Logitech MX Keys Mini Wireless Keyboard Review

The Logitech MX Keys Mini Wireless Keyboard is heavier than we’re used to from a portable keyboard, but it isn’t huge and will fit into most travel setups. Will it work for a digital nomad, or will we be left wanting more out of a wireless keyboard? Let’s find out.

The Rundown

The primary material used to make the keyboard is plastic; however, it’s incredibly dense and feels durable. In two weeks of testing, we’ve had no issues with how rugged it is. In fact, it looks almost new, and that’s after 14 days of tossing it into a backpack willy-nilly. Seriously, this thing is solid.

The keys feel like an old-school mechanical keyboard without the clunky and loud noise. Typing feels comfortable, and the keys feel substantial under our tester’s fingers. If you do a lot of writing, it’s a solid option because of the resistance and feel. There isn’t a number pad, which won’t work for most accountants. We’ve also noticed that when trying to hit the same key multiple times in a row—for example, to type out 2,000—it can miss strokes. This could be a skill issue (not fully letting the key retract before hitting it again), but it happened a few times.

The keys are backlit while you’re typing, which is handy when typing late into the night after getting jetlagged or when trying to meet a deadline. If you stop for a while, the light turns off and will turn off again when you place your hands back on the keys. This is a handy feature but hurts battery life, which we’ll get into shortly. You can turn this feature off, and the battery will last ages. The battery is supposed to work for roughly ten days with the light on, which is on par with our experience. Without it, it’ll last months, which is great news for digital nomads and frequent travelers. If you’re going for a week or more, turn off the light using the Logitech app to ensure you don’t have to charge it while on the go. If you must power up, it utilizes a USB-C power cord, which you likely already have in your tech kit.

You can use the keyboard with most operating systems, though we did most of our testing with a Mac and secondary testing with a Windows PC. It works similarly with both; we had no issues connecting to either.

The bottom of the keyboard has silicone pads so it doesn’t slide around. They work well, but if you work in a dusty environment, you’ll have to clean them fairly frequently. The battery protrudes from the back of the keyboard, so it’s angled upward, increasing ergonomics. You can’t adjust this, so it might not work perfectly for every person, but most keyboards have some sort of angle—this is just a little higher than others.

You can connect to up to three devices simultaneously, which is handy for people with a work laptop, personal computer, and desktop at home. You can use the same keyboard everywhere to ensure your typing synergy is at an all-time high. Though we only tested it on Mac and Windows machines, it’s listed as working with iOS, iPadOS, Linux, ChromeOS, and Android devices.

Packability

The keyboard is a bit larger than some portable keyboards. However, it’ll still fit in most travel backpacks and daypacks without issue. It’s too large to fit in a standard-sized tech pouch, though some large kits may be able to accommodate it.

It’s also heavier than we’re used to from a keyboard of its size; however, it feels so substantial when you use it that we understand where the weight comes from. The materials are dense and durable and the battery is amply-sized, which adds up. Plus, the battery will last for months if you don’t use the lighting feature. You won’t notice the difference in weight when packed into a backpack, though it’ll add up if you make heavier choices for all your gear.

Quick Comparison

The Apple Magic Keyboard measures 0.43 by 10.98 by 4.52 inches (1.1 x 27.9 x 11.5 cm), or 21.34 cubed inches. The Logitech model is 49.58 cubed inches, significantly larger than the Apple. It’s 9.43 ounces (267.3 grams) heavier, too, so it really packs a punch when packing your tech pouch.

The Apple Magic Keyboard is quieter but doesn’t feel as sturdy. Plus, you can only connect to one device with the Magic Keyboard, and the Logitech model feels more ergonomic when testing.

Though the numbers say that the Apple model is way lighter and smaller, you don’t notice much of a difference in practice between the two. This decision will likely come down to personal preference, especially considering they are roughly the same price at the time of writing!