Buying Guide
The Best Wireless Keyboards Under $100
From the Arteck HB305 to the MX Keys Mini: four keyboards ranked on battery life and battery (backlight off), with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Up to $100 you reach premium low-profile and mechanical wireless keyboards. Every pick cost 40 to 100 when we checked and connects without a cable.
We sorted these picks by battery (backlight off), layout and key type, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips battery (backlight off), the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Arteck HB305 Backlit Bluetooth Touch Keyboard
A lower price than the Keychron B6 Pro and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro.
Our take Check price for Arteck HB305 Backlit Bluetooth Touch Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Longest Battery Life
Keychron B6 Pro Ultra-Slim
The longest battery life here (up to 8 months).
Best for: Offices where the keyboard stays on all day.
Our take Check price for Keychron B6 Pro Ultra-Slim (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Adesso Wireless Touchpad Keyboard
A full number pad next to the touchpad.
Best for: Buyers who want full number pad next to the touchpad.
Our take Check price for Adesso Wireless Touchpad Keyboard (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Logitech MX Keys Mini
Backlighting that turns on as your hands approach at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less.
Our take Check price for Logitech MX Keys Mini (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Keychron B6 Pro and the rest when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro. | Check price for Arteck HB305 Backlit Bluetooth Touch Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| The longest battery life here (up to 8 months). | Offices where the keyboard stays on all day. | Check price for Keychron B6 Pro Ultra-Slim (opens in a new tab) |
| A full number pad next to the touchpad. | Buyers who want full number pad next to the touchpad. | Check price for Adesso Wireless Touchpad Keyboard (opens in a new tab) |
| Backlighting that turns on as your hands approach at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less. | Check price for Logitech MX Keys Mini (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Arteck HB305 Backlit Bluetooth Touch Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Arteck's HB305 is a Bluetooth touchpad keyboard with a seven-color backlight that charges over USB-C.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its battery life before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Arteck offers a 24-month warranty. Seven backlight colours help in a dark room, and auto-sleep saves battery. It works with Windows, macOS, Android, iPadOS and TV-connected PCs.
It charges over USB-C, and its 10-metre range covers a living room. Two brightness levels and auto-sleep stretch battery life between charges. Check that your computer has Bluetooth, or use the included receiver if there is one.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Keychron B6 Pro was closest. If you want a confirmed battery life, look to the Keychron B6 Pro instead: it runs for up to 8 months, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Compact with touchpad
- Key type: Backlit keys, 7 colors
- Connection: Bluetooth, USB-C charging
Pros
- Support for Windows, Mac, Android, iPadOS and ChromeOS
- 24-month warranty
- 10m wireless range
- Compact with touchpad layout, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
Longest Battery Life2 of 4
Keychron B6 Pro Ultra-Slim on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Keychron B6 Pro is a slim full-size board at a budget price, with multi-device wireless and a 1000Hz polling rate.
Best for
- Offices where the keyboard stays on all day.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Arteck HB305, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Keychron rates it for about 1,200 hours of use per charge. It is rated for up to 1,200 hours, about eight months at five hours a day, and it keeps working while charging. Its 2.4GHz link polls at 1,000Hz.
A quiet scissor keys key type is unique to it among these picks, while the Adesso touchpad uses a membrane keys key type. It also comes with online key remapping. The nearest alternative on battery life is the MX Keys Mini at up to 5 months, against up to 8 months here. When we checked, only the Arteck HB305 cost less, and the Adesso touchpad cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery (backlight off): up to 8 months
- Layout: Full-size, ultra-slim
- Key type: Quiet scissor keys
- Connection: Wireless, multi-device, 1000Hz polling
- Wrist support: None
Pros
- Up to 8 months per charge (backlight off)
- About 1,200 hours of use per charge, per Keychron
- Online key remapping
- Quiet scissor keys key type, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arteck HB305 at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 4
Adesso Wireless Touchpad Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Adesso's keyboard keeps a full 104-key layout with a number pad and adds a touchpad on the right.
Best for
- Buyers who want full number pad next to the touchpad.
Skip if
- Its battery life is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It runs on two AAA batteries. It is the only pick here with a membrane keys key type; the Keychron B6 Pro has a quiet scissor keys key type instead. It also comes with 13 internet and 8 media hotkeys and a battery-low indicator.
You also get this: 2.4GHz USB receiver connection, the only one here. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Keychron B6 Pro and the pricier MX Keys Mini, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its battery life; if that figure matters, the Keychron B6 Pro runs for up to 8 months.
Key dimensions & specs
- Layout: Full-size (104 keys) with touchpad
- Key type: Membrane keys
- Connection: 2.4GHz USB receiver
Pros
- Full number pad next to the touchpad
- 13 internet and 8 media hotkeys
- Battery-low indicator
- Membrane keys key type, the only one here
Cons
- No published battery life
- Costs more than the Arteck HB305 at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
Logitech MX Keys Mini on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MX Keys Mini packs spherically dished Perfect Stroke keys into a compact Bluetooth LE board with no number pad.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Arteck HB305 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
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. It also offers 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. The nearest alternative on battery life is the Keychron B6 Pro at up to 8 months, against up to 5 months here. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Adesso touchpad.
Key dimensions & specs
- Battery (backlight off): up to 5 months
- Paired devices: 3 devices
- Layout: Compact, no number pad
- Key type: Spherically dished Perfect Stroke keys
- Connection: Bluetooth LE, multi-OS
Pros
- Backlighting that turns on as your hands approach
- Dictation, mic mute and emoji keys
- USB-C charging
- Backlighting that turns on as your hands approach at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the Arteck HB305 at the time of writing
How We Chose These Wireless Keyboards Under $100
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared four keyboards on battery life, layout, key type and connection as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while battery life has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Arteck HB305 to the MX Keys Mini, state layout, key type and connection.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arteck HB305 and the Adesso touchpad give no battery life.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arteck HB305 (under $50) to the MX Keys Mini ($50 to $100).
What to Look for in a Wireless Keyboard Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Battery life across these picks
Across these 2 picks battery life spans up to 5 months (the MX Keys Mini) to up to 8 months (the Keychron B6 Pro). Start with the Keychron B6 Pro if battery life decides it. The Arteck HB305 and the Adesso touchpad give no battery life figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Keychron B6 Pro: online key remapping. The Adesso touchpad: 13 internet and 8 media hotkeys. The MX Keys Mini: dictation, mic mute and emoji keys.
Budget
Under $50 buys the Arteck HB305 and the Keychron B6 Pro; $50 to $100 buys the Adesso touchpad and the MX Keys Mini at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro: the Arteck HB305. Offices where the keyboard stays on all day: the Keychron B6 Pro. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less: the MX Keys Mini.
Check IT and security needs
Some workplaces restrict Bluetooth or require encrypted receivers. A wired keyboard avoids pairing problems entirely.
If your company manages your PC, check which connections it allows.
How to Choose a Wireless Keyboard Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro | Arteck HB305 | A lower price than the Keychron B6 Pro and the rest when we checked |
| Offices where the keyboard stays on all day | Keychron B6 Pro | The longest battery life here (up to 8 months) |
| Buyers who want full number pad next to the touchpad | Adesso touchpad | A full number pad next to the touchpad |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less | MX Keys Mini | Backlighting that turns on as your hands approach at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Keychron B6 Pro leads on battery life at up to 8 months, ahead of the MX Keys Mini at up to 5 months. "Not listed" marks battery life where the Arteck HB305 and the Adesso touchpad leave the figure out.
| Keyboard | Battery (backlight off) | Layout | Key type | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arteck HB305 | Not listed | Compact with touchpad | Backlit keys, 7 colors | Bluetooth, USB-C charging |
| Keychron B6 Pro | up to 8 months | Full-size, ultra-slim | Quiet scissor keys | Wireless, multi-device, 1000Hz polling |
| Adesso touchpad | Not listed | Full-size (104 keys) with touchpad | Membrane keys | 2.4GHz USB receiver |
| MX Keys Mini | up to 5 months | Compact, no number pad | Spherically dished Perfect Stroke keys | Bluetooth LE, multi-OS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Arteck HB305, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the MX Keys Mini at $50 to $100; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Arteck HB305, Keychron B6 Pro |
| About $50 to $100 | Adesso touchpad, MX Keys Mini |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the longest battery life: the Keychron B6 Pro or the MX Keys Mini?
The Keychron B6 Pro tops battery life at up to 8 months; the MX Keys Mini follows at up to 5 months, 60% apart. No battery life figure is published for the Arteck HB305 and the Adesso touchpad, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
What makes the Keychron B6 Pro the Longest Battery Life?
It earns the label for the longest battery life here (up to 8 months). The MX Keys Mini is next on battery life at up to 5 months, so this pick's up to 8 months is 60% further out. It suits offices where the keyboard stays on all day.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Arteck HB305 and the Keychron B6 Pro apart?
The Arteck HB305: support for Windows, Mac, Android, iPadOS and ChromeOS. The Keychron B6 Pro: about 1,200 hours of use per charge, per Keychron. The Adesso touchpad: a full number pad next to the touchpad.
Should I pick the Arteck HB305 or the MX Keys Mini?
The Arteck HB305 suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Keychron B6 Pro; the MX Keys Mini suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arteck HB305 costs less.
What else do the Adesso touchpad and the MX Keys Mini offer?
The Adesso touchpad: a battery-low indicator. The MX Keys Mini: USB-C charging.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arteck HB305, chosen for a lower price than the Keychron B6 Pro and the rest when we checked. Look at the Adesso touchpad for a full number pad next to the touchpad and the MX Keys Mini for backlighting that turns on as your hands approach at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
At this price the key switch and typing feel matter more than the pairing options.