stroke / actuation	1.5mm / 60g
Drums	Built-in rechargeable
Dimensions	4.5 x 11 x 0.4 in
Weight	£ 68
Other advantages	Built-in backlight, travel pouch included

Of the dozens of keyboards tested, the Kanex aluminum MultiSync Slim wireless keyboard meets the needs of most users. Although the keyboard itself is designed to be used by iOS and macOS, this is only true by its layout. With Bluetooth connectivity, it can be paired with almost any device with Bluetooth 3.0 or later. I tested it with Android, iOS, macOS and Windows, and it worked exceptionally well on all these operating systems. You can even pair one of these devices with the keyboard at a time, thanks to its four-device pairing feature.

Kanex's wireless keyboard also provided one of the best coupling and switching experiences of any keyboard I've tested. The standard process of pairing a wireless keyboard for the first time via Bluetooth requires that you press a key combination – in the case of Kanex, the Fn key and one of the first four numeric keys ( all bearing a designated Bluetooth icon). . Since the Kanex keyboard is designed for Macs, I did not even need to do it when I wanted to pair it with my MacBook Pro: my machine recognized the device in its Bluetooth menu, which allowed me to pair and type in seconds.

However, I had to follow the standard pairing instructions when assigning new devices to the rest of the numeric keys. After the initial pairing, I could quickly press Fn + 2 to switch to my Dell XPS 13 laptop, then back to Fn + 1 to return to my MacBook Pro.

By testing so many keyboards, I found that the best ones often had a similar typing experience, characterized by a decent stroke of touch, a level of actuation requiring sufficient strength not to confuse the brushes with the keys, and discrete keys. The Kanex keyboard ticks all these boxes. It's easy to type on it and I appreciate that almost all of its keys (including those that are not characters) have a normal size. Even the function keys in the top row are all the same size as the character keys, making it easy to adjust the volume, screen brightness, and so on.

The Kanex wireless keyboard also includes a backlight, which most other devices do not have. Press Fn + Command to turn on the backlight, adjust its strength, and turn it off. This makes the Kanex keyboard a viable option for those who often find themselves in dark environments, as well as for those who travel a lot. The keyboard design makes it a great travel accessory – measuring 4.5 × 11 × 0.4 inches and weighing only 0.68 kg (2.68 kg), it is slim, lightweight and attractive. Its aluminum construction adds to its high-end look and feel. Kanex even includes a cloth carrying case in the box to protect the keyboard in a bag or backpack.

The keyboard also comes with a microUSB cable to charge the 750mAh battery from the device. It should last up to six months with a single charge, depending on how you use it. In the few weeks that I have tested it and many other keyboards, I have only reloaded the Kanex keyboard once. It also has a sleep mode and a dedicated switch that allows you to save battery power when the device is not in use.

As you'll notice in our other keyboard choices, the Kanex Wireless Keyboard does not do everything that a wireless keyboard can do. It does not have numeric keypad, customizable keys and a USB receiver. However, it has all the essentials we want in a wireless keyboard, including a stable Bluetooth connection, a simple device switching mechanism, comfortable keys and key layout, and an attractive, portable design. In addition to its price of $ 61.75, it is hard to beat.

Good

• Attractive backlit keyboard that couples and works well on many operating systems.

The bad

• Small arrow keys up and down.

Finalist

Logitech K780 Multi-Peripheral Wireless Keyboard

Specifications in Brief: Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard
Price	$ 59.99
OS compatibility	Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Mac OS, Windows
connectivity	Bluetooth, USB receiver
Connected devices	Up to 3
actuation	63g
Drums	2 x AAA (included)
Dimensions	0.9 × 6.2 × 14.9 inches
Weight	1.92 pounds
Other advantages	Integrated rubber docking station, Logitech software Options for key customization

Logitech manufactures some of the best PC accessories available, so it was no surprise that its K780 Wireless Multi-Device Keyboard was one of the best we've ever tried. It looks more special than other keyboards because it has an integrated rubber cradle designed to accommodate tablets and smartphones. You do not need additional support or a support case on your mobile devices to use them with this keyboard, which is a huge plus.

This cradle also makes the K780 a solid keyboard to take with you as it can serve as a support and keyboard. Since it includes a keypad and weighs 1.92 kg, it's not the most compact or lightweight keyboard available, but it's probably the most complete portable wireless keyboard. that you can get.

The K780 keyboard can associate up to three devices with the help of its dedicated switch keys. It works with Android devices, Chrome OS, iOS, macOS and Windows. It also connects via Bluetooth or a USB receiver, allowing you to choose how you want to connect it to your PC (Bluetooth is the only option for most mobile devices). The pairing and switching were simple, and the process looks a lot like any other wireless keyboard: you have to long press the desired numbered switch key to perform the pairing and follow the instructions to the ############################################################################## 39; screen.

A brief press on one of the three switch keys allows you to tap on all your devices. Like most wireless keyboards, the switching process takes a second or two, but overall, the K780 transitions smoothly and quickly from one device to another.

Although its round keys give the K780 an attractive and modern look, they are not the best for typing. However, they are decent in size and move well, so the shape does not completely spoil the typing experience. I've used the K780 as the main keyboard for a few days and I've typed at almost my normal speed most of the time. In addition to not being a big fan of circular keys, I'm not a fan of the tiny keyboard arrow keys that are just below the right Shift key – they're easy to miss.

Logitech overcomes these disadvantages by allowing you to customize some of the Fn keys with Logitech Options software. Available for MacOS and Windows, this free downloadable program allows you to modify the functions of certain keys in the top row depending on the operating system you are using. I work mainly on macOS and I was shocked to see how much I had to choose. For example, the button with the curved arrow icon is restored by default, but you can change it to do what you want: increase or decrease the brightness of the screen, switch to full screen , open notifications, launch screen capture, etc. and more. Logitech Options acts as a hub for most of its wireless keyboards. Therefore, if you have multiple Logitech keyboards, you can change or restore the settings for each of them from a program.

In addition, the K780 should last up to two years with a set of two AAA batteries, pre-installed when you buy the keyboard. Although I prefer built-in rechargeable batteries, this is not a bad option. The keyboard has an on / off switch that allows you to save energy when you do not use it. It will automatically go into sleep mode after a while if you do not use it.

Given all its features, the Logitech K780 offers excellent value for money. Prices are everywhere – Logitech sells it for $ 79.99, but the price starts at $ 59.99 on Amazon – but even at the most expensive price, the K780 is well worth it.

Good

• Customizable keyboard that works well on all major operating systems.

The bad