The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a decent entry-level gaming keyboard with rubber dome switches. It has a simple plastic frame that bends easily and is fitted with ABS keycaps that feel rather cheap. Its zone-lit backlighting lacks brightness control, and customization can only be done through software. Thankfully, G HUB has a good amount of customization options and is available for Windows and macOS. The keyboard is comfortable enough to type on all day due to its low actuation force and built-in wrist rest; however, the typing experience is unremarkable and doesn't feel much different from your typical membrane keyboard. There are dedicated media controls, but only a very limited number of programmable keys.
Our Verdict
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a decent gaming keyboard. The rubber dome switches have a low actuation force that makes typing feel very light, but their high pre-travel distance makes the keyboard feel less responsive overall. It doesn't feel well-built and the backlighting is zone-lit instead of per-key. The function keys are macro-programmable, but there aren't any dedicated macro keys for MMO games.
-
Acceptable ergonomics.
-
Programmable keys.
-
Light actuation force.
-
Dedicated media controls.
-
Zone-lit backlighting.
-
High pre-travel distance.
-
No dedicated macro keys.
-
Mediocre build quality.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is decent for office use. It doesn't generate a lot of typing noise and it's fairly comfortable to type on due to the included wrist rest and light actuation force. However, the tactile feedback feels a bit mushy. The board flexes easily and the ABS keycaps can develop a shine with oil buildup. On the bright side, there's software support for both Windows and macOS.
-
Acceptable ergonomics.
-
Quiet typing noise.
-
Light actuation force.
-
Dedicated media controls.
-
Mediocre typing quality.
-
Mediocre build quality.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used with mobile devices.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a mediocre keyboard for programming. Even though it's comfortable to type on for long periods, the typing experience itself feels unremarkable and similar to most generic membrane keyboards. It isn't particularly well-built, as the board flexes easily and the ABS keycaps feel cheap. It has macro-programmable keys and backlighting; however, the latter is zone-lit and there's no brightness setting.
-
Acceptable ergonomics.
-
Programmable keys.
-
Light actuation force.
-
Dedicated media controls.
-
Mediocre typing quality.
-
Zone-lit backlighting.
-
Mediocre build quality.
-
Acceptable ergonomics.
-
Light actuation force.
-
Dedicated media controls.
-
Mediocre build quality.
-
Acceptable ergonomics.
-
Light actuation force.
-
Dedicated media controls.
-
Mediocre build quality.
- 7.8 Gaming
- 5.8 Office
- 0.8 Mobile/Tablet
- 6.4 Programming
- 3.3 Entertainment / HTPC
- 8.2 Raw Performance
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Oct 27, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 15, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 19, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Sep 12, 2022: Added in a comparison to the recently reviewed Razer Ornata V3 X.
- Updated Sep 02, 2022: Added a mention of known Logitech G HUB software issues to this review.
- Updated Sep 10, 2021: Fixed an error with the Backlight Color test result.
- Updated Apr 13, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Aug 14, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Aug 11, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 30, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jul 27, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jun 29, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We reviewed the Logitech G213 Prodigy Gaming Keyboard and there are no other variants of this keyboard. It's the entry-level keyboard in Logitech's G Series lineup, which includes the Logitech G Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard and the Logitech G915 LIGHTSPEED, to name a few.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The Logitech G213 Prodigy is a mediocre gaming keyboard. It's decent for office use due to its light typing experience and higher pre-travel distance, but there are better options in this price range, such as the SteelSeries Apex 3. For more options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical gaming keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.
For most uses, the SteelSeries Apex 3 is significantly better than the Logitech G213 Prodigy. The SteelSeries' build quality is much better, it has full RGB backlighting with brightness control, and every key is macro-programmable. The SteelSeries also provides a better typing experience, it produces less typing noise, and the included wrist rest is detachable if you don't want to use it.
Overall, the Logitech G413 is much better than the Logitech G213 Prodigy. The G413 is a mechanical keyboard with significantly better build quality, and its Romer-G Tactile switches provide a better typing experience. Also, the G413 has a USB passthrough, the backlight has brightness settings, and the keys are individually lit. On the other hand, the G213 comes with a built-in wrist rest, and it has dedicated media controls. The backlight on the G413 is limited to a single red color, while the G213 is multi-color.
Overall, the Logitech G213 Prodigy is much better than the HyperX Alloy Core RGB. The Logitech is more comfortable due to the built-in wrist rest, has macro-programmable keys, and software support for customization. However, the HyperX has a better build quality and brightness control for its backlighting.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy and the Logitech G413 SE are two full-size, wired-only keyboards designed for gaming use. The G413 SE is a mechanical keyboard, and its switches have a shorter pre-travel distance, and they provide tactile feedback to let you know when you've pressed a key. Also, it comes in a TKL size, if you'd prefer a smaller size. On the other hand, the G213 uses rubber dome switches, which don't feel as satisfying to use. However, it has much better latency, and it has RGB backlighting instead of white only.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy and the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL are both decent gaming keyboards. They both have similar rubber dome switches, but the ones on the Logitech are lighter to actuate. The Logitech is bigger, so it comes with a numpad, it has a wrist rest, and it has much lower latency for a more responsive gaming experience. On the other hand, the SteelSeries feels better built, and the keys are more stable, providing better typing quality. Also, you can reprogram any key on the SteelSeries while you're limited to just the function keys on the Logitech.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy and the Razer Ornata V3 X are both budget gaming keyboards that use membrane switches. However, the Logitech is a better option for gaming as its latency is significantly lower.
The Razer Ornata Chroma is much better than the Logitech G213 Prodigy. The Razer has a better build quality, RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys, and every key is macro programmable. Its mecha-membrane switches provide a significantly better typing experience, but they generate a lot more noise than the rubber dome switches on the Logitech. The Logitech has dedicated media controls and better software support, as G HUB is also available for macOS.
The Logitech G213 Prodigy and the ROCCAT Magma are both wired non-mechanical gaming boards. Both use rubber dome switches, but the ones on the Logitech require more force to actuate than the ROCCAT's. The Logitech has dedicated media keys, and you can set macros to some of the F-row keys. Also, it has a significantly lower latency, which is ideal for gaming. On the other hand, you can set macros to any alphanumerical key on the left side of the board on the ROCCAT. It has a semi-transparent base plate that lets RGB light through, although it may be overwhelming for fans of more subtle lighting.
Test Results
The Logitech G213 Prodigy Gaming Keyboard is a large, full-sized keyboard that also has a built-in, non-removable wrist rest, so it takes up a lot of desk space. If you're interested in a similar, full-size gaming keyboard with a removable wrist rest, check out the Razer Ornata V3 X.
The build quality is mediocre. The keyboard is entirely made out of plastic and the board flexes very easily. The ABS keycaps feel equally cheap and will likely develop a shine over time as oil builds up. On the plus side, the cable is braided and the rubber strip under the keyboard does a pretty decent job at keeping the keyboard from sliding around. It's advertised as being spill-resistant; however, it isn't something that we test for.
The ergonomics are acceptable. The wrist rest is fixed to the keyboard and is also made of the same plastic as the keyboard itself. It feels a bit cheap, but it does the job, and it feels comfortable enough to type on for long periods.
Update 09/10/2021: The Backlighting Color result was incorrectly listed as Multi-color, but you can select any color on the RGB palette in Logitech G HUB. We changed the test results to RGB and updated the review accordingly.
The backlighting is zone-lit and there are five zones in total. There's a dedicated button to turn the backlight on or off, but there's no actual brightness setting, on the keyboard or through software. It doesn't get very bright, so it might not even be visible in a brighter environment. There are a few lighting effects that you can cycle through directly on the keyboard, and you can customize it further through software. If you want a mechanical keyboard with individually backlit keys, check out the Razer BlackWidow.
The cable is braided and should be long enough for most people to reach their desktop, but unfortunately, it isn't detachable.
This is a wired-only keyboard.
The Logitech G213 has dedicated media controls on the upper right side of the keyboard and a Windows Lock button to prevent minimizing your game. Only the function keys are macro-programmable and customization can only be done through software. If you want a keyboard with more macro-programmable keys, check out the Razer Cynosa Chroma or the Corsair K55 RGB PRO.
The typing quality is unremarkable. Like most keyboards with rubber dome switches, the tactile feedback feels soft and unsatisfying, and the overall experience isn't all that different from a run-of-the-mill keyboard that comes with most pre-built computers. Also, while the keys are stable, the ABS keycaps feel pretty cheap to type on. On the bright side, typing feels light and it doesn't feel tiring to type on for long periods.
Typing noise on the Logitech G213 is quiet and shouldn't be bothersome to others around you.
The Logitech G213 uses rubber dome switches that are very similar to the SteelSeries Apex 3's. It requires little force to press the keys, which makes the typing feel light. The high pre-travel distance makes the keyboard feel less responsive when gaming, but it can be beneficial for typing accuracy. The tactile feedback is fairly subtle, so it can be hard to sense when a keystroke is registered. If you're looking for a similar keyboard but with mechanical switches, check out the Keychron C2.
The Logitech G213 has great software support. G HUB allows you to customize the backlighting zones and set macros to any of the function keys, but you can't set macros to every key like on the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. There's no onboard memory, so all profiles are saved within the software. If you're interested in a gaming keyboard with software that allows you to save settings to onboard memory, check out the Corsair K55 RGB PRO XT.
There weren't any software issues during testing, but many users online have reported various problems trying to use the Logitech G HUB software, including but not limited to startup issues, freezing, and connection issues with some devices. If you'd like to share your experience using Logitech G HUB with this keyboard, feel free to leave a comment in the discussions section.
The Logitech G213's compatibility is decent. On Windows, everything works as expected and you have access to full customization options. On macOS, only the Pause and Scroll Lock don't work. All keys function properly on Linux, but since there's no software support or onboard memory, there's no way to customize the keyboard or save any settings.