Logitech MX Keys S Review: A Quiet, Capable Full-Size Keyboard

What this version offers

Logitech names this model MX Keys S and describes it as an advanced wireless illuminated keyboard. Its U.S. product page highlights spherical, fingertip-shaped keys, smart illumination, programmable keys and Smart Actions through Logi Options+. Logitech says the backlight responds when hands approach and adjusts to room lighting; brightness and duration can be changed in Options+. These are manufacturer descriptions, not claims that every user will type faster or make fewer mistakes. ^[1]

The full-size version can switch among up to three devices, and Logitech lists compatibility with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux and iPadOS. The page says basic functions work without software on operating systems other than Windows and macOS, so check your own setup if you rely on advanced customization. ^[1]

• Logitech’s battery guidance says up to five months with backlighting disabled; it does not promise that runtime with the lights on. ^[2]
• The standard MX Keys S is distinct from the space-saving MX Keys Mini and the Mac-specific edition. ^[1]

How it feels—and where it falls short

PCWorld’s reviewer describes quiet, deliberate scissor-style typing and found device switching fast. The reviewer did not need to recharge during two weeks of use, but that single test period is not a general battery-life guarantee. PCWorld also found Smart Actions straightforward to configure but limited in some workflows, including trouble with certain web-app shortcuts. ^[4]

TechGearLab says multiple testers liked the comfortable, quiet feel and reports about 10 days of battery life with backlighting on in its comparison. Its testers also noted that the concave keys can take adjustment, and that the keyboard’s angle is fixed. These observations are independent reviewer findings, not universal outcomes; PCWorld likewise cautions that the single angle may not suit someone seeking more ergonomic adjustability. ^{[3] [4]}

• Strengths: distinctive dished keys, quiet typing, illumination, and multi-device capability. ^{[1] [3] [4]}
• Trade-offs: fixed angle, full-size footprint, software-dependent advanced actions, and less predictable battery life when illuminated. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Who should choose it?

This keyboard fits a desk-based user who wants a full number pad, dislikes loud mechanical typing and values lighting or switching between computers. It is a more questionable fit if you need a small travel board, adjustable feet, pronounced mechanical feedback or a surface that feels like a flat laptop keyboard. If you already own an earlier MX Keys, PCWorld’s review characterizes the hardware changes as modest, so the newer software features alone may not justify replacing a working board. ^[4]

• Before buying, confirm that the listing says full-size MX Keys S—not Mini or MX Keys S for Mac.
• Check operating-system support and whether your desired custom actions require Logi Options+. ^[1]
• Decide whether you need the number pad and can spare the space for a full-size keyboard.
• If you plan to use backlighting constantly, weigh the independent reviewer’s roughly 10-day illuminated-use observation against Logitech’s longer claim, which is explicitly for lights off. ^{[2] [3]}
• Consider whether you prefer a fixed angle and concave keys; where possible, compare the key shape with a keyboard you already enjoy. ^{[3] [4]}

Check your desk and device routine

Lay out the footprint first: this is the full-size board with a number pad, so reserve space for the keyboard and mouse together rather than measuring the keyboard in isolation. Then list the devices you want to switch between and the operating systems they run. Logitech says the board can pair with up to three devices, but advanced actions may depend on Logi Options+ and supported operating systems. Check those details against your setup. ^[1]

Try the fixed typing angle and concave key shape if you can. If you cannot handle it before buying, compare the layout with a keyboard you already use comfortably and consider whether a fixed posture will work for your desk. Also decide whether adaptive lighting is essential: Logitech’s five-month battery statement is for the backlight off, while TechGearLab reports different results with illumination on. These figures come from different sources and conditions, so treat them as a reason to check your priorities, not a single guaranteed runtime. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

• Measure space for the full-size layout and mouse together.
• Check each device's operating system and the software features you need.
• Decide whether fixed angle and concave keys suit your typing preference.
• Compare battery claims only when the lighting conditions match.