The 7 best wireless keyboards of the moment

The best wireless keyboards are more than devices that you can connect to anything: they give you options to do more than your moderately free keyboard supplied with the PC. The models that we have looked at range from full office typewriters to portable models to connect to a tablet or smartphone. This list therefore probably contains something that should suit you.

We have extensively tested these boards and in recent years have written full reviews of each of these products, by the Dutch editors, by our sister site PCWorld or by other IDG colleagues. To make it easier for you, a short summary follows for each and we classify them per category. Keyboard selection can be quite subjective, so we try to give you a handhold to see if the device suits your taste.

Regarding keyboards, we recommend that you go to a physical store. You need to feel it and tap it to know if it fits your requirements. There is not one model that meets everyone’s requirements. At the end of the article, we therefore have some tips to look out for when buying a keyboard. Most of these devices connect via RF, some via Bluetooth: the connection options are listed separately.

Best total solution: K800 Wireless Illuminated Keyboard

• Price: € 99.99
• Link: USB dongle with 2.4 GHz RF
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 10 days (depending on backlight setting)
• Load?: Micro USB

The K800 Wireless Illuminated from Logitech is very comfortable if you often work in the evening (or in the winter at the end of a day) or work in low-light environments. The backlight not only provides the necessary lighting, but in our experience the keyboard is one of the most comfortable and enjoyable typing experiences we have encountered.

Good second: Microsoft Modern Keyboard

• price: € 128.94
• Link: USB and Bluetooth (Windows 10-only)
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 4 months
• Load?: Micro USB

This Microsoft keyboard looks as good as it feels, with pleasant clicking keys, a lot of dedicated Windows buttons and a trump card: a built-in fingerprint scanner. Our main complaint about this rechargeable Bluetooth keyboard is the lack of programmable keys and a hefty price tag.

Best for a budget: MK540 Advanced Wireless Keyboard (incl. Wireless mouse)

• price: € 57.99
• Link: USB dongle with 2.4 GHz RF
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 3 years (mouse: 18 months)
• Load?: 2x AA batteries

People who type all day long who are looking for a good keyboard without going the mechanical direction can look at the combination package MK540 Advanced, also from Logitech. For a very reasonable price you have a spacious keyboard with dedicated media buttons, programmable keys and tactile keys (which provide feedback when pressed). The supplied mouse is also fine.

Good second: AmazonBasics Wireless Keyboard

• Price: € 19.61
• Link: USB dongle
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 900 hours
• Load?: 2x AAA batteries

This will cost you less than two tens on Amazon. The makers of Amazon Basic Wireless Keyboard call it ‘quiet and compact’ and this sign is therefore suitable for this era of office gardens. Now that workplaces are closer together and the typing of keyboards can be a nuisance to staff in the area, a discreet keyboard like this means that dirty tins are shot in your direction less often.

Best wireless gamers keyboard: Corsair K63

• Price: € 114.90
• Link: USB dongle with 2.4 GHz RF
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 15 hours (depending on backlight setting)
• Load?: Via (micro) USB

The keyboard K63 from Corsair is compact, sturdy and fairly comfortable to type on. It was only the second wireless mechanical keyboard from a major manufacturer. The device was also the first with backlight, although the blue (or red) light might get out of your throat after a while. But whether you are a casual gamer on the couch or want a wireless and better keyboard, the K63 is a great choice.

The version with red LED is currently on sale at Bol.com for 82.90 (the site currently offers discounts on various gaming keyboards):

Coolest look: Azio R.C.K.

• Price: € 199.89 (depending on the design, the price may be higher)
• Link: Bluetooth or USB-C
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 1 month (depending on backlight setting)
• Load?: USB C

This Azio keyboard looks like it was ripped from an antique typewriter. It clicks deeply and firmly, and is a striking appearance. Downside is the high price tag. Our colleague Donovan Kerssenberg is still crazy about it and the keyboard regularly gives interested or annoyed (because of the clicking) looks to the editors. He wrote this comprehensive review.

Best Bluetooth keyboard: Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard

• Price: € 86.99
• Link: USB dongle or Bluetooth
• Battery life according to manufacturer: 2 years
• Load?: 2x AAA

As the name clearly indicates, this is one keyboard to control all your devices. The K780 from Logitech is therefore fully compatible with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android and iOS. More importantly, you can quickly and easily switch between PC, smartphone and tablet with the same keyboard.

What you should know about wireless keyboards:

Finally, we explain what we pay attention to when assessing keyboards, to help you if you prefer to make a choice from the huge selection.

Bluetooth versus USB

Wireless keyboards connect in two ways: via Bluetooth or via a USB receiver. Note that some older (Windows 7) machines may not support Bluetooth. The advantage of the commonly used protocol is that you are more flexible in connecting your devices, since you can connect the keyboard to, for example, your smartphone.

The USB dongle models that we tested here were wonderful examples of plug and play for the largest operating systems. Bluetooth pairing often requires more steps and one model was not so good at maintaining the connection and another unfortunately we were unable to talk on Linux. Certainly something to keep in mind.

A further disadvantage of Bluetooth is that it is slightly more expensive than a model with a radio frequency receiver, but an advantage is the longer battery life. Also note that if you choose a portable model, the keys are often closer to each other (difficult if you have large hands) and that the numeric keypad is often missing.

Size

The weight does not matter if the keyboard is always on your desk and a heavier weight has some advantages (such as stability when typing). But if you’re on the road a lot, a light device is of course better, but a smaller device saves on functional keys, programmability, the numeric keypad and other features. Speaking of this:

Tests

Note buttons that are designed and arranged for maximum typing comfort. For this reason, we recommend that you always try keyboards before purchasing. We had different experiences with traditional keys versus flat keyboards and mechanical versus tactile keys. It is surprising how much a miniscule completion or bulge can make the difference between a fantastic keyboard and a miss.

Most mainstream keyboards nowadays use a membrane (where keys make contact through a plastic layer rather than through a physical mechanical link), but some developers, gamers or other large users would rather have mechanical keys. Windows shortcuts or programming keys are often good plus points, especially with power users.

Adjustability

With some keyboards you cannot adjust the height or angle and that is a disadvantage for most people. If you find that too, look for something that can be adjusted with adjustable feet or hinges. In this round, we did not look at ergonomic models, which are often much more adaptable in use.

Battery

Wireless keyboards use a battery or (rechargeable) batteries. See what your keyboard is equipped with and whether, for example, batteries are included. In the overview we state for each type whether it concerns batteries or batteries and any charging options of the device itself.

price

Because you often receive a keyboard for free, it can be difficult to justify spending money on a new one. The good news is that there are wireless models of less than twenty euros, but as a rule, such a device will soon cost you around 80 to 120 euros.

Also note offline offers, electronics stores sometimes want to stunt with these prices to compete against the violence of web stores. Moreover, it is often a good idea to test your device properly in the store itself.

_{We can get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, this will not cost you anything extra and does not affect our journalistic independence.}