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Logitech MX Keys Mini Review — Not Quite as Stellar As You’d Expect

The Logitech MX Keys Mini has garnered quite a lot of attention and, well, it’s easy to understand why:... | 2. November 2021

The Logitech MX Keys Mini has garnered quite a lot of attention and, well, it’s easy to understand why: its predecessor was, and still is, one of the best wireless, low-profile keyboards on the market. It has all the hallmarks of a Logitech product: stellar build quality, exceptional connectivity options, and a well-rounded user experience.

And, well, a high price tag, too.

That’s why this particular product has such a strong allure; it is beautiful, sleek, and about as compact as it gets! It’s still pricey, as expected, but there are very few keyboards out there (if any) that can match its feature set.

Still, just because it looks nice (and is accompanied with a ton of hype) doesn’t mean it’s worth the asking price. The Logitech MX Keys Mini is a unique beast, and we’ll go over both its pros and cons in our review.

What you won’t find here, however, is a dull spec sheet. If that’s what you’re after, head over to Logitech’s official website; instead of boring you with the prosaic details, we’ll focus on the overall user experience along with the many intangibles that are seldom covered by the biggest outlets.

Logitech MX Keys Mini Review | Fairly Unique

Let’s cut straight to the chase: if you’re yearning for a TKL-style keyboard that also happens to be thin, light, and has multi-device support (and backlighting), then you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than Logitech’s MX Keys Mini.

Still, it’s not all that impressive once you factor in its shortcomings and compare it certain other keyboards which can be found on the second-hand market. They might not be as well-rounded, but at least they won’t burn a hole through your wallet. You win some, you lose some.

Build Quality: Absolutely stellar, just as you’d expect from a company of this caliber. There’s no creaking, no loose parts, no rattling nor flexing. It’s not exactly built like a rock, but it’s not far off either. It is a premium product with an equally premium price tag, so you get what you pay for.

It definitely looks like it’ll survive long-term scuffs and marks, but your mileage may vary, of course.

Design: This one’s obviously as subjective as it gets, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a low-profile membrane keyboard with better aesthetics. Simply put: the MX Keys Mini is astoundingly beautiful, and that’s especially true for the white-and-metallic variant. It might not look as “professional” as the standard grey model, but it’s definitely a lot more inviting and pleasing to look at. It’s also well rounded design-wise — nothing sticks out like a sore thumb and an equal amount of attention has been given to every single part of the design.

Usability: Pretty darn great, although it’s a fairly simple keyboard overall. The one thing that we don’t like is the fact that there’s no way to adjust its incline — you just can’t adjust the typing angle. Now, the “default” one isn’t exactly bad, but it is limiting. Logitech prioritized form over function on this one, which may or may not be a dealbreaker. It all depends on your use-case scenario.

MX Keys Mini for Mac

Typing: This is, obviously, the most important part of the equation and, unfortunately, the MX Keys Mini doesn’t exactly stick the landing. It doesn’t provide a bad typing experience per se, but its keystrokes simply aren’t as solid and firm as you’d expect. It’s a very “inoffensive” typing experience, one that is obviously tailored to the broadest possible audience. No risks were taken and the end result leaves a bit to be desired.

The layout itself is great but that matters very little seeing how the typing experience isn’t up to snuff. Apple’s Wireless keyboard, for instance, (the one that was introduced well over ten years ago) offer a far superior UX. It’s not a night and day difference, mind you, but the details matter, and they can be felt. Its keys bounce back a lot quicker and bottoming out is a lot more enjoyable. Heck, we’re putting it mildly here! You’ll need more force to activate its keys, which can generally be considered as a drawback, but in this case it only bolsters and augments the overall typing experience as every keystroke feels deliberate and precise which, sadly, isn’t the case with the MX Keys Mini.

Key travel is fairly comparable, but Apple’s keyboard still feels superior. And that’s not something you’d expect from a product that’s so incredibly outdated and can be found for cheap on the second-hand market. It obviously lacks the nice bells and whistles like backlighting, multi-device support, USB-C charging, and whatever else, but it’s arguably a better (and noticeably cheaper) option if you can live without those features and just want a slick TKL keyboard that won’t break the bank.

Finally, the concave grooves on top of each key have often been mentioned as a stand-out feature when, in reality, they are redundant and superfluous at best. They don’t augment the typing experience in any noticeable way, and if you’re a fast typer you’re not even going to notice the difference underneath your fingertips.

It is a superficial change, one that essentially screams “form over function.” We wouldn’t go so far as to call it a gimmick, but by no means should you fall prey to Logitech’s marketing.

Sound: The MX Keys Mini is fairly silent even if you’re hammering on it. It’s not inaudible, but the sound it emits is definitely suitable for all work environments, even for those that might be “acoustically sensitive.” Only the Space key has a harsher. more pronounced clang to it which can be a bit annoying once you start noticing it.

Logitech MX Keys Mini Review | Closing Remarks

It’s a fairly simple set-up: you’re paying for the functionality and the build quality. You’re not paying for the most premium typing experience. It’s not bad per se, but it doesn’t really stand out, either, which is potentially a problem at this price point. It looks nice, which is definitely a plus, but if you’re someone who types a lot then you’d be wise to look elsewhere — you can find a better keyboard (typing-wise) for less money, and while these alternatives might not look as good, they’ll at least make your experience more enjoyable which, arguably, matters a lot more than aesthetics.

For $99, the MX Keys Mini isn’t exactly the toughest sell around, but it looks better than it feels. And that’s a shame.