mini-keyboard-workstation-feature

The Best Mini Keyboard | 8 Wireless & Small Keyboards

The Best Mini Keyboard | 8 Wireless & Small Keyboards

When it comes to that on-the-go or constantly moving lifestyle, size and weight are everything. Especially for the traveling executive, gamer, or content writer, the best mini keyboard is an essential travel companion.

A separate keyboard is a great way to increase your productivity on your laptop, pc or tablet, and a mini one is a good space saver on a small desk.

There are many tiny keyboards out there, but our review aims to go over 8 of the top ones in detail to help you choose the one that matches your every need. There are even a few other laptop accessories that will go along well with any of these keyboards.

With that in mind, these are some of the best compact keyboards that are lightweight and small enough for you to carry around with you daily.

PS: These pint-sized keyboards are a great addition if you have or are looking for a tablet for note taking.

TLDR

The best overall mini keyboard is the Logitech Keys-to-Go ultra. It is the best small keyboard that can even fit inside your coat pocket. As a mini Bluetooth keyboard, we love that it connects to any device.

The Best Small Wireless Keyboard

The overall best mini wireless keyboard is the Logitech Keys-to-Go due to its ultra-compact size and portability. It can connect to any device with a Bluetooth connection, although it is optimized for the Apple iPad series. Some other incredible wireless keyboards we tested were:

The Best Mini Gaming Keyboards

If you are looking for overall performance, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini has all the features to back up its exceptional levels of performance. It’s a great small gaming keyboard, as we were really impressed with the Hyperspeed connection and mechanical switches that make this a winner. Some of the other best mini mechanical keyboards include:

Best Wireless Tiny Keyboard

When it comes to having a healthy balance of cost versus features, we found the Arteck Bluetooth keyboard to be the best compact wireless keyboard. It delivers impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of some of the other small Bluetooth keyboards on the market. Some more of the best wireless mini keyboards that are budget-friendly include:

Small Size Keyboard Comparison Table

Here’s a quick overview table of the different keyboards and prices. Continue reading for a full review of each of the smallest keyboards, as well as the best accessories you can add to your arsenal.

Desktop setup with mini keyboard

The Top Mini Keyboards Reviewed

Now, onto our more in-depth reviews of some of the best mini keyboards that are available at the moment. Read on for a detailed review of each.

1. Logitech MX Keys Mini Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Compatible with most operating systems and platforms
  • Minimalist design
  • Connects to up to three devices with no USB port needed
Cons
  • Requires Logitech options software that you need to download separately
  • Expensive
  • Has to be recharged
  • Operating system: Windows/Linux/Chrome OS/MacOS/IOS/Android
  • Connection Type: Bluetooth
  • Power: Battery Powered
  • Weight: 5 pounds
  • Dimensions: 8” x 5.2” x 11.6”
  • Price: $$$

The Logitech MX keys advanced wireless mini keyboard is the ultimate travel companion for those who work on the go and frequently change locations. This is one of the best mini Bluetooth keyboards that works with multiple operating systems. We tested it and found it can connect to up to three devices simultaneously, with no USB port required.

The minimalistic design features impressed us, especially the backlit keys with intelligent illumination that automatically adjusts brightness. The MX keys by Logitech also feature spherically-dished keys that are shaped for your fingertips for added confidence when typing. There are even a few smart keys for dictation, mic mute/ unmute, and an Emoji key to increase productivity.

We could also customize the Fn-row keys for a more tailored experience and to suit almost all our needs. The battery life relies on the batteries which are included. It will last up to 10 days on a full charge with the backlight on and up to five months if it is turned off. This compact keyboard will also connect to your tablet or iPad as it is compatible with both Android and iOS.

On the downside, we consider it to be fairly expensive, not only among other Logitech mini keyboards but among small keyboards in general. It is also compatible with the Logi Bolt USB receiver, but that is not included.

So, if you are constantly on the move, we highly recommend the Logitech MX Keys as it’s a stellar Bluetooth mini keyboard.

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2. Arteck Mini Wireless Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Value-for-money
  • Wireless
  • 24-month warranty
Cons
  • Not backlit
  • Plastic body
  • The build quality of this small keyboard has some flex and feels less solid than its competition
  • Operating system: IOS/ Android/ MacOS/ Windows
  • Connection Type: Bluetooth 3.0
  • Power: Battery-powered
  • Weight: 5 pounds
  • Dimensions: 2” x 4.7”
  • Price: $

The Arteck Bluetooth keyboard is, in our opinion, the best value for money among the mini keyboards. This is thanks to its widespread compatibility and low price point. This slim-designed keyboard is more oriented toward tablet and iPad users, offering wireless and Bluetooth connectivity. But it can also be used with other devices that run on iOS and Windows.

It has a slim design that impressed us with a connection range of up to 10 meters. The QWERTY layout is built into a compact plastic frame that we found to flex a little — but not so much that it causes significant concern. We tested a few customizable hotkeys, which would work exceptionally well for iPad users.

Weighing in at only 0.5 ounces, this is one of the lightest Bluetooth keyboards, which makes it the perfect travel companion. The keys feature a low-profile and subtle design, with the scissor-kick design having a continuous lifespan of a reported three million clicks.

The only downside of this keyboard we found is that it requires two AAA batteries for power. Although these can last for up to four months, it annoyed us when it ran out of power, and we had to go buy new batteries.

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3. SR Mini Wired Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Windows and Mac compatible
  • Plug-and-play
  • No batteries needed
Cons
  • USB Wired connection
  • Powered by your PC or Laptop connection, which can drain its power faster
  • Keys can get stuck
  • Operating system: IOS/ Android/ MacOS/ Windows/ PS3/ Xbox360
  • Connection Type: Wired Connection
  • Power: Wired USB Type-C Connection
  • Weight: 6 pounds
  • Dimensions: 8” x 5.2”
  • Price: $

If you want a small and reliable keyboard that doesn’t require batteries at all, we highly recommend the SR mini keyboard as a good choice. Its USB-powered design, which also features plug-and-play — with no drivers needed for it to operate — made our testing very easy. It also comes in at a highly competitive price point compared to other micro keyboards.

The keyboard is available as a USB-dongle wireless connection keyboard if you really want to be entirely cable-free. This keyboard comes with seven multimedia keys and is lightweight and compact in design. We did find that the keys sometimes tended to stick or not be as responsive as other keyboards at a higher price point.

Despite this, the 78-key mini keyboard offers incredible value with no charging or additional batteries required (unless using the wireless model). But, for us, the downside is that the longevity of the keyboard is questionable. We think it would be better suited as a short-term solution to your needs instead of a final one.

For any Mac users, the wired design may be problematic because you will need a USB-A adapter to connect with your Macbook.

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4. Logitech K380 Review

 

Pros
  • Cross-flow computer control
  • Multi-device compatible
  • Operating system adaptive
Cons
  • Requires AAA batteries
  • The form factor can be a little cramped for some
  • Operating system: PC/ MacOS/ Android/ iOS
  • Connection Type: Bluetooth 2.0
  • Power: Battery-powered
  • Weight: 9 pounds
  • Dimensions: 6” x 4.9”
  • Price: $$

The Logitech K380 Bluetooth keyboard is another small keyboard from this prolific manufacturer. This model features a QWERTY layout with 80 keys that match our expectations. This is also a universal keyboard that works across multiple platforms and devices, even your Apple TV.

It essentially works with any Bluetooth-enabled device as long as it supports external keyboards with an HID profile. We could connect to up to three devices at the same time and switch between them at a push of a button. We were impressed to find that the wireless connection had a range of up to 10 meters before it lost connection.

The OS adaptive feature is pretty unique. It will automatically recognize each device and map the keys, giving us a familiar operating system layout. This non-rechargeable battery-powered keyboard requires standard AAA batteries to work and will last up to 24 months.

It even comes with a one-year limited hardware warranty to help you in the event of any defects. The basic design is well done, as it matched the shape of our fingertips for a familiar typing experience.

However, with 80 keys being crammed into such a small layout, we found it to be quite a cramped typing experience compared to a larger keyboard. The lack of a phone/tablet cradle also means that you will need a different stand for your tablet/phone to use the keyboard.

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5. Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Mechanical Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Hyperspeed wireless technology
  • Three modes of connectivity
  • Razer Green Mechanical switches
Cons
  • Quite expensive compared to other products
  • Macro keys require Razer Synapse software
  • Operating system: Windows
  • Connection Type: Bluetooth 3.0/ Hyperspeed Wireless/ USB Type-C
  • Power: Battery-powered/ wired
  • Weight: 76 pounds
  • Dimensions: 6” x 5.1”
  • Price: $$$

If you’re looking for the best wireless gaming keyboard, this Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini is a mechanical gaming keyboard, perfect for anyone. It comes with Razer’s own Green switches for a more tactile and clicky response. We already loved their Yellow switches for a more linear and silent response.

When it comes to the best small mechanical keyboard, this particular model is legendary. The Hyperspeed Wireless technology incorporated in this mechanical keyboard surprised us with low-latency gaming, offering an added option of connecting the USB-C cable.

The keycaps are made of Doubleshot ABS plastic, with thicker walls to ensure longevity. It is a robust design that can handle being thrown around in a backpack or case. This compact gaming keyboard also features a long battery life of up to 200 hours. Both the standard Bluetooth mode and Razer Hyperspeed Wireless have similar battery usage requirements.

Unfortunately, this mechanical keyboard will only connect to a PC with Windows OS, so Mac users will have to consider a different keyboard. This is also one of the heavier mechanical keyboards we reviewed, weighing 1.76 pounds and being slightly larger than most mini-keyboards.

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6. Macally 2.4G Small Wireless Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Plug-and-play
  • 12 Hotkeys
  • 4GHz connection
  • No drivers required
  • Lifetime tech support
Cons
  • Requires two AAA batteries
  • A USB port is needed for the dongle
  • Operating system: Windows
  • Connection Type: Wireless 2.4G
  • Power: Battery Powered
  • Weight: 7 pounds
  • Dimensions: 2” x 5”
  • Price: $

The Macally 2.4G is a simple yet effective compact keyboard that is undoubtedly one of the best mini keyboards on the market. This plug-and-play setup requires no drivers for it to work on your desired device. It is compatible with Windows and Mac, but we found it to work on almost any laptop or computer that has a USB-A port.

Unlike other wireless keyboards, we tested the connection running off of a 2.4GHz network that is created with the included USB dongle, not a Bluetooth connection. The compact design itself has 78 full-size keys with scissor switches to ensure a quiet typing experience.

There are also 12 dedicated function keys and an integrated kickstand to adjust the angle of use to reduce fatigue on your wrists. The layout and design of all the keys mean it is lightweight and compact, but during our time with them, the longevity of the mechanical switches seemed inconsistent.

They are stated as lasting up to 10 million keystrokes, but during our tests, although not reaching nearly that many clicks per key, some consistency decline did occur. This, in reality, isn’t such a major issue for compact keyboards such as this.

The perk of this mini keyboard is that it comes with lifetime US-based support, so any help will be available to you should you need it.

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7. Logitech Keys-to-Go Ultra-Portable Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Ultra-portable design
  • Spill-resistant
  • Perfect for Apple iPad
  • Silent keys
Cons
  • Questionable operating system connection to other devices that don’t run iOS
  • Operating system: iOS
  • Connection Type: Bluetooth
  • Power: Rechargeable battery
  • Weight: 4 pounds
  • Dimensions: 24” x 5.4”
  • Price: $$

If you are an Apple user and need a keyboard for your iPad or iPhone, we recommend the Logitech Keys-to-Go as the ultimate mini keyboard. This immensely compact keyboard design can easily fit inside any coat pocket or briefcase. It also has a spill-resistant covering made of fabric-like skin that protects it from dirt.

The keypad may be small, but we still liked that it allows for comfortable typing with full-size keys containing all the iOS shortcuts you are familiar with. Although it is advertised as working only with Apple products, we found that this keyboard will work with any device that has Bluetooth. So you can simply connect it to your device and start typing away.

This really is the perfect travel keyboard, with a feather-like weight and ultra-thin design. The battery will last up to three months and can be recharged with the USB cable. There is even a whole row of shortcut keys to boost productivity. The battery life on this keyboard stood out while we tested it. It also allowed for prolonged use without the actual keyboard heating up.

The downside of this wireless Bluetooth keyboard is that it has been reported that the rubber material key covering does seem to separate from the keys. However, this is only supposed to potentially happen after around a year’s worth of use. We didn’t find this to impact the function of the keyboard at all. It just means that the spill resistance will cease to exist.

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8. Razor Huntsman Mini 60% Gaming Keyboard Review

 

Pros
  • Value-for-money
  • Razor Optical switches
  • RGB backlit
Cons
  • Required wired connection
  • Operating system: Windows
  • Connection Type: Wired connection
  • Power: USB C
  • Weight: 15 pounds
  • Dimensions: 5” x 4”
  • Price: $$$

Another one of the best small keyboards for gamers has to be this compact mechanical option. The Razor Huntsman is a small RGB keyboard with Razor Optical switches. It is perfect for gamers who also travel and would love to take this compact mechanical keyboard with them.

This 60% design has 61 keys aimed at Windows OS users. The Razor Optical switches provide tactile and quiet feedback, offering smoother actuation than mechanical switches.

All the keys are anti-ghosting and conflict-free, with impressive response rates — not only for gaming but also for any work and daily use to enhance efficiency. This gaming keyboard also includes seven media keys that further increase productivity.

It is powered via a USB-C type connection and offers the perfect balance between typing and gaming in its current format.

We love that this fantastic mini keyboard is versatile and easy to travel with. However, the only issue we found is that the keys’ texture is not exceptional. It is also easy to lose your place on the keyboard without looking down frequently. Our impression is that this is due to how compact this gaming keyboard is.

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Best Keyboard Mini Accessory Reviews

A few great accessories can keep your tiny keyboard running smoothly and sticky key-free. If you look after your gear, it should last you longer, so what can you get to ensure some longevity?

Koonie Cordless Air Duster

Air canisters are fantastic, but you have to get another once they are out of air. That’s why we tested the little Electric Air Duster. It is a cordless air blower that is rechargeable via a Type-C port and spins up to 4000 rpm. We loved the small nozzle that amplifies the pressure, further making cleaning our keyboard and keys even easier.

This is a good accessory for any ergonomic keyboard users on the go. This is especially true if you don’t want to be that person holding their keyboard to their face and trying to blow the dirt and dust out.

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OXO Good Grips Keyboard Deep Clean Kit

For a more discreet method of cleaning our keyboard, we got our hands on the OXO Good Grips as an excellent portable option. It features a deep clean set with a microfibre cloth to remove all the smudges. It also includes a bristled brush to clean heavily stuck gunk and a loop brush to reach between the keys.

All of these come in a convenient little storage ring that makes it the perfect travel companion for your mini keyboard.

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ColorCoral Cleaning Gel

For a cheap and quick way to clean your keyboard, we suggest the ColorCoral Cleaning Gel. This is a universal dust cleaner that will clean your keyboard with ease. Simply take some of the biodegradable gel, press it onto your keyboard, and slowly remove it.

We liked that the gel could be used multiple times until it turned a dark color. Once it’s dark, you’ll need to replace it.

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Mini Keyboard Buyers Guide

When it comes to choosing a mini keyboard, there are a few factors we took into consideration when selecting our top picks. Below are a few things to think about when making your choice on which compact keyboards to purchase.

person using mini keyboard

Compatibility

First things first, you need to make sure that your desired ergonomic keyboard is compatible with the operating system that your device is using. Some of these keyboards, we found, are better suited to certain operating systems, while others are cross-compatible. Ideally, we prefer a small keyboard that can connect to multiple devices.

There are also keyboards that are orientated more towards tablets and not laptops or computer usage. It is also worth noting that just because you have the same operating system doesn’t mean that the keyboard will work with any version of the operating system.

For example, some keyboards will work with all previous Windows versions and not the newer Windows 11. So, make sure to check if the keyboard is compatible with your current operating system as well as your device.

Size and Weight

Yes, size does matter, and it was a major decision point for us when it came to looking for a compact mini keyboard. The main reason for wanting one of these is due to size and weight restrictions.

There are also those who are looking for a small keyboard to travel with since it will take up less space and weight in their luggage, which is always a major stress when traveling.

Make sure that you choose a keyboard that is just the right size and fits your needs. If you travel often, then one of the larger and heavier keyboards should not be your first choice. Stick to the ultra-slim and lightweight designs for added convenience when traveling.

white wireless mini keyboard

Purpose

What is your main reason for buying a mini keyboard? If you need a mini keyboard purely for business, then one of the more standard keyboards would be the better option.

For those who want to mix downtime and work, one of the smaller gaming keyboards would be a good option.

Programmable Keys

Lastly, keep a look out for the specifications of the mini keyboard’s programmability. Many of these keyboards offer programmable keys, however, some do not.

If you’re a gamer looking to customize your setup or simply want to optimize your productivity, the more programmable keys, the better.

Summary of Mini Keyboards

There are so many options out there that choosing a specific keyboard can be really hard. Whether you’re a casual gamer who wants something mainly for work, an executive constantly on the move, or just want a convenient keyboard, there is one for everyone.

Everyone needs an adequate setup for being on the move, and a solid Bluetooth mouse is another worthwhile investment to add an extra element of productivity. So, the question remains: which one of these miniature keyboards will you be taking on your adventures with you?

Matthew Davison

Written by Matthew


Matt is about 80% nerd, 10% writer, 10% animal lover. His love for PC’s started at the tender age of 4 and his love for animation and motion graphics fairly soon after. You can normally find him behind a computer screen or playing with his dog Rusty.

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Matthew Davison
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Matt is about 80% nerd, 10% writer, 10% animal lover. His love for PC’s started at the tender age of 4 and his love for animation and motion graphics fairly soon after. You can normally find him behind a computer screen or playing with his dog Rusty.