5 great Bluetooth keyboards for your tablet or laptop

Anker Ultra Compact Slim Bluetooth Keyboard ($20)

Anker is a trusted budget brand for mobile accessories of all kinds. Previous models of this keyboard definitely took after the Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but the latest revision is both more visually distinctive, and packs a much larger battery. Anker claims that it will last an impressive six months with two hours of use per day. On top of that, it’s also one of the cheapest full-sized keyboards Bluetooth around at just twenty bucks.

The keyset is designed to work with multiple operating systems, so advanced functions like page up/page down, volume, and media controls might not match up from device to device.

Best keyboard for the budget-conscious

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Amazon

Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard ($62)

Microsoft has been getting quite creative with some of its accessory designs, and the latest is impressive in more ways than one. This folding design manages to cram a full-sized keyset (including smaller Function and arrow keys) into a tiny package about the size of a standard CD case, sure to fit into even the most overstuffed carry-on bag. It’s also surprisingly comfortable, which is more than can be said for some roll-up designs.

The “Universal” part of the keyboard comes from its agnostic connection, with dedicated keys for Android, iOS, and Windows. The body has limited spill resistance, so while it’s not going to go for a dip in the pool anytime soon, it should be able to resist a few splashes of office coffee. At $100 retail it isn’t the cheapest option (though it’s often sold for considerably less), but it’s a great choice if you want to keep your mobile office as portable as possible.

Best keyboard for the ultra-mobile

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Amazon

Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 ($30)

If you often find yourself switching between a desktop, a tablet, and a phone for extended typing, you’ll want to check out this unique design from Logitech. The K480 isn’t as svelte as other options on this list, but it includes both an integrated stand slot for phones and tablets, and a dedicated hardware switch for manually connecting to different devices. It’s an ideal solution for those who don’t like to constantly pick up and put down gadgets.

Control keys for iOS and Android phones and tablets keep these devices under control. The K480 comes in grey or white color options, and with a retail price of $50 (and a street price often below $40) it’s one of the more affordable options available.

Best keyboard for the constant switcher

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Amazon

Lenovo Compact Bluetooth Keyboard with TrackPoint ($80)

Lenovo’s ThinkPad series of laptops is famed for their functional and comfortable keyboards. This official Bluetooth version essentially copies a standard ThinkPad keyboard and allows it to be used with any Bluetooth-compatible hardware. The design is intended for desktop computers, but it’s compact enough to be quite useful for tablets as well, complete with an integrated TrackPoint and mouse buttons.

This option won’t include easy commands for Android or iOS, but it’s the best typing experience short of a mechanical keyboard (and those don’t travel very well). The integrated risers allow for a more comfortable position, and long key travel and full scissor switches ensure fast and accurate typing for hours. It goes for $80 retail, but can sometimes be found a little beneath that.

Best keyboard for the serious typist

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Amazon

Logitech Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard K811 (76+)

While this Logitech design lacks the dedicated switch button and device tray of the larger K480, it preserves the multi-device switching capability (with function keys) and adds a backlight for typing in the dark. The design is small and sleek, and works equally well for desktop or mobile use. The K811 model is intended primarily for Mac and iOS devices while the K810 is for Windows, but both should work reasonably well with Android even without dedicated navigation keys.

This is Logitech’s most premium Bluetooth keyboard model with a retail price of $100, but it can often be found for $80 or less.

These keyboards are great for the occasional typing session, but if you intend to do mobile work on a regular basis, you might want to buy a tablet with a dedicated keyboard like the Microsoft Surface or iPad Pro. An alternative is a low-priced laptop or a Chromebook, many of which can be had for considerably less than a tablet-and-keyboard combination.

Best keyboard for the all-rounder

Buy it now from:

Amazon