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  1. Home
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Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs AmazonBasics K4R

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      DimensionsBuild QualityErgonomicsHardware CustomizabilityBacklight FeaturesBacklight ClarityCable & ConnectorWireless VersatilityMacro Keys And ProgrammingExtra FeaturesIn The Box
    Typing Experience
      SwitchesKeystrokesTyping QualityTyping NoiseLatency
    Software and Operating System
      Configuration SoftwareComputer CompatibilityWireless Mobile Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Microsoft Surface Keyboard
AmazonBasics K4R

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 16, 2022 09:10 PM

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Amazon.com
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Picture

Track

AmazonBasics K4R Picture

Track

ConnectivityWireless
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Scissor
ConnectivityWireless
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Mechanical
No

Our Verdict

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

AmazonBasics K4R

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.

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

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Variants

  • Surface Keyboard (Gray)
  • K4R (Black)

Review

See Microsoft Surface Keyboard Review
See AmazonBasics K4R Review
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Gray
Surface Keyboard
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Amazon.com
Black
K4R
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Amazon.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
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Black
K4R
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Gray
Surface Keyboard
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Black
K4R
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Gray
Surface Keyboard
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Black
K4R
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Gray
Surface Keyboard
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Microsoft
 
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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

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Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Size 
 

Locked
Locked

Height 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Close Up  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Keycap Material  

Locked
Locked

Ergonomics 
 

N/A
N/A

Side Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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AmazonBasics K4R Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Curved/Angled 
 

Locked
Locked

Split Keyboard 
 

Locked

Key Alignment 
 

Locked

Minimum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

Lock mm (Lock")

Wrist Rest  

Locked

Hardware Customizability 
 

N/A
N/A

Customizability Overview  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Customizability Overview Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Customizability Overview Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Locked

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Locked

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Locked

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Locked

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Locked

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Locked

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Locked

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Locked

Backlight Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Backlighting Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Brightness Max  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Backlighting  

Locked
Locked

Brightness Min  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

White Shot 
 

Microsoft Surface Keyboard White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

RGB 
 

Locked

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Locked
Locked

Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Software Controllable 
 

Locked
Locked

Color 
 

Locked

Color Mixing 
 

Locked

Backlight Clarity 
 

N/A
N/A

White Shot  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length  

N/A
N/A

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Locked
Locked

Wireless Versatility 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Locked
Locked

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

N/A
N/A

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

Lock

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Locked

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Locked

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Media Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Trackpad / Trackball  

Locked
Locked

Scroll Wheel 
 

Locked
Locked

Control Knob 
 

Locked

USB Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Numpad  

Locked
Locked

Windows Key Lock 
 

Locked
Locked

Lock Indicator  

Locked
Locked

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

Locked

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Wobble Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Wobble Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Switch Name 
 

Locked
Locked

Switch Type 
 

Locked

Feel 
 

Locked
Locked

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Key Switches 
 

Locked
Locked

Mechanical 
 

Locked

Feel 
 

Locked
Locked

Operating Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Actuation Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Pre-Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Total Travel 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Typing Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Typing Noise 
 

N/A
N/A

Typing Sample  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Average Loudness 
 

Lock dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Locked

Noise 
 

Locked

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Latency Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Latency Bluetooth 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Software Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Software Tour  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Software Tour Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

AmazonBasics K4R Software Tour Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Software Name  

Locked
Locked

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Onboard Memory 
 

Locked
Locked

Profiles 
 

Locked
Locked

Account Required 
 

Locked

Cloud Sync 
 

Locked

Macro Programming 
 

Locked

Ease Of Use 
 

Locked

Computer Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Windows 
 

Locked
Locked

macOS 
 

Locked
Locked

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Locked
Locked

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

iPadOS  

Locked
Locked

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Android 
 

Locked
Locked

iOS 
 

Locked
Locked

iPadOS 
 

Locked
Locked

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Locked

Check Price

Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
K4R
SEARCH
Amazon.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
K4R
SEARCH
B&H
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
K4R
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEARCH
B&H
Black
K4R
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Gray
Surface Keyboard
SEARCH
Microsoft
 
Back to Top

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

AmazonBasics K4R

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs AmazonBasics K4R: Main Discussion

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