An office keyboard doesn’t need customizable RGB lightning, but in any keyboard, a good backlight of some sort is a necessity. Also useful in an office or on the road is a slim profile and a robust wireless connection. Those are the key selling points of the Logitech K800, a device clearly designed with productivity first and foremost.
Design: At home in the office
Take one look at the Logitech K800 and your brain practically screams “office keyboard." This isn’t a bad thing though, because that’s exactly the environment this was designed for. It is plain, though not unattractive, particularly in profile, where its slim, swooping shape gives the keyboard a touch of elegance. The thin and light nature of this keyboard makes it highly appealing for travel, or as a device that can easily fit within a slide-out keyboard compartment on a desk. Keycap font and symbol design are as utilitarian as you’d expect, and every corner on the keys, as with the rest of the keyboard, is gently rounded. Backlighting is a standout feature of the K800. The keyboard features a hand proximity backlight which senses your hands and automatically turns itself on and off to save power. Though the keyboard doesn’t include a volume wheel, it does have dedicated media keys. It also has a dedicated calculator shortcut key that was honestly one of my favorite things about the K800. Yes, you could get the same thing by programming a macro key on a gaming keyboard, but having it work, out of the box, with any computer with zero effort is definitely useful. Since it is located just above the numpad, it saves you a little bit of time every time you need to use the calculator. The K800 comes with both a wireless dongle and a USB extension cable to allow you to locate the wireless dongle strategically if your computer is somehow inconveniently located. There’s also a micro USB charging cable, though unfortunately, the keyboard won’t use this to communicate with the computer. That isn’t really a problem, but having an optional wired connection would have been nice.
Performance: A competent keyboard
Though not as responsive as a mechanical keyboard, the K800 delivers a fast and satisfying typing experience. The keys use membrane switches, but they have a decent degree of tactile feedback. Its biggest advantage is how quiet it is, so if silent typing is a necessity, this keyboard is a good pick. The keyboard’s wireless connectivity is strong and introduces no noticeable lag, while In terms of battery life the K800 lasts for 6 hours of continuous use, and 10 days on standby.
Comfort: Easy on the wrists
Thanks to the built-in wrist rest and gently sloping angled design, the K800 is a fairly comfortable keyboard. The built-in wrist rest also has the advantage of making the K800 easier and more comfortable to use in situations where you might not have access to the wide, flat surfaces required by detachable wrist rests.
Price: Absurdly expensive
I asked a friend to guess how much the K800 cost. After considering all the features and testing it out, she guessed $50. The MSRP of the K800 is $100, and after my time using this keyboard I agree with my friend’s estimate of its actual value. It’s a decent keyboard that offers some significant upgrades over bargain models, but not enough to justify $100.
Logitech K800 vs. Corsair K63 Wireless
At roughly the same price point as the Logitech K800 is the Corsair K63 Wireless, and it’s here that we see the issue with the cost of the K800. The Corsair K63 has Cherry MX Red switches which are better to type on and last longer than membrane switches, and overall the K63 is significantly more robust. However, if quiet typing and a numpad are important to you, there is an argument to be made for the K800.
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Logitech Craft Logitech G915 Lightspeed Gaming Keyboard Logitech K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard
The Logitech K800 is a good keyboard—really an excellent office keyboard for what it is. It’s wireless, the backlighting is excellent, it has a very professional appearance, it performs well, and is nice and quiet. However, $100 is just too much to act for what is at heart an upgraded basic office keyboard.
