Logitech MX Keys S review: Same great keyboard, lower price

Price When Reviewed

$109.99

Best Prices Today: MX Keys S Keyboard

$109.99

Logitech has rather a lot in widespread with corporations like Honda. Go right into a retailer, purchase a Logitech keyboard with out doing any analysis, and you may count on it to be fairly respectable on the very least. So to increase the analogy, the MX sub-brand is its Acura: increased high quality, extra functionality, and naturally increased costs, however nonetheless targeted on that rock-solid core performance. That being the case, what are you able to do to the MX Keys keyboard from 2019, which is about nearly as good because the low-profile, high-style format can get?

Switch to a classy full mechanical design? Nope, already did that. Slap on a display, perhaps go loopy with the lighting or add some emoji keys? Doesn’t actually match the MX model’s button-down, nearly Apple-like aesthetic. In the tip, Logitech determined to maintain the {hardware} of the MX Keys S principally untouched, and concentrate on increasing its functionality with software program. Oh, and it chopped 10 bucks off the value.

The result’s a keyboard that’s higher than the unique, however not a lot in order that it calls for an improve. (Which is okay, as a result of loads of the expanded software program performance is coming to the older MX Keys.) That makes it a simple suggestion for anybody who desires a premium keyboard and isn’t a fan of clicky mechanical fashions, as long as you’re not married to Logitech’s Unifying Receiver module.

Further studying: See our roundup of the best wireless keyboards to study competing merchandise.

What’s new within the MX Keys S?

Physically, it’s nearly unimaginable to inform the distinction between the MX Keys S and the unique MX Keys. That’s high-quality: It’s a strong, no-nonsense design with a full-size structure, unashamedly taking cues from Apple’s Magic keyboard (particularly on this white-on-aluminum colorway) whereas making the keys really feel even higher. Despite costing lower than the bigger Apple model and being equally proud of each Mac and Windows, the MX Keys S consists of each Bluetooth and help for Logitech’s proprietary Bolt wi-fi dongle (included within the field). It’s simple to change between three units with any mixture of these connections.

Michael Crider/Foundry

In phrases of {hardware}, the MX Keys S now has “smart illumination,” which routinely adjusts to the encircling lighting circumstances. The keyboard’s backlights are nonetheless white solely—which is okay, nobody’s binding customized Counter-Strike layouts on this factor—and principally pointless in case you’re a touch-typist. But the addition of a smartphone-style ambient mild sensor is helpful, although unusually you continue to have to make use of Logitech’s Options+ software program to ensure that it to work (at the least based on the packaging). There’s additionally a battery-saving mode that may routinely shut the lights off while you hit 10 p.c.

The MX Keys S additionally switches from the Logitech Unifying Receiver to Logi Bolt. Bolt makes use of Bluetooth Low-Energy versus Unifying’s extra typical 2.4GHz proprietary wi-fi. But since Bolt is additionally proprietary, and doesn’t work as an entry level for Bluetooth or non-Bolt-enabled units, it’s successfully only a totally different taste of Logitech’s teeny-weeny multi-device dongle. Bolt and Unifying are not cross-compatible, which is a little bit of a bummer in case you’ve invested rather a lot into the latter. But since just about each wi-fi product Logitech makes additionally consists of Bluetooth, you’re nonetheless lined even in case you’re low on USB-A ports.

Michael Crider/Foundry

And…that’s it. Yup, that’s the extent of the {hardware} modifications between the MX Keys and the MX Keys S. If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it.

What is Logitech Smart Actions?

Logitech’s Options+ software program covers just about all the things you would wish to customise on your keyboard, with the one limitation that customized keys are solely obtainable on the highest row. It means that you can simply assign customized layouts for common operation, plus bindings keyed to particular packages like your browser or Photoshop, very very like a gaming driver. Logitech Flow is a good way to handle a number of PCs with one keyboard and mouse. But none of that’s new. The massive promoting level of the brand new keyboard is Smart Actions.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Smart Actions are, primarily, suped-up macros. So for instance, I can arrange a “start my morning” macro and open Outlook, Slack, my RSS reader, and Chrome with a single button press. It additionally has integration with deeper system settings. You can even change some system settings or quickly enter textual content in a classical macro vogue. And all of those features may be layered on prime of each other for some extra advanced habits.

It’s a pleasant thought, and Logitech has created an impressively simple interface for managing all of it. Again, that is the corporate’s bread and butter—if utilizing Smart Actions had been as advanced as, say, making an IFTTT routine, most of its clients would balk. But exterior of launching packages, I discovered its utility restricted. I couldn’t, for instance, change my audio gadget to my headset, change my microphone enter, and open Teams to activate “meeting mode.” And the packages Logitech Options+ chooses to acknowledge as, nicely, packages, are very slender. I exploit Outlook as a progressive web app (ditto for my RSS reader and Monday), and Options+ couldn’t discover the shortcuts essential to launch them. There was additionally no possibility so as to add them manually.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Smart Actions is launching in beta, so maybe a few of these wrinkles might be ironed out finally. But on the time of writing, it’s little greater than a novelty, and positively not well worth the buy of an expensive new keyboard. But a brand new buy isn’t mandatory: Logitech representatives instructed us the performance is coming to all MX units sooner or later.

Typing on the MX Keys S

The typing expertise on the MX Keys S stays wonderful. Logitech makes use of a mixture of a plastic scissor-style bracket and a membrane with the intention to give the keys a easy and deliberate journey with gentle give, form of like a very nice laptop computer keyboard (proper up there with my ThinkPad). Typing is quiet and unobtrusive, a particular plus in case you work round others. The keys really feel rather more cozy than probably the most direct competitors, the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Michael Crider/Foundry

You received’t get the satisfying “click” of a mechanical board (or the noise that comes with it), however at this level in case you’re contemplating this board then that’s not one thing you need. I do want the keyboard got here with multiple top possibility—they’re known as ft, Logitech, I do know you’ve heard of ’em!—however the fashionable low profile of the board is visually putting. If you want a keyboard with extra ergonomic sensibilities, look elsewhere.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Recharging comes by way of a USB-C port, although I didn’t want it in two weeks of testing, and switching between units was quick and simple. I did discover that the Bolt connection appears somewhat extra finicky than the outdated Unifying Receiver, which I wish to blame on the truth that I’ve half a dozen lively Bluetooth units scattered round my workplace at any given time.

Should you purchase the Logitech MX Keys S?

The MX Keys S will launch with a retail value of $109.99. That’s rather a lot for a keyboard, however for Logitech’s top-of-the-line, it’s not too dangerous. It’s additionally $10 cheaper than the unique MX Keys, a financial savings that’s all too rare today. At the second there’s no word on a “Mini” variant, however I’m positive it’ll be alongside earlier than too lengthy, and in addition positive that you simply’ll have the ability to purchase the MX Keys S at a big low cost inside just a few months. These issues go on sale consistently.

Though it’s a particularly light change, and the brand new Smart Actions is proscribed in its utility, the MX Keys design stays undeniably interesting in its new S variant. With a value drop on prime of all the things, it must be on the prime of your record in case you’re looking for a slim keyboard that mixes performance and magnificence.