A good keyboard and mouse is crucial for most peoples’ day to day life. Unfortunately, it can take some time and money to shop for just the right ones. Finding an affordable, functional combo can help save both. Show
Our top pick, Logitech’s MK850 Performance wireless mouse and keyboard (available at Walmart), is still our favorite mouse and keyboard combo despite becoming harder to find. There are plenty of other choices to love, from budget sets to high-end gaming equipment. You can also find versatile, affordable picks separately among our favorite keyboards and wireless mice.  Credit: Reviewed.com / Jeremy Stamas The Logitech MK850 Performance's keyboard feels nice to type on, and it doesn't have overly-long key throws. Credit: Reviewed.com / Jeremy Stamas The Logitech MK270 is a great buy that lives up to the hype. Other Keyboard and Mouse Sets We TestedHow We Test Wireless Keyboard and Mouse CombosThe TestersHey everyone, I’m Mike Epstein. I’m a freelance technology reviewer living in New York. I write about computers and gaming hardware. As it happens, keyboards and mice are a specialty of mine: I’ve written a lot of reviews for them at places like PCMag and IGN. I’ve been writing professionally on the Internet for most of the decade, so I know how important it is to have a mouse and keyboard that’s comfortable and reliable, and can assess pretty quickly whether or not any given piece of kit will be able to get the job done. The TestsBuying a mouse and keyboard together as in a single pack suggests you’re looking for something convenient, affordable, and easy to use. We test each combo by using them as an everyday mouse and keyboard on both a desktop gaming PC and a Macbook Pro. We browse the web, write emails, and play popular video games online. We test them in apps like Chrome and the Microsoft Office suite. We also consider portability. We look at how far these wireless products can be from their receivers. We also test how comfortable they are to use in non-traditional setups, like sitting at a kitchen table, or on the couch with the keyboard in our lap. We also check out factors like ergonomic design, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless connectivity, Windows compatibility, and more. How to Shop for a Keyboard and Mouse ComboWe're willing to bet most people use a keyboard and mouse—or at least a trackpad—almost every day. It's easy to take these tools for granted, but if you spend 40 hours a week (or more) on a computer, you're probably aware that they're not all made equal. Whether you're investing in a convenient mouse/keyboard combo to pair with a home PC, or trying to improve your laptop experience on the go, you want an ergonomically sound wireless combo with sufficiently long battery life and connectivity to keep up with your needs. Manufacturers can make whatever claims they like about the comfort or usability of their mouse/keyboard combos, but first-hand testing like we've done here is the only way to know for sure if a combo is worth what you're paying for it. That said, there are some basics worth keeping in mind. Wired vs. WirelessThe pros and cons of wired and wireless setups are simple, but worth going over. Mouse/keyboard combos provide a wireless experience either with Bluetooth connectivity or via a wireless dongle that plugs into a USB port. Wired hardware needs to be plugged directly into the laptop or PC directly, which will also take up a USB port. Wired products won’t delay or interrupt your connection as you type or browse through websites. And while a good wireless mouse/keyboard combo won't, either, some of them do. That's part of why testing is crucial. A wireless combo gives you inherent freedom of use, at the cost of worrying about battery life and potential interference. If you look at an identical mouse/keyboard set where one is wired and one is wireless, the wireless variant will usually be more expensive. You’re paying for freedom to move around and minimize clutter. To that end, a wireless combo can make a lot of sense if you value tidiness. It can also be a good choice if you need a keyboard/mouse set for multiple workstations. A good set makes it easy enough to pop the dongle or re-pair with any laptop or PC you use. CompatibilityWhile many headphones and tablet keyboards come in an OS-locked variant (Android or Apple, usually), Bluetooth connections are universal. This means the same Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo should be compatible with Windows and other operating systems like iOS. More Articles You Might Enjoy
Meet the testersMike Epstein Contributor @bombur Mike Epstein is a freelance technology and video game critic based in New York. You can currently find him writing for IGN, GamesRadar, PC Gamer, Lifehacker, PCMag and, of course, here at Reviewed. Mike writes a lot of keyboard and mouse reviews, from high-end gaming gear to stuff made for productivity and ergonomics, so he knows more about switches and buttons than anyone should have to. Adrien Ramirez Staff Writer @itsaramkat Adrien is the PC staff writer for Reviewed with over 4 years of experience covering laptops, desktops, software, games, and more. Checking our work.Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes. How does a wireless keyboard and mouse combo work?Your keyboard and mouse work by sending wireless signals to a USB receiver that came with your setup. This might be a small hub that plugs into a USB port with a wire, a small dongle similar in size and shape to a thumb drive, or a very tiny unit that is barely visible once you slide it into a USB port. How to connect two PC to one keyboard?KVM Switch: A KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch allows you to connect multiple computers to a single set of input devices. With a KVM switch, you can switch between the different computers by pressing a button on the switch itself or by using a hotkey on the keyboard. What is the best keyboard for typing?We've tested over 200 keyboards and found the best keyboard for typing for most people is the Keychron Q2, with its high-quality aluminum case and excellent typing experience out of the box. It also has a compact size, which hits a sweet spot between space-saving and utility without feeling cramped. |
