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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
    5. Latency
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Logitech MX Keys vs AmazonBasics K4R

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Logitech MX Keys
AmazonBasics K4R

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:24 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 16, 2022 09:10 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Logitech MX Keys Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Picture

Variants

  • MX Keys (Black (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Graphite (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Space Grey (Mac OS))
  • K4R (Black)

Our Verdict

Logitech MX Keys

AmazonBasics K4R

The Logitech MX Keys is a better keyboard than the AmazonBasics K4R. The Logitech is noticeably better built, offers a better typing experience, and has backlighting. It also connects to devices via Bluetooth, so it's a bit more versatile than the AmazonBasics as well. The only thing better with the AmazonBasics is the fact that it has an integrated touchpad.

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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

6.4
5.6

Backlight Features 
 

7.5
0.0

Configuration Software 
 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Operating Force 
 

61 gf
68 gf

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Top Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

0.8" (2.0 cm)
0.9" (2.3 cm)

Width  

16.9" (43.0 cm)
14.7" (37.3 cm)

Depth 
 

5.2" (13.2 cm)
5.1" (12.9 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.77 lbs (0.805 kg)
0.76 lbs (0.345 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
6.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Logitech MX Keys Build Quality Close Up
AmazonBasics K4R Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
7.0

Side Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Side Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
Straight

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

5.8°
4.5°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

13.1 mm (0.5")

Wrist Rest  

No

Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0

Customizability Overview  

Logitech MX Keys Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

7.5
0.0

Backlighting Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Backlighting Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Logitech MX Keys Brightness Max
AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
No

Brightness Min  

Logitech MX Keys Brightness Min
AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Logitech MX Keys White Shot
AmazonBasics K4R White Shot

RGB 
 

No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
No

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
No

Color 
 

No Backlighting

Color Mixing 
 

No Backlighting

Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0

White Shot  

Logitech MX Keys White Shot
AmazonBasics K4R White Shot

Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Charge Only)
No

Length  

4.4 ft (1.3 m)
N/A

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
No Cable

Show text

Wireless Versatility 
 

10
0.9

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Yes
Yes

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
2x AA

Show text

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Logitech MX Keys Extra Features
AmazonBasics K4R Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Hot Keys

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
Yes

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Bundle Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
6.5

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

9.6
10

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

40.2 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No

Noise 
 

Very Quiet

Show text

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome

Switch Type 
 

Scissor

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Analog 
 

No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome

Mechanical 
 

No

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

61 gf
68 gf

Actuation Force 
 

36 gf
41 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.3 mm
1.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.0 mm

Show text

Latency 
 

5.8
5.6

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Receiver 
 

26.8 ms
32.1 ms

Latency Bluetooth 
 

21.7 ms
N/A

Show text

Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

5.8
5.6

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

21.7 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±7.9 ms

Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Receiver 
 

26.8 ms
32.1 ms

Bluetooth 
 

21.7 ms
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

20.8 ms

Show text

Multi-Key Latency 
 

6.2

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Receiver

Key Press 
 

22.7 ms

Key Release 
 

43.1 ms

Show text

Data Transmission 
 

5.3

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Logitech MX Keys Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Receiver

USB Polling Rate 
 

500 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

125 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

No

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

No

Show text

Chord Split 
 

1.5

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

60.3 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

N/A

Show text

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

AmazonBasics K4R Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Logi Options+
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

6+
No Profile

Account Required 
 

No Software

Cloud Sync 
 

No

Macro Programming 
 

No

Ease Of Use 
 

No Software

Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Full

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Partial

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Partial

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android  

Fully Compatible
No

iOS  

Fully Compatible
No

iPadOS  

Fully Compatible
No

Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

10

Android 
 

Fully Compatible
No

iOS 
 

Fully Compatible
No

iPadOS 
 

Fully Compatible
No

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Android, iPhone & iPad

Show text

Logitech MX Keys

AmazonBasics K4R

Comments

  1. Comparison

Logitech MX Keys vs AmazonBasics K4R: Main Discussion

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