Best Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo – 2021

The advantages of a wireless keyboard and mouse combo are that you can streamline your workspace and remove the trip hazard of trailing wires. You can move far away from your screen and still be connected. If you mainly use your PC for gaming and have a state-of-the-art controller, then your budget-friendly wireless keyboard and mouse can be kept tidily and dust-free in a drawer until you need to use it. The model you choose may let you use the same familiar keyboard and mouse to service all your tech.

We are living in a wireless world, but despite voice control and touch screens, there are times when we need a keyboard and mouse. It makes sense to buy a wireless set as the full package of wireless keyboard and mouse because you save money, and you know that the two will work together on the same connection.

When buying a combo, you need to consider your preferences for both the keyboard and the mouse. The ultimate decision depends on many factors price, battery life, range, and performance. It can be confusing when people throw technical jargon about to impress you without explaining what it all means. We are here to help; we tell you what it means and why you should care, so you can go out and pick the best wireless keyboard and mouse combo for your needs.

Best for Battery Life

Logitech MK345 Wireless Combo

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Best for Features

Logitech MX900 Performance Keyboard and the MX Master Mouse Combo

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Best for Comfort

Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5050

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Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combos

Logitech is a world leader in the design and innovation of computer peripherals, and no product review would be complete if it did not feature a couple of Logitech products. They are top class, so we have grouped their top products and reviewed their competition separately.

Logitech MX900 Performance Keyboard and the MX Master Mouse Combo

Best for Features

“Both devices have rechargeable batteries (charging cable is in the pack)”

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You can expect to pay under $140

• Keyboard: This full-sized chiclet keyboard has intelligent backlighting and customizable keys. The lighting will adjust depending on the room’s brightness and if your fingers are near the keys. The backlit function will eat up the power and require recharging a little more often.
• The keys are large with concave tops for comfortable, rapid, and accurate typing. A palm rest is part of the design. The keyboard uses a scissor key system. The keyboard is lightweight, around 1 pound. Wireless encryption is an included feature.
• Mouse: Included in the package is the MX mouse with its unique thumbwheel and a speed-scroll wheel. The Logitech options software (not included) allows customization of seven mouse buttons. The mouse can be connected via Bluetooth to three different computers with Easy-Switch Technology.
• Tracking is accurate on any surface, however glossy and that includes glass tabletops (provides they are at least 4mm thick) because the mouse comes with Darkfield Laser sensor (1600 DPI).
• Power: Both devices have rechargeable batteries (charging cable is in the pack), and the keyboard will work for ten days at full charge. The keyboard has a battery status LED to warn when it needs charging. The mouse has 70 days of battery life and a battery warning light.
• Connections: The keyboard and mouse can connect with the Logitech Unifying receiver. This receiver will occupy one USB port. The mouse can connect via Bluetooth 4.0 or later.
• Range: 33 feet.
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows 10 (and later), Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Logitech Wireless Wave Combo MK550

Best for Ergonomic Design

“The keyboard comes equipped with 30 hotkeys and 17 other keys programmable to your requirements.”

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This combination will cost less than $80 and comes with a three-year warranty. Shop around, and you find it at half this price.

• Keyboard: This ergonomic wave design incorporates a padded palm rest and features adjustable legs giving three different levels. The wave design is intended to accommodate the different sizes of fingers, so an expert typist can effortlessly type faster. The keyboard is large and comfortable but a little noisy.
• The keyboard comes equipped with 30 hotkeys and 17 other keys programmable to your requirements. Your information is kept secure with AES 128-bit encryption.
• The buttons suit right-handers, and the keyboard is hefty at 3 ounces over two pounds.
• Mouse: In fitting with the ergonomic style, the mouse has contoured sides and soft rubber grips. It is a precision laser mouse, and it will track on most surfaces, but not all of them. The mouse does not have hyper-fast scrolling, but it is comfortable to use with a smooth scroll action and positive clicks. There are an additional two buttons on the left-hand side of the mouse which accommodates right-hand users. The mouse buttons and gestures are programmable for many PC actions.
• Power: These peripherals have excellent battery life, three years for the keyboard, and two years for the mouse. Each device takes a pair of AA batteries, and these come with the pack. Both keyboard and mouse will “sleep” during periods of inactivity but are quick to “wake-up” when you need them.
• Connections: Both the keyboard and the mouse connect via the same unifying receiver. It will occupy one USB port. It is straightforward to get set up and using both devices as this is a plug-and-play system
• Range: 33 Feet
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP

Logitech MK345 Wireless Combo

Best for Battery Life

“Excellent battery life and is excellent value for money.”

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This combo is not ideal for a professional gamer or a left-handed user, but it benefits from excellent battery life and is excellent value for money.

You can expect to pay around $40, and you get a one year warranty.

• Keyboard: The full-sized standard keyboard has 12 enhanced F-Keys to assist you with media control – volume, mute, skip, and pause. The textured palm rest and spill resistance give peace of mind to those of us who need a cup of coffee while working. The keyboard height is adjustable to your requirements. The keyboard is under a pound in weight. Your data is kept secure with AES 128-bit encryption. The keyboard features low profile keys and is quiet to operate.
• Mouse: The small optical mouse is for right-handers, but it has a contoured shape and provides smooth tracking. The mouse has an automatic sleep mode if left idle.
• Power: The battery life is extraordinary – four years for the keyboard and eighteen months for the mouse. Both the devices have on/off buttons to leave them dormant when not in use. The keyboard needs two AAA batteries. The mouse needs one AA battery. They both come with pre-fitted batteries.
• Connections: A plug-and-play Nano receiver will connect both mouse and keyboard via one USB port.
• Range: 33 Feet
• Operating System Compatibility: Chrome OS, Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista.

Logitech MK750 and Marathon Mouse

Best for Solar Power

“Eco-friendly product, and it comes with a three-year warranty.”

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You can pick this eco-friendly product up for around $80, and it comes with a three-year warranty.

• Keyboard: The standard full-sized keyboard features quiet keys with concave caps and a solar panel. Your data stays safe while wirelessly typing with AES 128-bit encryption. The keys get a little glossy and we wouldn’t recommend using it for heavy typing. The keyboard is PVC-free and efforts have been made to minimize its carbon footprint.
• Mouse: The laser mouse offers accurate control and hyper-fast scrolling. The sculpted mouse fits your hand. The mouse will not work on all surfaces like glass, and gleaming surfaces will cause problems.
• Power: You don’t need batteries or sunlight, as any light source converts into energy for this keyboard. It will keep its charge for three months, even if stored in the dark. The mouse still needs batteries, but it has a remarkable three-year battery life.
• Connections: You plug in the unifying USB receiver, and both the keyboard and mouse are ready for action. You can add more devices to this receiver.
• Range: 33 feet.
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Logitech MK850 Performance Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Best for Multiplatform Use

“You connect via a unifying receiver or Bluetooth. The Keyboard can switch between computer, tablet, and phone. The mouse can pair with three devices.”

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You expect to pay around $75 for this multiplatform device.

• Keyboard: The keyboard features an oversized padded palm rest to help you position your hands for optimum comfort while typing. Adjustable legs allow the keyboard to tilt to the most comfortable angle for you. The concave keys are in the standard layout on the full-sized keyboard.
• Mouse: The mouse can pair with three devices. A soft easy to grip coating covers the mouse making it comfortable to maneuver. The mouse actions customize to your specifications.
• Power: The keyboard needs two AAA batteries, but these will not need changing for three years. The mouse needs one AAA battery and, depending on usage, will need a fresh battery in two years.
• Connections: You connect via a unifying receiver or Bluetooth. The Keyboard can switch between computer, tablet, and phone. The mouse can pair with three devices.
• Range: 33 Feet.
• Operating System Compatibility: This excellent combination works with Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, iOS and android

Other Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combos

Although Logitech products dominate the market, there are plenty of other manufacturers out there, offering excellent products at pocket-friendly prices. Some names like Microsoft and HP are familiar, where others such as Fenifox, Victsing, and Jelly Comb may not, but they produce excellent products with some exciting features.

Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5050

Best for Comfort

“Natural stress-free hand positions.”

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You will pay up to $70 for this high-quality ergonomic keyboard and ambidextrous mouse combo: a premium price, but an excellent product with a three-year warranty. By shopping around, you can get this product for half that price at a more affordable $40.

• Keyboard: The built-in palm rest and the curved design encourage the user to adopt a natural stress-free hand position for typing. You can customize the shortcut buttons to put your favorite applications at your fingertips. AES 128-bit encryption keeps your data secure while using this wireless keyboard. It has been permanently paired with its receiver at the factory to ensure your keystrokes are safe and secure over the air.
• Mouse: Left-handed or right-handed, you can comfortably use this optical laser mouse. The BlueTrack technology makes any surface your mousepad (except clear glass or a mirror). You can customize the buttons.
• Power: AA batteries power both devices with 2 AA batteries each. The battery life is reasonable at up to 15 months for the keyboard and up to 8 months for the mouse.
• Connections: Both devices connect with a receiver in one USB port.
• Range: 30 Feet.
• Operating System Compatibility: The wireless keyboard and mouse combo will happily pair with Windows 10, 8, and 7. It will also work with Mac OS X v10.4 to 10.7.

Microsoft Wireless Desktop 900 Mouse and Keyboard

Best Value

“Basic Microsoft keyboard and mouse combination is still packed with excellent features.”

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This no-frills budget basic Microsoft keyboard and mouse combination is still packed with excellent features. You expect to pay up to $40, but you can get it for as low as $20. The combo comes with a three-year warranty.

• Keyboard: This is a quiet keyboard with the standard AES 128-bit encryption for added peace of mind. There are hotkeys and customizable buttons to speed up access to your most frequent applications. The space bar operates with a bit of a loud click that you may find annoying, and the keys are firm to the touch. The firm keys may be an asset or a disadvantage depending on your personal preferences.
• Mouse: The full-sized mouse will fit either hand. You can customize the buttons.
• Power: Both devices are powered by batteries (Keyboard – 2 x AAA, Mouse – 2 x AA) and have a similar life of up to two years, which is excellent for a mouse and reasonable for a keyboard. Sadly, there is no battery warning light on either the keyboard or the mouse.
• Connection: A plug and play receiver to connect both to your computer, which will occupy one USB port.
• Range: 30 Feet.
• Compatible Operating Systems: This combo will work with Windows (10, 8, 7) and Mac OS X (v10.4 to 10.7).

HP Wireless Elite Keyboard v2 and Mouse

Best for Writers

“The scissor-style keycaps aid in fast typing with good tactile feedback. The typing is quiet.”

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You expect to pay up to $90, and you get a one-year warranty. By shopping around, you can get it at a considerably lower price.

• Keyboard: The keyboard is sleek and slim with low profile keys. The scissor-style keycaps aid in fast typing with good tactile feedback. The typing is quiet. The layout is standard with a number pad and hotkeys, as well as versatile function keys. The angle and height adjust for a comfortable wrist position.
• Mouse: The standard sized mouse fits either hand; the 1000DPI optical sensor will work on most surfaces. It has a scroll wheel as well as the standard buttons.
• Power: The mouse needs two AAA batteries and the Keyboard by two AA batteries. Both devices have a low battery warning light.
• Connection: USB Wireless Nano receiver. This 2.4GHz receiver can connect with 5 HP compatible devices.
• Range: 30 Feet.
• The combo is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

Fenifox DF67-SL Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Best for Mac

“If you need a wireless and mouse combination for your MacBook at a budget price, then this is well worth a look.”

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You expect to pay up to $40 for this silver-white stylish wireless keyboard and mouse combination. If you want, opt for the standard black. You get a twelve-month warranty with phone support for the products. If you need a wireless and mouse combination for your MacBook at a budget price, then this is well worth a look.

• Keyboard: The keyboard has dual switching between Mac OS and Windows operating system by the pressing of a couple of buttons (Fn+Q, Fn+W). Two slope adjustments allow you to adjust your typing position for comfort and preferences.
• Mouse: The mouse is an attractive match to the keyboard. The mouse features an audio control button that regulates volume or switches to mute.
• Power: The keyboard needs two AA batteries and the mouse two AAA batteries. The mouse will automatically shut down if it is left inactive for ten minutes. There is also a quiet sleep function for battery saving. The mouse will run for five months between battery changes. There is a battery warning light on the keyboard.
• Connection: Nano receiver in one USB port.
• Range: We haven’t come across reliable information on the range of this product, but it will work up to 15 feet away and will probably be stable up to 30 feet.
• Compatible Operating Systems: This keyboard and mouse will work with both Mac OS and Windows systems. It will also work with Linux.

RII RKM709

Best Budget

“If your budget is small, then this multifunctional wireless keyboard and mouse will connect with virtually any device.”

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If your budget is small, then this multifunctional wireless keyboard and mouse will connect with virtually any device, and that includes your Smart TV.

• Keyboard: The keyboard is robust and well-built. You get hotkeys and a couple of brightly colored keys at the top for power/sleep and volume/mute. A standard keyboard, but no number pad. No ergonomic features, but this is a low cost and no-frills.
• Mouse: Despite the low price, you get a precision mouse with three excellent DPI levels – 1600, 2400, and 3200. The mouse won’t remember the DPI setting when you switch it off, and you will have to set it every time you use it.
• Power: Standard batteries, and there is no power-save function.
• Connection: USB receiver connects both devices.
• Range: 33 Feet
• Compatible Operating Systems: You name it, and this keyboard will probably work with it. Windows, Mac, Linux, HTPC, IPTV, Raspberry, Google Android, Smart TV, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Dell LP KM717 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Best for Multiple devices

“Easy switching between three devices.”

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This Dell product costs around $80.

• Keyboard: This full-sized keyboard splits into three sections for ease of use. The hotkeys deal with sleep, volume, search, mute, play/pause, and forward. The keyboard can be sloped to an angle for comfortable typing on the chiclet keys. The keyboard is very similar in style and functionality to the one you would find on a Dell laptop.
• Mouse: The 1600 dpi laser mouse will operate on almost any surface, and that includes glass and high gloss. The mouse has a comfortable arched shape and features five buttons.
• Power: Battery life is 12 months for the keyboard and six months for the mouse.
• Connection: Bluetooth connection allows easy switching between three devices – desktop, laptop, and mobile perhaps. The link with the mouse through Bluetooth radio can occasionally result in the mouse appearing locked.
• The nano dongle will allow connection with six devices. One wireless keyboard and mouse combo that can service all your tech.
• Range: We have been unable to find details on the range at which this will operate. 33 Feet is standard for devices like this.
• System Compatability: Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Anker 2.4GHz Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Best for Travelers

“It is slim and lightweight, which means it is easy to pop in a bag.”

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This combination will cost a few dollars more than $60. If you prefer a more compact model and a lower price, then you can buy an ultra-compact version for around $25. Anker products come with an 18-month warranty and excellent customer service.

• Keyboard: The full-sized keyboard is quiet with low profile keys. It is slim and lightweight, which means it is easy to pop in a bag. You get a silicone keyboard protector as part of the pack.
• Mouse: The mouse is slim and comfortable with a scroll wheel. The mouse does not feature either a home button or a CTRL button.
• Power: Rechargeable batteries need recharging every three months if using for 2 hours a day. There is a low battery warning light on the keyboard.
• Connection: USB nano receiver.
• Range: Stable up to 26 feet.
• Compatible operating systems: Only Windows.

Jelly Comb Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (KM034)

Best Style

” An ultra-slim aluminum body with black chiclet keys gives this keyboard a stylish appearance.”

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This premium product will cost just under $40 for an attractive and stylish product. Jelly Comb produces a range of wireless keyboard and mouse combos around the $20, and these are well worth looking at if you have a tight budget.

• Keyboard: An ultra-slim aluminum body with black chiclet keys gives this keyboard a stylish appearance. The keys are easy to see at relatively low light levels. The keys are scissor-switch, enabling fast and accurate typing. The concave keycaps are comfortable in use. There are a choice of colors – black, space grey, and white/gold.
• Mouse: The optical laser mouse with quiet click buttons will track smoothly. An easy-access button lets you quickly switch between 800, 1200 and 1600 dpi. The higher settings allow fast gameplay if you are using your computer in your leisure time.
• Power: Rechargeable built-in lithium battery. Both will need monthly charging at normal levels of activity. The mouse is longer lasting and may only need recharging at the three-month point.
• Connection: Plug and Play USB receiver occupying one USB port.
• Range: Up to 33 feet.
• Operating system compatibility: All Windows.

Victsing Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Best Bargain

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This low-cost wireless keyboard and mouse combo is quiet and has a great battery life for a bargain-basement price of around $20.

• Keyboard: The keycaps feature the water drop design. It makes a surprising difference to the speed and accuracy of your typing. The keyboard is quiet and efficient. The layout is standard and includes a number pad, 12 shortcut keys, and 12 hotkeys to combine with the function keys. The height of the keyboard is not adjustable, and some users complain that the letters are prone to rubbing off with extended use.
• Mouse: The mouse is library worthy with near-silent clicks. It has an infrared optical engine for smooth cursor movement.
• Power: One AAA battery for the keyboard and one AA battery for the mouse. The keyboard will last 15 months and the mouse for 24 months before the battery needs replacing.
• Connection: Nano receiver.
• Range: 33 Feet.
• Compatible operating systems: Windows Vista/XP/7/8/10 and mac.

“This low-cost wireless keyboard and mouse combo is quiet and has a great battery life for a bargain.”

The information you need falls into these broad categories:

Keyboard

You need to know the type and is it robust enough to be comfortable to use. Added hotkeys, media keys and programmable buttons may be a bonus or essential. You need a decent keyboard to let you type quickly and accurately and not contribute to wrist strain.

Mouse

If you are left-handed, then the mouse shape and design is crucial. All users want a mouse that moves smoothly and feels comfortable. The added buttons and a hyper-fast scroll wheel may be necessary or less valuable depending on your way of working or playing.

Power Supply

You may prefer renewable energy or be happy with batteries. The power supply and how long your wireless keyboard and mouse will work without attention may be a substantial factor in your decision.

Connections

How do you connect the wireless keyboard and mouse to your devices? Is a Bluetooth connection one of your must-have features? The connection type may be the deciding factor or not. A bonus feature with some combos is the ability to connect to more than just your computer.

Range

One of the fundamental reasons for going wireless is the ability to move away from your desk and screen. This specification tells you how far away you can get before everything stops working.

Compatibility with Your Operating System.

It doesn’t matter how shiny the buttons are if it is backlit or solar-powered if it won’t work with your kit, it is of no use to you.

Buying Strategy

It pays to shop around. The same wireless keyboard and mouse combo can be half the price with one retailer, and that’s before you start planning to take advantage of sale deals.

If you are clear on what you need and what features you like to have, then you can choose with confidence within your budget limits. You spend time with your keyboard and mouse, and they enable you to work and play at your best. It’s worth the time to choose the right one as they are going to give you many hours of service.

Keyboard Types

When talking about different types of keyboards, we refer to the travel and the action of the keys.

Travel is the amount of movement the key makes before the fact that you have pressed it registers with the computer (or another device).

Action describes the weight and feel of the keys in use. Do you have to press firmly or with a light touch? Are they noisy or quiet? Each type of keyboard has a different kind of action.

Traditional Keyboards

Traditional keyboards have high blocky typewriter keys arranged tightly together. Each key rests above a mechanical switch. Increasingly a traditional keyboard may now have a membrane instead of the arrangement of mechanical switches.

The switch and spring arrangement under each key is more expensive to produce, but it is precise. The keys feel firm and give a satisfying but noisy click.

Generally, the keys on a traditional style keyboard will have more travel than the other types.

Chiclet Keyboard

The chiclet keyboard came first with the Sony Vaio, and they were the keyboard of choice for Apple with its MacBook and MacBook Pro.

The keys appear on the keyboard as separate square islands with curved corners. They are like scrabble tiles. They have shorter travel than the traditional keys, and they are lighter in action. Why is this important? An average typist can type much faster on a chiclet keyboard than on a traditional one.

Ergonomic Keyboards

An ergonomic keyboard is designed for ease of use and to put less strain on the hands and wrists. They usually incorporate some curves – the idea is that each key should be at the right place for your fingers to reach it. This set-up is ideal for a touch typist using all their fingers to do the typing.

The design incorporates other features aiming to reduce the risk of aching wrists and the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can expect padded palm rests and tilt and height adjusters. Some ergonomic keyboards split the board in two so that each hand has half the keyboard. Most ergonomic keyboards do not embrace a design that is quite so radical.

The keys can be either traditional or chiclet.

Compact Keyboards

As the name suggests – these are small keyboards that are easy to travel with and take up less space on your desk. This space-saving is achieved by removing all the extra keys – like the separate number pad and shrinking some of them.

The type of keyboard that is right for you will depend on many factors, such as how much time you spend typing and the size of your hands.

Switch Technology

The first keyboards were modeled on manual typewriters and used the principle of each key, pressing an individual switch. These are traditional keyboards.

The next development is the membrane that contains a matrix of electrical switches. When the key is depressed, it does not engage with a single switch. The advantage of a membrane is that it is hushed compared with the mechanical switches. The disadvantage is that the keyboard can feel cheap and not as responsive as a traditional keyboard.

The step up from the membrane is two layers of circuits printed on silicone or rubber. The key presses down a plastic or metal dome, making a connection between the two circuit layers. This dome switch keyboard is more responsive than the membrane and is less expensive than the mechanical keyboard. Additionally, you get a satisfying click noise.

Then we have the scissor-switch keys that feature in the best chiclet keyboards. These take the dome switch keyboard but use two interlocking pieces to hold the keytop in place. Now you have a lower profile keyboard that still gives you a satisfying feel, but less travel offers faster typing and a little less noise.

Keyboard Layout and Key Features

We are all familiar with how a keyboard looks — the traditional arrangement of letters, numbers and an additional number pad on the right-hand side.

Take a moment to appreciate the types of keys available to you:

Alphanumeric keys.

The letters and numbers, and let’s not forget the punctuation – all the keys needed to type any document or email.

Control Keys.

You only use these when you need to, and most of the time, you ignore them. These are the Ctrl, Alt, Windows, and Esc.

Function Keys

You usually get twelve of them on a full-sized keyboard, and what they do will vary between programs. You may never need to use them.

Navigation Keys

If you don’t have a touch screen and you are not using a mouse, then you will use these to get around the document. How often you use then will depend on how you interact with your computer. These keys are the arrows, Home, Delete, Insert, Page up, and Page Down.

Numeric Keypad

All the numbers arranged in a calculator style layout to the right-hand side. Ideal for the fast entry of figures into spreadsheets and tables. If you mainly work with numbers, it is your must-have part of the keyboard.

In a compact keyboard, the above keys may be missing, in a different position or shrunk. If you need all the standard keys in a traditional layout, then you need to opt for a full-sized keyboard.

All the quick functions that we operate with a mouse or a finger can also be accessed using the keyboard and keyboard shortcuts. If you use them, you know all about them, and if you don’t then you probably don’t need to know.

But, with your wireless keyboard, you may get some extra keys and functions – Hotkeys and Programmable Keys. You may have some keys (like the number pad) removed to save space.

These keys give you useful functions at the touch of a button, and they vary – they can open applications or programs, control your media or are programmed to do something you need to do often. The advantage of media keys for volume or brightness is the fact that you don’t have to open another screen to deal with them. You can carry on watching your film, playing your game and just hit the mute or pause button when you need to answer the phone.

In terms of choosing between one keyboard and another, the layout and the keys available to you may be vitally important. You may be the one whose keyboard needs to have enough preprogrammed functions to run a space station, or you may only use it to type the odd email. Depending on your needs, you will have different must-have features when it comes to layout and extra buttons.

Encryption Software for Keystrokes

Almost every wireless keyboard will come with AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) 128-bit encryption software as a standard feature. This security is achieved by permanently pairing the keyboard to the receiver in the factory. This pairing keeps your data safe by ensuring no one else can record your keystrokes over the wireless connection. Your keyboards’ communications with the selected device are secure.

Mouse – Form and Function

Mouse Type

The mouse can have optical sensors (with an LED) or a laser. The LED or the laser is used to provide light so the mouse can measure distance. The sensor needs to pick up the right amount of information to do its job. Pointless information will result in difficulties in performance at low speeds.

Laser mice perform less well on soft surfaces because they feed too much useless information to the sensor. A laser mouse will work on most surfaces, and that will include glass but probably not a mirror. The sensitivity of a laser mouse can be a problem if you are gaming because the mouse may move further when you move it quickly and less far when you move it slowly – a frustrating lack of consistency.

An optical mouse needs a flat opaque surface to perform well, but it is consistent in its movement. This consistency makes an optical mouse preferable for gaming.

Resolution

The resolution determines the fast and accurate movement of the cursor, measured in DPI – Dots Per Inch. This measurement allows the translation of mouse movement into cursor movement. On many mice, you can choose the DPI setting – opting for low or high. At low DPI, you can move fast (but not as accurately), and at higher DPI, you move slower and with greater accuracy.

If your computer is only for work, the DPI is probably not going to matter to you. If you have a high-resolution display screen or a multimonitor set-up, you want a mouse with high DPI so you can move quickly across the screen. Gamers are going to want adjustable DPI, and graphic designers and photographers need the precision offered by low DPI.

Ergonomics

Think about how long and often you use your mouse. It needs to feel comfortable, and you need to be able to grip it. The best mouse has a soft rubber coating to allow you to hold and move it quickly without slipping and discomfort, contoured to fit your hand and often suitable for either hand for maximum flexibility.

An ergonomic mouse reduces strain on your wrist and hand and places all the buttons in the natural reach of your fingers. This comfort is vital if you are using your mouse for prolonged periods.

Buttons

Gone are the days when a mouse was a simple two-click button and if you are lucky a scrolling wheel. We expect additional buttons and hyper-fast scrolling if we can get it. A great mouse will not only allow you to customize the button actions but the way you move it across the surface. This feature helps in completing processes automatically and quickly.

If you work or play in a crowded space, the constant clicking of the mouse may annoy you or others. The mouse can be quiet, and it does not need a loud click. Victsing is known for its silent mice.

Power Supply

The wireless keyboard and mouse will each need a power supply to function. The power supply is often by batteries – rechargeable or alkaline (AA or AAA). There is a solar-powered wireless keyboard and mouse combo if you are committed to using a renewable energy source or want to off-grid.

The argument between using rechargeable batteries or alkaline batteries is complex. For choosing your preferred product, there are a few factors to consider.

A rechargeable battery will need to charge on a regular cycle – every three months or less or more time. The advantage is that you can continue using the keyboard and mouse while it is plugged in; the disadvantage is that it may not be as convenient in terms of timing. You don’t need to keep a supply of batteries to hand.

Alkaline battery life (the time the keyboard and mouse will work before needing new batteries) is excellent. Many keyboards and some mice have low battery warning lights to warn you when the batteries need changing. Provided you have spare batteries (and possibly a screwdriver) to hand, and it is a quick job to change the batteries and carry on working.

The power supply to the keyboard and mouse is unlikely to be a significant factor in your selection process unless it is necessary to use your equipment for an extended period away from home and access to power.

The points you will be interested in are the power source and the battery life. Additional useful features for both the mouse and keyboard are low battery warning lights and the capacity to sleep when not in use to save power.

Connection

The connection for the mouse and keyboard will be either via a nano receiver or Bluetooth. The nano receiver will fit into a USB port and will connect both the mouse and the keyboard if they come as a pack. If you buy a separate mouse and keyboard, you may need to use two USB ports to hook them up to your computer.

The nano receiver is small and communicates with radio waves – USB dongle. It is also called a unifying device because it links one computer to many other devices. The receiver may allow the use of the wireless keyboard and mouse with more than one computer. For security, the nano receiver and the keyboard are linked together for AES encryption. If you lose the receiver, you will not be able to use the keyboard and mouse.

The receivers are plug-and-play or plug-and-forget. They are easy to set up – plug them into a USB port, and you can start working straight away. They are so small they are left permanently plugged in, and you can forget it.

Bluetooth also uses radio technology over a short distance, typically less than 30 feet, and can be a mere 10 feet. Bluetooth devices can automatically talk and connect and because of the short distances involved are considered reasonably secure. Another security feature is that the Bluetooth devices regularly switch between channels while communicating. If the security of your data concerns you, take extra steps to lock down the Bluetooth communication to make sure only your devices are talking to each other and be careful in public places.

Range – How far can you go?

The stability of communication over a distance is necessary for your keyboard and mouse to continue to be useful while you sit on your sofa. Most wireless keyboards and mouse combos have a range of 33 feet, and you will occasionally find one with a shorter range – say 26 feet, but not longer.

Let’s be realistic; you still need to be able to see the screen, however far away from your desk. If you are a recording artist, you might want to set-up your monitor, keyboard, and mouse in a separate room from your CPU to cut down on unwanted recording noise. In that case, the range may well be vital to you.

Compatibility with Operating Systems

This need is obvious: the wireless keyboard and mouse needs to work with your kit. But what if you have Windows and Mac? If you want one set up that will switch effortlessly between these at the press of a button (or two), then there is a combo that will work for you. There is also a set that will connect to virtually any type of device. Compatibility may seem obvious, but you have a range of options, depending on what you need.

Now you are clear in what you need for your wireless keyboard and mouse; it is time to start looking at the products on offer. We’ve split our product review into two sections – Logitech and Others. Whatever your standout feature is – solar power, backlit, or many programmable buttons, you can find a keyboard and mouse to match.

Conclusion

The future is wireless. We like the freedom to set-up and work anywhere; we live in small spaces and don’t need the extra clutter that wires provide. But we still want performance and security. Whatever your needs you will find a wireless keyboard and mouse combo that fits your hands and your budget.