Quick Look: Logitech Wave Keys Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard

[VSG]

The Logitech Wave Keys is a near-full size ergonomic keyboard that uses membrane switches and offers only wireless connectivity. It uses easily replaceable AAA batteries giving as long as three years of battery life, offers both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, and even comes with software customization for a reasonable price.

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[Chrispy_]

Arrrgh!

Logitech's worst quality for £70. Squishy membrane action, printed key legends that wear off, abs keycaps that wear out to a smooth shine in just a couple of years, disposable AA batteries, and the insidious Logitech Options software that is trying to shoehorn really bad, data-harvesting, telemetry-stealing AI with pretty dubious EULA terms right into keylogging driver software. NO THANK YOU. I support around 1000 users and the number of Logitech drivers causing bluescreens has gone from 0 prior to about 4 years ago to multiple incidents a month that are resolved by using older drivers or uninstalling Logitech Options entirely. Pointing devices and HID eventlogs pointing to the logitech driver, IRP conflicts causing bluescreens that directly blame the mouse driver on a bone-stock Windows 10 Pro install...

Logitech have successfully transformed themselves from a decent-quality peripherals manufacturer with functional drivers to a cheap peripherals manufacturer with bloated, over-reaching software full of problems.

To top it all off, this is "placebo ergo" - the science behind this shape is handwavey at best which is why it lacks the offset angle between left and right hands that all true ergo boards have (even Microsoft's) and also lacks any wrist rotation whatsoever. If this shape works for you, then great - but it's not a shape that is endorsed by any certified/chartered ergonomists. Logitech do have proper ergo keyboards with (and I quote them directly) "science-driven design" like the K860 and decades of past designs - which makes these cheap cash-grab wave keyboards all the more dislikeable.

 

[lepudruk]

Aaand.. you lost me there.

 

[Chrispy_]

View attachment 381050

Aaand.. you lost me there.

They have their place:
Cheap keyboards where every cent matters, and spill-resistant keyboards for the clumsy.

 

[StaticVapour]

They have their place:
Cheap keyboards where every cent matters, and spill-resistant keyboards for the clumsy.

Indeed they have their place, I have a cheap Logitech K400+ as my smart TV / random PC keyboard that I'd rather leave on the floor and step on it accidentally than my Ducky. It's one of the worst keyboards I have used but it gets the job done when it's needed. The touchpad is trash on it.

 

[Chrispy_]

Indeed they have their place, I have a cheap Logitech K400+ as my smart TV / random PC keyboard that I'd rather leave on the floor and step on it accidentally than my Ducky. It's one of the worst keyboards I have used but it gets the job done when it's needed. The touchpad is trash on it.

I know the K400+ well. It was my go-to for meeting rooms and portable PC+TV trolleys for a long while because it's cheap, gets the job done, and was pretty hardy.

Sadly, as awful as the K400 feels, newer Logitech keyboards I've purchased for meeting rooms and the like are far worse. I'll have to find the exact model at work tomorrow, but I have Logitech currently championing the worst keyboard I've ever touched. I think it was replaced by the Pebble, which isn't a complete disaster, but definitely not a good typing experience.

 

[Prime2515102]

I've owned three mechanical switch keyboards and all three were a miserable disappointment. One I sent back to Corsair (a $130 keyboard) and they sent one back that was worse than the first. Everything about my computer is otherwise performing as expected.

I've since gone back to a membrane keyboard and it's been a few years with no problems.

I honestly don't know what the problem was.

 

[EatingDirt]

A few years ago I bought a G613. The printed legends on that keyboard lasted less than a year. It also has a built in wrist rest, which I didn't realize at the time(and I hate), but it's just plastic, so it's fine if you're into that. I personally think built in wrist rests suck, and I only use that keyboard very rarely at work.

So, we come to this keyboard. Membrane, Printed Legends AND a built in cloth wrist rest. Membrane's are fine, my partner uses my old Gen 1 G510 that's lasted something like 20 years. They're not ideal but they're fine. What's not fine is a $60 keyboard with printed legends and a cloth wrist rest that's going to be disgusting after a year of use. This should be a $40 at most, and only that high because it's an ergo-ish keyboard, if that's what someone prefers.

 

[Chrispy_]

I've owned three mechanical switch keyboards and all three were a miserable disappointment. One I sent back to Corsair (a $130 keyboard) and they sent one back that was worse than the first. Everything about my computer is otherwise performing as expected.

I've since gone back to a membrane keyboard and it's been a few years with no problems.

I honestly don't know what the problem was.

It depends on the mechanical switches, really.

There are a few good membrane keyboards. Everyone will have a personal preference, but I really like the tactile bump in actuation pressure that a membrane keyboard provides - but I really hate the mushy and imprecise feel that goes with the actuation of said bump, followed by the squishy bottoming-out of the keystroke.

If you like membrane keyboards you will probably hate linear mechanical keyswitches and love a good, tactile mechanical switch like the following:

Brown (silent) / Blue (clicky) - light spring tactile switch
Grey (silent) / Green (clicky) - heavy spring tactile switch

IMO, if the quality is good enough, light-spring tactile switches are the best, but if you want the robust feel of a decent membrane keyboard without the mushy sponge feeling, the go for greys.

 

[EatingDirt]

I've owned three mechanical switch keyboards and all three were a miserable disappointment. One I sent back to Corsair (a $130 keyboard) and they sent one back that was worse than the first. Everything about my computer is otherwise performing as expected.

I've since gone back to a membrane keyboard and it's been a few years with no problems.

I honestly don't know what the problem was.

Which Mechanical keyboards? My guess is you didn't enjoy the typing experience that linear switches provided, and if you were buying gaming keyboards, most of those keyboards would have linear switches. As someone that grew up with membrane keyboards, I prefer tactile mechanical switches myself. I've tried a few linear switch keyboards and they just don't provide a satisfying typing experience.

Most non-gaming mechanical keyboards come with options for tactile switches. Some come with options for clicky switches, but those are getting more rare these days. In the $50+ price range some mechanical keyboards come with hot-swappable switches, or barebone(many Keychron), so you can change the actual switch of you don't like them.

Membrane keyboards are fine though. As I said in my previous post, my partner still uses my old 20 year old first Gen G510. The problem with this keyboard is everything else. Price, Cloth Wrist Rest & Printed Keycap legends.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

Arrrgh!

Logitech's worst quality for £70. Squishy membrane action, printed key legends that wear off, abs keycaps that wear out to a smooth shine in just a couple of years, disposable AA batteries, and the insidious Logitech Options software that is trying to shoehorn really bad, data-harvesting, telemetry-stealing AI with pretty dubious EULA terms right into keylogging driver software. NO THANK YOU. I support around 1000 users and the number of Logitech drivers causing bluescreens has gone from 0 prior to about 4 years ago to multiple incidents a month that are resolved by using older drivers or uninstalling Logitech Options entirely. Pointing devices and HID eventlogs pointing to the logitech driver, IRP conflicts causing bluescreens that directly blame the mouse driver on a bone-stock Windows 10 Pro install...

Logitech have successfully transformed themselves from a decent-quality peripherals manufacturer with functional drivers to a cheap peripherals manufacturer with bloated, over-reaching software full of problems.

To top it all off, this is "placebo ergo" - the science behind this shape is handwavey at best which is why it lacks the offset angle between left and right hands that all true ergo boards have (even Microsoft's) and also lacks any wrist rotation whatsoever. If this shape works for you, then great - but it's not a shape that is endorsed by any certified/chartered ergonomists. Logitech do have proper ergo keyboards with (and I quote them directly) "science-driven design" like the K860 and decades of past designs - which makes these cheap cash-grab wave keyboards all the more dislikeable.

Gotta disagree somewhat with the AAs as a negative. Wireless keyboards and mice are great applications for rechargeables, which I'd rather deal with than a doomed-to-fail and difficult-to-replace Li cell. As for membrane, well, that's almost entirely user preference, innit? 80% of commenters here are liable to be ride or die for mechanical, but we're kind of the outliers. A good membrane can be better than the wrong mechanical, anyway, though good membranes seem to be getting rarer by the day. Can't argue with the rest of your points though.

Indeed they have their place, I have a cheap Logitech K400+ as my smart TV / random PC keyboard that I'd rather leave on the floor and step on it accidentally than my Ducky. It's one of the worst keyboards I have used but it gets the job done when it's needed. The touchpad is trash on it.

I can't speak to the K400+, but I have two O.G. K400, one for the HTPC and one in the shop, and they've been great. Complete a$$ to type on, but that's not why you get a K400 anyway. Touchpads have been fine.

 

[Dammeron]

Is the wrist rest removable? If not, then it's a big no cause You can't clean it properly that way.

 

[Chrispy_]

Wireless keyboards and mice are great applications for rechargeables, which I'd rather deal with than a doomed-to-fail and difficult-to-replace Li cell.

Except they don't come with rechargeables, they come with alkaline landfill. Also, lithium cells have a 200-1000 cycle life depending on the quality.
Let's assume the worst quality possible (so 200 cycles) and a very pessimistic 1 month of battery life, rather than the claimed 3 years from alkalines:
200 months is still a long life - far longer than the keycaps and driver support is going to exist for!

A good membrane can be better than the wrong mechanical.

Agreed, there is overlap here.
Not much overlap, but I've definitely used/owned a couple of membrane keyboards that I'd rate higher than some of the worse mechanicals I've encountered.

Is the wrist rest removable? If not, then it's a big no cause You can't clean it properly that way.

No, it is not, but....

​

since it's 46-61% recycled, it's totally okay to produce disposable products.
(/s, obviously!)

 

[Easy Rhino]

70 bucks!!??? That thing is like $5 tops!

 

[Chrispy_]

70 bucks!!??? That thing is like $5 tops!

To make, yes.
I'd pay $25 for it, given what else is on the market.

 

[Chaitanya]

They have their place:
Cheap keyboards where every cent matters, and spill-resistant keyboards for the clumsy.

also in office space where noise from mechanical keyboards would be frowned upon.

I've owned three mechanical switch keyboards and all three were a miserable disappointment. One I sent back to Corsair (a $130 keyboard) and they sent one back that was worse than the first. Everything about my computer is otherwise performing as expected.

I've since gone back to a membrane keyboard and it's been a few years with no problems.

I honestly don't know what the problem was.

was it double clicking? quite a few mechanical keyboards suffer from it.

 

[kumoiwa]

Arrrgh!

Logitech's worst quality for £70. Squishy membrane action, printed key legends that wear off, abs keycaps that wear out to a smooth shine in just a couple of years, disposable AA batteries, and the insidious Logitech Options software that is trying to shoehorn really bad, data-harvesting, telemetry-stealing AI with pretty dubious EULA terms right into keylogging driver software. NO THANK YOU. I support around 1000 users and the number of Logitech drivers causing bluescreens has gone from 0 prior to about 4 years ago to multiple incidents a month that are resolved by using older drivers or uninstalling Logitech Options entirely. Pointing devices and HID eventlogs pointing to the logitech driver, IRP conflicts causing bluescreens that directly blame the mouse driver on a bone-stock Windows 10 Pro install...

Logitech have successfully transformed themselves from a decent-quality peripherals manufacturer with functional drivers to a cheap peripherals manufacturer with bloated, over-reaching software full of problems.

To top it all off, this is "placebo ergo" - the science behind this shape is handwavey at best which is why it lacks the offset angle between left and right hands that all true ergo boards have (even Microsoft's) and also lacks any wrist rotation whatsoever. If this shape works for you, then great - but it's not a shape that is endorsed by any certified/chartered ergonomists. Logitech do have proper ergo keyboards with (and I quote them directly) "science-driven design" like the K860 and decades of past designs - which makes these cheap cash-grab wave keyboards all the more dislikeable.

The fall of traditional peripheral manufacturers (specially Logitech) has to be near. It's outright insulting they're trying to charge 70€ for 20 year old technology when you can buy Aluminum Hall Effect keyboards from AliExpress for 50€.

 

[SN2716057]

I don't like Logi+ software, it has this animation everytime you start it making you wait till it's done..even when it's already running in the background. [LGS 4 life. ]
Rant off.

also in office space where noise from mechanical keyboards would be frowned upon.

Cherry Silent reds are a thing..if you're allowed to bring your own board.

 

[Jomale]

For German Qwertz User there is a interesting alternative:

Golem.de: IT-News für Profis

or this variation:

Perixx PERIDUO-606A​

View attachment 1737719557782.webp

 

[Chrispy_]

The fall of traditional peripheral manufacturers (specially Logitech) has to be near. It's outright insulting they're trying to charge 70€ for 20 year old technology when you can buy Aluminum Hall Effect keyboards from AliExpress for 50€.

That's why I said I'd pay $25 for it.

Existing membrane ergo keyboards from reputable, established manufacturers like Cherry and Perixx are on sale over here for under £30 and if you want to hit up Aliexpress there are even higher end offerings from lesser known brands like Arteck and Seenda that I've used in the past and seem to be decent quality. Certainly on par with Logitech's second tier up for a lot less money!

 

[Prime2515102]

also in office space where noise from mechanical keyboards would be frowned upon.


was it double clicking? quite a few mechanical keyboards suffer from it.

Worse, they were triple and quadruple clicking.

I sprayed one with Deoxit but it helped very little and quickly reverted to where it started. All three had Cherry MX Blue switches.

When I sent the Corsair back they sent one back with twice as many bad switches.

I tried some apps that supposedly stop the multi-clicking but it did nothing.

So, I gave up on mechanical switches, for now.

It depends on the mechanical switches, really.

There are a few good membrane keyboards. Everyone will have a personal preference, but I really like the tactile bump in actuation pressure that a membrane keyboard provides - but I really hate the mushy and imprecise feel that goes with the actuation of said bump, followed by the squishy bottoming-out of the keystroke.

If you like membrane keyboards you will probably hate linear mechanical keyswitches and love a good, tactile mechanical switch like the following:

Brown (silent) / Blue (clicky) - light spring tactile switch
Grey (silent) / Green (clicky) - heavy spring tactile switch

IMO, if the quality is good enough, light-spring tactile switches are the best, but if you want the robust feel of a decent membrane keyboard without the mushy sponge feeling, the go for greys.

I love the feel of mechanical switches, they just didn't work out for me (all the ones I've had were Cherry MX Blue).