Home PC Components and Peripherals The Best Magic Keyboard Alternatives in 2022
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Whether you’re working from home or on-site, it’s important to get a good keyboard to keep your hands comfortable while working throughout the day. However, it’s not always enough to have a comfortable keyboard. Sometimes, you also need features that improve usability and make you work more efficiently.
Like its predecessor, this Magic Keyboard is equipped with a long-lasting battery that can last up to a month between charges. It syncs with your Mac instantly and comes with a braided USB-C to Lightning Cable for charging and cable use—no wireless pairing required.
The System Preferences software is used to customize the keyboard, and it’s a simple process. Users can build shortcuts, tweak keys, check battery levels, and change the number of times a key repeats as well as the delay between each repeat. But there’s nothing on this iMac or Mac laptop that you haven’t seen before.
What makes it stand out, though, is its Touch ID. You can expect the same thing if you’ve used Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad. On the previous Magic Keyboard, the eject button was replaced by a Touch ID sensor.
With this, you’re guaranteed to experience improved security and privacy, which is very important these days. What’s more, without a fingerprint recorded, pressing the Touch ID button will just lock your computer.
However, like other Apple products, the Magic Keyboard comes with a steep price tag. So, is it still worth it? The answer actually depends on the user. But, if you want better features or something that’s more affordable, here are the best Magic Keybaord alternatives that you can buy.
If you travel a lot, this is one of the best Magic Keyboard alternatives for you. Due to its size, it’s hard not to compare it with Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The MX Keys, on the other hand, are those of a high-quality laptop keyboard, designed for desktop users who prefer something smaller and sleeker than the present plethora of clicky mechanical variants. The scissor switches have a lovely, if short, feel to them that won’t irritate anyone in the cubicle next to you. Although there is only one keyboard angle option, you’ll find that, after some time, you’ll be able to type faster and more precisely. Another thing that makes it more worth considering is its battery life. The Logitech MX Keys Mini has a good battery life, which makes it even more ideal for traveling. And while it’s meant for a desktop despite its small size, the Logitech MX Keys Mini also works surprisingly well with a tablet. Another great point for frequent travelers, right? Ironically, its size can also be one of its weak points. Since it’s small, some people might find it uncomfortable to use, especially those with big hands. Smaller keyboards can also put a strain on your shoulders if you use the keyboard for a long time. But, for a price of just $99, it’s a decent option that could replace the Magic Keyboard.
Keyboard feels greatGood battery life
Too small
Good technology firms solve challenges we didn’t even realize we had. Logitech made picking up your mobile devices while working on your computer look like a problem with the $49.99 K480 Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard, and it fixes it very effectively. Okay, that isn’t exactly a pressing concern. However, the K480 keeps the work momentum going by directing your attention, and your hands, directly to the keyboard. What’s great is using a simple dial, you can simply swap keyboard functionality between three devices, including your PC, phone, and tablet. The K480 is our first multi-device keyboard, and we really like it. In terms of its design, the K480 appears like any other keyboard except for the virtually circular keys and the wide part above the keys where you insert your mobile devices into the rubberized groove support. A dial just above the Esc key allows you to pick the device you want. They’re labeled 1, 2, or 3, which may take a little getting used to until you memorize which number corresponds to which device. The K480 keyboard is very compact in width and rather lengthy in depth, measuring 0.79 by 11.77 by 7.68 inches (HWD). That’s fine, though, because you can use the groove stand to hold your Apple or Android tablet and phone, saving you desk space. If you’re considering utilizing it as a portable tablet keyboard, you should reconsider because it’s not nearly small enough. It’s also not the lightest solution, coming in at 1.81 pounds. It’s really designed to be used on a desk at home.
Easy to setSimultaneously connects in three devices
No cover to protect the keys when in transit.
If you’re a serious gamer, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB is a great Magic Keyboard alternative for you. Kinesis Gaming’s latest split gaming keyboard, the Freestyle Edge RGB, adds a slew of additional features to its original model, including programmable RGB illumination. It gives players who desire or require the support of an ergonomic keyboard access to features like customized profiles, macro keys, and multicolored lighting seen on gaming boards. The Freestyle Edge RGB improves on the original Freestyle Edge in a number of ways, but it’s still essentially the same device. The split keyboard is made up of two half-keyboards constructed of a firm, matte gray plastic, just like the original Freestyle. Up to 20 inches of braided wire connects the halves, giving you plenty of wiggle room to arrange the boards any way you choose. The keys are arranged in a “75 percent” pattern, which has the same amount of keys as a tenkeyless board but in a more compact configuration. Page Up, Page Down, and Print Screen, which are usually placed in a distinct space on most regular keyboards, have been pushed to the upper-right-hand corner. Packing the keys in this fashion reduces the size of the layout, which is beneficial because it can take up a lot of room, but it also increases the learning curve for players who are new to ergo-keyboards. Coincidentally, its design can also be its weak point. Due to its unique design, its keys are sometimes hard to reach, especially if you’re not used to this design.
Ergonomic keyboardBuild quality
Keys are sometimes hard to reach
The Ergo K860 adds smart flourishes to Microsoft and Fellowes’ unibody designs, combining them with the well-thought-out features that distinguish Logitech’s best office products, such as the ability to pair with multiple devices and move between two devices rapidly using Logitech Flow. Furthermore, despite its steep curve, the K860 design is understated, making the difficult chore of transferring to an ergonomic keyboard appear a little less scary. The Ergo K860 is a one-piece split keyboard, or as I like to call it, a “soft split.” There’s a triangular gap between the sets of keys intended for usage with your left and right hands to ensure you don’t have to pinch your shoulder blades to force your arms or wrists together. Because the keyboard slopes upward in the center, you won’t have to twist your wrists to get your fingertips to lay flat on the keys. As a result, you can type with fewer rotations, stretches, and other unnatural movements that might cause injury over time, even if you aren’t aware of them on a daily basis. With such a unique design, you will not only feel comfortable even after hours of working. You will also have a better typing experience, which can improve your speed and accuracy. However, it has different shortcut keys. Because of this, it might take a while to get used to it. Nevertheless, for its price and design, it’s worth considering as a Magic Keybaord alternative.
Comfortable to typeTyping experience
Different shortcut keys
The Anne 2 pro keyboard is a well-constructed keyboard with 60% more keys than a conventional keyboard. It is oriented towards gamers because it takes up less space and has multiple switches. It’s available in Black or White, with Cherry MX, Kailh, or Gateron switches. It’s also a fairly flexible keyboard that lets you modify key bindings and RBG backlighting per key using the included software. Because of the built-in lithium-ion battery needed for wireless operation, the Anne Pro 2 feels robust and is fairly weighty. The keys are steady and do not wobble, and the keyboard is strong with no flex. The feet on the keyboard aren’t adjustable. Soon after unboxing the Anne Pro 2 keyboard, one of the small rubber feet peeled off, however pressing it firmly back into position fixed the problem. If this happens frequently, you may need to use a different adhesive to make it stick better. Aside from that, this is a downward-sloping keyboard with a set height that is higher in the back and lower in the front. Just be mindful if you like a completely flat keyboard. The best part of it is that it has a long battery life This means you can get to spend more hours using it without having to worry about its battery. At $99, you can already get an aesthetically pleasing and functional keyboard. However, its design could be one of its cons too. Overall, it’s a decent Magic Keyboard replacement. It’s affordable and functional.
Long battery lifeExtraordinary keyboard
High profile may cause strain
If you’re on the lookout for a keyboard that has the same aesthetic that Apple has but a limited budget, the Satechi Bluetooth keyboard is for you. Satechi produces a wide range of peripherals, including USB hubs, headphones, mice, and keyboards. The USB Type-C hubs, for example, match the aluminum of the Apple MacBook Pro, and much of the company’s marketing strategy appears to revolve around beautiful Instagram photographs rather than offers or traditional web advertising. The Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard, which is clearly designed to replicate the Apple board with which it competes, has a lot of design-forward characteristics. However, Satechi has made a few interesting changes to the Apple keyboard design. As you use it, it appears that these changes were made out of meticulous attention to detail rather than a desire to avoid provoking Apple’s legal team into drafting a patent-infringement lawsuit. The design of the keycaps is the most noticeable difference. They’re rounded rather than square, like Apple’s keycaps, and the middle is almost invisibly carved. However, the sculpting isn’t so fine that your fingertips miss where they’re supposed to land. Satechi Bluetooth keyboard, however, has fewer features, but it’s still a decent keyboard to consider.
Minimalist designSpecific keys for Mac
Less features at a higher cost
If you’re seeking a wireless mechanical keyboard for your Mac, look no farther than the Keychron K2, the follow-up to the original K1 that we reviewed earlier this year. The K2’s sleek, simple design, while not as low-profile as its predecessor, is a far cry from the hefty mechanical keyboards you may be used to. The K2 has a more traditional mechanical keyboard design, albeit it does have a smaller footprint than most of the more popular wired mechanical keyboards I’ve used in the past. The K2 also has curved keycaps and Gateron key switches, which provide a superior tactile sensation. A black aluminum frame with minimal bezels wraps around the perimeter of the keyboard. There are dark and light gray keys on the keyboard and a single orange ESC key. Furthermore, it has RGB backlighting. This, of course, makes it look more aesthetically pleasing. On top of that, it boasts impressive battery life, so whether you’re using it for gaming or for work, you’re guaranteed to be able to use it longer than its competitors. However, some users complain about its auto-sleep mode. Regardless, for its price, it is worth considering.
RGB backlightBattery lasts a long time
Auto-sleep mode can be frustrating
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