Top 6 Best Chiclet Keyboards (Reviews 2022)

Best Chiclet Keyboards

In this article, we have reviewed the top 6 Best Chiclet KeyboardsComputers have seen drastic changes over the years, and so have their input devices. Nowadays, most of us spend hours in front of the PC screen with a keyboard as our main input method. As such, it’s essential to pick a keyboard with a specific set of features that suit our needs, whether it’s for productivity, gaming, or something else.

Now it can be pretty hard to choose the best keyboard for your needs as there are tons of mechanical and membrane options on the market. However, if you are looking for quality chiclet mechanical keyboards, it boils down the choices to only a few dozens or so.

Fortunately, you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will highlight our recommendations for the best chiclet mechanical keyboards (and non-mechanical ones) that are available to buy today. We have factored in features like design, key travel, tactility, input lag, comfort, and ergonomics to help you make your ultimate choice.

What is a Chiclet Keyboard?

Chiclet keyboards, also known as “island-style” keyboards, consist of low-profile keys that are small, flat, rectangular, have rounded corners, and look like “chiclets.” Such keyboards are characterized by their flat, clean-cut caps and extra spacing between the keys.

The usage of chiclet-style keyboards is mostly seen on laptops and ultra-thin notebooks. Like traditional membrane keyboards, chiclet or scissor switches operate under basically the same mechanism. However, the keys are spacious and have wider bezels in between, unlike what you see on traditional keyboards.

Some people prefer chiclet keyboards over other options as they make less noise, reduce typos, and vastly improve typing speeds. They are designed in a manner that gives users a larger surface area to make typing more natural and comfortable.

An added benefit of being flatter and more spacious is that chiclet keyboards are easy to clean, though it’s still possible for dust to make it under the keycaps themselves.

It’s worth mentioning that the tactile feedback and key travel on chiclet keyboards vary depending on the design. Some ultra-thin models offer an inferior experience because they simply are not deep enough for a key to travel further. Chiclet mechanical keyboards alleviate such issues with the usage of intricate mechanisms.

Top 6 Best Chiclet Keyboards

Now that you know what chiclet-style keyboards are, check out our top five picks for the best chiclet keyboards for your productivity and gaming needs. We have also provided direct buy links to every product listed below just in case you find one that suits your preferences.

1. Logitech MX Keys Wireless Keyboard

Logitech MX Keys Wireless Keyboard

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Let’s begin with the best overall chiclet keyboard for office use, the Logitech MX Keys. It’s a full-size, low-profile, wireless chiclet keyboard with noticeably tactile scissor-style switches.

You can pair it with up to three devices over either Bluetooth or its separate 2.4 GHz USB receiver and switch between them simultaneously without having to re-pair every time. Battery life is excellent as well.

Given the switches’ lower operating force and shorter pre-travel distance, the keypresses feel fairly light and responsive, albeit they do require slight force to get the tactile bump feeling. The keys themselves are also indented to help reduce typos.

Typing noise is pretty quiet so it shouldn’t bother anyone in a noise-sensitive environment. The Logitech MX Keys is also comfortable to type on without a wrist rest thanks to its low-profile design, though it would have been nice to have some adjustable feet.

One of the best features of this keyboard is its white backlit keys. It even has a built-in ambient light sensor that auto-activates the backlight in the dark.

While it lacks macros and has fewer programmable buttons compared to Logitech’s other popular keyboards, the MX Keys is ideal for productivity work. The latency is also a bit on the higher side, but it should be okay for desktop use and some casual gaming.

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Pros Cons
Sturdy build and minimal design No macros
2.4 GHz wireless connectivity Fewer programmable keys
Multi-device pairing, compatible with all popular OS Limited customization features in Logitech Options software
Backlit keys, auto-activates at dark

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2. Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Split Keyboard

Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Split chiclet keyboard

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If you are looking for a wireless chiclet keyboard with an ergonomic design, the Ergo K860 from Logitech is worth looking into. It has a nice wavy design with a split keyboard layout. The full-size keyboard also comes with a soft, non-removable wrist rest, as well as incline settings.

Typing on it might take some to get used to due to its split QWERTY layout, but it feels very comfortable when you do. The pre-installed feet provide negative incline adjustments to relieve wrist strain.

The scissor-style chiclet switches offer slight tactility and near-silent operation just like the MX Keys. It does have a noticeable bump before actuation, which requires quite a bit of force. However, it has a slightly longer key travel distance.

Unlike the MX Keys, the Ergo K860 neither has a backlight nor offers the multi-device pairing feature. Macros are also unavailable, and the few programmable keys can only be assigned to preset options from the software.

While the MX Keys keyboard uses USB-C for charging, the Ergo K860 only needs two AAA batteries. Latency is quite high over Bluetooth and the supplied USB wireless dongle, so we can only recommend it for office use and not gaming.

Overall, the Logitech Ergo K860 is an excellent ergonomic wireless chiclet keyboard that aims to relieve some stress on your wrists during prolonged typing sessions. If you are not a fan of the split keyboard design, check out the other traditional options in the list.

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Pros Cons
Excellent Ergonomic design Split keyboard layout takes some time to get used to
Decent typing experience Non-detachable wrist rest
Supports all OS No backlighting
Exceptional battery life Relatively high latency

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3. Apple Magic Keyboard

Apple Magic Keyboard (Wireless, Rechargable)
Apple Magic Keyboard (Wireless, Rechargable)

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 Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (Wireless, Rechargable)
Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (Wireless, Rechargable)

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If you have a Mac, the Apple Magic Keyboard is a very compelling choice for general usage. It’s a wireless chiclet keyboard that comes in a 60% footprint. However, Apple also offers a full-size version of this keyboard that includes a numeric keypad.

This particular keyboard boasts remarkable build quality due to its lightweight aluminum construction. It doesn’t exhibit any sort of flex and overall feels rigid. The scissor switches are low-profile and widely spaced, so the keyboard doesn’t accumulate much debris over time and manages to maintain a clean look.

The Magic Keyboard does have good ergonomic, but it lacks incline settings. However, the low-profile keys are very quiet and a delight to type on as they give satisfying tactile feedback. The shorter pre-travel distance also makes typing quite responsive. Despite missing a wrist rest, the keyboard’s flat design shouldn’t cause any typing fatigue.

The keyboard has a built-in rechargeable battery that charges via Apple’s Lightning connector and lasts over a month. You can use it in both wired and wireless (Bluetooth) modes. It doesn’t require the installation of any additional software.

The Apple Magic Keyboard is one of the best wireless chiclet keyboards you can buy to pair with your Apple devices. If you travel a lot, this is the keyboard you should carry in your backpack.

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Pros Cons
Apple’s signature minimalist design No adjustable feet or wrist rest
Exceptional build quality No backlighting
Best scissor switches on a compact keyboard Zero per-key customization
Versatile connectivity Partial Windows/Linux support

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4. Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard

Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard

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The Logitech K380 is the third chiclet keyboard from Logitech to be featured in this list, and for good reasons. It’s a 65% keyboard that’s small and compact enough to carry around, and you can use it with any Bluetooth-capable device you want.

Logitech did take a few cost-cutting measures to hit the affordable price point. Despite being mostly made of plastic, the keyboard doesn’t feel cheap in hands. It doesn’t have any adjustable feet or wrist rest, but it does have some rubber pads on the bottom to prevent the keyboard from slipping. The key legends are pad-printed on the ABS keycaps, which can potentially chip over time.

Typing quality is also decent thanks to the stable, responsive, low-profile scissor switches that make typing comfortable and fatigue-free for extended periods. The spacing between the keys isn’t as wide as most other chiclet keyboards, but it shouldn’t be a problem for most people. The fairly short key travel might take some time to get used to. In terms of noise, the keyboard is very quiet to type on.

Similar to the Logitech MX Keys, the K380 supports multi-device pairing (up to three devices) over a Bluetooth connection, though it doesn’t come with a wireless USB receiver. The keyboard only needs 2 AAA batteries for power.

All in all, the Logitech K380 is one of the few portable wireless chiclet keyboards worth buying. Apart from its portability factors, its responsive scissor switches, and multi-device pairing make the K380 a solid choice for students and travelers. It’s available in five colors: Graphite, White, Dark Grey, Off White, and Rose.

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Pros Cons
Lightweight and compact Pad-printed key legends that can fade over time
Good typing experience regardless of its thin profile No backlighting
Multi-device pairing with up to three devices Limited customization options in the software
Hotkeys for media controls

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5. Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard

Corsair K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard

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Corsair is a popular choice in the PC gaming market for its vast range of hardware, accessories, and peripherals, including keyboards. Its K83 Wireless Entertainment Keyboard is a unique chiclet keyboard centered around multimedia, home theatre, and meeting room stuff.

This particular model shares the footprint of a full-size keyboard but is actually tenkeyless (80%). There’s an integrated trackpad on the right side of the keyboard instead of a number pad. You will also find the left and right mouse click buttons, a volume roller, as well as an analog joystick in the top-right corner. This allows users to naturally navigate through user interfaces and control media playback.

In terms of built quality, the Corsair K83 Wireless feels great in hands. The entire chassis is made from a mix of metal and quality plastic. The tactile chiclet-style scissor keys, the trackpad, and the joystick feel stable and don’t feel cheap at all. The keyboard itself is slightly slanted, and it comes with no wrist rest or adjustable feet.

Typing on the Corsair K83 Wireless feels similar to most other scissor-switch chiclet keyboards in this list, albeit it has a lighter actuation force. It’s also virtually silent, which is great if you are in a noise-sensitive space. The inclusion of white backlighting also makes this keyboard useful in darker environments.

The Corsair K83 works in both wired and wireless (Bluetooth) modes. A proprietary wireless USB receiver is also supplied with the unit. Like the Logitech MX Keys, it also supports multi-device pairing. The keyboard has a built-in rechargeable battery that charges over micro-USB.

Overall, the Corsair K83 Wireless is a must-have input device for your living room HTPC setup or business meeting rooms. Both wired and wireless latency is pretty low, so we can also recommend it as one of the best chiclet gaming keyboards.

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Pros Cons
Excellent typing, silent scissor switches No adjustable feet
Premium fit and finish Micro-USB for charging
In-built trackpad and analog stick for versatile input
Good for couch gaming
Corsair iCUE software integration, supports macros, backlight control

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6. iClever BK08 Tri-Folding Chiclet Keyboard

iClever BoostType BK08 chiclet keyboard

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If the Apple Magic Keyboard or the Logitech K380 isn’t small enough for you, check out the iClever BoostType BK08 chiclet-style keyboard that you can literally fold and throw in your pocket.

Even in its unfolded state, the iClever BK08 is pretty small to start with. It has a footprint of a 60% keyboard, with a tiny touchpad on the right side. The board is mostly made from plastic and is divided into three parts that are held together by strong metal hinges. Despite being cheap, the keyboard has a surprisingly sturdy build quality.

The chiclet-style rubber dome switches are okay to type on. However, its small and compact layout does require some users to get used to. For a keyboard that folds up, it offers a pretty decent typing experience. Whether you are in a train, library, or cafe, the silent keys shouldn’t annoy people around you.

The iClever BK08 doesn’t come with any special software, so there are zero customization features. However, it works out-of-the-box with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS devices via a Bluetooth connection. It also has multi-device support.

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Pros Cons
Small and pocketable thanks to its folding design Rubber dome switches
Wireless multi-device connectivity No backlighting
Integrated trackpad and left/right mouse click buttons Charges over micro-USB

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What to Look Out For When Buying a Chiclet Keyboard

When picking up the best chiclet mechanical keyboards for most people, we factor in primary things like build quality, ergonomics, switch type, typing performance, versatility, connectivity, etc. Even the customer reviews, availability, and price are taken into consideration.

If you would like to make the choice yourself, we recommend taking the following factors into account. No keyboards, especially the ones with chiclet-style keys, are perfect for every use, but most are decent enough to satisfy everyone’s needs.

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People also ask (F.A.Q)

Q1. Are chiclet keyboards better than traditional options?

Depending on your use case, chiclet keyboards can offer more benefits than traditional membrane or mechanical keyboards. Most chiclet keyboards are portable enough to carry inside a backpack, and they also offer wireless connectivity. Plus, they come relatively inexpensive compared to full-fledged mechanical keyboards.

However, if you are used to typing on a mechanical keyboard, don’t expect low-profile scissor or rubber dome chiclet keys to provide the same level of tactical feedback.

Q2. Should I get a chiclet keyboard for gaming?

It depends on what kind of games you play. For fast-paced, reaction-based competitive games, chiclet keyboards are inferior to mechanical ones due to mushier keystrokes and generally higher input lag. However, they are mostly fine for casual gaming sessions.

Q3. Are there any health benefits of using chiclet keyboards?

Chiclet keyboards are designed in such a manner that a user can continue typing comfortably for extended periods without straining their wrists. Thus, it reduces the risks of computer-related RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

Q4. How good or bad can the battery life be on a wireless chiclet keyboard?

Chiclet keyboards with wireless or Bluetooth connectivity run on very low power and only require a small cell or two AAA batteries. Depending on your usage, a chiclet keyboard can last for months after a full charge or new AAA replacements.

However, the battery life will be noticeably worse on an illuminated chiclet keyboard, but it still should last you a week or two of usage. When not in use, make sure to disconnect the keyboard from your device to extend the battery life.

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Final words

This guide covers five of the best chiclet mechanical keyboards you can buy this year. We have also highlighted the pros and cons of the mentioned models in detail, as well as made every aspect of the chiclet keyboards simpler to understand for newbies.

What is your favorite chiclet keyboard in this list? Let us know in the comments below. We would also love to know your recommendations for other gaming and wireless chiclet keyboards!

Top 6 Best Chiclet Keyboards (Reviews 2022)

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