If you travel and do a lot of computer work, you want the right workstation set-up to keep your body happy. Buck and I have each traveled with the same PC laptop, laptop stand, keyboard and mouse for over a year. In this post, we describe our picks for the best travel keyboard and mouse, and provide tips to help you find your perfect set-up.
We both find that an adjustable, collapsible laptop stand is another key travel workstation component. In this separate blog post and video, we review our laptop stands; the video includes a look at each of our basic traveling workstations.
Brief Overview of Buck’s Combo Travel Keyboard and Mouse.
Buck uses the Seenda Wireless Keyboard and Mouse.
He’s very happy with this set-up! The weight of Buck’s peripherals are 11 oz and together take up 11.1 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches. The manufacturer notes a battery life of 3 months for both the keyboard and the mouse. Buck has only had to recharge both 3 times in 16 months, and he uses his computer, on average, several hours a day. Buck’s typing style is ‘hunt and peck’ and he wants a keyboard layout that matches what he has used for decades. Also, this slim-lined style of mouse works perfectly for him.
Note: There is now an ultrathin version of this mouse and keyboard combo available; the keyboard is wider and includes a numeric pad.
Brief Overview of Camera Girl’s Travel Keyboard and Mouse.
I use the iClever Bluetooth Keyboard and a Logitech M310 Wireless Mouse.
I love this keyboard. It weighs 6.2 oz.. The keyboard is foldable, and when folded, the body is 6.2 x 4.1 x 0.2 inches. When the keyboard is open it’s about 13 inches wide. After years of office work, I type without looking and want an ergonomic keyboard that works well with my typing style, and I find the slight curve of the iClever keyboard to be a real benefit. iClever claims a battery life of 40-hour continuous working for the keyboard, with the added ability to hold a charge for 30 days without use. It takes the keyboard about 2 hours to fully charge. I’ve only had to recharge the keyboard twice in 16 months, and I use my computer an average of 3 hours a day.
Yes, I use a regular Logitech M310 wireless mouse. The mouse is full-size, 1.5 x 4.4 x 2.4 in and weighs 3.2 oz. Logitech claims the mouse keeps a charge for 18 months, and I haven’t had to recharge it in the last 16 months. A slim-lined mouse would take up less room in my luggage, but a full-sized mouse makes my wrists and hands a lot happier after hours of use.
What Makes a Great Travel Keyboard and Mouse?
Travel Keyboard and Mouse:
- Excellent battery life. Ideally a rechargeable battery. Who wants to carry fresh batteries? That sucks.
- Small, light footprint.
- Quick set-up and connection.
- Ability to use the components wirelessly and maintain a consistent connection during prolonged use. Of course, some people will prefer to travel with a wired connection which provides one less point of unpredictability…unless your inside wires break!
- Made of material that will easily stay in place and not scratch surfaces. Yes, of course you can always place a towel or something underneath your stand.
Travel Keyboard:
- Comfortable layout for your typing style. One size does NOT fit all.
- Standard-sized keys. If you have anything smaller, why not just use your phone?
- IF using a wireless, the ability to continue using, while charging.
- Good key depression, so you know you’ve pressed something! If you’ve ever used a keyboard with lousy keyboard depression, you know how aggravating it can be.
Travel Mouse:
- Does the mouse feel good in your hand? Again, one size does not fit all!
- Does it have the same connection as your keyboard, or will it require its own connection?
Additional Features To Consider When Choosing a Travel Keyboard and Mouse.
Do not choose your travel keyboard and mouse without considering these points!
NOTE WHICH LAPTOP RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO OPERATE THE DEVICES:
Buck purchased a combination keyboard/mouse which means that both operate by inserting one USB port. My keyboard operation requires the laptop bluetooth connection to operate, while the mouse utilizes a separate USB port.
Both keyboards require an additional USB port to continue working while recharging. Some keyboards and mouse choices each require their own USB port; you want to know that especially if you only have two ports.
Depending on your laptop’s features, you can easily work around some potential challenges. If you have few ports on your laptop, an effective dongle allows a single port to be used to connect multiple items, albeit often with a reduced speed. If you choose a peripheral that needs the bluetooth connection (like the iClever) and you want to use that connection for something else as well, you can purchase an adapter/splitter.
KNOW YOUR OWN KEY PREFERENCES WHEN CHOOSING A KEYBOARD AND MOUSE:
Keyboard Size: Both Buck and I use a keyboard with full-sized keys. In a world of tiny-keyed phones and tablets, having full-sized keys feels sooooo good! Although the keys are full-sized, the keyboards themselves are slightly reduced from standard-sized keyboards. For us, this is no issue; you decide if it’s a dealbreaker for you.
Keyboard Shape: If Buck had to use my iClever keyboard for any period of time, he would go crazy! He can’t stand it’s slight V-shape when he is trying to hunt and find keys. On the other hand, I love the ergonomically-superior slight V-shape, especially when typing for extended periods of time.
This is a good place to note a trade-off I made in exchange for the great shape, size and weight of the iClever: FEWER KEYS. Specifically, this meant two adjustments:
- Depending on what keyboard you presently use, you may have to get used to using the Function key to access key buttons. The ones that took me the longest to get used to: Esc, delete and volume control buttons.
- The 6 is on the left side of the V-shaped keyboard. If you’re used to typing without looking, you may be used to the 6 being hit with your RIGHT pointer finger. Nonetheless, it took NO time to get used to this.
Mouse Shape: If I had to use Buck’s Seenda mouse for any period of time, I wouldn’t be happy. Even a short period of use makes my knuckles and wrists scream in protest. My hands are more comfortable using a full-sized mouse.
PROTECTIVE CASE FOR KEYBOARD:
For packing and traveling, we both use the lightweight boxes that the keyboards arrived in. You do want to pack your keyboard in something, to avoid breaking/sticking any keys and to add a protective layer in case you drop your luggage or something ooey/gooey spills inside. You can find some fancy cases, but we didn’t find any that were lightweight or seemed to do a better job than the cardboard boxes the gear came packed in.
WANT TO USE THE KEYBOARD WITH MORE THAN YOUR LAPTOP?
Some keyboards allow this. The iClever allows you to connect to 3 devices at the same time, assuming each device is bluetooth-enabled and uses a Windows/ioS/Android operating systems. And you can easily toggle between the three. Okay, so this may not be the first thing on your mind when choosing a travel keyboard but, all other things being equal, it could be nice to have the flexibility. Before purchasing, you want to verify this would work with your particular devices.
KEYBOARD BACKLIGHTING:
Some people desire the ability to use their keyboard without a room light on, they don’t want to hunt for laptop keys in the dark. Neither Buck nor I have backlit keyboards.
We hope this helps in your search for the perfect, lightweight, compact computer gear! Thanks for watching, and safe travels!
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