Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Sadly, there’s no tenkeyless (without a numberpad) version, so make sure you have the desk space to accommodate the Razer if it takes your fancy. The bottom line? It’s nice to have both. The 2.4GHz RF kind is generally the better connection type, especially if you’re planning on connecting to one, stationary PC. Bluetooth adds a lot of versatility, though. Not only can you connect to more devices, but having it is a nice safety net if you forget the USB dongle. In keyboards made in the last two or three years, you’re most likely to see keyboards with just a 2.4GHz connection, though there are a few Bluetooth-only options. Some keyboards support both connections. I would urge you, though, to not count out a keyboard just because it relies solely on Bluetooth, as you may not even notice a difference if you’re using it at home.
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. It can be paired with up to three devices at once, and switching between them is as simple as tapping a button. Plus, it comes with both Windows 10 and macOS markings, making it easy to use no matter what platform you happen to be using. Powered by a pair of AAA batteries (included) and connected via Bluetooth LE or 2.4GHz, this is a superlatively comfortable and flexible ergonomic keyboard. 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)
Typing Like a Smooth Operator
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. 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. It’s a bit of a triumph of style over substance, but there’s no denying it’s just about the most unusual keyboard you can own and is surprisingly satisfying to use once you’ve got the hang of it.
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. EXTRA FEATURES. Generally speaking, wireless keyboards tend to come with some quality-of-life features, such as dedicated media and macro keys. A few, like Logitech's high-end keyboards, also come with the ability to connect to multiple devices and swap among them with a single button press. Gaming keyboards will come with the same suite of media and macro perks, and some include customizable RGB lighting and advanced configuration software. (Credit: Mike Epstein)
The mouse is small in the hand. It primarily fits in the fingers without being long enough to fill the palm area. In larger hands, it may feel exceptionally small. I recently tried the larger Logitech G403 mouse, which is "designed for comfort" (i.e. gaming), and it fits much more snugly and comfortably in the entire hand. The Cherry mouse rests at the top of my hand, more within the fingers than the palm. Without a PC-connected cable to power it, every wireless keyboard, of course, needs a battery to run. Most wireless keyboards these days rely on built-in lithium-ion batteries you can recharge, though you do occasionally run into some that rely on good old AA or AAA cells. 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. The MX Keys Mini charges via USB-C but won’t connect to your PC/laptop/tablet that way: it’s only compatible with Bluetooth. This is perhaps the only blot on the MX Keys Mini’s otherwise stellar record. 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.
Great Deal 
New Comment