Review: Logitech MX Mechanical, a mechanical keyboard with three switches

Fans of mechanical keyboards now have even more choice with the arrival of the Logitech MX Mechanical. Such keyboards have a clear keystroke and ditto sound, so that you can be sure that you have pressed the key correctly. They are especially popular among gamers and Windows users, but I can imagine that there are also people among Mac users who want something different. We tested this brand new keyboard in combination with the also new MX Master 3S mouse. It is available in two versions: compact with 84 keys for 159 euros and full-size with number pad and 110 keys for 179 euros. In addition, there are three variants for the switches: tactilely silent (tested), linear or clicking. Of course, in addition to the international QWERTY version for the Netherlands, you can also choose the French AZERTY for Belgium. It will be available in stores from June 1. Some stores already have it, but will only deliver it from June 1.

Text, review and photos: Gonny van der Zwaag (@gonny). We tested the full-size QWERTY in the ‘tactile quiet’ variant. The keyboard has been made available as a preview for this test.

Logitech MX Mechanical in short

These are the key features of the keyboard:

• Mechanical keyboard from Logitech
• Available in 2 sizes and 3 variants, multiple layouts
• Full size dimensions: 433.9 x 131.7 mm
• Weight full size: 828 grams
• Available from June 1, 2022
• Available from €159 at the usual stores

Mechanical keyboards: a trend these days?

I may not be a gamer, but I once learned to type on a mechanical typewriter, with keys you had to press deeply and the letters hit the ribbon with a thud. I don’t have many nostalgic feelings. Especially among Mac and laptop users, keyboards with a shorter keystroke (‘travel’) are the norm and I prefer to use Apple’s own Magic Keyboard or another flat keyboard, such as the flat models from Logitech. If you type quickly and a lot, you want to move your fingers as much as possible in a flat plane and you don’t feel like pressing each key an inch. I was therefore curious whether I would like this new keyboard from Logitech.

Design and appearance MX Mechanical

Logitech MX Mechanical is mainly aimed at software developers who like to game in their spare time (or used to do that a lot). This target group likes to use a mechanical keyboard, but the flashy gaming keyboards in rainbow colors and with color gradients do not fit well with that. If you use such a keyboard in the office, you prefer a simple design. In that respect, the MX Mechanical is very successful: on a serious office desk, the keyboard looks great, without giving the impression that you have brought the antique ‘ram bar’ from home.

This keyboard looks modern and familiar and that is because the inspiration was taken from the MX Keys and the MX Keys Mini, which we previously reviewed. What’s missing are the ‘dents’ for your fingers. It’s flat enough to carry in a bag: the large model measures 433.9 x 131.7mm and weighs 828 grams.

What is striking about this keyboard is that the buttons seem to float somewhat. They also have a low profile compared to conventional mechanical keyboards. This means you don’t have to lift your hands as much, but it also means that your favorite wrist rest cannot be used. You can optionally purchase a flatter wrist rest, which fits well. The keys are in two shades of gray: sober, but that gives it a professional look. With two feet on the bottom you can place the keyboard slightly tilted.

The fact that the keys float made me wonder whether there is a lot of dust underneath them. Logitech indicated that this is not too bad, because there is a metal plate across the entire width. If you remove one of the buttons, you will indeed see that dust cannot get to the bottom of the keyboard and that each button has a plastic covering, with the switch on it in the colors brown, blue or red (depending on the variant chosen). ). It is not possible to replace the switches: if you choose the brown ‘silent’ variant, you are stuck with it for the rest of its lifespan.

With this keyboard you get a new generation Bolt receiver (USB-A), which is not compatible with previous Bolt receivers. According to the manufacturer, this has to do with the fact that the latest technology has been applied. I didn’t use the Bolt receiver and just paired the keyboard via Bluetooth. Whatever connection method you use, you always have 3 profiles at your disposal. In other words: you can connect up to three devices to the keyboard and switch between them at the touch of a button. This is something that Logitech has mastered well and that also worked well in our test.

The keyboard has a white backlight – fortunately not the rainbow colors that you sometimes see on gaming keyboards, although you can choose some nice lighting effects such as a wave or breathing effect. If you come close with your hands, the lighting will automatically turn on. In a brightly lit room the backlight will remain turned off. This way the keyboard can save energy. You must charge every 15 days via the USB-C connection (cable included). Without a backlight, the keyboard lasts no less than 10 months.

Logitech MX Mechanical in use

Is it a keyboard that you can use in the office without noise pollution? Not as far as we are concerned. This keyboard is noticeably louder than Apple’s Magic Keyboard and the Logitech MX Keys keyboard that I used so far, even in the tested ‘tactile quiet’ variant. So after a while I stopped using it again and only use it when I’m alone.

Below you will hear successively: 0:00 Logitech MX Mechanical – 0:15 Apple Magic Keyboard – 0:24 Logitech MX Keys for Mac – 0:32 Logitech MX Mechanical again. Audio file not playing? Then click here!

The sound is clearly louder. You can get the MX Keys Mechanical with three different switches: tactile, linear or clicky. For those in the know: all three are supplied by Kailh (Choc V2) and they all have a 3.2mm deep key travel and require around 55g of force to press. I was only able to test one variant, but read from other reviewers that the brown ‘quiet’ variant is not noticeably quieter than the blue one. With the blue one, the click is slightly higher in pitch, so if you want to disturb your colleagues less, the brown version is slightly less annoying – although you can still hear the continuous tapping of the keys. If you are in an environment where everyone works with headphones, it can be fine, but otherwise you get the sound experience of a typing room.

Because the keyboards are suitable for both macOS and Windows, it is noticeable that the keys at the bottom left have a double print, for example with a start button for Windows users. This is not an issue in daily use.

With the software you get even more out of this keyboard and that is usually good with Logitech. With Logi Flow you can easily switch between devices (this is also possible with a physical button). You can also connect the MX Master mouse with it, so that you can take all your peripherals to another device at once. Useful! Logi Flow only works if you have installed the Logi Options+ software. For example, with this software and the Logi Options app you can reprogram keys. This worked very easily: you click on the image and then choose one of the dozens of options. You can also link a shortcut to a key or ensure that a specific folder is opened or a screenshot is taken. The possibilities are endless, but not everything is possible.

Conclusion Logitech MX Mechanical review

The MX Mechanical keyboard is pleasant to use if you like a slightly deeper keystroke. The software makes these keyboards even more versatile and you can easily switch between multiple devices such as your Mac or iPad. There are cheaper mechanical keyboards available without the software, but with Logitech you also partly pay for the ease of use and the many options. You can adjust a lot of things, typing feels nice and you know that you are buying a product that you will never regret. Just that noise pollution… it makes me go back to the regular MX Keys.

Buy Logitech MX Mechanical

From June 1, you can put the Logitech MX Mechical in your shopping cart or pick it up in the store. You pay a suggested retail price of 159 euros for the compact model or 179 euros for the extra wide model with number pad.