Using the best Magic Keyboard alternatives are a fantastic way to save money when looking at accessories for your Apple devices if you don't fancy shelling out big bucks for the official offerings of keyboards. There's no denying that Apple make great products when it comes to accessories, but they're an incredibly pricey investment that not everyone can afford. There are (confusingly) two variations of the Magic Keyboard: one is the stand-alone keyboard for the Mac and the other is a detachable keyboard for the iPad range. They are both excellent devices, but there's no harm in looking at alternatives if they don't quite fit what you are looking for.
And it's not just about saving money. Maybe you just don't like the look or feel on the Apple Magic Keyboard, and if that's the case then our below guide is perfect for you. We've compiled a vast range of options for both the Mac and iPad whilst specifying details like connection type, comfort during use and value for money. Whichever you choose, we promise our below picks will ensure you are in typing heaven. We're going to start out with the best Magic keyboard alternatives for Mac before moving onto iPad.
Want a broader range of options that aren't Apple specific? Then check out our guide to the best keyboards in general. We also have a guide to the various iPad generations if you're on the market for one of the esteemed tablets. For now, let's take a look at the best Magic Keyboard alternatives.
The best Magic Keyboard alternatives
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The best Magic Keyboard alternatives for Mac
When choosing the best Magic keyboard alternatives, we think this is the best around. Logitech products are usually designed with a good understanding of how Mac fans use their devices, and the company’s MX Keys for Mac keyboard is no different. It comes with a full Mac layout so you’ll feel instantly at home, while we think its black and space grey colour scheme is “Apple” down to a tee. You can pair it with up to three devices and work across them seamlessly with the Logitech Flow app – just move a compatible mouse from one screen to the next and your keyboard follows, no switching required. It’s comfy, well-built, and looks the part too.
Logitech’s MX Keys for Mac is great, but it’s a tad pricey. For a cheaper option, Satechi’s Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard gives you a similarly excellent experience. It feels great to type on and looks good too, with several colour schemes that look like they could have come straight from Apple’s labs. You can connect up to three devices to it at once, although there’s no equivalent to Logitech’s Flow software. We found the battery duration to be a little lower, too, but for the price, you’ll struggle to get a Magic Keyboard alternative that looks and performs as well as this. It’s a superb choice.
If you’re serious about typing and spend a lot of time doing it, a mechanical keyboard can be a great investment thanks to much more comfortable key switch mechanism. The Keychron K8 is a great way to get started – not only is it much more affordable than most mechanical keyboards, but it’s one of the few that really caters to Mac users. It has a proper Mac layout, but can switch to a Windows layout at the flick of a switch. It’ll connect to three devices at once and even has several LED lighting options.
The Logitech Craft takes everything that’s good about the Logitech MX Keys for Mac and dials it up to eleven – literally. The Craft comes with a special dial that comes loaded with pre-built shortcuts for your favourite apps, like adjusting brightness in Photoshop or tweaking stroke weight in Illustrator. It’s a bit more expensive than the MX Keys for Mac, so we would recommend sticking with that if you don’t need the dial. But for quick refinements during creative work, it’ll really hit the mark.
The best Magic Keyboard alternatives for iPad
The Logitech Combo Touch is the iPad keyboard case that does it all. The keyboard is spacious and comfy and is paired with a large trackpad, while there’s rock-solid protection around every edge and corner. There’s a cut-out to magnetically charge an Apple Pencil on the side of your iPad. The keyboard itself detaches from the case if required, which we find offers a great deal of flexibility, whether you need the keyboard or not. And despite all that, it’s still a good deal cheaper than Apple’s Magic Keyboard case. What’s not to like?
If you’re not too fussed about trackpad gestures, the Brydge Pro+ could be just the ticket. It includes instant-On connection and adjustable backlit keys with plenty of travel. There’s also a magnetic back cover to protect your tablet, and the trackpad works with all the iPadOS gestures you’d expect.
The ZAGG Pro Keys with Trackpad has a lot going for it. Like the Logitech Combo Touch, you can detach the case from the keyboard for a more lightweight carrying option, and it has a built-in slot that will protect an Apple Pencil. However, note that it’s made of plastic instead of something more solid like aluminium, and the trackpad is only available for 10.2-inch, 10.9-inch, and 11-inch iPads. But Its combination of features, including backlit laptop-style keys and low weight, makes it an attractive option if you want a tempting Magic Keyboard alternative.
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