Logitech MX Keys S Review (2026): Worth Buying?

The Logitech MX Keys S is a full size, low profile wireless keyboard with quiet scissor switch keys, three device pairing and smart backlighting. It's an excellent buy if you type all day or work across Mac and Windows. It costs more than basic keyboards, and the backlight is dim.

MX Keys S Specs at a Glance

You want the facts fast, so here they are.

I pulled these numbers from Tom's Guide, B&H and TechGearLab. Prices and specs change, so check the retailer before you buy.

Why the Typing Experience Wins You Over

Typing feel is the whole point of a keyboard, so I'll start there.

Reviewers keep landing on the same verdict: it's a joy to type on. Below, I'll break down why, and why it matters if you write, code or answer emails for eight hours straight.

PCWorld says Logitech combines a plastic scissor switch bracket with a membrane. You get smooth, deliberate travel with a bit of give, much like a really good laptop keyboard.

Then come the spherically dished keys. These concave keycaps cradle your fingertips, and Logitech says they cut mistypes while the stable keys reduce noise. That makes it a great quiet typing keyboard for shared offices.

TechGearLab named it its Editor's Choice for best wireless keyboard. Its testers reported no hand or wrist fatigue, even after long sessions. The fixed 6º angle also suits most typists without a palm rest.

Smart Features That Actually Save You Time

Typing feel gets you in the door, but features keep you around.

The MX Keys S adds a few clever touches. Some are properly useful, and others are pleasant extras. So let me walk you through the two I'd care about most, then a quick word on the rest.

Smart Illumination for Any Lighting

Reach for the keyboard, and the backlit keys glow. Walk away, and they fade.

That's smart illumination, a mix of a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor. It adapts to your surroundings, and you can tune brightness and duration in Logi Options+.

Connecting Multiple Devices and Using Flow

Here's the fun part.

You can pair three computers, tablets or phones and jump between them with one keypress. Plus, Logitech Flow lets you copy text, images or files on one machine and paste them on another. It needs a compatible Logitech mouse and Options+ on Windows or macOS.

It also works with ChromeOS. If you pair it with a Chromebook, this guide on how to turn off Caps Lock on a Chromebook will save you a little frustration.

You also get Smart Actions, which chain several steps into one keystroke. PCWorld found them limited for now, so treat them as a bonus.

What's New Compared to the Original MX Keys?

If you own the original, you're wondering whether to upgrade.

I'll be straight with you: the changes are small. Still, if you're buying fresh, that hardly matters, because the S is simply the current model. Here's exactly what changed.

RTINGS says the differences are mostly F row shortcuts plus auto brightness. Trusted Reviews adds that the S borrows the MX Keys Mini layout, including a dedicated emoji key. Retail listings also mention dictation and mute/unmute keys, and 15% recycled plastic in the plastic parts.

MX Keys S vs MX Keys vs MX Keys Mini vs Apple Magic Keyboard

Choosing between these four is where most people get stuck.

So here's a side by side. I've kept prices out of the table because they move around, but I'll flag one useful price fact just below it.

Tom's Guide reviewed the MX Keys S at $109, about $20 under the $129 Magic Keyboard at the time. That makes it a strong Apple Magic Keyboard alternative if you also use Windows. Need less width? Pick the Mini.

The Honest Downsides (Read This Before You Buy)

I could gush all day, but you deserve the full picture.

Reviewers did flag real weaknesses, and pretending otherwise wastes your time. Here they are, and then I'll tell you why I'd still buy it.

• Battery with backlight on: About 10 days per charge, as TechGearLab noted.

• Dim, white only backlight: Tom's Guide found it limited.

• No dongle storage: The receiver is easy to lose. Bluetooth users can skip this worry.

• Price: Some Best Buy shoppers find it steep.

The fix is simple. Keep the backlight modest, top up over USB-C, and remember that touch typists barely need bright keys.

How to Set Up Your MX Keys S

Setup takes about five minutes.

You don't need to be techy. Follow the order below, and you'll be typing before your coffee cools.

Step by Step Setup

Each step below is quick, and skipping Options+ is the only real mistake I'd warn you about.

1. Charge it first with the included USB-C cable.

2. Pick your connection: plug in the Logi Bolt USB receiver or pair over Bluetooth. Bolt won't pair with other Logitech receivers.

3. Install Logi Options+ to unlock backlight settings, Smart Actions and Flow.

4. Pair your other devices to the Easy-Switch keys.

5. Tune the lighting to balance brightness and battery.

Tip for Mac Users

Mac users, this one saves headaches. If FileVault is on, Bluetooth may block your password entry at startup. Use the Bolt receiver instead, and you're sorted.

Once you're connected, it's worth learning the keyboard shortcuts on Mac. The MX Keys S has dual labeled keys, so they'll feel natural right away.

How I Researched This Review

Transparency matters, so here's exactly what this article is built on.

I haven't run my own lab tests. Instead, I cross checked independent reviews from Tom's Guide, PCWorld, TechGearLab, RTINGS and Trusted Reviews against manufacturer and retailer specs from Logitech and B&H. Where sources disagreed, I named the source rather than guessing.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the MX Keys S?

Yes, and here's why.

You get a superb typing feel, effortless multi device switching and a solid build. The flaws are real but small next to what you gain daily. If you type for a living or juggle a laptop and desktop, this is a safe bet.

Prices shift, so check the current listing at B&H or Logitech before you buy. Then stop putting up with a mushy keyboard, and treat your hands to the best wireless keyboard for productivity you can reasonably afford.

MX Keys S FAQ

Still have questions? These are the ones people ask most, with short answers you can rely on.

Does the MX Keys S work with Mac?

Yes. It works with macOS, Windows, Linux, ChromeOS and iPadOS. Mac users with FileVault enabled should use the Logi Bolt receiver, because Bluetooth may block password entry at startup.

How long does the MX Keys S battery last?

Logitech rates it at up to 10 days with the backlight on and up to five months with it off. Your results depend on brightness and how long the lights stay on, so lower those settings to stretch each charge.

Is the MX Keys S quiet?

Reviewers describe it as a quiet, low profile keyboard. Logitech says the stable keys reduce noise, and PCWorld compares the feel to a good laptop keyboard, which makes it suitable for shared offices.

Do I need Logi Options+?

For basic typing, no. For backlight tuning, Smart Actions, Flow and key customization, yes. PCWorld also notes the ambient light feature depends on the app, so install it on your main computer.

Is the MX Keys S worth the money?

For most heavy typists, yes. Tom's Guide praised the typing and software but found the price high for the dim backlight, while PCWorld ranked it near the top for slim keyboards. Buy it if comfort and multi device use matter.

What's the difference between the MX Keys S and MX Keys Mini?

The Mini is compact with no numpad. The S is full size with a numpad. Both share the newer layout, including the emoji key, so pick based on desk space and how often you use numbers.

Related reading: How to turn off Caps Lock on a Chromebook | How to use keyboard shortcuts on Mac