Buying Guide
Logitech MK270 and the Best Alternatives
The MK270 is Logitech's best-known basic combo. We compare it with the three closest Logitech sets.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Logitech's MK270 is a full-size keyboard and small mouse on one receiver, and it is often the first wireless combo people buy. This guide covers the MK270 itself plus three close Logitech alternatives, since the right choice depends on noise, hand size and hotkeys.
Every set here uses a 2.4GHz USB receiver and AA or AAA batteries.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Basic Combo
Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse ComboSpill-resistant keyboard rated for 36 months.
Best for: A first wireless combo
Check price for Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Quietest Alternative
Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse ComboSilentTouch rated at up to 90% less noise.
Best for: Shared rooms
Check price for Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Comfortable Alternative
Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse ComboBuilt-in palm rest and contoured mouse.
Best for: Long typing sessions
Check price for Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Shortcut Keys
Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo15 shortcut keys.
Best for: People who use many shortcuts
Check price for Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spill-resistant keyboard rated for 36 months. | A first wireless combo | Check price for Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| SilentTouch rated at up to 90% less noise. | Shared rooms | Check price for Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Built-in palm rest and contoured mouse. | Long typing sessions | Check price for Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 15 shortcut keys. | People who use many shortcuts | Check price for Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Basic Combo1 of 4
Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Logitech's MK270 pairs a full-size spill-resistant keyboard with a small ambidextrous mouse on one receiver.
Best for
- A first wireless combo
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no backlighting.
Why we like it
The keyboard is rated for up to three years on its batteries. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size with 8 hotkeys keyboard layout; compare the MK295, which has a full-size with numpad keyboard layout. It shares a compact ambidextrous mouse or pointer with the MK235; the MK345 goes with a right-handed contoured mouse or pointer.
It also comes with eight media and shortcut hotkeys. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. You also get this: mouse battery rated for up to 12 months. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper MK235 and the pricier MK295, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Connection
- 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery
- up to 36 months
- Wireless range
- 33 ft
- Keyboard layout
- Full-size with 8 hotkeys
- Mouse or pointer
- Compact ambidextrous
- Lighting
- None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- Spill-resistant keyboard
- Mouse battery rated for up to 12 months
- Eight media and shortcut hotkeys
Cons
- no backlighting
- Costs more than the MK235 at the time of writing
Quietest Alternative2 of 4
Logitech MK295 Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Logitech's MK295 keeps the full-size layout and adds SilentTouch keys and clicks.
Best for
- Shared rooms
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: no backlighting.
Why we like it
Logitech rates it at up to 90% less noise than its standard sets. It is the only pick here with a full-size with numpad keyboard layout; the MK270 has a full-size with 8 hotkeys keyboard layout instead. You get a SilentTouch mouse or pointer here, which sets it apart from the MK235 and its a compact ambidextrous mouse or pointer.
It also offers a mouse battery rated for up to 18 months. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the MK235 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the MK270 and the MK345, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Costs more than the MK235 at the time of writing
Most Comfortable Alternative3 of 4
Logitech MK345 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
The MK345 adds a built-in palm rest and a contoured right-handed mouse to a full-size keyboard.
Best for
- Long typing sessions
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no backlighting.
Why we like it
The maker specifies Windows, macOS and ChromeOS support. No other pick in this guide offers a full-size with palm rest keyboard layout; compare the MK270, which has a full-size with 8 hotkeys keyboard layout. A right-handed contoured mouse or pointer is unique to it among these picks, while the MK295 uses a SilentTouch mouse or pointer.
The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the MK295 and the rest. The maker doesn't give its wireless range; if that figure matters, the MK270 offers 33 ft.
Key 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
- No published wireless range
- Costs more than the MK235 at the time of writing
Most Shortcut Keys4 of 4
Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
The MK235 is Logitech's close sibling to the MK270, trading the hotkey row for 15 shortcut keys.
Best for
- People who use many shortcuts
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no backlighting is a problem.
Why we like it
Both pieces run on one receiver with a 33ft range. Its keyboard is spill-resistant with fade-resistant keys, and the plastics include 51% to 75% recycled material. Like the MK270, it has a compact ambidextrous mouse or pointer, while the MK295 uses a SilentTouch mouse or pointer.
It also comes with a mouse battery rated for up to one year. The receiver is USB-A; a USB-C-only laptop needs an adapter or hub. It cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the MK270 the next step up. It gives ground on keyboard battery rating, where the MK270 runs for up to 36 months.
Key specs
- Connection
- 2.4GHz USB receiver
- Keyboard battery
- up to 36 months
- Wireless range
- 33 ft
- Keyboard layout
- Full-size with 15 shortcut keys
- Mouse or pointer
- Compact ambidextrous
- Lighting
- None
Pros
- a keyboard battery rated for up to 36 months
- 15 shortcut keys
- Mouse battery rated for up to one year
- One receiver for both pieces
Cons
- no backlighting
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up four combos on connection, keyboard battery rating, wireless range and keyboard layout from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and wireless range is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the MK270 to the MK235, state connection, keyboard battery rating and keyboard layout and share 2.4GHz USB receiver connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MK345 gives no wireless range.
- Price range
- From the MK235 to the MK345, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look For
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Features beyond the spec table
The MK295: a mouse battery rated for up to 18 months. The MK345: a right-handed contoured mouse. The MK235: a mouse battery rated for up to one year.
Where your budget lands
Price does little to separate these 4: the MK235 through the MK345 all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves features to decide it.
A grey mechanical keyboard beside a mouse on a wooden desk Match the pick to your priority
A first wireless combo: the MK270. Shared rooms: the MK295. Long typing sessions: the MK345.
Receiver, Bluetooth or cable
A USB receiver pairs out of the box and works in the BIOS; Bluetooth frees a port but needs the PC to support it. Tri-mode sets add a cable for charging and play.
Match the connection to the ports your PC or laptop actually has.
A mechanical keyboard with RGB-lit keycaps What gaming sets add
Gaming combos add higher-DPI sensors, anti-ghosting and lighting. They do not make a mouse or keyboard better at office work, and budget gaming sets use membrane or budget switches.
How to Choose
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A first wireless combo | MK270 | Spill-resistant keyboard rated for 36 months |
| Shared rooms | MK295 | SilentTouch rated at up to 90% less noise |
| Long typing sessions | MK345 | Built-in palm rest and contoured mouse |
| People who use many shortcuts | MK235 | 15 shortcut keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MK270, the MK295 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Combo | Connection | Keyboard battery | Wireless range | Keyboard layout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MK270 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | 33 ft | Full-size with 8 hotkeys |
| MK295 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | 33 ft | Full-size with numpad |
| MK345 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | Not listed | Full-size with palm rest |
| MK235 | 2.4GHz USB receiver | up to 36 months | 33 ft | Full-size with 15 shortcut keys |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the MK270 the Best Basic Combo?
It carries the badge for spill-resistant keyboard rated for 36 months. It is aimed at A first wireless combo.
Do the MK270 and the MK295 differ on mouse or pointer?
The MK270 and the MK235 use Compact ambidextrous; the MK295 uses SilentTouch; the MK345 uses Right-handed contoured.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MK270 and the MK295 apart?
The MK270: a spill-resistant keyboard. The MK295: SilentTouch keys and clicks Logitech rates at up to 90% less noise. The MK345: a built-in palm rest.
Who should choose the MK295?
The MK295 carries our Quietest Alternative label for SilentTouch rated at up to 90% less noise. It ranks second of 4 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits shared rooms.
Should I pick the MK270 or the MK235?
The MK270 suits A first wireless combo; the MK235 suits people who use many shortcuts.
Bottom Line
Buy the MK270 for a spill-resistant full-size keyboard with long battery ratings. Pick the MK295 if key noise bothers anyone nearby, the MK345 for a palm rest and a larger mouse, and the MK235 for more shortcut keys.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Logitech MK270 Combo and the Logitech Sets Above It
- Related guideThe Best Silent Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combos
- Related guideThe Best Dell Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Sets
- Lower budgetThe Best Keyboard and Mouse Combos Under $25
- Similar guideThe Best Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
- ExplainerHow to Choose a Mechanical Keyboard
- ExplainerKeyboard layouts compared: full-size, TKL, 75%, 65% and 60%
- Also see: miceGaming Mouse Features Explained: What Is Worth Paying For?
- Similar guideThe Best Logitech Wireless Keyboard
- Topic hubAll keyboards guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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