Logitech MX Keys S Keyboard Review

This keyboard has a full-size layout with all the keys of a standard keyboard, including a function row, dedicated arrow keys, a navigation cluster, and a Numpad. While it has a fairly standard full-size footprint and weight, it's very slim.

There's also a smaller version of this keyboard called the Logitech MX Keys Mini, which has a compact (75%) form factor, so it lacks a Numpad and a navigation cluster but still has dedicated arrow keys and a full function row.

This keyboard has great build quality. It has an all-plastic chassis that flexes slightly but doesn't feel flimsy. The Keycaps are made of ABS plastic and have a dish-shaped profile. They have a slightly more textured finish than the original Logitech MX Keys keycaps. All keys feel extremely stable while typing, and six rubber feet under the keyboard that do a reasonable job of keeping it in place. That said, while the keyboard doesn't move around when typing normally, it's easily moved if you nudge it accidentally.

The Logitech MX Keys S has decent ergonomics. It has a low-profile design with a fixed incline, making it quite comfortable to use without a wrist rest, with your wrists flat on a desk. That said, Logitech does sell a wrist rest for this keyboard on its website.

The Home Row height of this keyboard is marginally higher (~1mm) than the previous generation Logitech MX Keys. This may be due to minor differences in manufacturing tolerances between units, but this marginal difference wasn't noticeable during testing, and this keyboard provides the same overall ergonomic experience as the previous model.

The hardware of this keyboard isn't designed to be customized.

Like the previous generation Logitech MX Keys, this keyboard has a sensor that automatically recognizes when your hands are near the keyboard. Unlike the original, by default, this version automatically brightens or dims depending on the lighting conditions around you.

Unlike its predecessor, which only allowed you to toggle the backlighting on or off, this keyboard allows you to adjust several other aspects of the backlighting. Using the software, you can adjust the global brightness manually, set backlight duration, and enable or disable the automatic brightness feature.

If you don't need backlighting and are interested in a very similar wireless low-profile option, see our review for the Logitech Signature Slim Keyboard K950 or the Keychron B1/B6 Pro.

This keyboard provides impressive backlight clarity. The keycaps have shine-through legends that are easy to see in darkened rooms. However, the lighting is slightly uneven on some keys.

This keyboard has a simple, rubber-coated USB-A to USB-C charging cable. The cable is somewhat shorter than the cable included with the older model Logitech MX Keys.

This keyboard connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. It can pair with up to three devices simultaneously.

You can connect this keyboard wirelessly using the included Logi BOLT receiver. Logitech advertises that this receiver uses modified Bluetooth technology, providing more reliable signal strength in congested wireless environments and a closed, end-to-end encrypted signal for better security. You can also use this BOLT receiver to pair select newer Logitech MX Master peripherals, including the Logitech MX Master 3S or Logitech MX Anywhere 3S Mouse.

The newer Logi BOLT receiver isn't the same as the older Logitech Unifying Receiver that was included with the previous generation MX Keys. The Unifying Receiver is not compatible with the Logitech MX Keys S.

This keyboard has a 1500 mAh battery that Logitech advertises to last up to ten days with default backlighting or up to five months with backlighting turned off.

There's a Mac-specific variant of this keyboard called the Logitech MX Keys S For Mac that doesn't include a Logi BOLT USB receiver and only connects via Bluetooth. For more details, see the Differences Between Sizes and Variants section.

This keyboard has no dedicated macro keys, and you can't program macros directly on the keyboard, but you can create and use fairly complex macros using this keyboard's configuration software. Logitech calls these macros "Smart Actions" and can be mapped to keys on the function row at the top of the keyboard. For more details, see the Configuration Software section later on.

This keyboard has a Caps Lock indicator and default shortcuts on the function row at the top, including Emjoi, Calculator, Mic Mute, Dictation, and Screen Brightness keys. Out of the box, these shortcuts act as the primary functions, and F1 through F12 are secondary.

You reverse this behavior and set F1 through F12 to act as the primary functions using an option in the software or by toggling the FN lock on the keyboard by pressing FN+Esc.

This keyboard provides impressive typing quality. All the keys are very stable and aren't spaced too close together. The switches have satisfying tactility and don't require too much force to actuate, and the keypresses reset very quickly and don't feel mushy when bottomed out. The keycaps also have a shallow dish-shaped profile that helps keep your finger centered and may reduce accidental keystrokes from glancing blows on neighboring keys.

The Logitech MX Keys S is extremely quiet and very unlikely to bother those around you. It's marginally but noticeably quieter than the first-generation Logitech MX Keys.

This keyboard has tactile scissor switches.

The Logitech MX Keys S' scissor switches have short pre-travel and total travel distance, resulting in a responsive and immediate typing experience. There's a moderate but satisfying tactile bump to overcome that can help reduce accidental keystrokes compared to switches on some keyboards that are much more sensitive.

The Logitech MX Keys S has decent latency, and it's ideal for productivity, everyday browsing, and casual gaming. However, it isn't well-suited for playing fast-paced, reaction-based games.

This keyboard uses Logitech's Options+ software for configuration. It has a simple layout and is easy to use, allowing you to change various preferences, save custom profiles, and adjust or turn off the backlighting.

You can customize key shortcuts for keys on the function row to perform a variety of media controls, windows functions, or specific actions in a variety of popular applications. You can also program fairly complex macros, which Logitech calls Smart Actions. There are also several premade Smart Action templates for various actions supporting multiple keystrokes, text input, and actions in multiple programs.

This keyboard is fully compatible with all major computer operating systems. Still, some of the shortcuts on the function row don't work, depending on your operating system.

All default keys work as intended on Windows. On MacOS, the Dictate (F5) and Mic Mute (F7) functions do nothing. On Linux, the Dictate (F5), Emoji (F6), Mic Mute (F7), and Screen Capture functions do nothing.

While the base model is fully compatible with MacOS, there's a separate variant of this keyboard designed specifically for Mac use called the Logitech MX Keys S For Mac with Mac-specific keys. For more details, see the Differences Between Sizes and Variants section.

This keyboard is fully compatible with all major mobile operating systems, but a few shortcuts on the function row do nothing, depending on your device.

On Android devices, the Emjoi (F6) and Mic Mute (F7) functions do nothing. On iOS devices, the Emjoi (F6), Mic Mute (F7), Insert, and Calculator functions do nothing. On iPadOS, the Mic Mute (F7), Insert, and Calculator functions do nothing.