Logitech K380 keyboard review: the perfect remote work companion

The Logitech K380 is your perfect work-travel companion

Logitech K380 on a white table
(Image: © Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

TechRadar Verdict

Who says cheap keyboards aren’t worth your money? The Logitech K380 is an economical option that feels premium, with its comfortable and satisfying keys, travel-friendly and stylish design, and robust feature-set. We’d recommend this keyboard even if you’re not looking for something compact or cheap.

Pros

  • +

    Comfortable to type on

  • +

    Thin and compact

  • +

    Great, useful shortcuts

  • +

    Arrow keys are great

Cons

  • -

    Surprisingly cheap

  • -

    Keys might be too small for some

  • -

    Not rechargeable

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Logitech K380: One-minute review

Sometimes, you need a sturdy mechanical keyboard that gives you that satisfying clickety-clack that only mechanical switches can offer. Other times, you need something like the Logitech K380 – compact, versatile, the best keyboard to travel with.

This multi-device, multi-platform 75% productivity keyboard manages to have a footprint equal to or even slightly smaller than most mini keyboards. That, combined with its lightweight and svelte frame, makes it an ideal travel keyboard, being something you can easily slip in the big pocket of your laptop bag or backpack.

But, make no mistake: the Logitech K380 is also a capable keyboard, better feeling and better performing than most of the ones you see on cheaper laptops as well as most of the options at its price point. More than just a compact keyboard, its $39 (£44, AU$79) price will surprise you once you take it out for a spin – its keys are comfortable and uncrowded, its look is stylish, and its features abound.

So, even if you buy this for the sole purpose of using it as your travel companion, you’ll have a hard time letting it go when you return home.

Logitech K380: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $39 (£39, AU$79) 
  • Where is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, the UK, and Australia
Logitech K380: SPECS

Layout: 65% mini keyboard
Switch: Low-profile scissor switches
Programmable keys: No
Dimensions: 4.88 x 10.98 x 0.63 in (124 x 279 x 16 mm)
RGB or backlighting: No

The Logitech K380 will set you back a nice $39 (£44, AU$79), putting it right in the budget market in the US, the UK, and Australia. That means there’s really no need (or excuse) to scour Amazon to look for the cheapest keyboard then end up with a lemon that’s not only crappy in quality but crappy in typing experience as well.

If you’re looking for a more premium product, you could go for the Logitech MX Keys Mini, which is almost triple the price at $99 / £99 / €109. Or, if you need a full-sized keeb, the Logitech Signature K650 is only $10 / £10 more. Truth be told, though, the Logitech K380 should more than suffice, if you’re looking for something to see you through your daily productivity needs.

  • Value: 5 / 5

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Logitech K380: Design

  • Slim, portable, fairly lightweight
  • Useful hotkeys you can reprogram
  • Three connectivity options

Slim, portable, and fairly lightweight, the Logitech K380 will only take up 4.88 x 10.98 x 0.63 inches of that coffee table you’re parking at for the rest of the day. That means that it’s small enough so you can still have space for your laptop and your cup of coffee, and not feel cramped. It’s fairly light as well at 423g (14.92oz) with the batteries inside.

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

It’s an attractive keyboard, not in a flashy way but in a minimalist way so you can easily imagine it on an influencer’s desk, no matter its color. And, it does come in several colorways – lavender lemonade, sand, graphite, off-white, rose. Opt for the Mac version, which is mostly the same except it's optimized for Mac, and you also have the Blueberry option.

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The Logitech K380 doesn’t come with backlighting, sadly. However, that doesn’t get in the way of its functionality. It does come with a battery indicator LED and three Bluetooth connectivity LEDs so you know which device you’re currently connected to. 

Yes, it comes with three Bluetooth connectivity options, and you can quickly switch from one to another using the three handy-dandy Easy-Switch buttons. Its Bluetooth 3.0 has a range of 10m (33ft) that lets you get pretty far back from your device. And, because it has multi-platform or operating system compatibility, that device can be your laptop, iPad, phone, PC, or your Apple TV. 

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

But, what we really love here are its four hotkeys, all of which are customizable via the very user-friendly Logi Options+. At default, these hotkeys serve as the Home, Back, App-switch, and Contextual Menu buttons. For a more seamless workflow, we strongly suggest actually taking the time to change the actions on these to those you need the most. Your options aren’t limitless, but you can select from a handful of things – from the Copy or Cut command to quickly accessing the Calculator app.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Logitech K380: Performance

  • Low-profile scissor switches are comfortable
  • Keys are small but not cramped
  • Decent battery life but non-rechargeable

To achieve that slim, made-for-slipping-into-pockets design, Logitech has used its low-profile scissor switches here. These switches allow the Logitech K380 to be incredibly comfortable as well as satisfying to type on. 

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

We wouldn’t say it’s as satisfying as Apple's Magic Keyboard. The K380’s switches have a bit more resistance to them. However, it’s a pretty fantastic keyboard to use, even during long work days. Just bear in mind that there is a bit of delay here when waking, about three to four seconds before you can start typing.

While it has a 75% layout, it manages to keep things compact by keeping the keys, which are circular or rounded, small or slim. The arrow keys are especially small. However, it’s something you’ll get used to in no time, and the keys are wide enough apart that you won’t feel cramped.

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Sadly, it isn’t rechargeable and requires two AAA batteries to be of service to you. That is disappointing, as we like our wireless devices rechargeable. However, you can take comfort in the fact that it gives you 24 months of battery life.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Logitech K380?

Logitech K380 on a white table

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if...

You work and travel at the same time
Slim, compact, and lightweight, the Logitech K380 is the perfect keyboard to bring with you when you’re working and traveling at the same time.

You have a small desk space
If you’ve got a small desk (or you don’t have a desk at all), this keyboard has a small footprint so it won’t take up a lot of space.

You’re on a budget
For what it offers, it’s surprisingly cheap and a terrific value for your money.

Don't buy it if...

You want a full keyboard
This is a 75% keyboard so it doesn’t have a number pad and all the extra keys. If you absolutely need those for your daily workload, get a full-sized keyboard.

You prefer mechanical keyboards
The Logitech K380 uses scissor switches, which feel different from mechanical switches.

You want something you can mod
If you’re a keyboard modder or starting to get into the hobby, know that you won’t be able to mod this one.

Also consider

Logitech Signature K650 Wireless Comfort

Logitech Signature K650 Wireless Comfort
An excellent general-purpose keyboard that's great for practically all users – except gamers, it delivers a great typing experience for much less than you would think.

Read our full Logitech Signature K650 Wireless Comfort review

Cherry Stream Desktop keyboard

Cherry Stream Desktop keyboard
The Cherry Stream Desktop keyboard is incredibly appealing in terms of price, performance, and comfort. And the easy setup is a no-brainer for even the least computer-savvy users.

Read our full Cherry Stream Desktop keyboard review

Razer Pro Type

Razer Pro Type
The Razer Pro Type is a solid wireless keyboard that provides an ice-white aesthetic and satisfying typing experience to both business and home office consumers.

Check out our Razer Pro Type review 

Logitech K380: Report card

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ValueThe Logitech K380 is not just cheap, it offers a lot for how much it costs.5 / 5
DesignSlim, portable, fairly lightweight, it boasts useful hotkeys and three connectivity options.4.5 / 5
PerformanceComfortable to type on with no noticeable lags, the Logitech K380 also offers decent, albeit non-rechargeable, battery life.4.5 / 5
TotalOverall, the Logitech K380 is a fantastic travel keyboard for productivity that looks good, feels good, and is cheap.4.5 / 5
  • First reviewed November 2022

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Michelle Rae Uy
Contributor

Michelle Rae Uy is the former Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor at TechRadar. She's a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She's an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives.