Logitech Wireless Keyboard K350 Review

The Logitech Wi-fi Keyboard K350 (also called the “K350 Wave” and “K350 Ergo”) has been kicking round for the reason that early 2000s, so you will have owned one way back and forgotten about this stalwart of a peripheral. Loopy as its prolonged lifespan is, Logitech nonetheless makes it, and it now sells for $39.99 MSRP (and fewer from some resellers), which is eminently affordable for a wi-fi ergonomic keyboard. The design could also be dated, with key labels that harken again to a bygone period of Web Explorer and optical disc drives, however the keys nonetheless work and software program nonetheless helps it. Because it nonetheless has legs and a value that undercuts high-end options just like the Logitech Ergo K860 and Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic, the K350 is a worthy desk accent for individuals who need a fundamental, budget-friendly typing expertise.

An Early 2000s Ergonomic Idea

The Logitech K350 is a basic in each sense of the phrase. That is not a brand new keyboard. It seems to be and feels prefer it’s from one other time, and it undeniably is. There are many newer ergonomic keyboards that characteristic related, swooping shapes because the K350, and Logitech even has its share of up to date fashions, together with the K860. In contrast to the svelte, low-profile design of many of those newer ergonomic keyboards, the K350 is a giant, plastic, chunky factor. It has tall keycaps that create curved recesses—one for every hand. The quantity pad can also be curved to create an efficient little bowl for the hand to make its residence in. The body of the keyboard retains up this curving motif with rounded edges and a wavy wrist relaxation that sits on the entrance.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

It is a membrane keyboard, and typing on it’s a journey for just a few causes, not least of which is that I used to personal it and used it for years again within the late 2000s. On the one hand, it seems like tapping on little gentle wisps of air, as a result of the keys transfer so easily with little resistance. Alternatively, bigger keys just like the house bar really feel clunkier, nearly like an outdated mechanical keyboard. There is not any noticeable actuation level; I really feel like I am simply tapping the keys at random stress ranges, and so they register.

Altogether, it doesn’t really feel nice in the event you’ve ever used a higher-end keyboard, although it acquired higher after some breaking in throughout just a few days of testing. The truth is, the house bar caught throughout the first few seconds of use, nevertheless it hasn’t occurred once more since. Although the keycaps are a little bit wobbly, the curve of the design and the contoured keycaps helped to maintain my fingers the place they wanted to be whereas typing. I used to be comfortably in a position to kind at a little bit over 100 phrases per minute with 97% accuracy in Monkeytype(Opens in a brand new window), one thing I can’t say for each keyboard I check.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

All that typing comes with a shocking quantity of noise for a membrane keyboard. The principle keys chatter, and the big keys, just like the house bar and Shift, hit with a thud. In the event you just like the commanding sound of a mechanical keyboard, you could be happy, however those that need a quiet keyboard for the workplace received’t discover it right here.

Past the primary keys, Logitech provides quite a few particular buttons on the left and prime edges. These embody a process switcher, zoom controls, and varied media controls. The K350 additionally has secondary capabilities on the F1 to F12 keys. Above the quantity pad is a key for launching the calculator app, in addition to an influence button to show in your PC.

Whereas current ergonomic keyboards have an analogous design, many elect to have top changes on the entrance fringe of the keyboard to create a downward angle from entrance to again. The K350 presents angle changes in reverse, elevating the again fringe of the keyboard with two ft at every nook for 3 totally different ranges. This upward tilt of the keyboard can run in opposition to correct ergonomics, although I discovered my time with the keyboard comparatively comfy after switching over from the Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic keyboard I’ve caught with for years.

(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)

Given how outdated this keyboard is, its objective, and its low value, you should not be stunned to search out it has no RGB lighting—only a single battery indicator that solely shows the cost degree while you toggle it. The K350 additionally would not supply Bluetooth connectivity, as an alternative counting on Logitech’s Unifying Receiver. This plugs right into a USB-A port on a PC to supply wi-fi connectivity that proved steady in testing. It will probably assist a number of Logitech gadgets whereas occupying simply that one USB-A port.

The keyboard has an sadly low rollover. Usually it succeeds to register greater than two keys pressed without delay, however not at all times. This limits potential for gaming, however gaming is firmly exterior the K350’s purview to start with.

The keyboard runs on AA batteries, which Logitech claims can final for 3 years. That’s a staggering lifespan and much longer than we are able to check, nevertheless it appears correct: I don’t recall having to vary the batteries usually on my outdated K350 again once I owned one.

Protecting It Alive With a Little Customization

With out the flexibility to remap varied buttons on keys on the Logitech K350, a number of potential for the keyboard would have been misplaced, since such fundamental customization is desk stakes even on price range keyboards today. However Logitech nonetheless presents the venerable SetPoint program to regulate settings and controls on the keyboard. There’s not a ton of depth right here, like the choice to arrange macros, however you may successfully guarantee nearly the entire particular keys or buttons are assigned to do one thing purposeful in Home windows. Whether or not that’s launching a program, leaping to a selected web site, or performing as a selected secret’s as much as you. Because the SetPoint program doesn’t depend on a preset checklist of packages to launch, you may set it as much as launch successfully any program you need.

(Credit score: Logitech)

This helps keep away from seeing the keyboard dated to loss of life. So, regardless that the important thing meant to launch Web Explorer is caught with that IE emblem on it, you may simply as simply set it as much as launch Chrome, Firefox, Courageous, or no matter different app you like.

Although I undoubtedly wouldn’t advocate gaming on this keyboard attributable to its rollover limitations, the SetPoint app doesn’t embody an choice to disable varied keys, just like the Home windows key, which is a typical characteristic for gaming keyboards.

Curiously, three controls can’t be personalized. These embody the 2 zoom controls on the left fringe of the keyboard, and the eject perform on the F12 key. The zoom controls a minimum of work, however with out an optical drive useful, I can’t verify that the disc eject key does something. That tells you one thing concerning the classic of the design, although.

Verdict: An Inexpensive Traditional

The Logitech K350 is way from the newest and biggest ergonomic keyboard, nevertheless it nonetheless proves comfy to kind on in any case these years. Logitech’s ongoing software program assist additionally retains it viable, with the flexibility to customise its further capabilities and controls. In case your price range is a bit increased, you’d, after all, do nicely to decide on a extra trendy wi-fi keyboard over the K350 any day of the week. However they’re onerous to search out in the event you should spend $40 or much less.

Our favourite ergonomic keyboards are far more costly, usually greater than $100, and so they have a tendency to incorporate the split-layout design that takes getting used to. The Kensington Professional Match is a powerful different that’s almost as low cost because the K350 and presents Bluetooth, nevertheless it additionally has the split-keyboard design. So, having confirmed the flexibility to proceed standing out from the gang, it’s all of the clearer why Logitech continues to make the K350. It’s a downright respectable keyboard that’s priced proper.