Because of its colorful and exciting color scheme and satisfying tactile response, the Logitech Pop Keys delivers a fresh take on the typical keyboard experience that is sure to turn some heads. The Pop Keys are now available for $99/£89/AU$129. This places it at a lower price point than many gaming keyboards, but still somewhat costlier than the cheaper entry-level models that the ordinary buyer is more likely to purchase.
When compared to the Logitech K780, which is designed for mobile devices and costs $79 (about £65/AU$110), the Pop Keys may appear to be a touch costly. However, it is not quite as pricey as some of the top gaming keyboards, such as the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog, which costs $249.99.
The Pop Keys isn’t necessarily pricey for a wireless keyboard, especially considering what you get in terms of personality and experience, but it’s far from a budget alternative.
Instead, the Pop Keys is priced in the center of the standard keyboard pricing range, making it fairly pricey for the casual user, especially when compared to lesser keyboard options that are functional enough for daily use.
Still, the Logitech Pop Keys is distinctive in both appearance and feel, and it is clearly aimed towards a younger audience. It’s small and lightweight, with spherical keys that look like they’re from an old-fashioned typewriter. What really sets it apart is the mix of modern and almost effervescent design, making it one of the best keyboards available for someone who wants all of their computer peripherals to speak to their personality, even if that personality isn’t tied to gaming.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Design and Built
It’s difficult not to be smitten by the Logitech Pop Keys keyboard. This charming, small item feels tailor-made for Gen Z or folks like myself who just like colorful stuff by combining the round keys of an old-school typewriter with the vivid keyboard design that’s all over TikTok. Pop Keys is available in three appealing colorways: Daydream, which combines pleasant pastel colors such as lilac, yellow, and mint green; Blast, an aggressive yellow-and-black model that recalls me of Bumblebee from Transformers; and Heartbreaker, which contains various shades of red and pink. It would be wonderful if Logitech supplied a few additional colors or, at the very least, a set of interchangeable keycaps, but the existing color selections are nice – especially the Daydream unit I’ve been trying.
Few things make me happier than the delightful clack of a mechanical keyboard, and I’m pleased to report that Logitech mainly delivers in that respect here. Those coming from a standard laptop keyboard may need some time to adjust to the Pop Keys’ deep, loudly snappy keys, although mechanical ones are often more comfortable and delightful to use.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Keys
The Logitech Options app’s additional functions are regrettably restricted as the hub for controlling your Logitech POP keys. It just allows you to change and remap the emoji keys and the bulk of the function keys. Instead of the emoji printed on the keycap, you can set other emoji-key shortcuts for launching specific apps like WeChat. However, customisation stops there.
Being limited to only function keys and emoji buttons may be a deal breaker for keyboard enthusiasts eager to remap their keyboards. If that’s the case, you’d be better off with something like the Razer Pro Type Ultra, a general-purpose mechanical keyboard with a slew of premium features you’d expect from high-end productivity or gaming boards, including a plethora of customization choices. The POP Keyboard is compact and light, measuring 1.4 by 12.6 by 5.5 inches (HWD) and weighing only 1.7 pounds, with keys that are nearly the size of your fingertip. Logitech uses TTC Brown switches instead of the typical Cherry MX switches found on most mechanical boards.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Software
Logitech Options, the company’s configuration program for its productivity mouse and keyboards, may be used to customize the Pop Keys on Windows and macOS. If you have the correct mouse, you can use Logitech Flow, but the major feature of the Pop Keys is the option to modify the emoji keys on the side of the keyboard. While the keys are pre-programmed to the emojis shown on the keycaps, you can technically assign these keys to any emoji, key, macro, or a variety of system-level instructions. Most of the keys in the function row can also be changed.
You may design app-specific keyboard layouts with various customisable keys, which is especially useful if you intend to use the emoji keys for system-level functions. We like the notion of having different emoji keys. Emojis, whether you like them or not, have reached the point where it’s necessary to start creating room for them on the keyboard. However, the keys would be ineffective if you didn’t have the option to alter them.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Connectivity
The Pop, like many of Logitech’s premium wireless keyboards, allows you to connect your keyboard to three different devices and switch between them using a set of specific hotkeys. It supports common Windows and macOS layouts, and switching between operating systems is simple. It is portable and offers wireless connectivity. Although it is impractical in many respects, it has a genuinely enjoyable and intriguing design. This writer bought it for one reason: I needed a good travel keyboard that was better than the one that came with my laptop, and it delivered.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Features
Because the Logitech Pop Keys are totally wireless, they are extremely simple to set up. You can use the Logi Bolt USB Receiver or Bluetooth to connect it to your PC. The best thing is that you can connect up to three devices at once, allowing you to type on your laptop, phone, and tablet. You’ll also be able to move between them quickly by using the device keys at the top of the keyboard.
The swappable emoji keys are one of the nicest features of the Logitech Pop Keys. Logitech has chosen eight of the most popular emojis, such as heart eyes, sobbing, thumbs up, and fire. You can have four on the board at once, and the key below will take you to the entire emoji library. It’s actually rather beneficial if you frequently use messaging apps on your PC.
You can program all of the keys on this keyboard to do whatever you want; all you need is the Logitech Options desktop app. The Logitech Pop Keys are built to last; the battery should last approximately three years and the keys should survive about 50 million keystrokes. As a result, this is a solid investment that should last for a long time.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Performance
The POP Keys can be connected to your device by Bluetooth 5.1 or the Logi Bolt USB receiver. Bluetooth is compatible with a wide range of PCs, tablets, and mobile devices, whereas the receiver requires a USB port and is only compatible with machines running Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS. Easy Switch is one of the most useful functions on the keyboard. With the press of a button, you can switch between up to three devices.
To enter pairing mode and locate the keyboard in your device’s Bluetooth settings, simply hold one of the three Easy Switch buttons. Once associated, simply press the corresponding key to switch between up to three devices. I connected the keyboard to both my MacBook and my iPhone and found it almost effortless to switch between putting up a review and penning a tweet.
Logitech Pop Keys review: Battery life
The Logitech POP Keys is powered by two ordinary AAA batteries that come with the device. As a result, recharging is not an option. When used everyday, the maker says that they will last 36 months 3 years. At the same time, the wireless range of the keyboard performed admirably in the test. In Bluetooth mode, a range of about 10 meters allows for steady and error-free operation. A range of roughly 12 meters is also attainable using a USB receiver.
Conclusion
Using the Pop Keys reminded me a lot of using the AngryMiao Cyberboard R3, in the sense that it’s not for everyone. Because the 65 percent layout has enough keys for most people and even terrible mechanical switches are nearly always more enjoyable than membranes, I would recommend this keyboard to someone searching for something aesthetically different to work with.
To be honest, aside from the poor keycap printing and loud acoustics, there isn’t much wrong with this keyboard other than the price. Its emoji row, as well as the typewriter-style appearance, making it interesting and unique. So, if you don’t mind some clanks and clacks, this board could be a fun way to spice up your workspace—or even your gaming room. If you don’t think you’ll use the emoji keys all the time, there are undoubtedly more traditional choices that feel and sound better at this price.
