Logitech MX Mechanical overview: Clicky enjoyable in a grown-up package deal

Logitech’s MX Master Sequence is now seven many years aged, beginning with the MX Grasp line in 2015. In that context it is just about shocking that it took the firm this extensive to launch a mechanical keyboard in the series, contemplating the category had exploded in that exact same time. The MX Mechanical delivers alongside the understated elegance and ability-person features you’d count on from the manufacturer, with a assortment of sizes and change alternatives from the mechanical keyboard earth. 

It also provides alongside a quite higher price tag tag: a total $150 for the MX Mechanical Mini in this critique, and $170 for the comprehensive-sized model. This is, frankly, a very little absurd, even offered the resources on give. If your pockets are deep, you won’t obtain significantly to complain about with the MX Mechanical keyboard. But if you’re on even a a little constrained budget, there are better selections both in the wi-fi and mechanical groups. 

This overview is section of our ongoing roundup of the best wi-fi keyboards. Go there for info on competing products and how we analyzed them. 

This factor looks familiar

The MX Mechanical comes in Logitech’s typical, sleek gray-and-darker-grey palette, first seen on the mouse series and a lot more not too long ago on the Craft and MX Keys boards. You also get an aesthetically satisfying backlight, which is particularly helpful as there are so lots of functions sure to the operate row and the more keys on the suitable aspect. When there’s an aluminum plate beneath the essential switches, the rest of the physique is skinny plastic with only single-stage toes, a USB-C charging port, and a electricity change breaking its delicate planes. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Switches are legitimate Cherry, clicky Blue, tactile Brown, or linear White, but the new and interesting Lower Profile variants. These give the switches remarkably lengthy journey (much more so than the similar Kailh Choc types) and a common feel in an exceptionally very small sort component. The whole keyboard is scarcely in excess of an inch tall. Unfortunately the shallow stems and vacation of the switches imply that your frequent Cherry MX-appropriate keycaps won’t perform. It looks possible that Cherry Small Profile custom keycaps will come at some point, but for the moment, customization selections are in essence zero. And someone will certainly want to, due to the fact the Abdominal muscles plastic in the keycaps is a bit on the flimsy facet, however they are double-shot to be appropriate with backlighting. 

A clever structure

Using the MX Mechanical Mini feels extremely very similar to the MX Keys Mini, albeit with the quite welcome addition of entire-sized arrow keys (given that you can not do 50 %-sized mechanical switches). The added column of keys on the correct side is just plenty of to add a minimal additional functionality for electric power buyers. The function row up top rated presents you all all those tiny resources you want on a semi-standard basis, notably Print Display, a focused emoji button, media controls, and a brief microphone mute. You can change concerning F keys and the functionality icons by way of Fn+Esc, notebook-design and style. 

Michael Crider/IDG

The structure is not exclusive, but it is practical and compact, earning the Mini variant of the keyboard quick to throw into a bag. And like most of Logitech’s increased-conclusion keyboards it allows pairing with up to a few units, in excess of Bluetooth or the company’s Bolt USB wireless receiver, and is appropriate with the multi-system Move software package. If you require even far more customization (at the cost of matching your critical icons) you can obtain Logi Selections+. 

Michael Crider/IDG

Only the right-most keys (not counting the proper arrow vital) and F4-F12 can be rebound to preserve the keyboard’s main performance. That makes perception supplied the focus on audience, but extra adaptable binding choices for power end users would have been appreciated. The keyboard borrows multiple backlighting modes from gaming-model boards, but there is no RGB, and they consider a really serious hit on battery daily life. I was capable to operate the keyboard down in just a pair of months, which is paltry for a present day wi-fi board. 

Maybe hold out for a sale?

If you love Logitech’s understated class in the MX line but demand the gratifying simply click and vacation of mechanical keys, the MX Mechanical delivers. But at a $50 premium more than the MX Keys and MX Keys Mini, respectively, you are going to be shelling out a whole lot for the privilege. Even provided the backlighting and multi-point wi-fi powers of these keyboards, it’s a incredibly steep value to pay compared to opponents like the Keychron K3, Logitech ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II, or even Apple’s Magic Keyboard. 

Michael Crider/IDG

In short, there are greater promotions to be experienced, even if you’re looking in these a particular area of interest as high quality lower-profile mechanical boards with a compact make and wireless powers. Hold out for a sale if you are frugal go forward and get it now if you are not.