Your Guide
Mose Hayward
Travel Typist
I’ve been all over the world, typing as I go.
I have busted a fair number of keyboards as I roamed, usually in spite of carrying them in Osprey carry-on daypacks that have protective laptop sleeves.
Most “travel” keyboards don’t come with a protective case and those that do are often too bulky or else uncomfortable to type on.
My top recommendation that hits the sweet spot for portability, typing experience, and protection is below. I’ll also share the alternate options that I’ve tried out and a few tips about whom they might be good for.
A Lightweight-but-Comfy Travel Keyboard
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is the best travel typing solution I’ve found so far.
What I like:
- Most importantly: A protective lid that flips over it to protect the keys in transit
- Three-year battery life, replaceable batteries
- Easily switch between typing on any three devices: Mac/Windows/Chromebook/iPad/iPhone/Android
- Some custom programming of keys in Windows and MacOS
- Very light (222 g. / 7.84 oz.) and thin (9 mm / .35 in. at the thickest point)
What I dislike:
- Small and flat. It’s only 25 cm. / 9.84 in. wide and quite flat (so no real key travel). I have big hands and can type fast on this, but if that seems cramped for you (or if you want a number pad), check out the bigger-but-therefore-less-portable keyboards below.
Why Get a Travel Keyboard and What to Look for
If you’re carrying a laptop, you might think that you already have a keyboard so why bother bringing one—especially if you share the one-bagging minimalist mindset of this site.
But there are a few great reasons to carry a separate keyboard:
- For good, healthy typing posture, your hands should rest just below your elbows on the table but your screen should be elevated, with the top of the screen at eye level. With a laptop, this is only possible if you elevate the screen and use a separate keyboard; we’ve got a set of recommendations for a portable multi-screen setup such as that pictured above.
- A keyboard can also connect to an iPad or other tablet and make it work as a makeshift laptop, especially for short trips.
- Pairing the portable keyboard to your phone can make message-writing much faster.
To get all of these benefits, you’ll want to check off all of these boxes for any true travel keyboard:
- A very good battery life or else an easily rechargeable internal battery
- Quick, strong connection and easy switching between devices
- Some sort of protective casing for travel
- As light and small as possible for packing up
My Current Portable Keyboard: The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2
Here’s what to know about the features and functionality of the keyboard after several months of use on the road in Mexico, Europe, and the United States.
The Cover
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is the best option that I’ve found for checking off all the boxes for a good portable keyboard. In particular, it’s hard to find a keyboard with decent performance that has a cover attached to the base.
Logitech’s solution is to have the case flip back and under when in use, raising the keyboard up slightly.
When you’re ready to get back on the move, you simply fold the case over the top and the keys are protected from grime or getting chipped or broken off in transit.
Setting Up and Typing
I had no issues with the Bluetooth connection for typing on either a Mac or an Android phone and it’s easy to switch back and forth between them with the function keys at the top. You can have the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 paired with up to three devices.
For Mac and Windows, there is a Logi Options+ app that allows you to customize keys; the keyboard works fine with Chromebooks but does not provide this option (though you can customize some key functions within Chrome itself).
Battery
My main hang up when considering whether to buy the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 was the battery life, which Logitech does not explain very well. Here’s what you should know:
- The keyboard comes with two coin cell batteries that are pre-installed so it’s ready-to-go.
- The batteries should last for about three years.
- By comparison, most keyboards and other electronics with rechargeable batteries will also last for a couple of years, after which point they will become useless. Units with replaceable batteries like this one are better in that sense.
- The disadvantage is that coin cell batteries are not rechargeable. They are however, quite cheap and, since they last for years, it’s not a bad deal. Here is the type of coin cell batteries you will eventually need, as well as a T5 screwdriver (but it’s better to have a multipurpose screwdriver like this one that can open this and anything else)
- The battery indicator pulses red when it is at 5%, so that would be the time to replace the batteries before your next trip.
Size
The fact that the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 folds down so small and thin is one of its chief advantages. Its weight and size go completely unnoticed in any laptop bag.
But if you’re used to typing on a keyboard that is inclined at more of a pitch, has greater key travel, or is wider, this keyboard may take a bit of getting used to. It feels noticeably more cramped to type on than my large Macbook’s keyboard. Once I get going, it’s not a problem and I can type quickly without errors, but that’s me. Some users may be willing to sacrifice some portability for a larger interface to peck away at, and may thus prefer one of the larger travel keyboards I discuss below.
Other Keyboards that Travelers Might Consider
I have tried out several other travel keyboards and experimented with what I find others using in their travels.
The main issue that I have with the other options is the lack of a built-in protective cover. Without a cover, keys are just too apt to break off or experience damage in transit.
If you don’t mind going without a protective cover, the Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s has the same features as the Keys-to-Go 2 (including easy switching between three devices) but is a bit thicker at 16 mm and runs on two AAA batteries, which can be recharged.
A travel partner has used it for years, slipping it into backpacks without breaking it. It feels a bit sturdier (and it weighs twice as much) but the lack of a cover worries me. That said, it’s nice that it’s a bit wider and has more depth for better key travel.
If you want a number pad, a good travel keyboard option is the Logitech K580, which I also used for a time while traveling.
It’s much wider and very comfortable to type on. It’s also great at switching between devices. The problem, of course, is that at 37.3 cm. / 14.7 in. long it becomes more difficult to pack, though it is at least quite thin.
I’ve also tried out a couple of foldable travel keyboards from little-known brands and found that they should stay unknown. The concept is great but they either don’t work well or don’t last long. I do look forward to adding a good option if we find one to recommend.
And You: What Keyboard Is Right for Your Portable Work Setup?
Share your advice or any questions in the comment section below. We often update these articles based on reader feedback.
• Pair up to three Bluetooth devices: any Android/Apple phones and tablets as well as Windows, Chrome, and MacOS computers; you can reconfigure the keys as preferred
• Three-year battery life from changeable coin-cell batteries (pre-installed)
Thank you very much for the article Mr. Mose