Logitech MX Keys S review (2023) a wireless mechanical keyboard

Logitech’s productivity accessories have been great in recent years. We like the Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard and the Logitech MX Master 3S cordless mouse, Now, with the Logitech MX Keys S review ($109.99), Logitech has gone back and updated the MX Keys for 2019. The wireless keyboard is very similar to the one that came before it. There are a few small changes to the way it looks that productivity fans will probably like if they notice them at all. The main attraction, however, is a software update: Smart Actions, the newest feature of Logitech’s Options+ keyboard and mouse software, lets you automate tasks and speed up workflows with the touch of a button.

Logitech MX Keys S: Description

The MX Keys S is not cheap, but it fills a nice spot between cheap keyboards and expensive mechanical ones. The MX Keys S is almost the same size and shape as the original 2019 model, which shows how similar it is. It has the same ultra-slim design as Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, measuring 5.2 by 16.9 by 0.8 inches (HWD). And at 1.7 pounds, it weighs about the same. Like the first MX Keys, it has a built-in lift or tilt that gives the low-profile keyboard some extra height if you prefer it. It also has a USB-C port for charging its built-in battery and a power switch in the top right corner.

The MX Keys S comes in Graphite or a new color called Pale Gray. For $199.99, you can get the keyboard, a wrist rest, and the MX Master 3S, but only if you get the Graphite keyboard. The pictures show the Pale Gray model, but we mostly tested the Graphite one, which looks sleek on any surface. The aluminum frame and slightly rounded black buttons give the keyboard a high-quality, custom look, while the white buttons on the Pale Gray unit will make you think of the Apple Magic Keyboard. Low-profile scissor switches make the key travel short, but the board is quiet and easy to use overall.

Logitech MX Keys S: Pros and Cons

Specification Table

Logitech MX Keys S: Design

Logitech MX Keys, which came out in 2019, so the new MX Keys S fit right in. It looks the same as the MX Keys and has many of the same features. The smart illumination has been tweaked a bit in the software, and the Smart Actions feature lets you change the buttons to make macros. In the top row, there are also a few new shortcut keys. For those of you who don’t have an MX Keys, the Logitech MX Keys S is a full-size keyboard with only the most important keys. It’s made of a single metal plate and has a low profile. The back is raised, which gives it a very solid feel.

All that strength, however, adds some weight. It weighs 1.7 pounds, which is a little more than the Dell Premier Collaboration Keyboard, which weighs 1.6 pounds, but the differences are small. Since the surface is brushed and the corners are rounded, the keyboard looks a lot like Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. The magnetic sensors for the backlighting are in that top plastic bar on this Logitech keyboard. This model comes in only one color, Graphite, but you can buy a separate Pale Gray model if you want to. Logitech also made this keyboard less likely to break. Certified post-consumer recycled plastic is used in 26% of the Graphite models and 11% of the Pale Gray models.

Features and Comfort

The Logitech MX Master 3S was the next version after the MX Master 3, which came out in late 2022. It’s not the company’s newest product, but it’s still new, with a new quiet-click mechanism and a better 8K DPI sensor. Overall, the MX Master 3S is not a fancy upgrade from the MX Master 3. It still has a great ergonomic design, with a tall, wide shape and a rubberized side grip that makes it easy to hold. we didn’t feel any stress when we used it for a long, six-hour work day. right-handed, but people who are left-handed might find the design awkward. The MX Master 3S has the same buttons and connection options as the MX Master 3.

In addition to the left-click and right-click buttons, there are two side buttons that can be changed, a side scroll wheel for moving left and right on web pages, and a button on the bottom that can be set to a gesture. we also can’t forget about the magnetic “MagSpeed” scroll wheel at the top of the mouse, which can help you move through long web pages and documents at 1,000 lines per second.

You can turn off the magnetic scroll wheel by pressing the button right next to it. This gives you a more traditional scrolling experience. The MX Master 3 has the same connections. You can use it on up to three different devices. we used it with my iPad, Surface Pro 8, and Mac Mini. You can pair and switch by pressing the button on the bottom of the mouse.

Logitech MX Keys S: Connectivity

The Logitech MX Keys S is a great keyboard when it comes to connectivity because it has many different and reliable ways to connect. It has both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and a USB receiver, so users can connect it to their devices in a variety of ways. The MX Keys S can pair easily with a wide range of devices, including Windows and macOS computers, Linux systems, iOS devices, and Android devices. This wide range of compatibility makes it easy for users to connect and switch between their favorite devices without having to buy extra adapters or dongles.

Up to 10 meters (33 feet) of wireless range gives users the freedom to work or control their devices from a comfortable distance, making their workflow easier. The MX Keys S also comes with a USB receiver for people who want a more stable and dedicated connection. This tiny receiver can be plugged into a computer’s USB port to make a stable and safe connection. The USB receiver gets rid of the need to pair with Bluetooth and can be especially useful in places where wireless signals might interfere.

The MX Keys S stands out because you can connect and switch between multiple devices. With Easy-Switch, users can pair up to three devices and switch between them with the touch of a button. This makes it easy to use a single keyboard to work on multiple devices, such as a computer, tablet, and smartphone.

Logitech MX Keys S: Typing Experience

The MX Keys S is still a great keyboard for typing. Logitech uses a plastic scissor-style bracket and a membrane to make the keys move smoothly and deliberately with just a little give, like a really good laptop keyboard (as good as my ThinkPad). Typing is quiet and doesn’t get in the way, which is a big plus if you work with other people. The keys feel much better than the Apple Magic Keyboard, which is the most direct competitor.

You won’t get the satisfying “click” of a mechanical board or the noise that goes along with it, but if you’re thinking about getting this board, you probably don’t want that anyway. We wish the keyboard had more than one height option they’re called “feet,” Logitech, we’re sure you’ve heard of them but the sleek, low profile of the board is eye-catching. If you want a keyboard that is better for your body, you should look elsewhere.

There is a USB-C port for charging, but we didn’t need it in the two weeks we tested it. Switching between devices was quick and easy. we did notice that the Bolt connection seems to be a little more finicky than the old Unifying Receiver. We want to blame this on the fact that there are always about six active Bluetooth devices in my office.

Final words

As a tech writer, I’ve used a lot of Logitech products, but glad the MX Keys S Combo is out there. If you buy it, you might only save $30, but that $30 goes a long way. It gives you a great keyboard with backlighting and macros, a really comfortable mouse that works on multiple devices, a great scroll wheel, and a lot of buttons. You even get a place to rest your hand.

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