Chiclet: These use the flatter “Scrabble-tile” keys introduced with Sony Vaio and Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops. These generally have a shorter travel and a lighter action, which can improve typing speeds when you get used to the overall feel. 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. As we said, one of these keyboard types will usually work better for you than the rest. However, making the transition from one type to another can be worth the effort if, for example, you’re finding that using a chiclet keyboard all day is making your wrists ache at night. Multidevice connectivity allows you to pair the MX Keys Mini with up to three devices at a time; you use the dedicated keys on the Function row to swap between connected devices instantly. Like the other MX Keys products, your copy/paste clipboard can be transferred between devices.

While it’s by no means a deal breaker, connecting via USB Type-C at the keyboard end is generally better than a micro-USB connection, as USB-C is easier to plug in and the port may enable faster charging under some circumstances. What matters most, though, is that you have a cable option of some kind. Its best feature is its deep memory foam wrist rest, which is made up of multiple layers of foam – just like a premium mattress – and a knitted fabric cover to provide genuinely luxurious typing comfort. 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. 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.On a positive note, Microsoft says a new set of batteries will last for 36 months, and the price is eminently reasonable. First of all, there’s no perfect, best keyboard that will work for every user. Some people love ergonomic keyboards with split layouts, some hate them. It’s the same with modern, laptop-style chiclet keyboards, mechanical keyboards and just about every other type. The best thing you can do is try a range of types and work out which feels best for you, though that’s easier said than done – unless you have a big PC store nearby. Size: A model that will always sit on your desktop can be bigger and heavier, and usually some other advantages some with that. As more of us carry laptops or tablets, however, we’ll look for models that are compact or portable. These will sacrifice some features but be easier to take with you. 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. 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.

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 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.

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. In this case, the fact that the design hasn’t changed in over a decade is probably a good thing, and spill resistance only enhances the impression of a simple, reliable product. Frills are limited to a calculator hot key, but for basic needs you won’t get much better for just over a tenner.Sadly, there’s no tenkeyless (without a numberpad) version, so make sure you have the desk space to accommodate the Razer if it takes your fancy. 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.