On a positive note, Microsoft says a new set of batteries will last for 36 months, and the price is eminently reasonable. Keys: Look forkeys that are sculpted and spaced for typing comfort. This is why we encourage trying before buying: We’ve had very different experiences with traditional keys vs. chiclet-style vs. flatter key designs, and it’s surprising how little things like the texture or the amount of dimple will make or break a choice. Most mainstream keyboards use membrane technology, which is adequate for most users, but heavy-duty users and gamers will likely prefer keyboards with mechanical switches (which are not reviewed here).Windows hotkeys, or even programmable keys, are great bonuses, especially for power users. In stark contrast to the original, the 3000N comes with all the latest tech, including anti-ghosting, per-key lighting and full-N-key rollover, which lets you press as many keys as you want at once and still get the desired result. The Cherry MX Silent Red key switches make for a pleasantly quiet, if not completely silent, typing experience, but that’s more down to some resonance in the plastic body. If space or money is tight there’s a tenkeyless version without the numerical keypad, and Cherry says the laser-etched keycaps are abrasion-resistant, too, which is a nice bonus.

It can be paired with up to three devices at once, and switching between them is as simple as tapping a button. Plus, it comes with both Windows 10 and macOS markings, making it easy to use no matter what platform you happen to be using. Powered by a pair of AAA batteries (included) and connected via Bluetooth LE or 2.4GHz, this is a superlatively comfortable and flexible ergonomic keyboard. In addition to 2.4GHz and Bluetooth, any good wireless keyboard lets you directly connect to a device using its charging cable. Without this option, there’s always a chance that you’ll forget to charge the keyboard or replace its batteries, and you may find yourself temporarily unable to use it. Models that rely on disposable AA or AAA batteries, though, likely don't have a USB connection option. (Credit: Mike Epstein)The MX Keys Mini charges via USB-C but won’t connect to your PC/laptop/tablet that way: it’s only compatible with Bluetooth. This is perhaps the only blot on the MX Keys Mini’s otherwise stellar record. On the top of the keyboard, next to the Bluetooth/RF toggle, is a USB-C port for recharging the permanently installed 650mAh batteries. This is a perk for anyone who considers regularly buying and installing batteries an inefficient hassle. When you plug in the cord to charge, an LED on the top lights up red until fully charged, at which point it turns green. The circular keycaps sit on TTC Brown switches, which we’ve always thought sounded just a bit louder than the real Cherry MX Browns, but the difference is marginal. They do take a while to get used to unless you’ve recently been typing on an antique typewriter – circular keycaps are easy to miss-hit for the unfamiliar. Without a PC-connected cable to power it, every wireless keyboard, of course, needs a battery to run. Most wireless keyboards these days rely on built-in lithium-ion batteries you can recharge, though you do occasionally run into some that rely on good old AA or AAA cells.

It’s a bit of a triumph of style over substance, but there’s no denying it’s just about the most unusual keyboard you can own and is surprisingly satisfying to use once you’ve got the hang of it. The action is good and the feel responsive, though it’s not in the same stellar league as the Logitech Craft or Microsoft’s own Surface keyboard. We’d also prefer slightly larger function keys. However, what you lose there you gain in the extremely accessible volume and mute controls and customisable buttons above the touchpad. It’s one very usable and versatile bit of kit. With an adjustable PU Leather wrist rest and a compact footprint that’s ideal for cramped home working setups, the miniStreak is an absolute dream of a keyboard. A touch pricey, perhaps, but worth every penny. The bottom line? It’s nice to have both. The 2.4GHz RF kind is generally the better connection type, especially if you’re planning on connecting to one, stationary PC. Bluetooth adds a lot of versatility, though. Not only can you connect to more devices, but having it is a nice safety net if you forget the USB dongle. In keyboards made in the last two or three years, you’re most likely to see keyboards with just a 2.4GHz connection, though there are a few Bluetooth-only options. Some keyboards support both connections. I would urge you, though, to not count out a keyboard just because it relies solely on Bluetooth, as you may not even notice a difference if you’re using it at home. Traditional: These have old-fashioned, typewriter-style keys above a membrane or mechanical switch. The keys tend to have more travel (the distance the key moves before a press is registered), although the action (the weight and feel of the keys) can vary enormously from keyboard to keyboard.The layout is crucial. Most keyboards have a conventional layout with a dedicated numeric pad, function keys and a cluster of Home, Insert and Delete keys, though some will ditch certain of these to save space. If you use the numeric pad or the PgUp and PgDn keys a lot, this is something you ought to bear in mind. Shrunken Shift keys and Enter/Return keys are a perennial problem, while some keyboards have a cramped layout, where the keys are smaller and very close together, or a smaller spacebar.

KEY LAYOUT. Most wireless keyboards are full-size, meaning they have 104 keys or more, including a number pad. Most particularly productivity-focused models, use low-profile scissor-switch keys, similar to what you’d find in a laptop. This keeps their dimensions slim, making them more portable and helping to maintain the sleek, minimalist look popularized by Apple’s Magic Keyboard. With that in mind, the best wireless keyboards don’t overcommit to that aesthetic so much that the keys feel bunched together too closely. Mechanical keyboards tend to be wired models, more often than not, though there are exceptions. The design of the Pop Keys keyboard, from the eye-catching colour schemes to the retro keycaps, is unique, as is the design of the matching Pop mouse. Looks aside, it’s a very solid and well-made keyboard, the build quality belying the almost toy-like styling. You’re going to use this keyboard every day, so make sure it fits your typing habits and your needs. Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop. Wireless keyboards (and wireless mice, too) use two primary technologies to connect to devices: Bluetooth, or a 2.4GHz radio-frequency (RF) connection. The latter connects to your device via a USB dongle; Bluetooth models assume your host computer supports Bluetooth, or you have your own Bluetooth dongle. Each connection type offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. If you’re looking for a wireless keyboard because you’re setting up a media PC to hook up to your TV, keep in mind that there’s a subset of wireless keyboards made specifically with this use case in mind. Entertainment keyboards, sometimes called “media center keyboards” or "lapboards," are all-in-one solutions made to work on your lap, rather than sit on a surface. Most are long, and some have larger-than-ordinary keys. Some models also have an underside surface contoured to rest on your lap. They also always have a touchpad or other mouse substitute to make input control more manageable, with no separate mouse required. (Credit: Mike Epstein)OTHER SWITCH TYPES. Among wireless keyboards, you'll spot the occasional model using membrane or mechanical key switches. Membrane keyboards actuate, triggering the signal that goes to your computer, by pushing down a rubber dome at the base of the key. Mechanical keyboards do the same via a physical switch with a spring or other tactile actuator. Relative to scissor switches, both types of keyboards provide more key-press travel, which leads to a more comfortable typing experience. Many people prefer the low action and light touch of scissor switches, though, so this ultimately comes down to personal preference. The mouse is small in the hand. It primarily fits in the fingers without being long enough to fill the palm area. In larger hands, it may feel exceptionally small. I recently tried the larger Logitech G403 mouse, which is "designed for comfort" (i.e. gaming), and it fits much more snugly and comfortably in the entire hand. The Cherry mouse rests at the top of my hand, more within the fingers than the palm. Bluetooth connections are reliable, but slightly more prone to lag and/or momentary connection loss, especially when you have many Bluetooth connections going on in one place (such as an office or a coffee shop). These issues do resolve themselves, and can often be fixed simply by re-establishing the connection if they don’t, but they can be an annoyance. Bluetooth also tends to drain a keyboard’s battery faster. On the plus side, though, devices with Bluetooth support can connect to phones, tablets, and other devices without a USB port.