Seeking to free your self from the cable and eventually make the transfer to a wi-fi keyboard? Wi-fi keyboards should not solely an effective way to remove pointless desk litter, however they provide you choices and suppleness in options that your outdated wired keyboard couldn’t. Right here at PCWorld, we’ve reviewed loads of wi-fi keyboards and we’ve curated an inventory of our favorites.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 model of typing, there’s a wi-fi keyboard for you.Â
We’ve primarily based our greatest picks on hours spent utilizing every mannequin, banging away on our opinions, browsing the online, and maintaining on social media. There’s no one-size-fits-all keyboard, however our suggestions goal that can assist you make an knowledgeable resolution primarily based 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 searching for a wi-fi keyboard.
For extra tetherless comfort, see our roundup of one of the best wi-fi mice.
One of the best wi-fi keyboards
Logitech K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard – Finest total wi-fi desktop keyboardÂ
Execs
- Adjustable backlighting
- Quiet, responsive keys
- Common receiver enables you to join a number of mice and keyboards to a single pc
Cons
- Skinny chassis is a little bit flexible
Logitech’s K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard is indispensable in case you typically kind late into the night or in any other case work in darkish environments. This backlit keyboard not solely supplies the mandatory mild but additionally gives one of the snug and nice typing experiences we’ve encountered, all at an inexpensive worth.
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Evaluate Logitech K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard
Logitech MK540 Superior Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Finest worth proposition
Execs
- Quiet but tactile keys
- Programmable operate keys and mouse gestures
- Roomy, comfortable design
Cons
- Too cumbersome for cellular use
- Restricted MacOS assist
Logitech does it once more with the MK540 Superior combo. It may not have the comfort of backlighting that the K800 gives, nevertheless it hits all the opposite necessary 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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Evaluate Logitech MK540 Superior Wi-fi Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Razer BlackWidow V3 Professional – Finest wi-fi gaming keyboard
Execs
- Tremendous-smooth switchesÂ
- Nice media controlsÂ
- Comfortable wrist relaxationÂ
Cons
- Costly ABSÂ
- Keycaps are a little bit 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 received every thing 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 various.
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Evaluate 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 machine
Cons
- Battery could be very quick with the backlight on
- No housing for the dongle
- Just one coloration of backlighting and one change 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 desire a cleaner, wire-free desktop, the K63, that includes actual Cherry MX switches, is a strong selection and it prices about half the worth as our high decide for wi-fi gaming above.
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Evaluate Corsair K63
Redragon K596 – Finest ultra-budget wi-fi gaming keyboard
Execs
- Low worth
- Included wrist relaxation
- Lengthy battery life
- Quantity wheel
Cons
- Ugly keycaps
- Can solely program G keys
- No Bluetooth
The Redragon K596 is a completely wi-fi mechanical gaming keyboard packing most of the options you’d anticipate from a premium mannequin. Whereas the K596 isn’t wonderful in anyone explicit space, at this worth it doesn’t must be. It covers the entire fundamentals you’ll need from a wi-fi keyboard akin 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 unbelievable worth.
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Evaluate Redragon K596 Wi-fi Keyboard
Logitech MX Keys Mini – Finest wi-fi keyboard for journey
Execs
- Tiny dimension
- Nice typing expertise
- Customizable controls
- Multi-device pairing
Don’t let the comparatively excessive worth scare you off. The MX Keys Mini might be one of the best compact wi-fi keyboard round. It’s small however mighty—tremendous snug to kind on, gives a semi-customizable structure, helps multi-device switching, and extra. If you wish to work on the go, this board is just not solely a straightforward pack, it simply earns its preserve by deftly standing out from others in its class.
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K780 Multi-Gadget Wi-fi Keyboard – Finest full-size multi-device possibility
Execs
- Works with all main platforms
- Can toggle between three paired units
- Quiet keys with nice journey
Cons
- Not constructed for portability
Should you just like the comfort of a Bluetooth keyboard that may change amongst completely different units, however don’t require the compact structure of the MX Keys Mini, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Gadget Wi-fi Keyboard guarantees to be the one keyboard to rule all of your computing gizmos. Certainly, it’s absolutely appropriate 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 gives a roomy structure with a numpad.
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Evaluate Logitech K780 Multi-Gadget Wi-fi Keyboard
Logitech Ergo K860 – Finest ergonomic wi-fi keyboard
Execs
- Curved and break up ergonomic design
- Comfy wrist assist
- Palm elevate function enables you to regulate top 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 midst of our evaluation, there was a marked enchancment in typing consolation and lowered muscle stress, all with out sacrificing productiveness to a steep studying curve. It’s a little bit costly in comparison with a traditional wi-fi keyboard, however in case you’re scuffling with consolation, the K860 is the one ergonomic keyboard we’d heartily suggest.Â
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Evaluate 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 might hassle your neighbors
The Azio Retro BT Traditional is a vintage-style mechanical keyboard priced like an actual vintage, however you probably have the money, it’s actually placing. 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 critical typists with outdated souls and cash to burn.Â
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Evaluate Retro Traditional BT Elwood
How we check wi-fi keyboards
It was hands-on all the best way with our keyboard testing. We spent not less than 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 dimensions, weight, and sturdiness of every mannequin towards its objective—whether or not it was designed to be transportable or desk-bound, and compact or absolutely featured. As an illustration, we steadiness the flexibility of multi-platform fashions like Logitech’s K780 towards its efficiency as an precise keyboard it’s essential to use day-after-day (and on this case, it wins on all counts).Â
How to buy a wi-fi keyboard
You’re going to make use of this keyboard day-after-day, so be sure it matches your typing habits and your wants. Right here’s what to remember as you store.Â
Measurement: A mannequin that may all the time sit in your desktop will be larger 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 transportable. These will sacrifice some options however be simpler to take with you.Â
Keys: Search for keys which are sculpted and spaced for typing consolation. Because of this we encourage making an attempt earlier than shopping for: We’ve had very completely 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 selection. Most mainstream keyboards use membrane know-how, which is enough for many customers, however heavy-duty customers and players will possible choose 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 provide no adjustment for angle or top. Search for fashions with adjustable legs or ft. We haven’t included ergonomic fashions on this spherical of opinions.
Battery wants: All wi-fi keyboards use batteries. Examine carefully for the sort and variety of batteries you want, and whether or not a starter set is included. We notice the distributors’ specified battery life in every evaluation.
FAQ
What’s the distinction between a Bluetooth keyboard and a wi-fi keyboard?
Wi-fi keyboards connect with a PC in one in every 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 connect with a pc or machine if it has a USB port. Bluetooth connectivity alternatively doesn’t require any dongle or additional receiver and might due to this fact simply connect with different Bluetooth-enabled units with out the necessity for any ports. Moreover, Bluetooth keyboards are inclined to value a little bit extra but additionally provide longer battery life.
Whereas procuring, you could discover that older units don’t assist Bluetooth. Nevertheless, in case you want a keyboard to work throughout completely 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 need to use a wi-fi keyboard with a laptop computer with out difficulty. Relying on whether or not you’re utilizing a wi-fi USB dongle keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard, you simply want to hook up with the laptop computer after which you’re good to go. That is true in case you want to join a wi-fi keyboard to your pill or 2-in-1, as properly.
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 have to be plugged into an exterior energy supply akin 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 after they die. The commonest sorts of batteries these keyboards use will probably be both AA or AAA alkaline batteries.