The Best External Keyboard for Laptop

Its ABS keycaps resist wear, and the slim, light body works with laptops, phones and tablets. No other pick in this guide offers a slim with touchpad layout; compare the Bnnwa K905, which has a compact with touchpad layout. Like the Bnnwa K905, it has a low-profile keys key type, while the K380s uses a quiet scooped round keys key type.

It also offers 12 multimedia shortcuts. Check that your computer has Bluetooth, or use the included receiver if there is one. It undercut the K380s and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the K380s runs for up to 36 months.

Logitech offers up to 36 months on its batteries, and the Fn keys can be customised in Logi Options+. Nothing else here matches its up to 36 months battery life; the MX Mechanical comes closest at up to 10 months. You get a quiet scooped round keys key type here, which sets it apart from the Bnnwa K905 and its a low-profile keys key type.

It also offers a 3-year battery life claim and auto-sleep. Check that your computer has Bluetooth, or use the included receiver if there is one. It supports Windows and macOS layouts, which helps if you switch between computers. It was priced above the Bnnwa multi-device and below the Bnnwa K905 at the time of writing.

It uses scissor keys. A 500mAh rechargeable battery removes the need for AAA cells, and it pairs with up to three devices over 2.4GHz and Bluetooth. The trackpad sits beside the keys.

Its scissor-switch keys type quietly with a short travel, and Fn shortcuts switch between iOS, Windows, Android and macOS layouts. It is the only pick here with a compact with touchpad layout; the Bnnwa multi-device has a slim with touchpad layout instead. Like the Bnnwa multi-device, it has a low-profile keys key type, while the K380s uses a quiet scooped round keys key type.

It also comes with USB-C charging and connection to 3 devices at once. Check that your computer has Bluetooth, or use the included receiver if there is one. Its price falls between the K380s and the MX Keys Mini, based on our last check.

Its backlight comes on as your hands approach, and dedicated dictation, mic-mute and emoji keys sit on the top row. Logitech publishes its carbon footprint at 10.78 kg CO2e, and its plastics include recycled material. On battery life it trails the group at up to 5 months, while the K380s runs for up to 36 months.

It also comes with USB-C charging. Check that your computer has Bluetooth, or use the included receiver if there is one. It supports Windows and macOS layouts, which helps if you switch between computers. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Bnnwa K905 and the pricier MX Mechanical, at the time of writing.

Its battery life with the backlight off is the longest here, up to 10 months. On battery life it sits mid-pack at up to 10 months: the K380s runs for up to 36 months, and the MX Keys Mini comes in at up to 5 months. It also comes with smart backlighting that adjusts to room light and Logitech Flow for moving between computers.

It pairs over Bluetooth or Logitech's Logi Bolt receiver; Bolt is not compatible with older Unifying receivers, so keep the one in the box. It supports Windows and macOS layouts, which helps if you switch between computers. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the MX Keys Mini.