The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is a very straightforward wireless keyboard. It has typical rubber dome switches that can be found on other similar office keyboards that offer a good overall typing experience, although some may find them to be a bit mushy. It's well-built even though it's entirely made of plastic and is well-suited for an open-office environment as typing on it isn't loud at all. Unfortunately, it lacks backlighting, which might be a deal-breaker for some, but it's one of the most versatile keyboards since it works with pretty much any Bluetooth-compatible device, including mobile devices.
Our Verdict
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard isn't designed for gaming. We don't currently test latency, but a Bluetooth connection is rarely recommended for gaming. Also, while it can set macros, the F4-F7 keys aren't the best-positioned keys to use when gaming. It also lacks backlighting, which might be a deal-breaker for some.
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Well-built design.
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Good overall typing quality.
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Very quiet to type on.
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Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
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No incline setting.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is a good office keyboard. Its wireless design clears up a bit of clutter on your desk and its low-profile design is decently ergonomic to type on during your workday. Its rubber dome switches are very quiet to use in an open office environment and it offers a good overall typing experience.
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Well-built design.
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Good overall typing quality.
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Very quiet to type on.
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Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
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No incline setting.
Mediocre for using with mobile devices or tablets. Although the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is Bluetooth-compatible and works with mobile devices, this full-size board isn't the most portable. It might be a bit hard to fit inside a backpack and you can't connect it to multiple devices simultaneously.
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Well-built design.
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Good overall typing quality.
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Very quiet to type on.
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Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
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No incline setting.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is an okay keyboard for programming. Although its typing experience is good, you can only set a few macros on the F4-F7 keys, which might not be enough for some. On the upside, its wireless design gives a cleaner setup.
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Well-built design.
-
Good overall typing quality.
-
Very quiet to type on.
-
Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
-
No incline setting.
-
Well-built design.
-
Good overall typing quality.
-
Very quiet to type on.
-
Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
-
No incline setting.
-
Well-built design.
-
Good overall typing quality.
-
Very quiet to type on.
-
Macros limited to F4-F7 keys.
-
No incline setting.
- 6.3 Gaming
- 7.6 Office
- 7.3 Mobile/Tablet
- 6.9 Programming
- 4.3 Entertainment / HTPC
- 7.1 Raw Performance
- Updated Aug 26, 2024: We retested the Chord Split performance as we noted our initial results were surprisingly good considering this keyboard's intended office use. After retesting, we achieved nearly identical results. We've added our new results to the review, but no scores have changed. We've also added new text to explain our results.
- 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 30, 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 26, 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 Apr 14, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Dell KB214 in the Wireless Versatility section of this review.
- Updated Sep 30, 2022: Added a comparison to the recently reviewed Logitech Signature K650.
- Updated Apr 01, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Mar 19, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Mar 13, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Mar 13, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Mar 11, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Feb 24, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is nothing special. It's a typical wireless full-size keyboard with rubber dome switches, and it doesn't have many extra features. You can set macros to a few select keys, but that's about it. It lacks backlighting so it might not be the best option for late-night workers. 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 much more premium than the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. It's better built, and the scissor switches offer a better typing experience than the mushy rubber dome switches on the Bluetooth keyboard. On the other hand, you can set a few macros on the F4-F7 keys of the Bluetooth Keyboard, which you can't do on the Surface Keyboard.
The Logitech MX Keys is better than the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. It feels more high-end, has white backlighting, offers a better overall typing quality, and can be connected to up to three devices simultaneously. However, if you don't like scissor switches and prefer a bit longer travel distance, go with the Microsoft and its rubber dome switches.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard is very different than the Apple Magic Keyboard 2017. The Microsoft keyboard's full-size design includes a Numpad, and you can set macros on the F4-F7 keys using the customization software, a feature that the Apple keyboard lacks. The Microsoft keyboard is also compatible with Android devices, while the Apple keyboard isn't. On the other hand, the Apple is a compact 75% keyboard that's noticeably better built. The Apple has scissor switches while the Microsoft has rubber dome switches, but ultimately both offer a good quality typing experience.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard and the Logitech Signature K650 are simple wireless keyboards designed for office use. The main difference is that the Logitech keyboard connects with both Bluetooth and a USB receiver, while the Microsoft model only connects with Bluetooth. Otherwise, they offer a similar experience in terms of typing, customization, and noise, though the Microsoft model feels more solidly built than the Logitech.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard and the Dell KB216 are full-size office keyboards with low-profile designs and very quiet rubber dome switches. The Microsoft is a wireless model that connects via Bluetooth and feels somewhat better built overall. On the other hand, the Dell is a wired-only model. It also has better ergonomics since it includes a pair of feet on the underside that you can fold out to provide an additional incline setting.
The Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950 and the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard are low-profile wireless keyboards designed for general desktop use and productivity. The Microsoft keyboard has a slightly taller profile, so using a separate wrist rest is more comfortable. While both keyboards support Bluetooth, only the Logitech supports multi-device pairing. The Logitech also has a thinner profile and provides one extra incline angle with flip-out feet. Both keyboards offer limited software customization with the ability to record simple macros to specific keys.
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 Logitech K780 is more versatile than the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. It can be used with its USB receiver and via Bluetooth and its design offers a little cradle for your mobile devices, which is very useful. However, if you don't like circular keys, you might want to go with the Microsoft keyboard with its more typical square chiclet keys.
The Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard is a better keyboard than the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard. It's noticeably better built, has better ergonomics, and offers a better typing quality, but it might take you a bit of time to get used to the split-key layout. On the other hand, if you're just looking for a straightforward wireless board, the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard might be a better option.
Test Results
This is a full-size keyboard that doesn't take too much space. It also doesn't come with a wrist rest, which would have taken more desk space.
This keyboard is well-built. Its frame is made out of plastic, and although there's some flex to the body, it still feels solid overall. The keycaps are stable, but the switches might feel a bit mushy when typing.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard's ergonomics are decent. Even if it doesn't have any incline settings or included wrist rest, this low-profile and straight board is decently comfortable to type on and you shouldn't feel too much fatigue. If you're interested in a similar, straightforward keyboard with better built-in ergonomic features, check out the Logitech Signature K650.
This keyboard doesn't have any backlighting, which isn't ideal if you work in environments that don't have enough light.
This wireless-only keyboard uses disposable batteries, so it doesn't come with any cable.
This Bluetooth keyboard can unfortunately only be used with a single compatible device. If you want a keyboard that has multi-device pairing, check out the Keychron K4. Or, if you're interested in a low-profile keyboard with similar functionality that uses a wired connection instead, check out the Dell KB216.
The whole F row doubles down as hotkeys, including media keys. The only programmable macros are the F4-F7 keys, which are the media keys. On the upside, these macros can be pretty much anything and aren't only from a preset list of options. This full-size board also has a NumPad on its right side.
The overall typing quality on this keyboard is good. There's nothing too special about it, as the stable keys offer decent feedback. Some may feel like the rubber dome switches are a bit mushy, but most should be satisfied with the typing experience.
Typing on the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard doesn't make much noise. It's very quiet and should be suitable for use in an environment with people surrounding you.
Like most keyboards with this design, the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard has tactile rubber dome switches that require a lot of force go over the tactile bump before the actuation point. This results in a heavier typing experience, but the short travel distance helps making it lighter.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard offers remarkably good chord split performance, which is very surprising given that this keyboard was designed for basic office use, not gaming scenarios.
We don't know why this keyboard performs this well in this particular aspect. However, we theorize it may be an unintended result of a particularly efficient scan matrix design.
Also, to be clear, despite this keyboard's exceptional chord split performance, it's still wholly unsuitable for playing games requiring many simultaneous inputs, like rhythm games. Its low effective update rate of 125Hz and its high single- and multi-key latency performance negate any possible benefit you would experience with the low chord split delay.
The Mouse and Keyboard Center software offers very limited customization. The only thing you can really do with it is program the macros on the F4-F7 keys. The software is also only compatible with Windows.
All keys work in Windows, and the software is only compatible with Windows. On macOS, the search key acts as a Shift key. The Settings, Calculator, and Lock keys do nothing, and the F4, F8, and F9 keys also don't work. On Linux systems, the Calculator, Settings, Lock, and Search buttons don't work.
On Android devices, the F9 hotkey registers as the Alt key. The F10 key as Tab, and the F11 key as F12. The Settings, Lock, and Emoji keys don't function. On iOS and iPadOS devices, the F4, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 keys don't work. The Settings, Lock, Search, Insert, and Emjoy keys also don't work. On iPadOS, all keys behave as they do on iOS devices except for the F12 key which functions on iPadOS but not iOS.