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Back in 2012, Logitech managed to make the perfect keyboard for me that checked all of the boxes I needed. The K810 was a compact TKL wireless keyboard that was both Bluetooth-enabled and backlit. Those two boxes aren’t hard to check off today, but it was then. Best of all, I loved that I could seamlessly switch the keyboard to another device by just tapping a key.
Possibly the biggest letdown on the K810 was the keyboard’s build quality — it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t feel super solid. While I loved the keyboard, it became increasingly hard to find and Logitech eventually discontinued it by 2019. I wasn’t alone in missing it. You can find plenty of Reddit posts looking for alternatives or pleas to Logitech to re-release the K810. I found myself buying used or refurbished K810s from eBay since Logitech hadn’t produced a proper replacement.
That finally changed in 2021.
The Logitech MX Keys Mini was nearly everything any K810 owner could want in a successor: the same compact design, backlit keys that were more comfortable to type on, easy switching to other devices, a much needed upgrade to USB C for charging and an absolutely solid build quality that challenged the likes of Apple’s own (and wonderful) Magic Keyboard.
Why I like the Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard
The MX Keys Mini has a lot going for it. The backlit keys will automatically turn off when I’m not using the keyboard and will turn on as my hands approach it. Its ambient light sensor will automatically adjust the brightness of the keys to my current lighting conditions (though I can also manually adjust this as well.) The surface of the keys themselves are slightly concave, so typing on them feels great.
I also love the battery life. Logitech’s website claims that the Keys Mini will last up to 10 days on a single charge or up to 5 months with the backlighting turned off. That seems to undersell it. Even with daily use, I don’t find myself having to charge the keyboard more than once a month.
And I love the keyboard. The top row of keys come with some standard and not-so-standard abilities. The expected multimedia, volume, esc and del keys are present, along with the three easy switch buttons to change the Bluetooth connection to another device I’ve already paired to and the backlight intensity keys. The keyboard has a useful and dedicated dictation key, a mic mute/unmute key and an emoji key to open the emoji window for supported apps. While I can’t say I’ve ever used the emoji key, I love the idea that enough typists want something like this that Logitech included it.
Available for $99 in both Windows and MacOS options, the Logitech MX Keys Mini is easily my go-to recommendation for someone who wants a solid typing experience in a compact and competent package. It also tops our list for Best Keyboard for 2024. If you prefer the full keyboard experience, Logitech offers the MX Keys S with a dedicated number pad.
For more, check out my favorite gadget to control my Philips Hue smart lights.
