Logitech K380 vs. MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Full Comparison & Verdict 2024

Logitech K380 vs. MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Overview

| #1 Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard for Mac

Google Users Rating: 4.7/5

• Logitech: $39.99 (up to 10% cashback)

• Office Depot: $40.89(up to 6% cashback)

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Priced at just $39.99, the Logitech K380 is the best cheap keyboard for Mac.  It weighs a mere 42g, so it’s small and light enough to slip into a backpack along with an iPad when you’re travelling.This compact unit works great with Mac products as it only connects using Bluetooth, so you don't have to worry about dongles, adapters, or needing a USB port.  The low profile makes it fairly comfortable to type on, but it doesn't have any additional ergonomic features like adjustable incline settings. Also, the keycaps have a circular shape and are smaller than those on most standard keyboards, you need to  take a little getting used to.

There’s a ‘universal’ version of the K380 that will work with most Bluetooth computers and mobile devices, but this ‘For Mac’ edition is specifically designed for use with Apple devices. It has the standard Option and Command keys marked for Macs, and there are three Function keys that allow you to pair the keyboard with three different devices(iPhone, Mac, iPad) and switch between them as required. The real standout feature of this board is its incredible battery life. With a fresh pair of AAA batteries, you may get as much as two years of battery life, and you'll never have to worry about cramming a charging cable into your backpack.

| #2 Logitech MX Keys Mini Wireless Keyboard

Google Users Rating: 4.0/5

• Logitech: $99.99 (up to 10% cashback)

• Adorama: $99.99 (up to 5% cashback)

Logitech MX Keys Mini Wireless Keyboard is a similar size and weight to budget pick, Logitech K380, but it's a better keyboard overall. To be honest, the MX Keys Mini is basically Logitech’s take on the Apple Magic Keyboard. With a 60% layout, scissor switches, Bluetooth compatibility, and an imitation of the Apple aesthetic, the keyboard seems to mirror almost every aspect of Apple’s now-iconic keyboard. Unlike Apple Magic Keyboard, this keyboard has a backlight, with a sensor that automatically activates the backlight as your hands approach the keyboard, and then turn it off after a few seconds when you move away.

The top row of Function keys works automatically with the Mac, allowing you to adjust the backlight, volume and other controls. Logitech’s Options app also allows you to program the Function keys to perform different tasks, such as opening Mail or Safari.Logitech MX Keys Mini takes rechargeable batteries rather than disposable ones. Turning the backlight off, you can get a full five months battery life – far longer than the single month provided by Apple’s Magic Keyboard.  If you have the backlight on full brightness the whole time, the rechargeable battery lasts only 10 days.

| #3 Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

Google Users Rating: 4.7/5

• Apple : $179

• B&H Photo Video: $159.99 (up to 1.5% cashback)

The Apple Magic Keyboard is the best overall pick for any Mac user.  Since the Magic Keyboard is from Apple, it works flawlessly with any Mac, be it your Mac mini or iMac or even a MacBook. If you have one of the latest M1 Macs, such as the Mac Studio or the 2020 Mac mini , you'll have a fingerprint sensor called Touch ID. It's a quick, easy and super-secure way to turn on your Mac, and you'll want  this Apple Magic Keyboard  with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, and as you'd expect, it works brilliantly and effortlessly.

With a stable scissor mechanism beneath each key, as well as optimized key travel and a low profile, the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad provides a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. It also features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming. The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications. Without the need for traditional batteries, the Magic Keyboard now has a built-in battery that can power it for up to a month on a single charge.

Logitech K380 vs. MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Side by Side Comparison

The below comparison table will show you a short overview of these three keyboards .You can see the difference between their all key specs at once. 

Design

The the Logitech K380 is slim, portable, and fairly lightweight.While it has a 75% layout, it manages to keep things compact by keeping the keys, which are circular or rounded, small or slim. The arrow keys are especially small. However, it’s something you’ll get used to in no time, and the keys are wide enough apart that you won’t feel cramped. It does come in several colorways – lavender lemonade, sand, graphite, off-white, rose. Opt for the Mac version, which is mostly the same except it's optimized for Mac.

 The Logitech MX Keys Mini keyboard  comes in two colours to match your Mac – standard silver or space grey. The design of this keyboard is more similar to Apple Magic Keyboard than those of 75% keyboards. In fact, if you have been using the Apple Magic Keyboard, you will be instantly at home with the MX Keys Mini like fish in water. For instance, the volume keys are combined together with the F10 to F12 keys. But unlike the Magic Keyboard, the keys on MX Key Mini are not flat. Instead, apart from top row of keys, each key has a circular or oval depression (depending on shape of the key) that makes it nicer to the touch. In addition, the MX Keys Mini comes with a fixed tilt. There are no tilt-able feet at the bottom of this keyboard to adjust the typing angle.

The Apple Magic Keyboard is Apple's current design of external keyboards designed for use with Mac computers. It utilizes scissor-switch key mechanisms, and comes in several layouts and colors, including the option of a Numeric Keypad, Touch ID fingerprint authentication, and colors to match each color variant of the M1 iMac. The Apple Magic Keyboard feels incredibly durable and tough. As is the case with Apple products, the keyboard doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap in any way. However, like the Logitech MX Keys Mini , the Apple Magic Keyboard also comes with a fixed tilt.

Typing Experience

With low-profile scissor switches, the Logitech K380 isn't fatiguing when typing for long periods and typing noise is minimal.Even without any incline settings or wrist rest, it's comfortable to type on this keyboard due to its low profile. The Logitech K380 doesn’t come with backlighting, sadly. Plus, the Logitech K380’s switches have a bit more resistance to them, so I wouldn’t say it’s as satisfying as Apple's Magic Keyboard.

The typing experience on Logitech MX Keys Mini is pleasant, with the keys ergonomically designed to better fit your fingertips, and while there are no mechanical switches on the MX Keys Mini, it feels tactile rather than squishy. The MX keys mini also offers something unique, namely backlight keys.The proximity sensors on the MX keys mini detect when your hands are near the keyboard and turn on the backlight as soon as your hands touch the keys. The backlight also turns off after brief inactivity to conserve battery. But it is a pity that the keyboard is fixed into a slight leaving position and there's no adjustable stand on the rear of the device, so if you like to work on a completely flat keyboard, you're out of luck.

The Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys for gaming. A scissor mechanism beneath each key allows for increased stability, while optimized key travel and a low profile provide a comfortable and precise typing experience. The numeric keypad is also great for spreadsheets and finance applications. However, like the Logitech MX Keys Mini , the Apple Magic Keyboard also comes with a fixed tilt.

Connectivity

All the three keyboards connect via Bluetooth. Only the Logitech K380 and MX Keys Mini offers multi-device support, letting you connect to and quickly switch between up to three connected devices. This is great if say, you want to swiftly change between your mac, your iPad, and even your pc.

Battery Life

The K380 runs on two included AAA batteries, and it would last for about two years of heavy use (eight hours of use a day, five days a week). With the low-energy Bluetooth used by the MX Keys Mini, this keyboard can last 10 days with backlighting enabled and up to five months with the lighting off.  The Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypadbattery should last for about a month based on a full charge.

Logitech K380 vs. MX Keys Mini vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Verdict 2024

All the three are great keyboards for your Mac,  but different than in some ways. If you want nothing less than the very best keyboard for your Mac, look no further than the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad. It sports an extended layout. What’s more, it also features document navigation controls for quick and hassle-free scrolling. Not to mention, it also comes with full-size keys to let you amp up gaming. With the Touch ID, the gold standard for fingerprint scanners, you can also unlock your Mac faster.
If you have a pre-M1 Mac and aren't bothered about a number pad or large arrow keys, then there's an Apple Magic Keyboard for you that's even more affordable. It's much smaller and lighter, too, than Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, making it a great choice for portability. And you still get all the sleek Apple looks, perfect compatibility and comfortable typing experience that you'll find throughout the Magic Keyboard range.

The biggest bummer to Magic Keyboard is the absence of backlighting. But it is worthing mentioned that  certain keys work better on Apple Magic Keyboard- for example the Fn key works to change keyboard layouts an dictation, etc but this doesn’t work on Logitech K380 and MX Keys Mini. Also you can put the Mac to sleep with ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc on Apple keyboard but not Logitech K380 and MX Keys Mini.

If you want to use different devices with the keyboard, Logitech K380 and MX Keys Mini are great as you can easily switch between 3 BT devices. The Logitech MX Keys Mini's backlit keys are a more traditional size and square shape compared with the K380’s round keys, and they’re well spaced and comfortable to type on. Plus, the Logic MX Keys Mini offers more customizability. So if you’re willing to spend more than twice as much for a better typing experience and customizability, the Logic MX Keys Mini is your way to go.  If you would like to spend as little as possible hence the consideration for the K380. It offers reasonable typing experience with reasonable price.

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