TechRadar Verdict
Who says cheap keyboards aren’t worth your money? The Logitech K380 is an economical option that feels premium, with its comfortable and satisfying keys, travel-friendly and stylish design, and robust feature-set. We’d recommend this keyboard even if you’re not looking for something compact or cheap.
Pros
- +
Comfortable to type on
- +
Thin and compact
- +
Great, useful shortcuts
- +
Arrow keys are great
Cons
- -
Surprisingly cheap
- -
Keys might be too small for some
- -
Not rechargeable
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Logitech K380: One-minute review
Sometimes, you need a sturdy mechanical keyboard that gives you that satisfying clickety-clack that only mechanical switches can offer. Other times, you need something like the Logitech K380 – compact, versatile, the best keyboard to travel with.
This multi-device, multi-platform 75% productivity keyboard manages to have a footprint equal to or even slightly smaller than most mini keyboards. That, combined with its lightweight and svelte frame, makes it an ideal travel keyboard, being something you can easily slip in the big pocket of your laptop bag or backpack.
But, make no mistake: the Logitech K380 is also a capable keyboard, better feeling and better performing than most of the ones you see on cheaper laptops as well as most of the options at its price point. More than just a compact keyboard, its $39 (£44, AU$79) price will surprise you once you take it out for a spin – its keys are comfortable and uncrowded, its look is stylish, and its features abound.
So, even if you buy this for the sole purpose of using it as your travel companion, you’ll have a hard time letting it go when you return home.
Logitech K380: Price and availability
- How much does it cost? $39 (£39, AU$79)
- Where is it available? Available now
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Australia
Layout: 65% mini keyboard
Switch: Low-profile scissor switches
Programmable keys: No
Dimensions: 4.88 x 10.98 x 0.63 in (124 x 279 x 16 mm)
RGB or backlighting: No
The Logitech K380 will set you back a nice $39 (£44, AU$79), putting it right in the budget market in the US, the UK, and Australia. That means there’s really no need (or excuse) to scour Amazon to look for the cheapest keyboard then end up with a lemon that’s not only crappy in quality but crappy in typing experience as well.
If you’re looking for a more premium product, you could go for the Logitech MX Keys Mini, which is almost triple the price at $99 / £99 / €109. Or, if you need a full-sized keeb, the Logitech Signature K650 is only $10 / £10 more. Truth be told, though, the Logitech K380 should more than suffice, if you’re looking for something to see you through your daily productivity needs.
- Value: 5 / 5
Logitech K380: Design
- Slim, portable, fairly lightweight
- Useful hotkeys you can reprogram
- Three connectivity options
Slim, portable, and fairly lightweight, the Logitech K380 will only take up 4.88 x 10.98 x 0.63 inches of that coffee table you’re parking at for the rest of the day. That means that it’s small enough so you can still have space for your laptop and your cup of coffee, and not feel cramped. It’s fairly light as well at 423g (14.92oz) with the batteries inside.
It’s an attractive keyboard, not in a flashy way but in a minimalist way so you can easily imagine it on an influencer’s desk, no matter its color. And, it does come in several colorways – lavender lemonade, sand, graphite, off-white, rose. Opt for the Mac version, which is mostly the same except it's optimized for Mac, and you also have the Blueberry option.
The Logitech K380 doesn’t come with backlighting, sadly. However, that doesn’t get in the way of its functionality. It does come with a battery indicator LED and three Bluetooth connectivity LEDs so you know which device you’re currently connected to.
Yes, it comes with three Bluetooth connectivity options, and you can quickly switch from one to another using the three handy-dandy Easy-Switch buttons. Its Bluetooth 3.0 has a range of 10m (33ft) that lets you get pretty far back from your device. And, because it has multi-platform or operating system compatibility, that device can be your laptop, iPad, phone, PC, or your Apple TV.
But, what we really love here are its four hotkeys, all of which are customizable via the very user-friendly Logi Options+. At default, these hotkeys serve as the Home, Back, App-switch, and Contextual Menu buttons. For a more seamless workflow, we strongly suggest actually taking the time to change the actions on these to those you need the most. Your options aren’t limitless, but you can select from a handful of things – from the Copy or Cut command to quickly accessing the Calculator app.
- Design: 4.5 / 5
Logitech K380: Performance
- Low-profile scissor switches are comfortable
- Keys are small but not cramped
- Decent battery life but non-rechargeable
To achieve that slim, made-for-slipping-into-pockets design, Logitech has used its low-profile scissor switches here. These switches allow the Logitech K380 to be incredibly comfortable as well as satisfying to type on.
We wouldn’t say it’s as satisfying as Apple's Magic Keyboard. The K380’s switches have a bit more resistance to them. However, it’s a pretty fantastic keyboard to use, even during long work days. Just bear in mind that there is a bit of delay here when waking, about three to four seconds before you can start typing.
While it has a 75% layout, it manages to keep things compact by keeping the keys, which are circular or rounded, small or slim. The arrow keys are especially small. However, it’s something you’ll get used to in no time, and the keys are wide enough apart that you won’t feel cramped.
Sadly, it isn’t rechargeable and requires two AAA batteries to be of service to you. That is disappointing, as we like our wireless devices rechargeable. However, you can take comfort in the fact that it gives you 24 months of battery life.
- Performance: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Logitech K380?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
Also consider
Logitech K380: Report card
| Value | The Logitech K380 is not just cheap, it offers a lot for how much it costs. | 5 / 5 |
| Design | Slim, portable, fairly lightweight, it boasts useful hotkeys and three connectivity options. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Performance | Comfortable to type on with no noticeable lags, the Logitech K380 also offers decent, albeit non-rechargeable, battery life. | 4.5 / 5 |
| Total | Overall, the Logitech K380 is a fantastic travel keyboard for productivity that looks good, feels good, and is cheap. | 4.5 / 5 |
- First reviewed November 2022
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