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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. Switches
    2. Keystrokes
    3. Typing Quality
    4. Typing Noise
    5. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  7. Comments

Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs AmazonBasics K4R

Side-by-Side Comparison

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
AmazonBasics K4R Picture
ConnectivityWireless
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Scissor
ConnectivityWireless
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Mechanical
No

Variants

  • Surface Keyboard (Gray)
  • K4R (Black)

Review

See Microsoft Surface Keyboard Review
See AmazonBasics K4R Review
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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.

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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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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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Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

6.7
5.6

Build Quality 
 

8.5
6.0

Operating Force 
 

63 gf
68 gf

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Top Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

0.7" (1.8 cm)
0.9" (2.3 cm)

Width  

16.5" (42.0 cm)
14.7" (37.3 cm)

Depth 
 

4.4" (11.2 cm)
5.1" (12.9 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

0.88 lbs (0.400 kg)
0.76 lbs (0.345 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
6.0

Build Quality Close Up  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Build Quality Close Up
AmazonBasics K4R Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

7.0
7.0

Side Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Side Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
Straight

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

5°
4.5°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

13.7 mm (0.5")

Wrist Rest  

No
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0

Customizability Overview  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard 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 
 

0.0
0.0

Backlighting Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Backlighting Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Max
AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Max

Backlighting  

No
No

Brightness Min  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Brightness Min
AmazonBasics K4R Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Microsoft Surface Keyboard White Shot
AmazonBasics K4R White Shot

RGB 
 

No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
No

Effects 
 

No
No

Software Controllable 
 

No
No

Color 
 

No Backlighting

Color Mixing 
 

No Backlighting
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

0.0

White Shot  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard White Shot
AmazonBasics K4R White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wireless
Wireless

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

N/A
N/A

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

No Cable
No Cable
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

7.3
0.9

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
Yes

Battery Type 
 

2x AAA
2x AA
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

No

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard 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 
 

No
No

Lock Indicator  

Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

No
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Microsoft Surface Keyboard Bundle Picture
AmazonBasics K4R Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome

Switch Type 
 

Scissor

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

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 
 

63 gf
68 gf

Actuation Force 
 

39 gf
41 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.5 mm
1.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

2.2 mm
2.0 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
6.5
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

9.7
10

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

38.7 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No

Noise 
 

Very Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

6.4
5.6

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
32.1 ms

Latency Bluetooth 
 

25.9 ms
N/A
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

AmazonBasics K4R Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

No Software
No Software

Software Windows Compatible 
 

No
No

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
No

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

No Profile
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 

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Surface Keyboard
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K4R
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K4R
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Surface Keyboard
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K4R
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Microsoft Surface Keyboard

AmazonBasics K4R

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Microsoft Surface Keyboard vs AmazonBasics K4R: Main Discussion

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