Buying Guide
The Best Keyboard and Mouse Combos Under $40
We weighed five keyboard and mouse combos on keyboard battery rating and maximum mouse sensitivity, and the MK295 costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
From $30 to $40 you can find full-size sets with a numpad, a palm rest or multimedia keys. Every set cost 30 to 40 when we checked and includes both a keyboard and a mouse.
We ranked these keyboard and mouse combos on connection, keyboard battery and max mouse DPI using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these keyboard and mouse combos ourselves, and where a maker leaves out keyboard battery, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
A lower price than the MK345 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the MK345 the next step up.
Our take Check price for Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
A built-in palm rest.
Best for: Buyers who want built-in palm rest.
Our take Check price for Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Logitech MK470 Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Low-profile scissor keys.
Best for: Buyers who want low-profile scissor keys.
Our take Check price for Logitech MK470 Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo (opens in a new tab)
Full-size Keyboard Layout
Dell KM520 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
A full-size keyboard layout.
Best for: Buyers who want a full-size keyboard layout.
Our take Check price for Dell KM520 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
RisoPhy Wireless Gaming Keyboard and Mouse
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal top panel.
Best for: Buyers who want a metal top panel and can spend more than the KM520 costs.
Our take Check price for RisoPhy Wireless Gaming Keyboard and Mouse (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Logitech's MK295 keeps the full-size layout and adds SilentTouch keys and clicks.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the MK345 the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no backlighting.
Why we like it
Logitech rates it at up to 90% less noise than its standard sets. You get a full-size with numpad keyboard layout here, which sets it apart from the RisoPhy and its a full-size with metal panel keyboard layout. No other pick in this guide offers a SilentTouch mouse or pointer; compare the KM520, which has a three-button mouse or pointer.
You also get a mouse battery rated for up to 18 months. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MK345 was closest. If you want a confirmed maximum mouse sensitivity, look to the RisoPhy instead: it offers 3,200 DPI, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery: up to 36 months
- Wireless range: 33 ft
- Keyboard layout: Full-size with numpad
- Mouse or pointer: SilentTouch
- Lighting: None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- SilentTouch keys and clicks Logitech rates at up to 90% less noise
- Mouse battery rated for up to 18 months
- Full-size layout with number pad
Cons
- no backlighting
Also Consider2 of 5
Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MK345 adds a built-in palm rest and a contoured right-handed mouse to a full-size keyboard.
Best for
- Buyers who want built-in palm rest.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no backlighting rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The maker specifies Windows, macOS and ChromeOS support. A full-size with palm rest keyboard layout is unique to it among these picks, while the MK470 uses a slim compact with numpad keyboard layout. It is the only pick here with a right-handed contoured mouse or pointer; the MK295 has a SilentTouch mouse or pointer instead.
The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. Another plus: a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months. It was priced above the MK295 and below the MK470 at the time of writing. There is no published maximum mouse sensitivity figure, whereas the RisoPhy offers 3,200 DPI.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery: up to 36 months
- Keyboard layout: Full-size with palm rest
- Mouse or pointer: Right-handed contoured
- Lighting: None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- Built-in palm rest
- Right-handed contoured mouse
- Windows, macOS and ChromeOS support
Cons
- no backlighting
- Costs more than the MK295 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Logitech MK470 Slim Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MK470 is a slim set with low-profile scissor keys and a flat ambidextrous mouse.
Best for
- Buyers who want low-profile scissor keys.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no backlighting.
Why we like it
It suits a small desk or a laptop stand. You get a slim compact with numpad keyboard layout here, which sets it apart from the RisoPhy and its a full-size with metal panel keyboard layout. No other pick in this guide offers a slim ambidextrous mouse or pointer; compare the KM520, which has a three-button mouse or pointer.
You also get a mouse battery rated for up to 18 months. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. There is no dedicated number pad, which matters if you enter figures often. When we checked, only the MK345 and cheaper picks cost less, and the KM520 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery: up to 36 months
- Max mouse DPI: 1,000 DPI
- Keyboard layout: Slim compact with numpad
- Mouse or pointer: Slim ambidextrous
- Lighting: None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- Low-profile scissor keys
- Mouse battery rated for up to 18 months
- 12 customizable FN keys
Cons
- no backlighting
- Costs more than the MK295 at the time of writing
Full-size Keyboard Layout4 of 5
Dell KM520 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Dell's KM520 is a plain full-size receiver set with programmable shortcut keys and a three-button mouse.
Best for
- Buyers who want a full-size keyboard layout.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: no backlighting.
Why we like it
Its keyboard is rated for 36 months. A full-size keyboard layout is unique to it among these picks, while the MK345 uses a full-size with palm rest keyboard layout. It is the only pick here with a three-button mouse or pointer; the MK295 has a SilentTouch mouse or pointer instead.
You also get one receiver for both pieces. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. It was priced above the MK470 and below the RisoPhy at the time of writing. It gives ground on keyboard battery rating, where the MK295 runs for up to 36 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery: up to 36 months
- Keyboard layout: Full-size
- Mouse or pointer: Three-button
- Lighting: None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- Programmable shortcut keys
- Three-button mouse
- One receiver for both pieces
Cons
- no backlighting
- Costs more than the MK295 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
RisoPhy Wireless Gaming Keyboard and Mouse on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
RisoPhy's wireless set has a metal top panel and charges over USB-C.
Best for
- Buyers who want a metal top panel and can spend more than the KM520 costs.
Skip if
- Its keyboard battery rating is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its mouse reaches 3200 DPI. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size with metal panel keyboard layout; compare the MK470, which has a slim compact with numpad keyboard layout. A rechargeable mouse or pointer is unique to it among these picks, while the MK345 uses a right-handed contoured mouse or pointer.
It also offers USB-C charging. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the KM520 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its keyboard battery rating; if that figure matters, the MK295 runs for up to 36 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Max mouse DPI: 3,200 DPI
- Keyboard layout: Full-size with metal panel
- Mouse or pointer: Rechargeable
- Lighting: RGB
Pros
- Metal top panel
- USB-C charging
- 3200 DPI mouse
- Highest maximum mouse sensitivity of the picks (3,200 DPI)
Cons
- No published keyboard battery rating
- Costs more than the MK295 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five combos on connection, keyboard battery rating, maximum mouse sensitivity and keyboard layout as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out keyboard battery rating.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MK295 to the RisoPhy, state connection, keyboard layout and mouse or pointer and share 2.4GHz USB receiver connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The RisoPhy gives no keyboard battery rating; the MK295, the MK345 and the KM520 give no maximum mouse sensitivity.
- Price range
- From the MK295 to the RisoPhy, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Keyboard and Mouse Combos Under $40
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Maximum mouse sensitivity
Across these 2 picks maximum mouse sensitivity spans 1,000 DPI (the MK470) to 3,200 DPI (the RisoPhy). If maximum mouse sensitivity is your first filter, the RisoPhy sets the ceiling at 3,200 DPI. The MK295, the MK345 and the KM520 give no maximum mouse sensitivity figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Mouse or pointer
The MK295 lists SilentTouch; the MK345 lists Right-handed contoured; the MK470 lists Slim ambidextrous; the KM520 lists three-button; the RisoPhy lists rechargeable. Settling mouse or pointer first narrows 5 picks to 1, 1, 1 or 1 or 1.
Extras that separate them
The MK345: a right-handed contoured mouse. The KM520: a three-button mouse. The RisoPhy: USB-C charging.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the MK295 at the low end to the RisoPhy at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the MK345 the next step up: the MK295. Buyers who want a full-size keyboard layout: the KM520. Buyers who want a metal top panel and can spend more than the KM520 costs: the RisoPhy.
How to Choose a Keyboard and Mouse Combos Under $40
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the MK345 the next step up | MK295 | A lower price than the MK345 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want built-in palm rest | MK345 | A built-in palm rest |
| Buyers who want low-profile scissor keys | MK470 | Low-profile scissor keys |
| Buyers who want a full-size keyboard layout | KM520 | A full-size keyboard layout |
| Buyers who want a metal top panel and can spend more than the KM520 costs | RisoPhy | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal top panel |
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Key specs side by side
The RisoPhy leads on maximum mouse sensitivity at 3,200 DPI, ahead of the MK470 at 1,000 DPI. "Not listed" marks keyboard battery rating where the RisoPhy leaves the figure out.
| Combo | Connection | Keyboard battery | Max mouse DPI | Keyboard layout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK295 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | Not listed | Full-size with numpad |
| MK345 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | Not listed | Full-size with palm rest |
| MK470 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | 1,000 DPI | Slim compact with numpad |
| KM520 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | Not listed | Full-size |
| RisoPhy | 2.4GHz USB receiver | Not listed | 3,200 DPI | Full-size with metal panel |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest maximum mouse sensitivity: the RisoPhy or the MK470?
The RisoPhy tops maximum mouse sensitivity at 3,200 DPI; the MK470 follows at 1,000 DPI, 220% apart. The MK295, the MK345 and the KM520 are left out of this ranking because their maximum mouse sensitivity isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the KM520 our Full-size Keyboard Layout pick?
It carries the badge for a full-size keyboard layout. It makes sense for anyone who wants a full-size keyboard layout.
Do the MK295 and the MK345 differ on keyboard layout?
The MK295 uses Full-size with numpad; the MK345 uses full-size with palm rest; the MK470 uses Slim compact with numpad; the KM520 uses full-size; the RisoPhy uses full-size with metal panel.
What extras do the MK295 and the MK345 include?
The MK295: SilentTouch keys and clicks Logitech rates at up to 90% less noise. The MK345: a built-in palm rest. The MK470: low-profile scissor keys.
Should I pick the MK295 or the RisoPhy?
The MK295 suits spending as little as possible, with the MK345 the next step up; the RisoPhy suits buyers who want a metal top panel and can spend more than the KM520 costs.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MK295, chosen for a lower price than the MK345 and the rest when we checked. Look at the MK345 for a built-in palm rest, the MK470 for low-profile scissor keys and the KM520 for a full-size keyboard layout if those matter more to you.
Decide whether you want a numpad, since compact sets save desk space.