Verdict
The Logitech Wave Keys is a good wi-fi keyboard. It’s trendy and its wavy key placement affords a snug typing expertise. The connectivity choices and battery life are glorious, whereas it’s well-made and supplies good software program. Simply steer clear if you need one thing somewhat extra standard.
Execs
- Attractiveness
- Comfy typing expertise
- Intelligent software program
- Not too costly
Cons
- Format takes some getting used to
- No backlighting might not please some
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Wavy, sculpted chassisDesigned to advertise extra pure hand and wrist place. -
3 12 months battery lifeIncredible endurance because of the bundled AAA batteries. -
Twin connectivityWorks over both Bluetooth or Logi Bolt receiver on as much as 3 gadgets.
Introduction
Ergonomic keyboards have all the time been a little bit of a distinct segment product throughout the peripherals class, and it’s been somewhat little bit of time since we’ve seen a mainstream peripherals producer have a stab at giving one a go – enter the Logitech Wave Keys, one of many model’s first ergo ‘boards for fairly a very long time.
Given their area of interest, the £69.99/$59.99/€79.99 value is sensible, though you would possibly wince on the considered spending that a lot on a wi-fi membrane keyboard.
Nevertheless, if it could actually make typing extra snug and make an enduring impression, it could nicely take its place as probably the greatest wi-fi keyboards on the market. Let’s take a more in-depth look and discover out.
Design
- Trendy, gray chassis
- Wavy keys present consolation
- Handy bundled capabilities
The Wave Keys suits in nicely with Logitech’s latest route by way of their peripherals design, mixing the funky appears to be like of the Pebble Keys 2 K380s with the gray and textured end of the MX Keys S. Additionally it is out there in white if you happen to’re searching for a extra trendy colourway, however the gray on supply integrates particularly nicely if you happen to’ve received present Logitech peripherals.
The completely plastic chassis feels particularly stable, and the built-in wristrest is fairly plush. Regardless of the patterned end that initially look would make you consider that it’s a cloth possibility, that is merely a coating, however it helps alongside the Wave Keys’ sensible appears to be like nonetheless.
Logitech is all the time eager to tout its sustainability chops, and the Wave Keys isn’t any totally different. It’s made with some post-consumer recycled plastic, that’s 61% for the Graphite possibility or 46% for the Off-White. The paper packaging additionally comes from FSC-certified forests and “different managed sources.” Logitech additionally states that the Wave Keys is a carbon-neutral product.
The most important factor concerning the Wave Keys although is the hump in the midst of its chassis, elevating and reducing the principle alphanumeric keys in a wave form, therefore the keyboard’s identify. That is typical for ergonomic boards, and it’s all executed within the identify of constructing it extra snug to kind on over prolonged durations. It appears to be like odd, however it’s by design to maneuver your wrists again to a pure distance aside and a extra pure angle, versus being straightened out on a regular keyboard.
The transfer to this wave fashion has additionally led to the Wave Keys providing a barely extra compact format. Most notably, the arrow keys are tucked below the column with the Enter key and proper Shift like a laptop computer keyboard, whereas the Nav cluster is above the quantity pad. It takes some getting used to, alongside the entire idea of an ergonomic keyboard, if you happen to haven’t used one earlier than.
Logitech has additionally bundled some helpful capabilities into the highest row of the Wave Keys, together with a devoted emoji key (F6), in addition to one for muting your microphone (F8), and a shortcut to the snipping device (F7). They might be small adjustments in comparison with different keyboards within the model’s lineup, however replicate the altering wants of customers. For me, the devoted snipping device key’s a big assist, saving the finger gymnastics I often undergo as a Mac person.
Across the again, there’s a easy on/off change, whereas the underside of the Wave Keys is house to a pair of comparatively sturdy plastic ft to lift the board to a extra snug angle. There’s additionally a hatch through which to place two AA batteries which energy the Wave Keys, and can be house to its USB-A Logi Bolt receiver.
Efficiency
- Membrane keys are fairly snug
- Format takes some getting used to
- Good battery life
Regardless of its increased asking value, the Wave Keys isn’t a mechanical keyboard, as an alternative depends on membrane keys. They’re comparatively snug to kind on, though lack the crispness of a decrease profile scissor-actuated possibility, or the precision and tactility of a correct mechanical change. For the worth, you may get extra inexpensive mechanical selections, though they’re extra standard by way of each format and key placement.
On the purpose of format, the Wave Keys’ format did take some getting used to. In my testing, it took me every week or so to get used to utilizing the Wave Keys, though I used to be nonetheless arching my arms, so I wasn’t getting the total advantage of the board’s wrist relaxation. Nonetheless, I can see why the Wave Keys can supply a extra snug typing expertise, even when it takes somewhat little bit of getting used to. The format right here can be one of many much less wacky ergonomic choices in comparison with others from the likes of X-Bows and Actually Ergonomic, which makes it simpler to develop into accustomed to.
As for connectivity, the Wave Keys is strictly wi-fi, working both on Bluetooth or the bundled Logi Bolt receiver, on as much as 3 gadgets. Pairing it’s easy, and switching between the gadgets because of the devoted operate keys is nearly instantaneous. The transfer to utilizing Logi Bolt on the Wave Keys marks a departure from the Unifying Receiver in merchandise previous, with it now working by way of Bluetooth Low Vitality, and being appropriate with ChromeOS and Linux, in addition to Home windows and macOS. It might be a small factor, however it’s a worthwhile improve.
As for battery life, Logitech charges the Wave Keys to final for as much as 3 years on its AAA batteries. That is some glorious endurance, though comes on the trade-off of binning AAA batteries when you’re executed. There isn’t any lighting to detract from its battery life, although, so it hopefully gained’t final for any interval shorter.
Software program and Lighting
- No lighting to be a battery drain
- Good Actions are intelligent
- Slick interface
The Wave Keys doesn’t characteristic any type of lighting, be it fancy RGB or less complicated white backlighting, which you’d maybe count on on a keyboard at this value. For example, the similarly-priced JLab Epic Wi-fi Keyboard includes a semblance of white backlighting, whereas opting to spend somewhat extra in Logitech’s canon will get you sharper white backlighting.
On the entrance of software program, nonetheless, the Wave Keys excels. Full of the slick Logi Choices+, it advantages from in depth programming performance, together with the incredible Good Actions, which let you program a number of system-level instructions resembling opening Chrome, Spotify and Zoom with one button press. Logitech additionally supplies preset selections if you happen to don’t need to take the time to program your individual.
It’s also possible to program extra fundamental capabilities throughout the Operate Row, in addition to change between paired gadgets if you happen to don’t need to use the devoted buttons.
Newest offers
Must you purchase it?
You need a snug typing expertise
Logitech’s Wave Keys affords a snug typing expertise with these membrane keys and its left-field format.
You need a extra normal keyboard format
Nevertheless, if you wish to go for one thing extra normal, there are many different choices out there for the same value – some mechanical, some membrane.
Last Ideas
Logitech’s Wave Keys represents the model’s first go at an ergonomic keyboard for a very good few years, and it’s a stable execution. Its design is in line with their more moderen releases, whereas its chassis is stable. The wave design promotes extra pure hand and wrist placement, and it could actually assist to supply a extra snug typing expertise, particularly if you happen to’re a nailed-on contact typist. For me, it labored to a level, though I nonetheless really feel extra snug with extra standard choices.
Very like Logitech’s different releases although, it’s on the entrance of software program the place the Wave Keys shines. Logitech’s Choices+ is critically highly effective, particularly with real-world macros on Good Actions, and extremely handy key remapping. 3 years of battery life can be incredible, even whether it is on the detriment of binning off batteries, however at the least you gained’t be doing it too typically.
If you happen to’re somebody desirous to go for a extra snug typing expertise whereas additionally serving to out with your individual ergonomics, then the Logitech Wave Keys is a simple promote, even with that studying curve. Nevertheless, you may seize extra standard keyboards for the worth, such because the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s and even the JLab Epic Wi-fi Keyboard. Mechanical choices present a greater typing really feel, however ergo selections are dearer. For a wider choice, take a look at our checklist of the most effective wi-fi keyboards.
How we check
We use each keyboard we check for at the least 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 simple it’s to customize and arrange.
Spent at the least every week testing
In contrast the construct high quality with comparable priced keyboards.
FAQs
Logitech’s Wave Keys is the newest within the model’s lineup of ‘Wave keyboards’, an ergonomic line of keyboards designed to supply extra snug typing.
