Our Verdict
The AmazonBasics K4R isn't designed to be a gaming keyboard. Although it has very low pre-travel distance, it requires a lot of force to actuate each key, which isn't ideal for gaming. It also lacks backlighting and you can't program any macros on the board.
- Decent ergonomics.
- No customization via software.
- No backlighting.
- Heavy-feeling keys.
The AmazonBasics wireless keyboard with touchpad doesn't support Bluetooth and isn't designed to work with mobile devices and tablets.
- Decent ergonomics.
- Lightweight design.
- Only connects via USB receiver and not Bluetooth.
- Heavy-feeling keys.
The AmazonBasics K4R is a decent keyboard for the office. Its low-profile design is decently comfortable to type on, it's very quiet and won't bother colleagues surrounding you, and the overall typing quality is okay. The wireless design with a touchpad is great if you want to use it in a meeting room, without having a full mouse and keyboard setup.
- Decent ergonomics.
- Lightweight design.
- Cheap build quality.
- Only connects via USB receiver and not Bluetooth.
- Heavy-feeling keys.
The AmazonBasics wireless keyboard is sub-par for programming. It can't set macros and its overall typing quality isn't the best. The build quality is mediocre and feels very cheap, which might not last you a while.
- Decent ergonomics.
- No customization via software.
- No backlighting.
- Only connects via USB receiver and not Bluetooth.
The AmazonBasics K4R is designed as a home theater PC keyboard, but it's disappointing for that use. It only connects via its USB receiver, so it might not work on all TVs, and it lacks backlighting. On the plus side, it has a built-in trackpad and media hotkeys to skip through your content.
- Built-in touchpad.
- Lightweight design.
- No backlighting.
- Only connects via USB receiver and not Bluetooth.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 28, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Mar 18, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Mar 13, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 11, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
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Popular Keyboard Comparisons
Although the AmazonBasics K4R is cheaply made, it does a good job at what it aims to do, which is being a basic wireless keyboard. It won't offer all the bells and whistles like higher-end products and won't be as durable, but if you're looking for a wireless office keyboard that won't break the bank, it's a good option. For more options, see our recommendations for the best keyboards, the best wireless keyboards, and the best keyboards for writers.
The Microsoft Surface Keyboard is a better overall keyboard than the AmazonBasics K4R. The Microsoft is noticeably better built, and it offers a better overall typing quality. It connects via Bluetooth instead of a dedicated receiver, which means it can also be used with mobile devices. On the other hand, the AmazonBasics has a built-in touchpad instead of a Numpad, which can be useful.
The AmazonBasics K4R and the iClever Tri-Folding Keyboard BK08 both have an integrated touchpad. The iClever is better for using with mobile devices, while the AmazonBasics is better for the office. The AmazonBasics' typing experience also feels noticeably heavier than the folding keyboard.
The Logitech K800 and the AmazonBasics K4R are fairly different affordable keyboards. The AmazonBasics has an integrated touchpad and features rubber dome switches that feel a bit mushy. On the other side, the Logitech has backlighting, scissor switches, a fixed wrist rest, and a Numpad. The Logitech is rechargeable while the AmazonBasics uses disposable batteries.
The AmazonBasics K4R is a better office keyboard than Logitech Keys-To-Go, which is better suited for mobile devices thanks to its Bluetooth connection. The feedback of the AmazonBasics switches is better and will be more similar to typical keyboards, while the rubberized keycaps of the Logitech are harder to press down.
The Logitech MX Keys is a better keyboard than the AmazonBasics K4R. The Logitech is noticeably better built, offers a better typing experience, and has backlighting. It also connects to devices via Bluetooth, so it's a bit more versatile than the AmazonBasics as well. The only thing better with the AmazonBasics is the fact that it has an integrated touchpad.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is better than the AmazonBasics K4R. The Microsoft feels more durable, its Bluetooth connection makes it more versatile, and it will work with mobile devices as well, which the AmazonBasics can't do. The AmazonBasics has a built-in touchpad while the Microsoft has a Numpad.
The Corsair K83 Wireless is a better multimedia keyboard than the AmazonBasics K4R. The Corsair looks and feels much more premium, has backlighting and can connect to multiple Bluetooth devices at once, as well as to its USB receiver. It also provides a better typing experience and has dedicated companion software. On the other hand, if you're looking for an inexpensive way to add a keyboard to your Smart TV, the AmazonBasics is more budget-friendly.
The AmazonBasics K4R and the Logitech K400 Plus both have a built-in trackpad in place of a Numpad. They're very similar keyboards, but the Logitech requires less force to actuate a key, and it has a second left-click button on the top left of the keyboard. Also, unlike the AmazonBasics, the Logitech has a companion software that allows you to make some customizations to the keyboard.
Test Results
The AmazonBasics K4R is about the same size as a typical TKL keyboard, but it comes with a built-in trackpad as well, so it might even take less space than a typical setup since you're not using a mouse. If you want a more compact board with a TrackPoint instead of a trackpad, check out the Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II.
This keyboard feels cheaply made due to its all-plastic build. The materials feel flimsy and the keycaps seem to be fragile, although they're surprisingly stable. The board has a decent flex to it, which isn't great, and the trackpad is unpleasant to use. For a better built board, check out the Corsair K83 Wireless, or for something without a trackpad, the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard.
The ergonomics of the AmazonBasics K4R are decent. It has a straight board design, but its flat and low-profile design won't require a wrist rest. However, fans of inclined boards might be disappointed by the lack of keyboard feet.
This keyboard doesn't have any backlighting, which might not be ideal for people who work in darker environments.
This keyboard is wireless-only, and since it uses disposable batteries, there isn't even a charging cable included.
This wireless keyboard only works with its dedicated USB receiver. If you need a Bluetooth keyboard or a multi-device pairing feature, check out the Logitech K380.
Although you have dedicated keys for volume control, the media control keys are hotkeys on the F keys. Each F key doubles as a basic function key for searching, opening up your music player, etc. The board also has a dedicated trackpad, so you don't need a mouse. You can use two fingers to scroll up and down, or left and right, and pinch out to zoom in or pinch in to zoom out. However, the trackpad takes the room of where the NumPad would be.
Like many office-oriented keyboards, the AmazonBasics wireless keyboard with touchpad has rubber dome switches. They have a tactile bump before the actuation point that requires a lot of force, which might get tiring for some if you type for long periods. Overall, the keys have a very short travel distance but feel mushy.
Typing on this keyboard is nothing too extraordinary. It's a very typical typing experience similar to low-profile office keyboards. The short keys feel quick thanks to the low travel distance but they feel mushy to type of as they require a lot of force to actuate. On the upside, the keys are very stable.
Typing on this keyboard is very quiet and you shouldn't bother people around you when using it.
This keyboard doesn't have any customization software.
This keyboard has good overall compatibility. It's fully compatible with Windows, but some keys don't work on macOS and Linux. However, all alphanumerical keys work, as only the home, search, and back buttons don't work on macOS and for some reason, the F6 key doesn't work on Linux.