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Logitech MX Keys vs Logitech MX Mechanical

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LogitechMX KeysLogitechMX Mechanical
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2019May 2022
Typing
LayoutFull sizeFull size
SwitchesScissorLow-profile mechanical
Key travel1.8 mm3.2 mm
BacklightWhiteWhite
Automatic backlightYesYes
Keys labelled forMac, Windows and moreMac, Windows and more
Touch IDNoNo
SwitchesScissor switches with 60 g actuation force, rated for 10 million keystrokes (function keys 5 million)Low-profile mechanical switches in Tactile Quiet (brown), Clicky (blue) or Linear (red); Logitech lists 55 g actuation force and 1.3 mm actuation distance, rated for 50 million keystrokes
KeycapsSpherically dished keys with a matte coating; MX Keys for Mac has Mac-only laser-printed legendsDual-colour keycaps with a matte surface
LayoutsMX Keys for Mac in English UK, Danish/Norwegian/Swedish/Finnish, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swiss (UK store)English UK, French and Swiss with Tactile Quiet switches only; English International, German and Danish/Norwegian/Swedish/Finnish with all three switch types (UK store)
BacklightA hand proximity sensor turns it on and an ambient light sensor sets the level; eight levels; stays off in bright rooms (over 200 lux) and below 10% batteryA hand proximity sensor turns it on and an ambient light sensor sets the level; eight levels; six effects (static, breathing, reaction, contrast, wave, random); stays off in bright rooms and below 10% battery
Special keysEasy-Switch keys; Fn + Esc swaps media keys and F-keys; legends for both Windows and Mac (a Mac layout with an Eject key on MX Keys for Mac)Dictation, emoji, search and microphone mute/unmute keys; Easy-Switch keys; Fn + the light bulb key changes the backlight effect; Fn + Esc swaps media keys and F-keys; legends for both Windows and Mac
Connections and battery
Connects byBluetooth and USB receiverBluetooth and USB receiver
Devices it switches between33
PowerRechargeableRechargeable
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 5 monthsUp to 10 months
With the backlight onUp to 10 daysUp to 15 days
ReceiverLogitech Unifying USB receiver included with both versionsLogi Bolt USB receiver included (needs a USB-A port)
Battery life detailRechargeable 1500 mAh battery; Logitech quotes 10 days with backlighting or 5 months with it offRechargeable 1500 mAh Li-Po; Logitech quotes up to 15 days with backlighting or up to 10 months with it off
ChargingUSB-C port at the top right; usable while charging; USB-A to USB-C cable (USB-C to USB-C with MX Keys for Mac)USB-C port at the top right; 4 hours from empty to full; usable while charging, though the cable only charges it; USB-A to USB-C cable included
Works withAt launch, Bluetooth with Windows 8 or 10, macOS 10.13 or later, iOS 9 or later, Android 6 or later and Linux, and Unifying with Windows 7, 8 or 10, macOS 10.13 or later, Android 6 or later and Linux; MX Keys for Mac lists macOS 10.15 or later, iOS 13.4 or later and iPadOS 14 or laterBluetooth with Windows 10, 11 or later, macOS 10.15 or later, iOS 14 or later, iPadOS 14 or later, Android 8.0 or later, Linux and ChromeOS; Logi Bolt with Windows 10, 11 or later, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS
SoftwareLogitech Options at launch, now Logi Options+ (Windows and macOS); Logitech Flow with a Flow-enabled Logitech mouseLogi Options+ (Windows and macOS) for Smart Actions, app-specific profiles, Fn key functions and backlight effects; Logitech Flow with a Flow-enabled Logitech mouse
Design
Weight810 g828 g
Width × depth × height430.2 × 131.63 × 20.5 mm433.85 × 131.55 × 26.1 mm
Materials–Low-carbon aluminium top case; plastic parts include 45% certified post-consumer recycled plastic
ColoursMX Keys for Mac in Space GrayGraphite
In the boxKeyboard, Unifying USB receiver, USB-C charging cable, documentationKeyboard, Logi Bolt USB receiver, 1 m USB-A to USB-C charging cable, documentation
Warranty2-year limited hardware warranty (UK)2-year limited hardware warranty (UK)

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