We compare Apple’s Magic Keyboard to the best keyboards for Mac. If you spend hours typing every day, it’s crucial to find the keyboard that suits your needs—whether it’s a mechanical keyboard that provides satisfying tactile feedback or one packed with media controls and macOS shortcuts. With so many keyboard options available, here we take a look at some of the best keyboards for Mac to help you make an informed decision.
Our roundup includes all types of Mac keyboards, from Apple’s default Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to the more affordable and still available Magic Keyboard. We also feature some keyboards with customizable keys and dedicated apps, wired keyboards (for those tired of searching for new batteries every few weeks), ergonomic solutions to help avoid RSI, and stylish options that give Apple a run for its money.
When it comes to price, there are several excellent Mac-ready keyboards available that are much cheaper than Apple’s own keyboards and often perform better. If you’re looking to fully upgrade your workstation, you might also be interested in the best mice for Mac.
1. Logitech MX Keys S For Mac – Best Keyboard for Power Users
Pros
- Competitive price
- Function keys and numeric keypad
- Super sturdy
Cons
- Backlight drains battery
- Fluid Typing Experience: Laptop-like profile with spherically-dished keys shaped for your fingertips delivers a fast, fl…
- Automate Repetitive Tasks: Easily create and share time-saving Smart Actions shortcuts to perform multiple actions with …
- Smarter Illumination: Backlit keyboard keys light up as your hands approach and adapt to the environment; Now with more …
Staying up-to-date with Logitech’s ever-expanding MX keyboard range can be difficult, but the Logitech MX Keys S For Mac is the newest top-of-the-line wireless keyboard, priced at $109.99/£109.99. Its slim, low-profile design is sleek and attractive, available in space gray or pale gray. This is the most robust Mac keyboard we’ve tested, capable of handling heavy typing when needed.
The MX Keys S For Mac is much cheaper than Apple’s Magic Keyboard ($179/£179), but it’s far more versatile, featuring a dedicated set of buttons that allow you to pair it with up to three different devices, including Mac, iPad, Windows PC, and even Linux and Chrome devices.
Look for the “For Mac” model as it offers a dedicated layout for Mac. This ensures you have the regular Mac keyboard layout, including the Command key. There are also different models for US and UK layouts.
Originally launched a few years ago, the updated MX Keys S includes several new features, like function keys that allow you to activate dictation, open the emoji menu, or mute/unmute your microphone during video calls. The backlighting has also improved, automatically responding when you place your hands on the keyboard and adjusting to the ambient light of your room. Although the backlight drains the battery, without it, the keyboard lasts up to five months, but with the backlight constantly on, it lasts only about 10 days.
You can use the MX Keys S with any Mac, and it functions like a standard keyboard with a row of function keys that control settings like brightness and volume or activate Exposé. However, Logitech also offers an app called Logitech Options+ (requires macOS 12 or later) that lets you reprogram the function keys for different tasks, making it particularly useful for professional users who want to speed up their workflow in apps like Photoshop or Premiere.
2. Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (2021) – Best Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac
Pros
- Touch ID
- Nice design
Cons
- Touch ID won’t work with Intel-powered Macs
- Slimline so keys don’t travel much
- Smaller version is cramped
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your …
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that will power your keyboard for …
At first glance, the two Magic Keyboard models launched by Apple in mid-2021 look quite similar to the original model (still available and reviewed here). However, these new models bring several new features that weren’t available on the old Magic Keyboard. For starters, these models are officially referred to by Apple as (1) Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Apple Silicon Macs ($149/£149) and (2) Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Apple Silicon Macs ($179/£179). Note that the space gray version costs more ($199/£199), so be sure to choose the white model if you want to save money.
“Apple Silicon” refers to Macs with the M-series processor, such as the M2 iMac, rather than the older Intel-based processors. Apple makes it clear that these new keyboards are specifically designed for the latest Macs with Apple’s in-house M1 chip. While you can use these new keyboards with older Intel-based Macs, most of the new features—including the Touch ID sensor located on the top row of function keys—won’t work with Intel Macs.
Both keyboards feature the same slim design as their predecessors and offer a month-long battery life. The Touch ID-enabled Magic Keyboard is notably more expensive. Like the standard Magic Keyboard, it has a small space bar and tight cursor keys. The lack of “travel” (the up-and-down movement of the keys) makes it feel a bit flat, which may be less appealing for heavy typists who require more tactile feedback when typing quickly. You may feel like you have to do less work to press the keys.
Apple introduced a new version of the Touch ID keyboard with black keys in early 2022. The highlight of these new keyboards is the Touch ID sensor, located near the F12 key in the top row of function keys. It works just like the Touch ID sensor on iPhones and iPads, and when you connect the keyboard to a Mac with Apple Silicon, a new Touch ID panel appears in the system preferences. This lets you store up to three fingerprints for unlocking your Mac or making secure payments on Apple Pay or supported online stores.
There are a few additional features, including an emoji command on the Fn key in the lower-left corner, which opens the emoji viewer to easily insert emojis into any document or message. New function commands also allow you to activate Spotlight, dictation, and Do Not Disturb.
As usual, the larger version of the keyboard is more expensive, but the numeric keypad is useful for those who do a lot of number crunching. The larger space bar and bigger navigation keys provide more room for typing. Still, the thin keyboard panel means the keys may feel somewhat flat, which may lead professional users and aspiring writers to prefer bulkier, more solidly constructed keyboards from other manufacturers.
3. HP 975 Keyboard – Well-Designed and Competitively Priced
Pros
- Good price
- Re-programable Fn keys
- Good battery life
- Can pair using Bluetooth or USB transmitter
Cons
- No Command/Option keys labelled on keyboard
- The Bluetooth wireless connectivity offers more freedom to people who need to operate the devices and play games from a …
- Quickly and easily connect with the notebook
- Plug and Play your keyboard with the PC and go
We don’t often recommend HP’s PC accessories to Mac users, but the company has launched several keyboards, mice, and webcams that are now Mac-compatible when used with the HP Accessories Center app, available on the Mac App Store.
The HP 975 Dual-Mode Keyboard, Mac-compatible and priced at $120/£89.99, is well-designed, versatile, and offers good value for money. It’s a full-sized keyboard with a slim, low-profile design, programmable function keys, navigation keys, and a numeric keypad for number crunching. It’s sturdy, with firm and responsive keys when typing.
You can connect it to two devices via Bluetooth and connect a third device using the included small USB wireless transmitter (though this is a USB-A interface, so you’ll need an adapter). Designed for Windows PCs, the keyboard includes a Windows key and an Alt key, but you can reassign those to Command and Option keys for use with your Mac. You can also reprogram most function keys using the HPAC app.
The HPAC app lets you adjust the keyboard’s backlight brightness and duration and provides a low battery warning. The battery life is decent, lasting about six months if you don’t use the backlight excessively.
4. Logitech POP Icon Keyboard – Colorful Smart Keyboard
Pros
- Great looks
- Nice key feel and quiet keystroke
- Smart functions for AI and multitasking
- Long battery life
Cons
- Slightly cramped layout
- Mouse is not very ergonomic
- Start With a POP: Proudly express yourself and own your space with the Logitech POP ICON KEYS, a wireless Bluetooth keyb…
- Dare to Be Different: This colorful keyboard is anything but ordinary, with a refined shape, detailed transparent frame,…
- Comfy Typing: With contoured, low-profile keys that fit your fingers perfectly, the POP ICON KEYS is a compact keyboard …
Logitech’s POP Icon keyboard features a matching POP mouse, available as part of a combo set or separately. The attractive design of the POP series immediately catches attention, with color options like graphite and green, graphite and white, lilac and off-white, off-white and orange, and rose and off-white. Logitech really excels at creating vibrant colors.
We love the curved, flat keys of the POP Icon keyboard. They feel comfortable and quiet when typing, though they might not appeal to fans of mechanical keyboards—if you enjoy a click-clack sound, check out Logitech’s $99 POP Keys mechanical model.
Thanks to its slim design, the POP Icon keyboard is easy to keep on your desk, and it includes all the keys you need. However, the layout is a bit tight, as some essential keys are close to each other. The POP Icon keyboard also supports all common shortcut key combinations, like muting, opening the emoji menu, or taking screenshots. The four action keys can be customized using the free Logi Options app.
The POP Icon keys are compatible with multiple operating systems and devices and can be connected to three devices simultaneously, meaning you can switch between different laptops with just one click. According to the manufacturer, the keyboard’s battery life lasts up to 36 months. Instead of using a USB to recharge, it uses standard batteries.
Logitech’s Logi Options app can be installed and used for free. It offers the smart action feature and an AI prompt builder based on ChatGPT 4, which can automatically copy text and rewrite, shorten, or generate appropriate responses using preset commands.
5. Satechi Slim W3 – Best Wired Keyboard for Mac
Pros
- Good build quality
- Affordable
- Lots of Function keys
- Wired connection (USB-C)
Cons
- Only U.S. layout available.
- Quite large
- Lies very flat on the desk
- Ultimate Wired Combo for Mac – This bundle pairs the Mac-optimized W3 Wired Keyboard with the precision-driven C1 Wired …
- No Setup Required – Both the W3 Keyboard and C1 Mouse feature built-in wired USB C cables, providing an easy and reliabl…
- Enhanced Typing & Tracking Experience – Enjoy the comfort of the slim, backlit W3 Keyboard’s low-profile keys with three…
I’ve never really understood the need for a keyboard to have a battery or Bluetooth. After all, if your keyboard is always going to stay on your desk, it’s simpler and cheaper to go for a direct USB connection. Plus, since it’s a backlit keyboard, you don’t need to worry about running out of battery because of the backlight. Satechi is one of the few companies still making a good range of wired keyboards, like the affordable Satechi Slim W3, which costs just £62.99/$69.99.
Satechi has a solid reputation in the Mac market – having made some highly recommended Mac Thunderbolt hubs and docks – so you can trust that the W3 provides excellent Mac support.
The name “Slim W3” is spot-on because it’s only 9.9mm thick and stays almost entirely flat on your desk. However, Satechi includes a couple of small risers that you can attach to the keyboard’s base if you want to increase the tilt slightly. It’s solidly built, featuring a strong aluminum panel weighing 440 grams, and given the Slim W3’s slim, low-profile design, the keys feel great when typing.
The keyboard is fairly large, measuring 420mm wide and 115mm deep, but it includes a number pad, arrow keys, a set of navigation keys, and even 19 function keys – just like Apple’s more expensive Magic Keyboard. If you want something more compact, Satechi also makes a smaller wired model called the W1, priced at $59.99/£53.99, which doesn’t have a number pad or navigation keys, plus there are several mechanical keyboards better suited for gaming or high-speed typing.
The only downside is that Satechi is a very U.S.-centric company, so its keyboards only come in U.S. layouts. This isn’t a huge issue for U.K. users, though, as you can still use standard commands like ‘Shift+3’ to print the ‘£’ symbol, even though the ‘3’ key is labeled with a ‘#’ symbol due to the U.S. layout. However, if you need a non-English layout, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
6. Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac – Best Mac Keyboard for Home Users
Pros
- Five-month battery life (if backlight turned off)
- Function keys mimic those on Mac keyboards
Cons
- Keyboard backlight can drain the battery quickly
- Mastered for Mac: MX Keys Mini for Mac is optimized for macOS, iPadOS(2), and iOS(2) and features a keyboard with a layo…
- Designed for Mac: Compatible with Apple MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac & iPad models
- Perfect Stroke Typing with Smart Keys (1): Type on keys shaped for your fingertips, with voice to text Dictation (4), Mi…
Logitech’s Craft and Ergo K860 keyboards are both designed for specific types of users, but if you’re simply looking for a good general-purpose keyboard, it’s hard to beat their MX Keys range.
The newest model in this range is the MX Keys Mini for Mac ($99.99/£109.99), which has a compact, low-profile design that clearly positions it as an alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard. And honestly, Logitech’s years of experience with both mice and keyboards really gives it an edge.
The design of the MX Keys Mini for Mac is impressive. Available in space gray or pale gray, it’s heavier and sturdier than the Magic Keyboard, with stronger keys that feel more responsive while typing. The keyboard also features a backlight, with a sensor that automatically activates it when your hands approach the keyboard, and turns it off a few seconds after you walk away.
The backlight drains the rechargeable battery, and if you keep the backlight on at full brightness, it lasts only about 10 days. However, turning off the backlight extends this to a full five months – far more than Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which lasts about a month.
The top row of function keys works automatically with Macs, allowing you to adjust backlight, volume, and other controls. Logitech’s Options+ app allows you to program the function keys to perform different tasks, such as opening Mail or Safari.
There’s also a larger version, simply called the MX Master Keys S for Mac, which includes a separate number pad and is currently on sale at about the same price as the MX Keys Mini, although it’s unclear if this price cut will be permanent.
7. Logic Echelon Wireless Keyboard – Best Budget Mac Keyboard with Number Pad
Pros
- Affordable keyboard
- Number pad
- Designed for Mac
- Extra Mac shortcuts
Cons
- No backlight
- Designed for Professionals: Despite its slim design, the Echelon Wireless Keyboard delivers a first-rate typing experien…
- Designed for macOS Productivity: Echelon’s extended 109 key layout features a full number pad to speed up spreadsheet wo…
- Switch Devices with a Single Click: The Echelon Wireless Keyboard for macOS can store up to three paired Bluetooth devic…
The Echelon Wireless Keyboard for macOS is a well-built full-size, slim Mac keyboard that comes with a handy number pad on one side. It’s available in white specifically for Mac, though there’s also a black version for Windows.
The keys are labeled as you would expect for a Mac user, and international layouts are available for your region (U.S., U.K., DE/QWERTY, FR/AZERTY).
There are special keys for copy, cut, and paste shortcuts, and others allow you to go directly to your home or desktop folders and lock, sleep, or shut down your Mac.
It supports seamless switching between three paired Bluetooth devices, so you can easily switch between your iPad, MacBook, or a shared hot desk keyboard.
Unlike Logitech’s keyboards, there’s no software to change the functionality of the keys.
8. Logitech Wave Keys for Mac – Best Ergonomic Mac Keyboard
Pros
- Mechanical keys with long-stroke
- Ergonomic layout
Cons
- Lots of plastic
- For 10-finger system
- Compact keys: Wave Keys’ compact size allows you to bring your mouse closer to your body, resulting in a more natural sh…
- Feel the Wave: Get comfier with Wave Keys, the ergonomic wireless keyboard shaped to help workdays go easier on you
- Type in comfort all day long: The wavy design of this compact keyboard places your hands, wrists and forearms in a natur…
Anyone who dislikes flat Apple keyboards and misses the scissor mechanism will love Logitech’s Wave Keys. The Logitech Wave Keys for Mac is a solid keyboard with great key travel and familiar clicking sounds.
The ergonomic design includes a padded wrist rest to reduce strain while typing, and the keys are arranged in a wave pattern to make typing more comfortable. The keys in the center and on the outer edges are slightly elevated so your fingers don’t have to stretch too far for each key.
The keyboard uses two AAA batteries and does a great job of conserving power. It easily connects to a Mac via Bluetooth.
Note that there are two versions of the Wave Keys – one for Mac and one for Windows, with the Mac version having only the Command key instead of the Command/Alt key combination.
9. Logitech K950 Signature Slim – Best Mac Keyboard for Working from Home
Pros
- Competitive price
- Can pair with three different devices
- Good Mac app
Cons
- No rechargeable battery
- No backlight
- Switch Typing Between Your Computer, Tablet or Phone : The Logitech Signature Slim Wireless Keyboard K950 lets you switc…
- Save Time Like Magic : Do more than you ever dreamed by using customizable keys with the Logi Options+ App; it’s like ma…
- Enhance Your Space : A sleek and solidly built full-size wireless Bluetooth keyboard with familiar laptop-style typing; …
At first glance, the K950 Signature Slim keyboard looks just like Logitech’s high-end MX Keys S, and both keyboards share many similar features. However, the K950 is designed to be a more affordable option for home users and remote workers. It’s available in graphite or white and can be purchased alone for $79.99/£79.99, or as part of a combo (called MK950) with a mouse for $99.99/£109.99.
Both keyboards have the same layout, with a row of function keys, arrow keys for navigation, and a number pad. The lower price means it’s made of lighter plastic, but it still feels sturdy and robust enough for long typing sessions.
The K950 doesn’t have a backlight, and instead of a rechargeable battery, it runs on two AAA batteries. Logitech includes a set of batteries so you can use it straight out of the box, and since there’s no backlight, the batteries last up to three years. The lack of backlighting also means you get two additional function keys – dedicated to Mission Control and Launchpad – as there’s no need to adjust brightness.
Like its more expensive counterpart, the K950 is versatile. You can use it as a traditional Bluetooth keyboard, or Logitech also includes a USB wireless adapter (though it’s USB-A, so you might need an adapter for a Mac with USB-C). Like the MX Keys S, the K950 includes a special set of keys that lets you pair it with three different devices and switch quickly between them, including Mac, iPad, Windows PC, Chrome, and Linux. Most function keys work automatically with Mac, but you can also use Logitech’s Options+ app (which requires macOS 12 or later) to reprogram the keys for the apps you use most.
10. Satechi SM1 Slim Mechanical Keyboard – Best Mechanical Mac Keyboard
Pros
- Versatile connectivity features
- Good Mac support
- Can pair with four devices
Cons
- Backlight drains the battery quickly.
- No numeric keypad
- Layout is U.S. only
- Level Up Productivity – Connect up to 4 devices simultaneously with our wireless mechanical keyboard. Switch between the…
- Customize Your Keyboard – The Satechi 75% mechanical keyboard has 84 keys with removable keyboard caps, and low-profile …
- Ergonomic Design – Satechi’s low-profile mechanical keyboard offers optimal low-light visibility with 14 customizable pa…
Satechi’s W3 is a full-size wired keyboard with a low-profile design mainly designed for Mac use. In contrast, Satechi’s SM1 is a more compact wireless keyboard with robust mechanical keys, offering the ability to quickly switch between Mac and Windows modes as needed.
The SM1 has a 75% layout with a row of function keys and a simple QWERTY keyboard, but it doesn’t have a separate number pad. This keeps its size to just 308mm wide and 119mm deep, so it doesn’t take up too much space on your desk, and you can easily toss it in your backpack if you need to take it on the go. However, it’s solidly built and uses brown switches that are smooth enough for fast typing while offering a nice tactile response for gaming (other mechanical keyboards might use red or blue switches for different typing experiences).
It’s impressively versatile for such a compact keyboard. You can pair the SM1 with four different devices and switch between them, and you can connect via Bluetooth, the included USB wireless adapter (though the adapter uses USB-A, so you may need an adapter for a Mac with USB-C), or just opt for a wired USB-C connection.
It features a row of 12 function keys that support standard Mac commands like adjusting brightness and volume, or activating features like Mission Control or Spotlight. It also has standard Command and Option keys you would expect on a Mac keyboard, but you can switch between Mac and Windows modes with a quick shortcut, and Satechi includes three additional keys for Windows users to swap the keys and make it feel more like their own.
If you’re not using the backlight, the rechargeable battery lasts for up to two months, but if the backlight is on, it lasts only 16.5 hours (with 14 eye-watering lighting patterns you can control using a special lighting key). The keyboard does have a sleep mode to help save battery power by turning off the backlight after a period of inactivity. I was also happy to discover that you can use the included USB-C cable to use the SM1 in wired mode while simultaneously charging the battery.
Just remember, Satechi only offers keyboards in U.S. layouts, so there’s no option for non-English languages.
