COMPARISON: MX Keys S keyboards vs. Logitech MX Keys Mini
Table of Contents
A Logitech There are many keyboard models on the Brazilian market, and in this article we will compare those from the premium line MX KeysS, with numeric keypad and special keys, and the MX Keys Mini, a more compact and simplified model. See the analysis and understand which is best for your daily life.
Design
Starting with the largest model, The MX KeysS is a traditional wireless Bluetooth keyboard, in standard United States International, made with high quality materials and great attention to design. It is light, weighing 810g, and is made of solid, compact materials.
The profile of this keyboard is low, similar to what you find on notebooks. Personally, I prefer these keyboards more low profile than mechanical keyboards, as they are more pleasant to use for long periods, which is recommended for those who work.
The keys are very firm and pleasant to type on, and even have backlighting, so you can use the keyboard even in dark environments. The lights remain off when you are not using the keyboard, but turn on immediately upon first typing.
At the top of the keyboard are system configuration buttons, such as: screen lighting, key lighting, media playback and volume controls. Next, in addition to the functionality keys EasySwitch, there is just one key to open the calculator application, take a screenshot and open the actions window. A key just to lock the computer screen is also available.
At the base of the keyboard, on the left side, are the start and command buttons, depending on your operating system. And on the right side, there is the function button or “fn”, which lets you switch the upper keys between the functions mentioned above and the traditional “F1” to “F12” buttons.
O MX Keys Mini It's really small in all its aspects: it weighs just 501 grams, in addition to having a depth of just 20,97 millimeters. It is much lighter than the larger model, but there is one point that may be negative for some people: it does not have a numeric keypad to call your own. The use is also reminiscent of the keyboards we find on more compact notebooks.
The smaller model has the “fn” function keys that provide that help in everyday life, but with some “losses”: in addition to the EasySwitch To switch between connected devices, brightness is also possible using the keys above the numeric keypad.
This is rounded off by the speech-to-text key, emoji keyboard, screenshot key, microphone on or off, and media keys. As it is more focused on being compact, you can see that the Logitech It only left the basics so customers could have a small wireless keyboard. But this also meant that some keys on the larger model can't be seen on the MX Keys Mini.
When using MX KeysS, I thought I would have problems due to being more accustomed to the ABNT standard found in my personal notebook. But the truth is that the use was very similar: I was able to deliver the texts with complete assertiveness, especially for those who have been using notebooks for a long time.
In my personal taste, I actually prefer the larger model, because not only did the lack of a numeric keypad make a total difference, but the variant Mini lives up to its name. It's not the fault of Logitech: If you want a smaller keyboard, you will need to sacrifice some points. And you know this from the moment you decide to buy a model with a small size.
Another point where personal taste can influence is the colors (but perhaps not so much): the larger model was only released in Graphite (black). Already the MX Keys Mini It has variants in black, light gray and pink. I really like electronics in darker colors because they are harder to get dirty, but then, the color of your setup and what you prefer on a daily basis will weigh much more. See the colors of the smaller variant:
And it's worth remembering that both wireless keyboards are also silent in use and it was barely possible to hear the keys being pressed. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the MX Keys S and MX Keys Mini are an updated version of the MX Keys launched in 2019.
The June 2023 lineup now has a speech-to-text function that can be activated via F5. It will also be possible to have an emoji section when pressing F6 and a shortcut on the F7 key to activate or deactivate the microphone was introduced in the new generation. These shortcuts are configured from the first use, but you can also change them to activate/deactivate other functions through the Logi Options +.
connections and performance
A Logitech has a habit of launching models for the wireless keyboard market and this experience can be seen in the two models in this comparison. O MX KeysS can be connected in two ways: via connector Logibolt, shipped in the box, or via antenna Bluetooth present in himself.
Already MX Keys Mini This adapter is not included in the box, but the antenna Bluetooth is available to allow wireless use.
Connecting both models to my notebook was very easy: I just had to press one of the functionality keys EasySwitch and both the connector for the larger model and the connector for the smaller model were easily located. For the connection to be completed, the Logitech requires entering a pairing code. Once done, you can now use both devices for typing.
O EasySwitch It's for more than connecting wireless keyboards to your computer or notebook: it lets you switch between up to three devices, as they connect to your notebook, desktop, and even tablet or smartphone.
A Logitech informs that its keyboards can connect to computers and notebooks with Windows 10 or 11 e Linux, in addition to computers Apple on macOS 10.15 or higher. The same goes for iPads with iPadOS 14 or higher and smartphones or tablets with Android 8.0 or superior. I was able to use both models on my Android 13 smartphone, although this is not its main use. But it works and it's great!
Battery
More than a good wireless experience, the keyboards also have an attention-grabbing battery. Both have the same energy source. 1500 mAh. I spent two weeks testing the models, during my work routine from Monday to Friday, from 09am to 18pm, with a lunch break. Charging is done via USB-C input.
The battery went from 100% to 60% in the meantime, on both models, with the lighting at maximum level. Here, we have quite a positive point, because if you are a person who travels a lot and won't always have a socket nearby, you can count on a device that has a battery that will work for days.
A Logitech guarantees that, with the keyboard lighting turned off, they can operate for up to five months. With this activated, the maximum duration reaches up to 10 days. In 40 hours of use over a week, I managed to go from 100% to 70%, so battery life is a big plus regardless of the type of keyboard you buy.
Software
Here, both keyboards can also be configured by the same application: the Logi Options +, available for computers with macOS and Windows, arrives to complement the experience of using keyboards.
In addition to displaying the remaining amount of battery and allowing the configuration of features of the MX Keys S and MX Keys Mini, it also allows control of a functionality called Smart Actions.
Similar to the shortcuts we know on Windows and macOS, it is possible to register new shortcuts so that you can have a more productive day to day life. For example, I programmed mine to open Chrome as soon as the F1 key was pressed. But there are many shortcuts that you can test and add to the keyboards to be able to work more completely.
There is nothing negative to say about the Logi Options +: although it is a little heavy for a simple keyboard configuration application, it works completely as support for anyone purchasing any of the keyboards.
Conclusion
In terms of personal taste, I would choose the MX KeysS for my daily life. The keyboards are quite similar, but due to the size of the keys and the number pad on the larger model, it turns out that it will be more useful to me.
But you also need to consider the size of the table you use in your daily life, in addition to the amount available to purchase a wireless keyboard. O MX Keys Mini sells for R$559,90 in its white version in Magalu. Already the MX KeysS, can also be found in Magalu, for R$808,54 if payment is made via Pix.
O MX Keys Mini It's not a bad keyboard and it even has shortcut keys that make everyday life more productive, but if you have big hands, you may have typing problems. It is more aimed at those who prefer smaller models and mainly have a small space for work, considering that it can be placed in a backpack to carry a notebook. It's an option that can be easily taken anywhere without attracting attention, but you will lose the numeric keypad which, for some people, is more than necessary than having to look for the numbers one by one.
The battery, software and connectivity end up being the same in both models: there is a good duration that guarantees wireless use; and if the lights are turned off, it gets even bigger. So, in the end, I believe that the size of your hands and the need to have a larger or smaller model in everyday life will make the most difference.
O MX Keys Mini sells for R$559,90 in its white version in Magalu. Already the MX KeysS, can also be found in Magalu, for R$808,54 if payment is made via Pix.
Technical specifications
MX Keys Mini
| Brand | Logitech |
| Córdoba | MX Keys Mini Keyboard |
| Dimensions | High jump 131,95mm Largura 295,99mm Depth 20,97mm Weight: 506,4 g |
| Bluetooth | Minimalist illuminated wireless keyboard Connect via Bluetooth low energy technology Easy Switch: Connect up to 3 devices and switch between them 10m wireless range 1Wireless range may vary depending on operating environment and computer settings. Backlight activated by hand proximity Self-adjusting ambient light sensor |
| Energy | USB-C rechargeable: up to 10 days or up to 5 months with backlight off Power button Caps on and battery indicator lights Compatible with Logitech mice with Flow technology enabled 3Requires the Logi Options+ app, available for Windows and macOS at logitech.com/optionsplus. Battery: 1500 mAh (maximum duration of 5 months with the light off) |
| Other specifications | Indicator lights (LED): Battery LED, 3 Bluetooth channel LEDs special keys: Shortcuts (Home, Back, Switch Application, Context Menu), Easy-Switch™ Connect/Power: On/off button |
| System requirements | Internet access required to download optional Logi Options+ customization app Available for Windows and macOS at logitech.com/optionsplus Bluetooth Low Energy enabled device with keyboard support. Bluetooth Low Energy Designed for Intel Evo laptops Requirements: Bluetooth Low Energy Technology Windows MacOS iPadOS Linux ChromeOS Android Compatible with Logi Bolt USB receiver (not included) Logi Bolt wireless products will not pair with other Logitech USB receivers |
| Price | BRL 559,90 at Magalu |
MX KeysS
| Brand | Logitech |
| Córdoba | MX Keys S Keyboard |
| Dimensions | High jump 131,63mm Largura 430,2mm Depth 20,5mm Weight: 810 g Logi Bolt USB Receiver High jump 6,11mm Largura 14,4mm Depth 18,65mm Weight: 1,68 g |
| Bluetooth | Connect via Bluetooth Low Energy Technology or the Logi Bolt USB Receiver Easy toggle keys to connect up to three devices and switch between them at the touch of a button Hand proximity sensors that activate backlighting Ambient light sensors that adjust the brightness of backlighting USB-C rechargeable. Power button Caps on and battery indicator lights Compatible with Logitech Flow enabled mouse 10m wireless range |
| Energy | Rechargeable Li-Po battery (1500 mAh) Full charge lasts up to 10 days with preset settings or up to 5 months with backlight off Power button Caps on and battery indicator lights Compatible with Logitech mice with Flow technology enabled 3Requires the Logi Options+ app, available for Windows and macOS at logitech.com/optionsplus. Battery: 1500 mAh (maximum duration of 5 months with the light off) |
| Other specifications | Indicator lights (LED): Battery LED, 3 Bluetooth channel LEDs special keys: Shortcuts (Home, Back, App Switch, Context Menu), Easy-Switch Connect/Power: On/off button |
| System requirements | Internet access required to download optional Logi Options+ customization app Available for Windows and macOS at logitech.com/optionsplus Bluetooth Low Energy enabled device with keyboard support. Bluetooth Low Energy Designed for Intel Evo laptops Requirements: Bluetooth Low Energy Technology Windows MacOS iPadOS Linux ChromeOS Android Compatible with Logi Bolt USB receiver (not included) Logi Bolt wireless products will not pair with other Logitech USB receivers |
| Price | BRL 808,54 at Magalu |
Among the models we tested, which is the best wireless keyboard for your everyday life? Tell us Comment!
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