On any given week, I spend a lot of my time in front of my keyboard. Whether I’m on a Mac or an iPad, there’s almost always a keyboard between me and whatever I’m working on. Whether I’m answering emails, writing code, working on scripts for videos, or just killing time on Twitter, I spend a ton of time with my hands on the keys, tapping away.
Because I spend so much time converting hand movement into text on screen, I’ve devoted plenty of time to looking for ways to get quicker, more accurate, and more comfortable when I type.
Since laptop keyboards lately have been…less than stellar… and the typical office keyboards feel like typing in mashed potatoes, I’ve slowly come around to mechanical keyboards. In particular, after spending a couple months with it, I’ve really grown fond of one in particular – the Keychron K2.
Overview
The Keychron K2 is, first and foremost, a compact 84-key mechanical keyboard. It packs a “Mac” layout – meaning a command and option key – though you can swap out the key caps for Windows ones, and there is a switch to change from Mac to Windows/Android mode.
It also sports Bluetooth, and allows for 3 separate Bluetooth pairings, meaning you can connect it to your Mac, iPad, and still have an empty pairing for another device in your life. Not only that, you can flip a second switch to put the keyboard into “cable” mode, which allows you to use the USB-C port to connect it to any computer and use it as a wired keyboard.
Typically, finding a decent Bluetooth mechanical keyboard is a challenge. Finding one that supports Mac or iOS without any custom software is near impossible. That makes the Keychron K2 a rarity in the keyboard market. In my testing, it has been super reliable, and has worked across Mac, PC, and iOS devices alike.
One of the most common reasons for using a mechanical keyboard is the tactile response of the keys, and the K2 doesn’t disappoint. The Gateron switches come in 3 flavors – blue, brown, and red – each offering slightly different click or response. Personally, I like the blue switches, as they feel great when typing for longer periods, and also have an incredibly satisfying – albeit occasionally annoying – click sound.
In my 2 months of testing, I’ve never found the K2 to be fatiguing to my fingers, regardless of the situation, which is more than I can say for the keyboard on my MacBook or iPad smart keyboard. In fact, the only comfort issue I’ve had with he K2 is the keyboard height.
Because of the required vertical space in mechanical key switches, the K2 sits higher than I’m used to, and can cause some strain on your wrists, leading to increased errors or discomfort. For me personally, I haven’t had any issues, but it is worth considering if you’re going to give it a shot. You could also invest in a wrist rest if you’re more prone to that kind of discomfort.
Another feature of the Keychron K2 follows the trend of most modern mechanical keyboards, and plays to the gamers in the audience – RGB lighting. I’m a sucker for keyboard backlighting,. It can make the keyboard look nice, and makes it easier to use in low light situations. That said – I’m almost always put off by the crazy light shows and patterns in “gaming keyboards”. The K2 does feature some of those more ridiculous displays, but also has some very subtle options for illuminating your keyboard.
One of my personal favorite light options is the single key trigger, which lights a key for a moment after hitting it. In a bright room, it’s almost invisible, and in the dark, I find it quite soothing, getting even better the faster you type.
Verdict
Rating: 4.5/5
All in all, using the K2 has been a delight. It’s made my time using my iPad – and even more so, my Mac – feel more productive and comfortable. The Keychron K2 comes in 3 variations – one with white backlighting and a plastic frame, an RGB plastic frame, and this RGB with aluminum frame. It offers great features and versatility, all with the Mac in mind, and is a great option if you spend any amount of time typing.
Pros:
- Multi-device support
- Mac and iOS compatible layout
- Excellent quality for the price
- RGBs offer some great backlight options
Cons:
- Keyboard height could cause wrist strain
The Keychron K2 starts at just $69 (for white backlight) and goes up to $89 (RGB + aluminum frame). You can get the K2 from Keychron or on Amazon, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
Disclosure: Product has been supplied at no cost for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Photos may be courtesy of manufacturer.