Verdict
The Satechi SM1 Slim is a solid low profile mechanically skillful keyboard with fashionable looking at , tactile low - visibility electrical switch and convenient wireless connectivity . It ’s also more affordable than its challenger but sacrifices a lot on backlighting , computer software support and battery life to really make it a class drawing card .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Satechi SM1 Slim represent a first for the popular brand as it accede into the highly competitive world of small form factor , crushed visibility wireless mechanically skillful keyboard .
We ’ve seen a few great hitters knock it out of the ballpark already in 2024 with brilliant options including theLofree Flow , NuPhy Air75 V2andAsus ROG Falchion RX Low Profile , so it ’s just to say that the SM1 Slim has to do a lot to live up to those options . Then , of course there is the more establishedLogitech MX Mechanical Mini , which is arguably this keyboard ’s close rival .
On paper , the SM1 Slim may be the choice that most people can get behind with smart looks , reactive switch , commodious wireless connectivity and , good of all , a significantly down list toll at £ 102.99/$99.99 . I ’ve been lay this keyboard through its paces to see if it make the cutting as one of thebest wireless keyboards .
Design
The SM1 Slim seem stylish and sleek , peculiarly in its bloodless and light grey colourway , which fits in well with modern authority and home base office surround , as well as fitting well with both Mac and Windows ultrabooks and screen background , especially the former . It is also uncommitted in a darker gray and black combo if the lighter colours are n’t to your liking , which looks eerily alike to theLogitech MX Mechanical Mini .
At 471 g , it is rather calorie-free , even for a keyboard of its size of it , but in spite of that lightsomeness , the SM1 Slim does n’t finger cheap . The metal top home base and credit card flesh beneath pop the question no deck of cards flex and aid Satechi ’s low-spirited profile pick to feel sturdy even under vast pressure .
The 75 percent layout on go is functional and work well on a keyboard of this size , especially if you ’re coming from a laptop computer whose keyboard tray is belike similar to the SM1 Slim ’s layout .
You ’re getting a full set of alphanumeric keys , plus a commodious office quarrel , dedicate arrow keys and a individual column navigation cluster on the far right hand side .
For enthusiast , this is a familiar central layout , given the preponderance of it on more full - size height keyboard . the only snag for some is that this keyboard is only available in a US ANSI layout with a undivided height Enter key , as oppose to being available in the more common ISO layout used in the UK and Europe .
The keycaps here are slightly dent to aid with finger placement while typewrite , and while they are comprise of the standard - issue Ab as opposed to PBT , they are easy under - finger and are ok for a keyboard at this price point . The legends on offer are refulgence - through and the keycaps are doubleshot , allow for unspoilt representation of the lily-white backlight , which is handy .
The underside of the SM1 Slim is dwelling house to two - level adjustable feet for a steeper typing angle , which form it a muckle more comfortable to type on , as fight to using the keyboard 2-dimensional - down on the desk .
The USB - A telephone receiver for 2.4GHz wireless operation is also housed next to the correct script foot , keeping everything together and make this keyboard a salutary one to use on your travels . The user interface is also rather simple with an on / off switch and USB - C port for pumped operation . Unlike other keyboards in this class with duple wireless connectivity , there is n’t a shift to toggle switch between them .
The packaging here is mostly composition board , which is a good start , although the SM1 Slim itself comes wrapped in a thin charge plate bag , which is nothing more than waste .
Performance
As with a lot of other low - profile mechanically skillful billet keyboards , the SM1 Slim offers sonant - tactile low - visibility Brown switches as they offer a nice halfway house between heavier tactile options and short , linear 1 with a small-scale tactile bump halfway down the primal change of location making them an ideal choice for typists .
However , unlike other gloomy - profile options , there is n’t any other switch option on offer , nor is the SM1 Slim a hot - swappable keyboard if you want to change the switches out , which is a disappointment .
Nonetheless , the Brown switch inside are some of the good low - visibility ones I ’ve essay . Far too often , down in the mouth - profile tactile switches skimp out on their tactual sensation given the shorter throw distance equate to their full - size counterpart , and it can entrust tactual switches find a little weak or vacuous .
In this case , the Brown switches inside the SM1 Slim offered a highly positively charged actuation with a sensible helping of skin perceptiveness midway down the keypress which made type a cinch on either my MacBook or Windows PC . It ’s an especially comfortable keyboard to typecast on , with both its flaccid tactile switching and more or less indented keycaps that direct your fingers well .
Connectivity is taken care of either by Bluetooth , the bunch up 2.4GHz receiver or through a USB - C wired connection . Bluetooth work on two channels , while the 2.4GHz pass catcher tote up another to volunteer a total of three duct of wireless connectivity . shift between them is as easy as compact the Function key and either the 1,2 or 3 key to opt between which channel . Pairing over Bluetooth is also a doddle by holding down the Fn key and the 1 or 2 key until the keyboard is recognize . It ’s virtually plug - and - play .
The SM1 Slim ’s shelling lifetime is also solid , as long as you work the backlighting off . With no white light on , it ’ll last for up to two months on a charge , while keeping the inflammation on drop it down to 16.5 hours , mean you will be charging it at least every two working days , as I had to during my testing . Against the competition , the survival figure with inflammation on downfall a fiddling short , where theLogitech MX Mechanical Minilasts for two weeks with backlighting on and theNuPhy Air75 V2offers at least double the runtime of the SM1 Slim .
Software and Lighting
As with some other more affordable , full - size of it mechanically skillful keyboard , the SM1 Slim only delivers on one side of the software and lighting element . It come with a bright white backlight that both complement the two - smell blank and grayish colourway of the keyboard and offers wonderful insurance coverage beneath the keystone with a bright shine .
There is n’t any software for your troubles , though , unlike the likes of Logitech ’s option , but the SM1 Slim comes with 14 unlike presets for backlighting which reach from a block of white , to per - key clarification based on which key is press , and even quiver keys establish on row . It cheapens the keyboard a little , give that kind of ignition is usually discover on bargain - bin keyboards from heavy corner retailers .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
The low-toned visibility Brown shift inside the SM1 Slim are excellent for offer a tactile and spanking typewriting experience , and if that ’s a top priority , this is a wild keyboard to think .
The SM1 Slim does n’t offer anything in the way of software for remapping keys or changing ignition , and if that ’s a must - have , then you will be appear elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
In what is an especially stiff area for contest , the Satechi Slim SM1 may not stick out out for any particular reason asunder from being trashy than other options by some tolerance , but the fact remains that this is a whole low profile keyboard . It looks excellent in white and silver , and is both portable and sturdy with a slim and lightweight chassis which gives keyboard that are more expensive a good run for its money .
The Brown transposition inside are tactile and make for some of the well mild tactile low - profile options usable alongside the Kalih Phantom tactual switches find in theLofree Flow , while having both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity easy usable is also convenient , as is the fact the SM1 Slim worked on Windows and macOS without a hang-up .
However , there are areas where the SM1 Slim ca n’t necessarily compete with options from other stigma . option such as theNuPhy Air75 V2offer proper RGB lighting , a longer battery life and VIA package financial backing as well as hot - swappable Key , while theLogitech MX Mechanical Minioffers a more urbane experience with better blanched backlighting and software backup . Both of those are a little more expensive than the SM1 Slim , but pop the question a more rounded experience . The Satechi SM1 Slim is still an excellent wireless mechanically skillful keyboard , but it is n’t best - in - class . For more alternative , check out out our lean of thebest wireless keyboardswe’ve tested .
Trusted Score
How we test
We employ every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for relief of usage and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres , let in FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each keyboard ’s software system to see how soft it is to custom-make and set up .
FAQs
The Satechi SM1 connects either by Bluetooth on two gadget , as well as 2.4GHz on one , and can also shape over a USB - C pumped-up connexion , too .
No , the Satechi SM1 Slim is not spicy - swappable , and can only be used with its low profile Brown switches .
