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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 Microsoft Surface Keyboard

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Logitech MX Keys
Microsoft Surface Keyboard

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:24 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:42 PM

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Logitech MX Keys Picture
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Picture

Variants

  • MX Keys (Black (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Graphite (Multi-OS))
  • MX Keys (Space Grey (Mac OS))
  • Surface Keyboard (Gray)

Our Verdict

Logitech MX Keys

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

The Logitech MX Keys is significantly better than the Microsoft Surface Keyboard. The Logitech has better wireless versatility, as it can be paired using an USB receiver or through Bluetooth, and it can be paired to three devices simultaneously. The Logitech also has programmable keys and can be customized using Logitech's Options software, however, the Microsoft's build quality is much better.

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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
6.7

Backlight Features 
 

7.5
0.0

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0
0.0

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

4.0
0.0

Single-Key Latency 
 

5.8
6.4

Operating Force 
 

61 gf
63 gf

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Top Picture
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

0.8" (2.0 cm)
0.7" (1.8 cm)

Width  

16.9" (43.0 cm)
16.5" (42.0 cm)

Depth 
 

5.2" (13.2 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.77 lbs (0.805 kg)
0.88 lbs (0.400 kg)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Logitech MX Keys Build Quality Close Up
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS

Show text

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
7.0

Side Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Side Picture
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

5.8°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

13.1 mm (0.5")
13.7 mm (0.5")

Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0
0.0

Customizability Overview  

Logitech MX Keys Customizability Overview
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard
Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

7.5
0.0

Backlighting Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Backlighting Picture
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Logitech MX Keys Brightness Max
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
No

Brightness Min  

Logitech MX Keys Brightness Min
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Min

RGB 
 

No
No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
No

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0
0.0

White Shot  

Logitech MX Keys White Shot
Microsoft Surface Keyboard 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
7.3

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

3
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Yes
No

Battery Type 
 

Rechargeable
2x AAA

Show text

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

4.0
0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Logitech MX Keys Extra Features
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock

Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Logitech MX Keys Bundle Picture
Microsoft Surface Keyboard Bundle Picture

Show text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")

Show text

Typing Noise 
 

9.6
9.7

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

40.2 dBA
38.7 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No

Show text

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
No Marketed Name

Switch Type 
 

Scissor
Scissor

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Analog 
 

No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

61 gf
63 gf

Actuation Force 
 

36 gf
39 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.3 mm
1.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

1.9 mm
2.2 mm

Show text

Latency 
 

5.8
6.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Receiver 
 

26.8 ms
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

21.7 ms
25.9 ms

Show text

Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

5.8
6.4

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
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

21.7 ms
25.9 ms

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 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

Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux

Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

10
10

Android 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Android, iPhone & iPad
Android, iPhone & iPad

Show text

Logitech MX Keys

Microsoft Surface Keyboard

Comments

  1. Comparison

Logitech MX Keys vs Microsoft Surface Keyboard: Main Discussion

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