Why You Can Trust CNET Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard review: The best multidevice Bluetooth keyboard yet
The compact, smooth-operating K380 is a desktop wireless keyboard replacement that connects to up to three devices -- including tablets and phones -- and allows you to toggle between them.
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People tend to have several devices -- a laptop, a phone and maybe a tablet -- which is why Logitech keeps putting out "multidevice" Bluetooth keyboards. The company's newest model, the K380, which I'm using to type this, costs $40, £35 or AU$70 and is one of the best compact full-size wireless keyboards Logitech has created to date.
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
The first thing you notice about it is that it has a little bit of heft to it -- it weighs 14.92 ounces (423 g) with batteries -- which makes it suitable for use with a desktop computer, though it's still light and compact enough to fit into a bag and take on the go. Measuring 4.9 inches (124 mm) high, 10.9 inches (279 mm) wide, and 0.6 inches (16mm) deep (including feet). It comes in two colors -- dark gray or blue; I prefer the latter.
You can set it up to pair with three different devices and press one of the numbered "Easy-Switch" buttons in the top left corner of the keyboard to toggle between them. Pairing went smoothly with my test devices -- an iPhone 5S , iPhone 6 , Samsung Galaxy S6 , iPad Air , MacBook Air , Dell laptop and an Asus Chromebook .
The K380 comes in two colors.
The keyboard can distinguish between Mac and Windows machines as well as Android and iOS devices and map keys to supported functions and shortcuts. It also supports connectivity with Chrome OS devices and Apple TV .
I liked the feel of the keys and they're spread out enough to keep mistypes down to a minimum. Some people don't like round keys (as opposed to square), but I didn't have a problem with their shape. For those with very large hands, the keys may be cramped, but for those with average-sized and smaller hands should feel comfortable typing on the keyboard.
My only small gripe was that I occasionally hit the caps lock key by accident. It's fairly close to the "a" key and if your finger slips off that "a" key (to the left), you can end up hitting the Caps Lock. And sometimes you don't notice you did it until after you've typed a few letters.
The 'Easy-Switch' buttons at the top of the keyboard let you toggle between three devices.
Aside from the multidevice support, the other selling point of the K380 is that Logitech says that the two included AAA batteries will power the keyboard for two years. I'm not sure how much use that's based on, but even if it did half that it'd be good.
Logitech also makes the $50 K480 multidevice Bluetooth keyboard . That model is significantly larger and includes an integrated slot that holds phones and tablets. But I personally prefer the K380 reviewed here because the tablets I use tend to have cases on them that convert into stands, so I don't need the slot. I also like typing better with the smaller K380 -- the keys have a smoother action to them and are quieter. It's just a better keyboard.
More portable options in the multi-device keyboard category include Logitech's Keys-To-Go , a superslim keyboard, and Microsoft's Universal Foldable Keyboard , which folds in half and is even more compact. Both those models are more expensive and good choices if you're looking for a lightweight keyboard to use primarily on the go. Their keys are flatter and not as easy to type with.
Conclusion
This is a true desktop replacement keyboard and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it over Apple's $69 Wireless Keyboard, which is designed to be only used with Macs.