Wi-fi keyboards differ in a number of methods, together with the important thing structure, backlighting options, whether or not it connects through Bluetooth or USB-RF, and extra. Whether or not you’re searching for a satisfying mechanical keyboard, an inexpensive addition to your setup, or a keyboard with a ten-key pad, there’s a wi-fi keyboard right here that’ll fit your wants.
What to Look For in a Wi-fi Keyboard:
There are fairly a number of choices with regards to selecting the best wi-fi keyboard to your Chromebook. Right here’s every thing it’s good to have a look at when narrowing down your selections and choosing your future keyboard:
- Keyboard Dimension: You’ll want to contemplate how large or small you need your keyboard to be. This choice is determined by how you intend to make use of the wi-fi keyboard together with your Chromebook. If you wish to pack every thing up and go to the library or a espresso store, you’re most likely higher off with a smaller keyboard that doesn’t have a ten-key quantity pad. However, in case your setup is especially at dwelling and you’ve got some extra room, you may think about investing in a bigger keyboard with a quantity pad and more room between keys.
- Bluetooth vs. USB-RF: Whereas wired keyboards solely have a method to connect with your laptop computer, wi-fi keyboards have two. Wi-fi keyboards connect with a tool via Bluetooth or a USB-RF dongle, which makes use of radio frequencies to transmit data. A Bluetooth connection is ideal in case your Chromebook doesn’t have a USB-A port or in order for you to have the ability to use the keyboard wirelessly with different units. USB-RF requires a USB-A port to work, nevertheless it’s sometimes sooner to arrange than a Bluetooth connection and displays enter onscreen sooner. Should you’re fortunate, you may even snag a keyboard with each Bluetooth and USB-RF applied sciences.
- How It’s Powered: With wired keyboards, you don’t have to fret about holding it charged as a result of it’s plugged straight into your laptop computer. Wi-fi keyboards, nevertheless, require batteries to energy them. Some keyboards use good outdated AA or AAA batteries, which suggests you’ll want to exchange them after they run out of juice however you’ll by no means have to attend for the keyboard to cost. Different wi-fi keyboards have built-in Lithium batteries which you could recharge. Some keyboards allow you to use it whereas it’s charging, however others don’t, and it’s as much as you to maintain it charged so it’s prepared when it’s good to use it.
- Membrane vs. Mechanical: Most traditional keyboards are constructed with a membrane system, which means there’s a skinny layer of rubber or silicone between the important thing and the highest of your keyboard’s electrical circuits. Alternatively, mechanical keyboards don’t have a membrane. As an alternative, a mechanical change beneath your key slides up and down as you kind. Mechanical keyboards offer you versatility for what sound and really feel you need out of your keys—quiet, clicky, tactile—as an alternative of being caught with regardless of the rubber or silicone appears like on a membrane keyboard.
- Particular Options: Many wi-fi keyboards include further choices that make it price it to go for a selected model or spend somewhat bit extra money. The function you’ll see most is a backlit keyboard, which makes it simple to see the place all of the keys are in the dead of night; typically, a keyboard can have customizable backlights so you’ll be able to change the colour to suit your fashion. A ten-key quantity pad on the fitting facet of a keyboard could also be one thing you’ll need in the event you’re continuously utilizing numbers for varsity or work. Then, in the event you journey rather a lot, you may think about a foldable keyboard that’s tremendous simple to slot in your backpack or suitcase.
Greatest General: Logitech K580 Chrome OS Version Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Devoted keyboard for Chrome OS
- ✓ Gentle and compact
- ✓ Can join through Bluetooth or USB-RF
Cons
- ✗ Tough to make use of with different working techniques
Logitech’s K580 keyboard is designed particularly for Chrome OS units, making it the no-brainer alternative for most individuals. There’s a launcher (or dwelling) key, media keys, and even a built-in Google Assistant key that will help you get probably the most out of your Chromebook.
The one draw back to those nice options is that it makes the K580 difficult to make use of with different working techniques. However in the event you’re solely utilizing the keyboard with a Chromebook, that doesn’t matter!
Regardless of having a ten-key quantity pad on the facet, the keyboard is fairly light-weight and has a slim design. You’ll expertise quiet, snug keys and a barely tilted keyboard that’s simpler in your wrists when typing.
When connecting the K580 to your Chromebook, you’ve two choices: Bluetooth or USB-RF. You’ll be able to join as much as two units through Bluetooth and change between them seamlessly with Logitech’s Simple-Change keys in silver on the high of the keyboard. With an auto-sleep function and two AAA batteries, you may get about two years of battery life.
Greatest General
Greatest Price range: Arteck Stainless Metal Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Extremely inexpensive
- ✓ Chrome steel, slim design
- ✓ Lengthy 6-month battery life on one cost
Cons
- ✗ Can solely join to 1 gadget at a time
You don’t must spend some huge cash to get a wi-fi keyboard that’ll do every thing you want to your Chromebook. At lower than $25, Arteck’s Wireless Keyboard feels surprisingly premium because of the stainless-steel exterior that feels cool to the contact. The keyboard is fairly mild and sounds quiet whereas typing regardless of the stainless-steel design.
To attach your Chromebook to this keyboard, you’ll insert the nano USB receiver into an accessible USB-A port. As quickly as you insert it, you’ll be capable of use the keyboard together with your Chromebook with no delays. Then, the rechargeable Lithium battery can last as long as six months in between prices relying on how a lot you’re utilizing the keyboard every single day.
Greatest Premium: Brydge C-Kind Wi-fi Bluetooth Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Devoted keyboard for Chrome OS
- ✓ Aluminum design seems glossy
- ✓ 6-month battery life per cost
Cons
- ✗ Costly
- ✗ Bluetooth 4.1
Like Logitech’s K580, the wireless keyboard from Brydge is particularly designed for Chrome OS. There’s a Google Assistant key and a Google dwelling button key that make utilizing this keyboard together with your Chromebook a breeze.
The all-over aluminum physique makes Brydge’s Chrome OS keyboard really feel premium and sturdy. The floor is even scratch-resistant, which is unbelievable in the event you’re throwing the keyboard in a backpack or suitcase to remove from dwelling.
You should utilize the keyboard wirelessly through Bluetooth 4.1 or wire it as much as your Chromebook through a USB-C cable. Should you’re utilizing Bluetooth to attach the keyboard to your Chromebook, the rechargeable battery can last as long as six months.
Greatest Premium
Greatest Mechanical: Keychron K2 Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Satisfying mechanical clicky sound
- ✓ 4000 mAh battery can last as long as 72 hours
- ✓ Can be utilized wirelessly or wired
Cons
- ✗ Mechanical keyboards aren’t for everybody
- ✗ A tad costly
Whereas they’re not for everybody, mechanical keyboards can be much more satisfying than membrane keyboards in terms of sound and feel. Keychron’s K2 Mechanical Keyboard is a compact option perfect for Chromebooks, and you can choose between Blue, Brown, and Red switches when you order. If you decide you want to try out different switches later, you can purchase a new set of Keychron switches separately and manually swap them out.
One other superior function of Keychron’s K2 keyboard is which you could join as much as three units through Bluetooth and use it wired with a USB-C connection. So in the event you’re at dwelling and desire a wired setup for sooner responses, after which go to a restaurant and don’t need to hassle with wires, you’ll be able to simply swap between the 2. Plus, this keyboard has the most recent Broadcom Bluetooth 5.1 chipset!
With a 4000 mAh battery, you’ll be able to count on as much as 72 hours of typing. The battery might final you 9 days in the event you’re constantly typing for eight hours a day, or for much longer in the event you’re solely utilizing it two hours every single day. You can also activate white LED backlighting, so count on the battery to empty sooner if that is enabled.
This keyboard comes with 84 keys, however Keychron additionally makes a mechanical choice with 100 keys which might be titled merely K4. The K4 keyboard has a ten-key quantity pad on the righthand facet and the entire identical nice options of the K2. Though each the K2 and K4 keyboards include macOS keycaps, you’ll be able to swap them out with the included Home windows keycaps.
Greatest Mechanical
Greatest Tenkeyless: Logitech K380 Wi-fi Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Gentle and compact design
- ✓ Two AAA batteries final you as much as two years
- ✓ Pretty inexpensive
Cons
- ✗ Will not really feel tremendous high-quality
- ✗ Bluetooth 3.0
A basic for a motive, Logitech’s K380 keyboard is a unbelievable tenkeyless choice, which means that it lacks a ten-key quantity pad on the facet and is, subsequently, extra compact. The K380 can work with nearly each working system, together with Home windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Chrome OS. You’ll be able to connect with as much as three units concurrently and change between them utilizing the yellow keys on the high left.
The keys are barely curved for extra snug, quiet typing. Then, the keyboard is slim and light-weight, making it simple to move with you to a library or shortly transfer it round your property.
Sadly, the K380 makes use of Bluetooth 3.0 to pair units, however Bluetooth 5.1 help isn’t anticipated at this worth. Bluetooth 3.0 dates again to 2009, and it makes use of up numerous energy and drains battery life fairly shortly. The keyboard makes use of two AAA batteries, which might final you as much as two years earlier than needing to get replaced.
Greatest Tenkeyless
Logitech K380 Wi-fi Keyboard
Should you do not care about having a ten-key quantity pad on the facet, it can save you fairly a bit of cash and nonetheless get a high quality keyboard with Logitech’s K380.
Greatest With Quantity Pad: Logitech MX Keys Wi-fi Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Backlit, spherically dished keys
- ✓ Pairs with as much as 3 units
- ✓ Fees with USB-C
Cons
- ✗ Costly
- ✗ Is likely to be too giant for some
Chromebooks are great in some ways, however they (and even some laptops) don’t include a ten-key quantity pad on the facet. Should you continuously have to kind numbers for a private price range, information entry for work, or a venture for varsity, try Logitech’s MX Keys Advanced keyboard.
Besides the highest and backside row, the entire keys are concaved, designed to suit your fingertips extra comfortably than flat-topped keys. Then, you’ll be able to join the keyboard to your Chromebook through USB-RF or Bluetooth; via Bluetooth connection, you’ll be able to pair as much as three units.
Not solely does this keyboard have backlighting, nevertheless it has sensible backlighting. When the keyboard detects your hand close by, it’ll robotically change on the backlighting. With backlighting on, a full battery cost lasts as much as 10 days; with no backlighting, the battery can last as long as 5 months.
Logitech MX Keys Superior keyboard is a high quality choice, which suggests it comes with the next price ticket than different wi-fi keyboards. If you need a wi-fi keyboard with a ten-key pad that received’t break the financial institution, try Arteck’s Wireless Keyboard as an alternative.
Greatest With Quantity Pad
Greatest For Journey: iClever BK06 Foldable Keyboard
Professionals
- ✓ Fairly inexpensive
- ✓ Ergonomic key structure
- ✓ Tremendous compact
Should you’re continuously on the transfer, pairing a foldable keyboard together with your Chromebook will make your life a lot simpler. iClever’s BK06 keyboard folds in half and solely weighs 6.2 ounces, so it solely takes up a tiny quantity of area in a backpack and may even slot in some pants pockets.
Plus, the best way the keys are laid out is extra ergonomic than conventional keyboard layouts. With this keyboard, your wrists hit a extra pure place whereas typing, which finally ends up inflicting much less pressure and discomfort over the day.
There’s a built-in Lithium-ion battery that you simply’ll have to recharge each 40 hours or so. Fortunately, it solely takes about two hours for the BK06 keyboard to be totally charged and you need to use it whereas it’s charging. Then, you’ll be able to join as much as three units concurrently to the keyboard through Bluetooth 5.1.
Greatest For Journey