The best Magic Keyboard alternatives

Logitech is a trusted brand that knows exactly how to design devices for Mac users. And the company’s MX Keys for Mac keyboard is no exception. It comes with a full Mac layout so you’ll feel instantly at home. You can work seamlessly across devices using Logitech’s Flow software. Battery life is up to 10 days with backlighting on and five months with backlighting off.

Satechi’s Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard looks and feels great, and there are several Apple-like colours available. There’s no equivalent to Logitech’s Flow software and the battery duration of 80 hours (three and a bit days) is a little on the low side. However, for this affordable price, we reckon this Magic Keyboard alternative offers superb value. 

If you spend a lot of time typing, this could be the perfect Magic Keyboard alternative thanks to the super-comfortable key switch mechanism. The Keychron K8 comes with a proper Mac layout, and you can also convert it to a Windows layout at the flick of a switch. It has several LED lighting options and battery life is an epic 240 hours with backlighting off.

The Logitech Craft takes everything that’s good about the Logitech MX Keys for Mac and dials it up – literally. The Craft comes with a special dial that is pre-loaded with shortcuts for your favourite apps, so it’s ideal for making quick refinements during creative work. Battery life is an incredible one week with backlighting on and three months with backlighting off.

We think the Logitech POP keyboard is super fun. It’s amazing to look at, with multiple colour combos to choose from, and has a pleasant bouncy type feel. It can connect via Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt USB receiver, comes included with eight swappable emoji keys, and while you need to buy AAA batteries to power it, you’ll get three years’ battery life for your money.

The weird-looking design of the Logitech Wave Keys may look offputting to some, and that included our reviewer. In practice, though, she loved this ergonomic design and was instantly converted, saying “I get the satisfaction of a good button press […] and it’s lightweight enough to travel with comfortably.” Note, though there’s no backlighting or rechargeable battery.

Logitech is the trusted brand behind our pick for the best Magic Keyboard alternative for iPad. We found the backlit keyboard spacious and comfortable to use, as is the large trackpad, while the case offers solid protection. There’s a cut-out to magnetically charge an Apple Pencil on the side. The keyboard can be detached from the case and it weighs a manageable 780g.

If you’re not too fussed about trackpad gestures, the Brydge Pro+ is a good option. This affordable keyboard features instant-on connection and adjustable backlit keys with plenty of travel. It has a solid construction and there’s also a magnetic back cover to protect your tablet. And the multitouch trackpad works with all the iPadOS gestures you would expect. 

The ZAGG Pro Keys with Trackpad has a lot going for it. Like the Logitech Combo Touch, you can detach the case from the keyboard and it has a built-in slot to protect an Apple Pencil. However, do note that this backlit keyboard made of plastic instead of something more solid like aluminium, and the multitouch trackpad is only available for some iPads.

This ultra-rugged Urban Armor Gear Bluetooth keyboard case boasts a sturdy tactical grip, 8ft of drop protection, storage for your iPad stylus, and a built-in kickstand. This backlit keyboard with multitouch trackpad is supposedly near-indestructible (and spill-resistant) with a rechargeable battery, making it an excellent choice for working on your iPad outdoors. 

The K480 keyboard from Logitech offers an excellent typing experience, easy design, and connectivity for up to three devices at once, allowing you to switch between them using a handy dial. The keyboard is cross-platform, too, with up to a year of battery life before needing a replacement, but note that there’s no backlighting or multitouch trackpad.

Logitech’s Slim Folio case is another Magic Keyboard alternative that offers the functionality of a typical iPad keyboard. It’s also one of the few iPad keyboard cases that provides all-over protection for your device, and has a slot for an Apple Pencil too. There’s no trackpad or backlighting, but the keyboard is sturdy and great for typing on.