The Logitech K780 is a compact 96% keyboard that can be used with a wide variety of devices. Although it's designed to work with smartphones and tablets, the keyboard is quite large and heavy, which makes it less travel-friendly. It uses typical scissor switches that require a fair amount of force to actuate; however, the overall typing experience still feels light and responsive. You can use it with its USB dongle or over Bluetooth, and its multi-device pairing feature lets you pair to three devices simultaneously so that you can switch easily between them. Unfortunately, it lacks backlighting and macro-programmable keys, and while its latency shouldn't affect general desktop use, it isn't ideal for gaming.
Our Verdict
The Logitech K780 isn't intended for gaming. Although its scissor switches have a short pre-travel distance, they require a fair amount of force to actuate. Additionally, the latency is quite high. It also lacks backlighting and macro-programmable keys.
- Great typing experience.
- Short pre-travel distance.
- Limited customization options.
- No backlighting.
- High latency.
- No macro-programmable keys.
The Logitech K780 is very good for office use. It provides a great typing experience and doesn't cause much typing noise, making it a good fit for quiet offices. You can connect it using its USB dongle or over Bluetooth, and its multi-device pairing feature lets you pair to multiple devices simultaneously so that you can switch easily between them.
- Versatile design, works with every platform.
- Great typing experience.
- Quiet typing noise.
- Limited customization options.
The Logitech K780 is an okay keyboard for mobile devices and tablets. Even though it's a bit large and slightly heavy, you should still be able to bring it around thanks to its slim profile. You can connect it to your device over Bluetooth and pair multiple devices simultaneously so that you can switch between them with just a press of a button. It provides a great typing experience and is compatible with most mobile operating systems.
- Versatile design, works with every platform.
- Can be paired to three devices simultaneously.
- Great typing experience.
- Limited customization options.
- Not very travel-friendly.
The Logitech K780 is an okay keyboard for programmers but isn't designed for this use. It can be useful to use on a tablet or phone to navigate a mobile version of your code, but we don't recommend it if you're programming on a desktop. It lacks backlighting, and you can't set any macros.
- Versatile design, works with every platform.
- Can be paired to three devices simultaneously.
- Great typing experience.
- Limited customization options.
- No backlighting.
- No macro-programmable keys.
The Logitech K780 is inadequate for use with a home theater PC. Its Bluetooth connectivity means you can pair it to a wide range of devices and keep your living room free of cables. However, it lacks a trackpad, so you'll need a separate mouse to navigate. Also, it's hard to see the keys in the dark because there's no backlighting.
- Versatile design, works with every platform.
- Great typing experience.
- Limited customization options.
- No backlighting.
- No trackpad.
- Great typing experience.
- Limited customization options.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950 to the Typing Quality section.
- 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.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Logitech K780 comes in a speckled and non-speckled design, but we expect our review to be valid for both as the differences only seem to be aesthetic. We reviewed the non-speckled model.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Logitech K780 is a very versatile keyboard. It's a decent keyboard overall but shines when you pair it to a desktop setup by using a tablet. You can easily switch between three devices connected and the scissor switches offer a nice overall typing experience, but won't satisfy gamers. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best keyboards for iPad, the best wireless keyboards, and the best keyboards for writers.
The Logitech K380 is a better mobile keyboard than the Logitech K780 because its more compact and lightweight design makes it easier to carry around. However, the K780 provides a better typing experience, and it might be a better choice for those who use the Numpad regularly.
The Logitech MX Keys is a better keyboard than the Logitech K780 overall. It features backlighting, which is nice and is rechargeable instead of using batteries like the K780. Both use very similar switches, but the MX Keys' keycaps feel a bit better, and the keys are easier to actuate.
The Logitech K780 and the Logitech K585 are wireless, low-profile keyboards with small trays for propping up your phone or tablet. The K780 lies flat on your desk and has a compact (96%) form factor, which means it's missing a few navigational keys. It also supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices simultaneously. On the other hand, the K585 is a bit smaller than the K780, despite it having a full-size layout with all the standard keys. It also has a fixed incline setting. However, its overall layout is a bit more cramped, and it only supports multi-device pairing with up to two devices at once.
The Logitech K480 and the Logitech K780 are both decent keyboards to use with mobile devices, but the K480 is easier to bring around. Its compact 65% design is easier to slip in a backpack than the compact 96% K780. However, the K780 is better-built and features scissor switches that offer a much better overall typing quality than the K480's rubber dome switches.
Test Results
Update 12/21/2021: Originally we indicated this was a full-sized keyboard. However, it's missing several keys to be considered a true, full-sized keyboard. A standard full-sized keyboard has 104 keys, while this keyboard has 97 keys. We've reclassified this keyboard as a compact 96%, although it's still an unusual edge-case as a standard compact 96% keyboard typically has 99 keys.
The Logitech K780 is smaller than a typical full-sized keyboard, and it only has 97 keys, so we've classified it as a compact 96% keyboard. It has a NumPad and arrow keys, but it's still more compact than full-sized keyboards, thanks in part to its layout. If you want a smaller keyboard that is easier to bring around, check out the Logitech K480.
The Logitech K780 has decent build quality. The frame is made from very solid plastic with very little flex. The tablet/phone stand feels durable and has a grippy texture so your devices stay in place well. However, the keycaps feel a bit light and cheap.
This straight keyboard doesn't offer any incline settings. It doesn't come with a wrist rest either, but it's comfortable to use without one thanks to the keyboard's low profile.
This keyboard doesn't have any backlighting, so it won't be the best option to use in dark environments.
This keyboard is wireless-only and doesn't have a charging cable.
The Logitech K780 can be used wirelessly with its USB receiver or via Bluetooth. You can either pair it via USB and two more Bluetooth connections or with three Bluetooth devices at once, and you can easily switch between them with the F1-F3 keys. The keyboard comes with 2x AAA batteries, and the manufacturer rates the battery life at 24 months, but we don't test this.
This keyboard has a few hotkeys (F4-F6 and the search key) that you can reassign to other commands from a list of presets, but you can't really program any yourself. It can also automatically detect which kind of device you're connected to and adjusts the keys accordingly. This keyboard's main feature is that it has a nice stand for your mobile devices like a phone or a tablet. Out-of-the-box, The F keys default to media keys, but you can switch this in the software. You can also disable the Windows key in the software. If you'd like a keyboard with dedicated media keys, check out the Logitech K360.
The Logitech K780 provides a great typing experience. It might be weird initially due to the circular keys, but you get used to it quite quickly. The keys are very stable, and their low profile is nice. The spacing of the keys is standard and helps reduce typos. Since the bump of the keystroke needs quite a bit of force to get over, it's hard to accidentally press a key.
Alternatively, if you're looking for a low-profile keyboard with similar spacing but with more conventional rectangle-shaped keycaps, check out the Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950.
Typing on this keyboard is very quiet and shouldn't bother others around you. The spacebar is slightly louder than the other keys, but it's still very quiet overall.
This keyboard features typical tactile scissor switches. They have a very short pre-travel distance, which makes the keyboard feel very responsive. The bump before the actuation requires a fair amount of force to get over, but the overall feeling is still light and shouldn't cause fatigue.
The latency is quite high. It's fine for general desktop use but not for gaming. If you want a keyboard with lower latency for gaming, check out the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog.
Note: This keyboard's USB Receiver latency results are higher than its Bluetooth latency results, which is unusual. We verified all our test settings and confirmed that both the firmware for the keyboard and wireless receiver was up to date. We retested our latency test for both connections, and our results were similar, so no changes have been made to our recorded results. We're confident in the accuracy of these results but are unsure why the Receiver latency is slower than the Bluetooth latency. If you have this keyboard and would like to share your experiences with this keyboard, feel free to leave a comment in the discussions.
The Logitech K780 uses Logitech Options+ software that allows you to create different profiles and remap some functions depending on the different applications you use.
On Android devices, all F-row keys default to their secondary functions, and the F5 key doesn't work. On iOS and ipadOS all F-row keys default to their secondary function