The best Magic Keyboard alternatives

A shot of the various best magic keyboard alternatives on a colourful pink background
(Image credit: Future)

Looking for the best Magic Keyboard alternative? Then you're in luck. Because we've found a dozen options that offer a better typing experience and better value than Apple's own keyboards for Mac and iPad; yes, even the new Magic Keyboard the company launched this year alongside the iPad Pro M4.

And this is a subject we're well versed in here at Creative Bloq. After all, we use Apple kit and Magic Keyboards on a daily basis, and we've also spent decades reviewing the best keyboards from some of tech's biggest brands. So we're well placed to compile this list of the best Magic Keyboard alternatives and compare them in terms of build quality, ergonomics, features and overall value. 

The best Magic Keyboard alternatives

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The best Magic Keyboard alternatives for Mac

All of our six choices here can be connected up to a maximum of three devices, and all but the Keychron K8 (number 3) feature full-size keyboard layouts.

The best Magic Keyboard alternatives for iPad

How to choose the best Magic Keyboard alternative

To choose the best Magic keyboard alternative for you, you'll want to consider comfort, build, price, performance and also aesthetics (Apple's Macs and iPads look pretty sleek, so it's hard not to want to consider looks as well). With all of this in mind, consider how much you want to spend.

In the guides above, we've considered different priorities. Some people prefer mechanical key switches since they provide a satisfying typing experience with audible clicks. Others may want a simple economical accessory. In the case of the iPad, you may want a Magic Keyboard alternative that doubles as a protective case for your device.

How we test Magic Keyboard alternatives

We have been reviewing hardware for creatives since Creative Bloq began in 2012, and we've reviewed almost every Mac and iPad that Apple has produced since then. Our reviewers, many of them working creatives, have built up a huge amount of experience in testing and reviewing Mac accessories, including Magic keyboards and Magic Keyboard alternatives.

To choose the best Magic keyboard alternatives for this guide, we compared our reviewers' evaluations on build quality, features, ergonomics and overall typing experience. We considered whether the keyboard provided extra benefits, such as serving as adding protection when it comes to the iPad, and we also considered price in order to recommend options for different budgets.

FAQs

What is the Magic Keyboard?

Magic Keyboard is a term used by Apple across all its official keyboards, including its wireless keyboard for Macs, wireless keyboard with trackpad for iPads, and the built-in keyboard on some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops.

What's changed in the new Magic Keyboard for iPad 2024?

The bigger changes to the Magic Keyboard in the iPad Pro 2024 is that it now has a dedicated row of function keys for things like brightness, volume, media playback, and more. The trackpad is also now bigger and made of glass, offering a smoother and more responsive experience. The kickstand hinge has been redesigned with a flat, exposed chrome ridge and overall, in the words of our reviewer, "its design feels significantly more premium and, dare I say, reminiscent of a MacBook".

Why buy a Magic Keyboard Alternative?

The official Apple Magic Keyboard is a great accessory for most Apple-users, but not everyone is a fan of the design layout (and the high price!) of this keyboard, with plenty of other brands and manufacturers out there making keyboards that are just as great and within budget.

If you're used to the Windows or PC keyboard format, then you might prefer an external keyboard with this layout as opposed to one with the command key instead of control. There are some keyboards that can be totally customized to suit your preferences, style of typing, and comfort levels – which is why a lot of creatives have been ditching the Apple Magic keyboard in favour of mechanical keyboards, especially for the clicky-clack ASMR sounds they make.

Beren Neale
Ecom Editor

Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.