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Best wireless keyboards 2024: Top Bluetooth and USB models

Wednesday February 21, 2024. 06:00 PM , from PC World
In 2024, there’s no reason you can’t have a wireless keyboard anymore. From the most complex mechanical boards to the sleekest designer sets to the flashiest gamer machines, and everything in between, there are plenty of options for wireless excellence. That even includes keyboards for budget buyers — you can find a great pick in every category for well under three-digit prices.

We’ve spent hours and hours using each model, banging away on our reviews, surfing the web, and keeping up on social media to bring you a list of the very best wireless keyboards around. For example, the Logitech Wave Keys isn’t our pick for the best wireless ergonomic keyboard, even though it’s a fairly good option and a great value.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all keyboard, our recommendations aim to help you make an informed decision based on your own personal needs. After you’ve perused our best picks, be sure to check out our buying advice at the end to help you learn what to look for when shopping for a wireless keyboard.

Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been the go-to name for personal computer news and reviews for over 40 years. And as the writer of this roundup, and the reviewer of most of the keyboards on this list, I can assure you they’ve been thoroughly tested by people who are absolutely obsessed with keyboards. 

Every single keyboard on this list has been used by an expert, put through its paces for features and reliability, and carefully considered against the alternatives. We’ve tested every facet of the boards, even programming and complete disassembly for those that support it. 

For a more in-depth look at how we test keyboards of every kind, check out our dedicated article covering our keyboard review process. 

Updated April 10, 2024: Our latest wireless keyboard review is the niche but expensive Happy Hacking HHKB Studio. For more tetherless convenience, see our roundup of the best wireless mice.






Logitech MX Keys S Wireless Keyboard – Best overall wireless desktop keyboard 





















Pros


Great typing experience

Customizable keys

Long battery life

Auto-dimming backlight



Cons


No height adjustment

Wireless can get choppy in crowded environments


















Why I like the Logitech MX Keys S

Logitech’s top-of-the-line keyboard design returns in an S variant, this time with an updated Bolt multi-device receiver and a new auto-adjusting backlight feature. The typing experience is as good as it was in the original model, and it’s even a tiny bit cheaper, so this upgrade is a win-win if you like your keyboards thin and stylish.

Just be aware that dozens of Bluetooth devices in the vicinity might bog it down. If you prefer your Logitech boards a little more clicky-clacky, check out the MX Mechanical variant. This design is also available in a smaller “60%” model — see below.

Who should buy the Logitech MX Keys S

If you want one of the most stylish keyboards around that isn’t mechanical, and one that effortlessly works with multiple devices, this is it. The MX Keys is also shockingly quiet, so it’s a good choice for crowded offices. But it you want a longer, more traditional key travel or an ergonomic layout, there are better options out there.

Read our full

MX Keys S Keyboard review






Logitech MK540 Advanced Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Best value proposition





















Pros


Quiet yet tactile keys

Programmable function keys and mouse gestures

Roomy, comfy design



Cons


Too bulky for mobile use

Limited MacOS support

















Best Prices Today:



$59.99 at Logitech





Why I like the Logitech MK540 Advanced combo

Logitech does it again with the MK540 Advanced combo. It might not have the convenience of backlighting that the K800 offers, but it hits all the other important features for productivity: a roomy layout, dedicated media buttons, a numpad, programmable keys, and tactile typing. In addition to all that, the keyboard comes with a decent wireless mouse, that’s also programmable, so you’re good to go.

This budget combo isn’t especially good for gaming, and you might find your multi-device options (especially on MacOS) limited. But if you’re in desperate need for a keyboard and mouse, you need them wireless, and you want to spend as little money as possible, then this is the combo for you.

Who should buy the Logitech MK540 Advanced combo

Anyone who needs a keyboard and mouse for a desktop PC that didn’t come with its own, or who wants a quick-and-dirty setup for a laptop workstation, will be well-served here. But if you’re looking for a keyboard that can take a little gaming-grade punishment, or connect to devices over Bluetooth, check elsewhere on this list.

Read our full

Logitech MK540 Advanced Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo review






Corsair K65 Plus Wireless – Best wireless gaming keyboard





















Pros


Solid hardware

Great value for wireless

Tons of customization options 



Cons


No wrist rest

Slightly awkward default layout


















Why I like the K65 Plus Wireless

Corsair has been improving its designs for the last couple of years, incorporating more premium features and customization options. And it all comes together in the vastly redesigned K65 Plus, and does so at a shockingly low price. 

This keyboard combines the popular 75% form factor, high-speed, multi-device wireless, high-quality switches, and hot-swappable key sockets, with Corsair’s typically good gaming pedigree. The result is a keyboard that does a lot, for a lot of users, for a relatively low price. 

While the K65 skips a couple of exotic features like adjustable actuation or an OLED screen, and it doesn’t include a wrist rest in the box, it nails just about every other facet of design. It’s simply the best gaming keyboard you can get at the moment.

Who should buy the K65 Plus Wireless

Anyone who wants a high-quality keyboard with tons of options for customization, both hardware and software, will be pleased with this design. It also has some excellent bonuses, like PBT keycaps and a dedicated button for turning RGB on (or off, if you want maximum battery life). 

The 75% form factor isn’t for everyone — you’ll have to look elsewhere, or wait for Corsair to offer more models, if you want a different format. It’s also considerably less “flashy” than other gaming keyboards, and doesn’t offer the heft and quality of a metal body.

Read our full

Corsair K65 Plus Wireless keyboard review






Redragon K596 – Best ultra-budget wireless gaming keyboard





















Pros


Low price

Included wrist rest

Long battery life

Volume wheel



Cons


Ugly keycaps

Can only program G keys

No Bluetooth

















Best Prices Today:



$79.99 at Gamestop





Why I like the Redragon K596

Gaming keyboards usually don’t come cheap, and that goes double for wireless models. Redragon is a company that thrives in the bargain bin, and the K596 offers up most of the options of its full-priced competition at under 100 bucks. It also manages long battery life, a fancy volume wheel, and even a column of dedicated macro keys. Not bad.

Note that this is still very much a budget model from a budget brand, so it’s missing some of the fit and finish of more expensive keyboards. For example, you can only custom program those five G keys on the left. But for anyone who needs a deal, Redragon delivers, and throws a wrist rest into the package.

Who should buy the Redragon K596

There are a surprising amount of wireless keyboards that claim to be for “gaming,” even on the budget side of things. But Redragon is one of the few that walks the wireless walk, with most of the bells and whistles you’d expect and performance that doesn’t lag behind. Note that this is one of the few boards on this list that doesn’t offer Bluetooth — a fair trade for the value.

Read our full

Redragon K596 Wireless Keyboard review






Logitech MX Keys Mini – Best wireless keyboard for travel





















Pros


Tiny size

Great typing experience

Customizable controls

Multi-device pairing



Cons


High price

No riser feet


















Why I like the Logitech MX Keys Mini

Don’t let the relatively high price scare you off. The MX Keys Mini is probably the best compact wireless keyboard around. It’s small but mighty — super comfortable to type on, offers a semi-customizable layout, supports multi-device switching, and more. If you want to work on the go, this board is not only an easy pack, it easily earns its keep by deftly standing out from others in its class.

While it’s comfy despite its small size, the lack of adjustable feet is a bit of a turn-off for longer sessions. And the short key travel might not be your cup of tea if you’re used to a full mechanical design. But otherwise it’s an excellent choice if you’re on the go and want something better than most laptop keyboards, or something that works great with phones and tablets.

Who should buy the Logitech MX Keys Mini

If you want the best keyboard available in the absolute tiniest amount of space, this is as small as it gets before you have to start making serious compromises with layout and capability. Logitech has managed to cram its best features into this stylish little mite, including multi-device wireless pairing and even Flow for using more than one keyboard at once.

That said, it’s not exactly easy on the wallet compared to other travel keyboards, and the tiny size means you’re limited in terms of comfort. You might want to wait for a sale.

Read our full

Logitech MX Keys Mini review






Logitech Casa – Best all-in-one travel option





















Pros


Clever, aesthetically pleasing design

Excellent battery life

Range of remappable keys

Makes working-from-home more ergonomic



Cons


Not travel friendly

Expensive


















Why I like the Logitech Casa

If you need something a little more comprehensive for your travel needs, Logitech’s Casa might just hit the spot. It’s a keyboard and touchpad set that also comes in a swanky bento-style case, which doubles as a stand that significantly elevates your laptop. As an all-in-one solution for those who want to set up an office-style workstation on the go, it’s a pretty neat little package.

It is on the pricey side, though — for the same price you could get a laptop stand, keyboard, and touchpad and save a bit of dough, albeit without the neat travel-friendly design.

Who should buy the Logitech Casa

If you can’t stand typing on your laptop but you prefer a touchpad to a mouse, then this is the perfect package for you. It’s also surprisingly stylish in its all-in-one case, which folds down into a portfolio for grab-and-go convenience.

The option to raise your laptop screen may appeal, though there are easier ways to do that on the go. There are certainly cheaper ways to do all three.

Read our full

Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk review






Keychron Q Max series – Best high-end mechanical keyboard





















Pros


Tons of features

Excellent typing

Improved 2.4GHz wireless

Endless customization



Cons


No adjustable feet

No wrist rest


















Why I like the Keychron Q Max series

For the last couple of years Keychron has been absolutely killing it with its high-end Q series. These mechanical boards make features previously available only via building your own or spending a fortune on a boutique design available to everyone, like full aluminum bodies, gasket-mounted PCBs, and easy, open-source programming with VIA. They’re about as good as you can get for a standard design.

The Q Max series takes these designs and shores up their one weakness: reliance on Bluetooth. While Q Max keyboards have multi-device Bluetooth available, they’re also packing standard 2.4GHz wireless with a USB dongle, making them ideal for use with a hefty desktop PC (and they even do alright as gaming boards).

With a wide variety of layouts like the TKL-sized Q3 Max above, there’s a keyboard in this series for just about anyone, including split “ergonomic” designs. They’re fantastic as stand-alone purchases, or bases for your custom dream build with replacement switches and keycaps.

Who should buy the Keychron Q Max Series

If you’re ready to step up to a premium mechanical keyboard design, one of these Q Max models should be at the top of your list. At the time of writing they’re available in full-size with number pad, TKL, 75%, 65%, and compact “1800” sizes, plus oddball Alice and left-handed models. There’s even a Happy Hacking Keyboard clone version, all of which come with hot-swap switch sockets and RGB lighting.

They’re great on their own with no extra mods, with the only real downside being so-so stabilizers. But you can swap those out too if you’re okay with opening the case, and the rest of the board is just as customizable. They can be custom-programmed, too, so both newbies and veterans are welcome.

Keychron’s high-end boards are on the pricey side, even if they aren’t as expensive as the boutique builds they’re inspired by, so bargain hunters should hunt somewhere else. And while they offer 2.4GHz wireless and wired options for gamers, the lack of game-specific software features means that there are better choices if you want to slay first and type later.

Read our full

Keychron Q3 Max keyboard review






Keydous NJ80-AP – Best typing experience





















Pros


Amazing typing experience

High-quality parts

Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless

Long battery life



Cons


Clunky software

Plastic case

A bit heavy

















Best Prices Today:



$135 at Amazon





Why I like the Keydous NJ80-AP

Keychron gets the recommendation for an all-around mechanical keyboard. But if what you really want is a fantastic “thocky” typing feel right out of the box, then this unassuming little keyboard is the best I’ve ever tested. It does this with a lot of high-quality components, like PBT keycaps, a brass plate, premium stabilizers, and lots of internal sound dampening. But the big magic is in the switches.

Keydous went with exotic, high-end switches from Kailh to make the NJ80-AP and its stablemates stand out. These “Blueberry Ice Cream” BOX switches have a ridiculous name, but with soft POM plastic housing, reinforced stems, and a factory-lubed sliding mechanism, they feel amazing. They’re the best I’ve ever seen come standard on a keyboard, and that includes boards that cost twice as much as this one.

The NJ80-AP also offers both Bluetooth and dongle-based wireless, RGB lighting, an aluminum volume wheel — all the standards from a high-end mechanical design. Its plastic case and fiddly, proprietary programming software are a disappointment, but for satisfying typing out of the box, it’s simply the best around.

Who should buy the Keydous NJ80-AP

If you’re looking for a standard design with absolutely amazing typing, look no further. The NJ80-AP delivers, and if you want something bigger or (slightly) smaller, the same features are available in 65% and compact “1800” layouts (full number pad, slightly squished). Just make sure to order the one with those fancy switches.

But on the other hand, the software leaves a lot to be desired, and you can get keyboards with better all-metal bodies or faster wireless by spending a little more. And if you really want to go all out, you can get most of the way towards the high-quality typing of this board by ordering the same switches online and putting them in another board with hot-swap capability.

It’ll cost a lot — Keydous designs are on the cheap side of the high end — but if you’re dropping more than three digits on a keyboard anyway, it’s a legitimate option.

Read our full

Keydous NJ80-AP wireless mechanical keyboard review






K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard – Best full-size multi-device option





















Pros


Works with all major platforms

Can toggle between three paired devices

Quiet keys with great travel



Cons


Not built for portability


















Why I like the Logitech K780

If you like the convenience of a Bluetooth keyboard that can switch among different devices, but don’t require the compact layout of the MX Keys Mini, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard promises to be the one keyboard to rule all your computing gizmos. Indeed, it’s fully compatible with Windows, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android, and iOS for fast and effortless switching between your computer, smartphone, and tablet.

It also costs a good deal less than the MX Keys Mini, and offers a roomy layout with a numpad. The integrated device stand is especially good for phones and tablets up to about ten inches in size — like the standard iPad Air. Anything bigger might need its own separate stand. That makes this an excellent companion for a multi-device desk…though it doesn’t exactly pack away well.

Who should buy the Logitech K780

If you’re constantly switching between a PC and a phone or other mobile gadget, this keyboard is exactly what you’re looking for. The dedicated keys for switching gadgets and the integrated stand make it an excellent way to save time and space on your desk.

Read our full

Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyb
https://www.pcworld.com/article/414972/best-wireless-keyboards.html

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