Two weeks ago, Logitech launched the colourful POP Keys keyboard and POP Mouse. Both keyboard and mouse are available in three colour schemes of Blast (yellow/black), Daydream (lilac, blue and white) and Heartbreaker (red and pink).
You can choose one to brighten up your table top, instead of the usual dull black or grey keyboards and mice you find in the market. For this review, I got the Blast version of POP Keys and POP Mouse. So, am I having a blast typing this review on them? Let’s find out!
POP KEYS
I shall start with the POP Keys. It is a small form-factor 75% wireless keyboard that supports both Bluetooth and Logitech’s Bolt USB receiver, which is included in the box.
The POP Keys does not have any ports and relies sorely on these two wireless technologies to connect. In addition, it does not have any built-in battery for you to charge.
- Price: S$169, get it at Shopee
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Logi Bolt USB receiver (included)
- Weight: 779g (with batteries)
Instead, the POP Keys runs on two AAA batteries. But it is said to last three years with two alkaline AAA batteries. I guess I will get back to you in three years’ time to ascertain Logitech’s claim. If true, the POP Keys is actually more environment-friendly than many other keyboards.
Design wise, the POP Keys is a mix between retro and modern pop. The Blast model has a yellow/black base with black and grey circular keycaps as well as a column of dedicated emoji keys. While the colours brighten the keyboard, the circular keycaps are reminiscent of old-school typewriter. To finish off the old-school feel, Logitech uses TTC Brown mechanical switches for a silent tactile feel.
I had two keyboards with circular keycaps in the past, so I have some experience using them. But for the uninitiated, you might find get more mis-types and typos. This is because circular keycaps have less surface area than the usual square and rectangular keycaps.
Not to mention, the so-called silent tactile TTC Brown switches are actually quite loud. While it is not as loud as Cherry MX Blue switches, it will still elicit glances from your colleagues if you are typing furiously. Personally, I prefer loud clicky switches. So, I like the feel and sound of these TTC Brown switches.
| PROS | CONS |
| Colourful looks | Limited keys customisation |
| Mechanical switches offer nice tactile response | Emoji buttons feel like gimmick |
| Can be paired with up to three devices | No tiltable feet |
| Excellent battery life | Not cheap |
More importantly, you probably need to get used to the POP Keys’ non-standard keyboard layout with the dedicated emoji keys. For example, the Delete key is sited directly above the Backspace key in this keyboard. But if you are used to standard keyboard layout, you might end up pressing the Laughing emoji instead.
There are eight swappable emoji keycaps out of the box – four on the keyboard itself. Personally, I don’t think even Gen Z uses emojis that much to justify the column of emoji keys. But it is just me.
On the bright side, the POP Keys is easy to connect via Bluetooth. Just press one of the EasySwitch keys (shared with F1 to F3 keys), turn on the power switch on the right side of the keyboard, and it will appear on the Bluetooth menu of your device. Tap or click on it, and it is paired. Repeat for two other devices.
When connected to a Mac machine, the keyboard is able to automatically change to a Mac layout. In other words, the Alt keys become the Command keys. No need to change in Settings, unlike many third-party keyboards.
While POP Keys supports Logi Option+ software, there are very limited customisation options. Only some of the F keys and the emoji keys can be changed. Thankfully, you can change the emoji keys to other functions like Delete or App Expose, apart from other emojis.
To me though, the biggest flaw of this keyboard is the lack of tiltable feet. Built-in feet help to tilt the keyboard in an angle that is more conducive for typing. This is especially unforgivable given the keyboard’s rather high price of S$169. I end up using cheap stoppers to prop up the keyboard instead.
POP MOUSE
The POP Mouse is an affordable basic mouse without the bells and whistles you find in Logitech’s MX Master series mice. It does not even come with forward and back side buttons.
- Price: S$54, get it at Shopee
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Logi Bolt USB receiver (not included)
- Weight: 82g (with battery)
You will only find the usual left- and right-click buttons as well as a scroll wheel on this mouse. The “selling point” is the emoji menu button sited behind the scroll wheel. This button brings up the emoji menu for you to choose the desired emoji to use.
Thankfully for me, the mouse does support Logi Options+ software. So, you can actually change the function of the emoji menu button to other actions like Show Desktop or bring up Mission Control for Mac.
Also, like the POP Keys, it can paired up to three devices. You can easily toggle through the paired devices by pressing a small button at the bottom of the mouse.
My biggest complaint is the mouse not being ergonomic enough. It comes in a shape that resembles a symmetrical pebble. However, its body is tilted weirdly up in an angle and not sculpted to offer any support to your palm. Being a frequent user of Logitech MX Master series, this mouse is a serious downgrade in terms of ergonomics. The only upside of this symmetrical design is that it allows for left-handers to use easily.
| PROS | CONS |
| Affordable and colourful | Not ergonomic enough |
| Can be paired with up to three devices | Lack of dedicated forward and backward buttons |
| Scroll wheel | |
| Excellent battery life |
In addition, this mouse offers excellent battery life. Logitech claims it will run for two years on one AA battery. Again, I will need to get back to you after two years to see if the claim is true. But if true, you never have to worry about changing battery for a while.
VERDICT: The Logitech POP Keys and POP Mouse combo is targeted at the millennials and Gen Z. However, the focus on emoji might be misplaced, as I am not sure if youths use that much emojis when they are on their keyboards. Nonetheless, the bright colour combination will certainly catch the attention of any age group. Thus, if you are bored of your black keyboard and mouse combo, you should certainly look at this POP combination and make your office table top pop.