Verdict
The Logitech MX Keys S is a truly splendid bureau keyboard . It may only offer small changes compare to the last model , but they all impart up to make the MX Keys S one of the best keyboard for part use around . It offers a modern aesthetic , complete with a sturdy inning and useable central layout . Its scissor - actuated keypress is comfy and tactile for an fantabulous typing experience , while the integration of Options+ software tot some much - needed supererogatory functionality . It may be an expensive membrane keyboard , but the MX Keys S is an amazing one .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Logitech MX Keys S represent a long - awaited upgrade to one of the best keyboards of the last few years , the original MX Keys , which has become a trusty upgrade to raft of masses over the last three years .
The Keys S brings with it some incremental upgrades , most of them software - based , and from the first , you may arguably bear more if you ’re spending £ 109.99 /$109.99/€119 on a keyboard that at least in terms of facial expression and typecast experience , is virtually very to the previous genesis .
With this in thinker though , I laud the original MX Keys to be one of the best keyboards money can purchase . In fact , I recall it still sits at the top of the list , but can this new and improved version knock it off the top ? Let ’s recover out .
Design
When I sound out that the conception of the MX Keys S is near identical to its harbinger , that was no exaggeration . Logitech ’s flagship keyboard looks and feels the same . With this in creative thinker though , I exalt the previous genesis ’s intention , and as nothing ’s alter , it ’s much the same story with the MX Keys S.
It looks heavy , with a satiny graphite colourway contrasting the place Second Earl Grey keycaps nicely , and is peculiarly slender . This help along its forward-looking aesthetics , meaning it ’s a surefire reach for anyone want a gorgeous keyboard to slot straight into their onward - thinking family office , or workspace . It is also useable , for the first clock time , in a Pale Grey colourway too , which chip in it more of an old - style Apple look than anything else .
The MX Keys S also boast no real deck flex , and offers a sturdy frame , reenforce that high price tag well . Even with an entirely pliant construction , it also find pretty hefty , although , compared to similarly price mechanical models , it is quite light at 810 g – that ’s the same as the previous model .
Logitech ’s premium place gameboard also brings with it some handy quality - of - living features , as the last model did , with spherically indent keycaps to guide your digit when typing . It ’s really on the front of keycaps though where the first difference between the MX Keys and this new S mannikin is revealed .
Logitech has bundle oodles of functions with this ‘ board , as present on the F - row , but to beseem the ever - changing nature of modernistic work , some of these functions have changed . The MX Keys S features a dedicated emoji key ( F6 ) , as well as one for damp and unmuting your mic ( F7 ) . and one for speech - to - schoolbook ( F5 ) . They may be belittled changes , but it ’s nice to see a brand being peculiarly sensory to changing workplace practices .
Moreover , while there may not be any retractable foot on the bottom of the MX Keys S , it continue the measure identify on the back of the keyboard designed to bring home the bacon you with an optimal typing slant . It would have been nice to get some retractable feet to propose an constituent of mastery , but alas , it ’s not to be here . The bar does provide a comfortable typing slant though , it must be say .
Performance
The MX Keys S feel and do on the nose the same , too . It retains the same comfortable scissor - spark off membrane typewriting feel as the master copy . Those who utilise laptops daily will feel in good order at abode here , particularly with that low-down - profile keypress . I ’m always going to sit down here and say that I prefer mechanically skillful keyboard over membrane , but I have to say that I ’m yarn-dye by the MX Keys S nonetheless .
There ’s a surprising amount of touch perception here too , especially given how short the overall change of location here is , making it well-off to bounce from key fruit to key in marathon typewriting session . The very nature of the study I do course lend itself to using my fingers an awful lot , and for 24-hour interval ’ worth of working , the MX Keys S provided a zippy and specially well-situated typewriting experience . This was facilitate along by the global indent in the keycaps I bring up earlier that just avail to keep your finger in the veracious position . As a bit of an odd - soupcon typist in terms of the method acting I habituate , having that guide was helpful .
As well as offering a rather comfortable typing experience , the MX Keys S also provides some other useful tone - of - life features that make it suited for super - productive people . For representative , the ability to have it link to up to three devices at once and change over between them nearly at will with consecrated function keys is mighty convenient , as is the white backlighting present for after - dark working . What ’s rather ready to hand about the backlighting here is that it ’s receptive to where your bridge player are , and therefore activates when you ’re unaired to the keyboard . Moreover , the backlighting is also adaptable to the kindling shape of the room you ’re in , providing you with a ready to hand extra character - of - life affair compared to the older MX Keys .
In terms of its wireless connectivity , it ’s here also where the MX Keys S has receive an incremental but remarkable acclivity that brings Logitech ’s up-to-the-minute wireless keyboard in line with its more lately - released peripherals . As well as work over Bluetooth , the MX Keys S also has the mogul to turn over Logitech ’s included USB - A Bolt receiver . Compared to the honest-to-goodness pass receiver that they ’ve used in the yesteryear , the Bolt receiver is said to propose a much more stable connection with very little prospect of interference thanks to it using BLE to connect , as opposed to the more traditional 2.4GHz wireless standard . Moreover , it also lick with both ChromeOS and Linux as well as Windows and macOS , where the senior receiver only work with the latter couple . Connectivity over both standard turn out to be virtually flawless , and switching between paired gimmick with the include Easy Switch buttons was as seamless as common for Logitech ’s wireless peripherals .
It is a petty minute of a letdown to witness out that the MX Keys S is no more effective than its precursor , with Logitech quoting the same form for this new model . For reference , you ’ll get 10 days on a individual complaint with the backlighting on full good time , but turn it off , and Logitech says you ’ll get up to five months use out of the MX Keys S. In my testing , the MX Keys S live a little longer than Logitech quotes , cave in I had the backlighting on one-half , but turning it up to full does drain the assault and battery a short spry .
Software and Lighting
The MX Keys S works with Logitech ’s new Options+ software , compared to the older Options cortege , immediately lending itself to be a more hefty selection for configuring your keyboard . The original Options software program was enough enough , although , with the new functions bundled in , it makes the MX Keys S a much more complete package than its forerunner .
The newspaper headline inclusion is what Logitech refers to as Smart Actions . These are , in gist , some clever macro single-valued function that can easily be programme with Options+ . With them , you could put multiple different functions to one key , so in one fell swoop , you could open Chrome , Spotify and Slack , to get your most used apps up in one go . They ’re light to program and a real profits for power users who desire to hold open valuable seconds when work .
However , it only operate for a handful of apps , with some currently noteworthy exception , let in Microsoft Outlook . Also , it does n’t influence for surface - level bid , such as changing a selected audio machine to a headset if you launch the like of Zoom or Microsoft Teams . Maybe this will come in in a succeeding update , as Smart Actions are still in beta at the prison term of writing , but for a first stab , it ’s a groovy system .
Alongside Smart Actions , Logitech ’s Options+ retains the convenient functionality give when used with other Logitech peripherals , giving you the probability to remap any one of the subprogram key to everything from launching specific apps to map out them to a specific keyboard crosscut – another ready to hand feature for tycoon user . In Options+ , you could also diddle with the backlighting level , too , and supervise assault and battery life .
The white backlighting that the MX Keys S utilises is n’t flashy , but operational . It ’s bright and provide even reporting across all the key , making the MX Keys S an idealistic companion for after - disconsolate workings . The fact it ’s also receptive to changes in the lighting environment , as well as hand placement is also fiendishly cagey , and provide some extra contraption that ’s always welcome .
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Should you buy it?
The headline feature of the new MX Keys S is its Smart Actions , and if you want a keyboard with some harebrained software functions , this is an amazing pick .
The MX Keys S may be an amazing keyboard , but the fact is that it ’s still a membrane one . If you want a mechanical ‘ board with better keypresses , you will be left calculate elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
The Logitech MX Keys S may only be an incremental upgrade over a keyboard from three age ago , but the its addition means it keep its station at the top of the role keyboard tree . It supply the same streamlined and modernistic esthetical as its harbinger , as well as being especially sturdy . Moreover , its typewriting experience , while not as accurate and sharp as a mechanically skillful keyboard such as its fellow , theLogitech MX Mechanical , is still well-off .
It ’s on the front of software where the MX Keys S really sets itself aside from the competition though , and cements itself as the best office keyboard money can corrupt . The functionality that Smart Actions provide are unparalleled in this blank , and when combined with the more ‘ normal ’ function bump within the software , make it a formidable combo .
The fiddly act with the MX Keys S is the cost , especially considering you could get wired mechanically skillful model for the same money that arguably offer a better typewriting experience . With this in mind though , none of them will carry a taper to the MX Keys S in full term of it being an amazing overall package .
Trusted Score
How we test
We utilise every keyboard we screen for at least a week . During that fourth dimension , we ’ll contain it for relief of purpose , comfortableness and performance of the switches .
We also delay each keyboard ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and set up .
FAQs
In short , not much . The MX Keys S feature some different - labelled function key fruit , as well as integrating with Logitech ’s novel Options+ software suite , as well as its cagy Smart Actions functions .
The MX Keys S work without software system , although to get the most out of it , you will demand to install Logitech ’s Options+ software .
