The most effective wi-fi keyboards do greater than free you from a cable. They allow you to toss the crummy keyboard you bought totally free together with your PC—does anybody like that one?—and so they additionally offer you choices. The fashions we’ve reviewed vary from full-size desktop slabs to moveable fashions that skip simply from laptop computer to pill to cellphone. No matter that you must sort with, there’s a keyboard for it.
Keyboard alternative may be very subjective. That stated, we’ve primarily based our critiques on hours spent with every mannequin, banging away on work initiatives, browsing the online, and maintaining on social media.
There’s actually nobody measurement to suit all, however our critiques intention to provide you adequate specifics to make a sound resolution. Take a look at our purchasing recommendation on the finish that will help you select from different fashions you discover.
For extra tetherless comfort, see our roundup of the best wireless mice.
Up to date 10/22/21 to incorporate our evaluate of the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro, a premium possibility for avid gamers that gives wi-fi flexibility, high-quality switches, and a ton of extras that make it properly price consideration, even at a excessive worth. Scroll to the underside of this text to see hyperlinks to all our wi-fi keyboard critiques.
Greatest general wi-fi desktop keyboard
Logitech’s K800 Wi-fi Illuminated Keyboard is indispensable for those who typically sort late into the night or in any other case work in darkish environments. This backlit keyboard not solely offers the required gentle but in addition gives one of the vital comfy and nice typing experiences we’ve encountered, all at an inexpensive worth.
Greatest funds wi-fi keyboard
Devoted typists in search of a premium, snappy keyboard with out going the mechanical route ought to give Logitech’s MK540 Advanced combo a critical look. For a really cheap worth you get a roomy keyboard with devoted media buttons, programmable keys, and tactile typing. The mouse isn’t any slouch, both
Runner-up funds wi-fi keyboard
The Macally Full Dimension Wi-fi RF Keyboard makes an amazing no-frills keyboard substitute on your desktop or laptop computer. It’s obtained a roomy format, easy wi-fi setup, and responsive keys—in different phrases, it covers all of the fundamentals with aplomb, at a worth that may’t be beat.
Greatest Bluetooth keyboard
As its identify clearly states, 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 suitable with Home windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS—and extra importantly, it offers quick and easy switching between your pc, smartphone, and pill.
Greatest ergonomic wi-fi keyboard
Logitech’s Ergo K860 has lastly conquered reviewer Michael Ansaldo’s skepticism about awkward ergonomic keyboards. Within the few weeks he used the K860, he seen elevated typing consolation and diminished muscle pressure, all with out sacrificing productiveness to a steep studying curve. “It confirmed me that simply because my common typing posture doesn’t trigger ache, it doesn’t imply it will possibly’t be improved,” he claimed. It’s a bit costly in comparison with a standard mannequin, nevertheless it’s the one ergonomic keyboard we’d heartily advocate.
Greatest wi-fi gaming keyboard
Corsair’s K63 wi-fi gaming keyboard is compact, sturdy, and fairly comfy to sort on. It’s solely the second wi-fi mechanical keyboard from a serious producer. It’s additionally the primary with backlighting, although its single, bright-blue coloration might come to bother you as time goes on. Nonetheless, whether or not you’re in for informal sofa gaming or simply need a cleaner, wire-free desktop, the K63 is a strong alternative.
Coolest-looking wi-fi keyboard
The Azio Retro BT Basic is a vintage-style mechanical keyboard priced like an actual vintage, however when you 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 Basic will delight critical typists with previous souls and cash to burn.
Wi-fi keyboards: Bluetooth vs. USB
Wi-fi keyboards hook up with a PC in one in every of two methods: by way of Bluetooth or a USB receiver. Some older Home windows 7 machines might not assist Bluetooth. However, for those who want a keyboard to work throughout completely different platforms on newer gadgets, a Bluetooth-enabled mannequin is what you want.
All of the USB receiver-driven fashions on this roundup have been flawless examples of plug-and-play keyboards. Pairing Bluetooth keyboards (in comparison with Bluetooth headsets, let’s say) requires a number of extra steps, and solely one of many fashions was barely flaky in sustaining its connection.
Bluetooth keyboards are likely to price a bit extra but in addition provide longer battery life. As you’re procuring (notably when you have massive fingers), take into account that some {hardware} makers sacrifice the keys’ measurement and spacing to provide you portability.
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 flexibility to regulate the angle or different consolation traits.
We thought of 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 absolutely featured. For example, we stability the flexibility of multi-platform fashions like Logitech’s K780 in opposition to its efficiency as an precise keyboard that you must use each day (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 each day, so be certain that it suits your typing habits and your wants. Right here’s what to bear in mind as you store.
Dimension: A mannequin that can all the time sit in your desktop may be greater and heavier, and normally another benefits some with that. As extra of us carry laptops or tablets, nonetheless, we’ll search for fashions which can be compact or moveable. These will sacrifice some options however be simpler to take with you.
Keys: Search for keys which can be 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 shocking 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 satisfactory for many customers, however heavy-duty customers and avid gamers will seemingly want 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 peak. Search for fashions with adjustable legs or toes. We haven’t included ergonomic fashions on this spherical of critiques.
Battery wants: All wi-fi keyboards use batteries. Verify intently for the kind and variety of batteries you want, and whether or not a starter set is included. We notice the distributors’ specified battery life in every evaluate.
Worth: When it’s really easy to get a keyboard totally free, it may be laborious to justify truly shopping for one. The excellent news is, you may get a strong mannequin for as little as $40, together with among the ones we’ve reviewed. We present the MSRP for every mannequin, however after all you may typically discover it for much less at on-line or brick-and-mortar shops.
All our wi-fi keyboard critiques
Keyboards are a really private alternative. Whether or not you need massive or small, desktop or moveable, with extra or fewer buttons and changes, yow will discover it in one in every of our different keyboard critiques, listed under.
K380 Multi-Gadget Bluetooth Keyboard
Designer Bluetooth Desktop
KP400 Switchable Keyboard
Michael Ansaldo is veteran client and small-business expertise journalist. He contributes frequently to TechHive and PCWorld.