Seeking to free your self from the cable and at last make the transfer to a wi-fi keyboard? Wi-fi keyboards should not solely an effective way to eradicate pointless desk muddle, however they offer you choices and suppleness in options that your outdated wired keyboard couldn’t. Right here at PCWorld, we’ve reviewed loads of wi-fi keyboards and we’ve got curated a listing of our favorites. The wi-fi keyboards we’ve evaluated vary from full-sized desktop fashions to gaming-centric RGB showcases to ultra-portable choices that work with a number of units. No matter your most popular type of typing, there’s a wi-fi keyboard for you.
We’ve based mostly our greatest picks on hours spent utilizing every mannequin, banging away on our evaluations, browsing the online, and maintaining on social media. There’s no one-size-fits-all keyboard, however our suggestions intention that can assist you make an knowledgeable resolution based mostly on you private wants. Additionally, take a look at our purchasing recommendation on the finish that can assist you study what to search for when looking for a wi-fi keyboard.
For extra tetherless comfort, see our roundup of the most effective wi-fi mice.
The most effective wi-fi keyboards
Logitech K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard – Finest total wi-fi desktop keyboard
Execs
- Adjustable backlighting
- Quiet, responsive keys
- Common receiver helps you to join a number of mice and keyboards to a single pc
Cons
- Skinny chassis is just a little flexible
Logitech’s K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard is indispensable should you typically kind late into the night or in any other case work in darkish environments. This backlit keyboard not solely supplies the mandatory gentle but additionally affords one of the vital snug and nice typing experiences we’ve encountered, all at an reasonably priced value.
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Assessment Logitech K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard
Logitech MK540 Superior Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Finest worth proposition
Execs
- Quiet but tactile keys
- Programmable perform keys and mouse gestures
- Roomy, cozy design
Cons
- Too cumbersome for cellular use
- Restricted MacOS assist
Logitech does it once more with the MK540 Superior combo. It won’t have the comfort of backlighting that the K800 affords, but it surely hits all the opposite vital options for productiveness: a roomy structure, devoted media buttons, a numpad, programmable keys, and tactile typing. Along with all that, the keyboard comes with an honest wi-fi mouse, that’s itself programmable, so that you’re good to go.
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Assessment Logitech MK540 Superior Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Razer BlackWidow V3 Professional – Finest wi-fi gaming keyboard
Execs
- Tremendous-smooth switches
- Nice media controls
- Comfortable wrist relaxation
Cons
- Costly ABS
- Keycaps are just a little low-cost
For a very long time, Corsair’s K63 has been our decide for greatest wi-fi gaming keyboard. We nonetheless like that keyboard rather a lot, however after lately reviewing the Razer BlackWidow V3 Professional, we’ve discovered a brand new favourite. It’s acquired all the pieces you’d need from a gaming keyboard: full-size structure, mechanical switches, RGB, a wrist relaxation, a quantity wheel—and the comfort of a wi-fi connection. Sure, it’s additionally fairly expensive, as premium merchandise typically are. That leaves the K63 as a still-very-respectable lower-priced different.
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Assessment Razer BlackWidow V3 Professional
Corsair K63 – Finest funds wi-fi gaming keyboard
Execs
- Wi-fi Cherry MX keyboard
- Totally single-color backlit
- Fairly priced, for a wi-fi gadget
Cons
- Battery could be very brief with the backlight on
- No housing for the dongle
- Just one coloration of backlighting and one swap kind, in the meanwhile
Corsair’s K63 wi-fi gaming keyboard is compact, sturdy, and fairly snug to kind on. It was one of many first wi-fi mechanical keyboard from a significant producer, and the primary with backlighting, although its single, bright-blue coloration will both thrill or annoy you. Nonetheless, whether or not you’re in for informal sofa gaming or simply need a cleaner, wire-free desktop, the K63, that includes actual Cherry MX switches, is a strong alternative and it prices about half the worth as our high decide for wi-fi gaming above.
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Assessment Corsair K63
Redragon K596 – Finest ultra-budget wi-fi gaming keyboard
Execs
- Low value
- Included wrist relaxation
- Lengthy battery life
- Quantity wheel
Cons
- Ugly keycaps
- Can solely program G keys
- No Bluetooth
The Redragon K596 is a totally wi-fi mechanical gaming keyboard packing most of the options you’d count on from a premium mannequin. Whereas the K596 isn’t wonderful in anybody explicit space, at this value it doesn’t need to be. It covers the entire fundamentals you’ll need from a wi-fi keyboard equivalent to programmability, per-key RGB, quantity wheel, macro keys, and a magnetic wrist relaxation. In distinction to the ballooning costs of contemporary gaming keyboards, the Redragon K596 represents a improbable worth.
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Assessment Redragon K596 Wi-fi Keyboard
Logitech MX Keys Mini – Finest wi-fi keyboard for journey
Execs
- Tiny measurement
- Nice typing expertise
- Customizable controls
- Multi-device pairing
Don’t let the comparatively excessive value scare you off. The MX Keys Mini might be the most effective compact wi-fi keyboard round. It’s small however mighty—tremendous snug to kind on, affords a semi-customizable structure, helps multi-device switching, and extra. If you wish to work on the go, this board just isn’t solely a straightforward pack, it simply earns its preserve by deftly standing out from others in its class.
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Assessment Logitech MX Keys Mini
K780 Multi-Machine Wi-fi Keyboard – Finest full-size multi-device choice
Execs
- Works with all main platforms
- Can toggle between three paired units
- Quiet keys with nice journey
Cons
- Not constructed for portability
For those who just like the comfort of a Bluetooth keyboard that may swap amongst totally different units, however don’t require the compact structure of the MX Keys Mini, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Machine Wi-fi Keyboard guarantees to be the one keyboard to rule all of your computing gizmos. Certainly, it’s totally suitable with Home windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS for quick and easy switching between your pc, smartphone, and pill. It additionally prices deal lower than the MX Keys Mini, and affords a roomy structure with a numpad.
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Assessment Logitech K780 Multi-Machine Wi-fi Keyboard
Logitech Ergo K860 – Finest ergonomic wi-fi keyboard
Execs
- Curved and break up ergonomic design
- Comfy wrist assist
- Palm increase function helps you to regulate peak for sitting or standing
Cons
- Requires a while to get used to separate design
- Costly
Logitech’s Ergo K860 has lastly conquered our skepticism about awkward ergonomic keyboards. In the middle of our overview, there was a marked enchancment in typing consolation and decreased muscle stress, all with out sacrificing productiveness to a steep studying curve. It’s just a little costly in comparison with a traditional wi-fi keyboard, however should you’re scuffling with consolation, the K860 is the one ergonomic keyboard we’d heartily suggest.
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Assessment Logitech Ergo K860
Retro Traditional BT Elwood – Coolest-looking wi-fi keyboard
Execs
- Lovely classic design
- LED-backlit keys
- Satisfying clickiness and journey
- Further keycaps for Mac customers
Cons
- No programmable keys
- Loud switches could hassle your neighbors
The Azio Retro BT Traditional is a vintage-style mechanical keyboard priced like an actual vintage, however when you have the money, it’s actually hanging. From its deep, clicky keystrokes and wooden or leather-based paneling to its LED-backlit keys and rechargeable battery, the Bluetooth-enabled Retro Traditional will delight severe typists with outdated souls and cash to burn.
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Assessment Retro Traditional BT Elwood
How we take a look at wi-fi keyboards
It was hands-on all the best way with our keyboard testing. We spent at the least one full workday typing completely on every mannequin we examined, with follow-up time to permit for a studying curve. We assessed the first typing expertise: key design, typing really feel, and even noisiness. We additionally tried the secondary options: hotkeys, switches and dials on multi-platform fashions, and even the power to regulate the angle or different consolation traits.
We thought-about the scale, weight, and sturdiness of every mannequin in opposition to its goal—whether or not it was designed to be moveable or desk-bound, and compact or totally featured. As an example, we steadiness the flexibility of multi-platform fashions like Logitech’s K780 in opposition to its efficiency as an precise keyboard you might want to use daily (and on this case, it wins on all counts).
How to buy a wi-fi keyboard
You’re going to make use of this keyboard daily, so be certain that it matches your typing habits and your wants. Right here’s what to bear in mind as you store.
Measurement: A mannequin that can at all times sit in your desktop might be greater and heavier, and often another benefits some with that. As extra of us carry laptops or tablets, nevertheless, we’ll search for fashions which are compact or moveable. These will sacrifice some options however be simpler to take with you.
Keys: Search for keys which are sculpted and spaced for typing consolation. This is the reason we encourage attempting earlier than shopping for: We’ve had very totally different experiences with conventional keys vs. chiclet-style vs. flatter key designs, and it’s stunning how little issues like the feel or the quantity of dimple will make or break a alternative. Most mainstream keyboards use membrane expertise, which is ample for many customers, however heavy-duty customers and avid gamers will probably desire keyboards with mechanical switches (which aren’t reviewed right here). Home windows hotkeys, and even programmable keys, are nice bonuses, particularly for energy customers.
Adjustability: Some keyboards supply no adjustment for angle or peak. Search for fashions with adjustable legs or ft. We haven’t included ergonomic fashions on this spherical of evaluations.
Battery wants: All wi-fi keyboards use batteries. Test carefully for the kind and variety of batteries you want, and whether or not a starter set is included. We be aware the distributors’ specified battery life in every overview.
FAQ
What’s the distinction between a Bluetooth keyboard and a wi-fi keyboard?
Wi-fi keyboards hook up with a PC in considered one of two methods: by way of Bluetooth or a USB receiver. Wi-fi keyboards that join by way of a USB receiver or dongle can solely hook up with a pc or gadget if it has a USB port. Bluetooth connectivity alternatively doesn’t require any dongle or additional receiver and may subsequently simply hook up with different Bluetooth-enabled units with out the necessity for any ports. Moreover, Bluetooth keyboards are inclined to value just a little extra but additionally supply longer battery life.
Whereas purchasing, it’s possible you’ll discover that older units don’t assist Bluetooth. Nevertheless, should you want a keyboard to work throughout totally different platforms on newer units, a Bluetooth-enabled mannequin is the best way to go.
Can a laptop computer be used with a wi-fi keyboard?
Sure, you should utilize a wi-fi keyboard with a laptop computer with out situation. Relying on whether or not you might be utilizing a wi-fi USB dongle keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard, you simply want to connect with the laptop computer after which you might be good to go. That is true should you want to join a wi-fi keyboard to your pill or 2-in-1, as nicely.
Do wi-fi keyboards want particular batteries?
Normally wi-fi keyboards are powered utilizing both rechargeable or disposable batteries. Wi-fi keyboards with rechargeable batteries will simply must be plugged into an exterior energy supply equivalent to a pc or wall outlet when the battery is low. In any other case, wi-fi keyboards with disposable batteries will want these batteries to get replaced once they die. The commonest kinds of batteries these keyboards use will likely be both AA or AAA alkaline batteries.