Logitech MX Keys Mini Review – Compact and sturdy keyboard for static and travel setups for RM489

There are an absolutely mind boggling array of keyboards available in the market with all manner of switches, sizes, keycaps and materials but the Logitech MX Keys Mini is intended for a more business-oriented crowd that needs a compact, high-performing keyboard though it doesn’t come cheap at RM489. Here’s our Logitech MX Keys Mini review where we put their latest keyboard to the test to see if it’s worth the money.

Logitech MX Keys Mini review – Build and Design

Intended as the latest generation wireless compact keyboard for corporate desk jockeys, the Logitech MX Keys Mini can be acquired in one of three colours – Pale Grey which is a light Apple-esque shade of silver and white, Graphite which is the usual black on black finish and in the case of our MX Keys Mini review sample, a shade of Rose which is a light metallic pink.

Interestingly enough, Logitech states that the MX Keys Mini uses a certain amount of post-consumer recycled plastic in its construction with our Rose and the Pale Grey variant using 12% recycled plastic and the graphite version using the most material at 30% of recycled plastic.

The layout is a fairly standard 60% keyboard layout with the omission of the numeric keypad and a hacked down set of arrow keys akin to many laptop layouts. Unfortunately, its compact dimensions means that the MX Keys Mini lacks the customary Page Up and Page Down keys which is a bit of a downer.

Interestingly enough, the keyboard also has a unique set of shortcut keys all across the uppermost row bookmarked by an Esc and Del key. The upper left has a set of three marked keys that let you instantly swap and connect with up to 3 paired devices via Bluetooth be it a laptop, phone or tablet.

Next to this are a set of keys to control the intensity of the backlighting, increase or decrease volume, turn on dictation, perform a screen capture, mute the microphone and instantly access emojis. These function keys can also double as the F1 to F12 keys in a pinch.

The keys are made of plastic set on top of a solid metal plate for sturdiness, use scissor switches and feature 1.4mm key travel along with a slight concave indentation to offer a comfier typing experience. The keyboard is also backlit in white with variable intensity on demand. They’re relatively quiet as well though they are not fully silenced with a gentle, muted click with each keypress.

Bar the keyboard itself, the packaging also comes with a USB-C cable to charge it and a set of the obligatory recycling and safety paperwork. The overall build quality of the Logitech MX Keys Mini is excellent with a polycarbonate frame that mimics the look and feel of metal that is slightly raised at about a 6.5 degree angle. Unfortunately there’s no built-in kickstand or means to adjust the angle further in the design.

Placed just behind the keyboard is an on/off slider, the housing for the non-removable battery along with a USB-C port for charging the battery itself. On paper, the battery is rated for 10 days of usage with the backlight on and a whopping 5 months of usage if used without the backlight. 

The underside of the keyboard is bare save for a set of rubberised feet to prevent the keyboard from sliding off a table into oblivion.

On top of its clean and sleek look which will appeal to minimalists, its sturdiness, size and slimness also makes it ideal to slip into a backpack for typing on the go on a tablet or smartphone without taking up too much space or weight. Unfortunately it lacks water resistance so some care needs to be taken when packing to avoid liquids spilling onto the keyboard.

Logitech MX Keys Mini Review – Setup and Performance

Our Logitech MX Keys Mini review sample needed a quick charge out of the box and it was off to the races after that. Getting it paired with a Galaxy S22 Ultra, a laptop and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra for a lark occurred in just a few minutes for each device via Bluetooth. Swapping between them all is simply a matter of pressing the function keys in the upper left corner of the keyboard. 

Unfortunately, the Logitech MX Keys Mini connects to devices solely via Bluetooth with the only option otherwise being the purchase of a separate Bluetooth receiver dongle.

On installation, the keyboard prompts you to install the Logi Options app to allow for further customisation and the app itself allows you to remap the function keys to taste. 

When put to the test, our Logitech MX Keys Mini review sample performed like a champ with crisp, responsive input across multiple devices while swapping between them with ease. When put to the usual typing tests, the keyboard yielded an above 83pwm with more professional typists likely yielding better results.

Our Logitech MX Keys Mini review unit saw the most use paired with a desktop PC but its compact dimensions also meant that it was easily able to be slipped into a backpack and used for work on the go when paired with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 to create an ultra compact setup for work on the go.

On paper, the keyboard is rated for 10 days of battery life with the backlight on and a whopping 5 months with the backlight off and across a week of testing with a full day’s worth of work, the keyboard is still ticking along nicely without flagging. This makes it ideal for mobile workers and digital nomads in tandem with its compact dimensions.

Should you buy the Logitech MX Keys Mini?

The Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard doesn’t come cheap but is a sound investment with a compact and sturdy chassis, excellent battery life and responsive keys that make it ideal for minimalist desktop setups and for work on the go.

Specifications
Price RM489
Connectivity Bluetooth Low Energy and Logi Bolt USB Receiver (not included)
Battery 10 days use / 5 months with backlighting off
Size/Weight 131.95 x 295.99 x 20.97mm / 506.4g

Logitech MX Keys Mini review sample courtesy of Logitech Malaysia. To purchase please visit their official website at https://www.logitech.com/en-my/products/keyboards/mx-keys-mini.920-010506.html