Verdict
The Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is a stable wi-fi keyboard for workplace use. It supplies some noteworthy upgrades over its predecessor, like highly effective software program and higher battery life. Alongside funky appears to be like, there’s an excellent typing expertise and nice connectivity. It does really feel somewhat low-cost, although.
Professionals
- Funky appears to be like
- Snug and quiet typing expertise
- Reasonably highly effective software program
Cons
- Smaller format can really feel somewhat cramped at instances
- Cheaper feeling chassis
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Scissor-actuated keysSnappy and quiet typing expertise -
Huge connectivity choicesWorks on as much as three units over Bluetooth and the Logi Bolt receiver (not included) -
As much as 3-year battery lifeGlorious endurance, because of operating off of a pair of AAA batteries
Introduction
Because the traditional eighties hit from Huey Lewis & The Information goes, ‘It’s hip to be sq.’. Nicely, given their newest keyboard, the Pebble Keys 2 K380s, Logitech appears to suppose in any other case.
It’s a sea of circles and rounded edges by way of design, alongside scissor-actuated keys, and a few notable upgrades, with a keyboard that makes for an particularly long-awaited follow-up to certainly one of their hottest fashions.
Whether or not these upgrades and their splendidly twee appears to be like are sufficient for it to go as among the best keyboards on the market right now although, stays to be seen. I’ve been performing some testing to search out out.
Design
- Funky, eye-catching appears to be like
- Considerate perform row
- Small and light-weight
In comparison with the extra business-like appears to be like of the MX line of peripherals, MX Keys S included, the Pebble Keys 2 K380s has a funkier look. It’s obtainable in three eye-catching colors – black, white, and coral pink. The white I’ve bought right here is extra off-white and that’s offset by the gray connectivity keys on the highest row, and it appears to be like wonderful.
The Pebble Keys 2 K380s is all circles and rounded edges, a far cry from extra standard keyboards on the identical value. It appears to be like extra attention-grabbing and stands out as a keyboard for aesthetics as it’s for performance. I just like the design however I can see why folks might want one thing somewhat extra standard. At 415g, it is a mild keyboard and it feels somewhat low-cost, with the plastic chassis that includes fairly a little bit of deck flex nevertheless it’s sturdy total.
It sports activities a smaller 65% format, providing the advantages of arrow keys and a devoted perform row alongside the usual alphanumeric keys. This feels extra cramped on the Pebble Keys 2 K380s than it does on different 65% format keyboards I’ve examined. It’s a dinky keyboard although, providing you with much more desk house than a full-size possibility, with out paying an excessive amount of of a value by way of misplaced performance.
Very like the larger and dearer MX Keys S although, this new possibility brings with it some adjustments to the perform row, with it now containing a devoted emoji key (f8), a text-to-speech key (F7) and one for display screen seize (F9) – a pleasant contact. For Mac customers, that saves the finger gymnastics to deliver up the snipping device.
There aren’t any ports for charging across the again, because the Pebble Keys 2 K380s works on AAA batteries. There aren’t any retractable toes both. The one interface on supply is an on/off swap on the keyboard’s left-hand aspect and a few small standing LEDs to point which Bluetooth channel the keyboard is linked to.
The Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s is manufactured from 45% recycled plastic. By way of packaging, there’s no plastic concerned, because the Pebble Keys 2 K380s is available in a cardboard field, and is wrapped in paper. The overview pattern I acquired got here because the combo set, though I think about it could be comparable because the keyboard is by itself.
Efficiency
- Snug, quiet typing expertise
- Immediate switching between units
- Glorious battery life
The Pebble Keys 2 K380s gives comfy typing with its scissor-actuated keys that supply a good expertise with some stable tactility. It isn’t as tactile as any mechanical board on the market however, for a set of scissor-actuated keys, I don’t have any trigger for concern.
The actual fact the keycaps are round, versus sq., takes some getting used to. You do must be fairly exact along with your finger placement, as these keycaps are fairly small, all within the title of wanting good. It’s a quiet keyboard, that means utilizing it at house or in an workplace gained’t trigger any noise complaints.
The Pebble Keys 2 K380s supplies the comfort of near-instant switching between linked units over Bluetooth. Pairing is so simple as holding down the related channel till the LED flashes, and pairing it to the related system. You may as well join it by way of the Logi Bolt USB receiver, however this isn’t included with the keyboard. Nevertheless, should you purchase the combo set that additionally contains the Pebble Mouse 2 M350s, you then get the receiver.
Being powered by a pair of AAA batteries means the battery lifetime of the Pebble Keys 2 K380s is superb. Logitech charges it to final for as much as 36 months on a set, so that you gained’t have to fret about changing them for years. It additionally marks a significant improve over the earlier mannequin, with it providing as much as fifty per cent longer on a single run of batteries.
Software program and Lighting
- Backlighting is nowhere to be seen
- Logi Choices+ is a strong suite of software program
There isn’t any RGB lighting to be seen on the Pebble Keys 2 K380s, other than the LED lights above the person connection buttons. It might have been nice to place some white backlighting beneath the keys, as Logitech has confirmed this to be efficient previously on some dearer merchandise. Nevertheless, with the actual fact the Pebble Keys 2 K380s is extra of an reasonably priced ‘board, it isn’t a lot of a sore miss.
Nevertheless, what isn’t there for lighting is made up for with a strong software program suite. In addition to offering fundamental performance to assign features to the perform row of keys and choose between paired units with the Straightforward Swap perform, issues additionally get somewhat bit extra superior if you delve into Sensible Actions.
These have been current because the MX peripherals refresh earlier this 12 months, and provide you with some particularly intelligent real-world macros to play with. As an example, if you wish to open a few of your most used apps with one keypress, then you may. They’re straightforward to program and an actual win for energy customers who need to save beneficial seconds when working, or you need to use any of the preset ones that Logitech supplies inside Choices+.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
You desire a quiet, comfy typing expertise
The scissor-actuated keys on the Pebble Keys 2 K380s supply a tactile and satisfying really feel, whereas additionally being somewhat quiet.
You desire a bigger format
The Pebble Keys 2 K380s gives a stable typing expertise, however its smaller format can really feel somewhat cramped. If you would like one thing greater, it would be best to look elsewhere.
Ultimate Ideas
Logitech’s Pebble Keys 2 K380s is a noteworthy improve over its predecessor, constructing on one of many model’s hottest keyboards to supply an excellent higher bundle. They’ve gone all-in on its round and rounded design which appears to be like good, though on the slight detriment of taking somewhat little bit of getting used to when typing. Even then, although, it’s a snug typing expertise that’s additionally quieter with out the scissor-actuated keys feeling mushy.
It’s on the entrance of software program the place the largest upgrades have been made. Choices+ is an particularly highly effective suite and offers the Pebble Keys 2 K380s an edge over the competitors, particularly with the advance of Sensible Actions. Mixed with this, the unbelievable comfort of virtually prompt switching over Bluetooth, in addition to assist for Logi Bolt, and three years’ price of battery life make this a terrific keyboard for nearly anybody.
This isn’t a mechanical keyboard, although, however they could be a good bit dearer. however supply a extra exact and fuller-feeling typing expertise. Even in Logitech’s personal canon, to get these funky appears to be like, or ones which can be arguably even funkier, and a mechanical keypress, you’ll be paying much more for the Logitech POP Keys.
In any other case, it’s the Logitech MX Keys S once more that warrants a comparability – the Pebble Keys 2 K380s doesn’t supply all of its options, however gives an excellent lot of them for far more affordable cash. For extra selections, be at liberty to take a look at our listing of the perfect keyboards.
How we check
We use each keyboard we check for no less than every week. Throughout that point, we’ll test it for ease of use, consolation and efficiency of the switches.
We additionally test every keyboard’s software program to see how straightforward it’s to customize and arrange.
Spent no less than every week testing
In contrast the construct high quality with comparable priced keyboards.
FAQs
The Pebble Keys 2 K380s works with out software program, though to get essentially the most out of it, you will want to put in Logitech’s Choices+ software program.
By way of naming conference, Pebble Keys 2 is the brand new label for the vary beforehand dubbed K380. The Pebble Keys 2 K380s is the successor to the Logitech K380. A key distinction is that the brand new mannequin gives as much as 50 per cent extra battery life.
