Why you need a mini keyboard to boost productivity

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When it comes to tech accessories, the more productive they can help you be, the better. Mini keyboards are one of them, offering portability and ease of typing, whether it’s on a smart TV or on your phone or tablet. I’ve turned to mini keyboards for years as a remote writer, but a recent flurry of ads gave me pause and made me realize just how amazing mini keyboards can be. 

Ever since I made the move to make my home office desk more ergonomic-friendly, I’ve been using a mini keyboard as my go-to rather than typing directly on my laptop keyboard. Since it’s elevated, it makes it more comfortable to type for long periods of time, and it takes up significantly less space on my desk than a full-size keyboard. And when I’m done working for the day, I get to hide it away and reduce clutter on my desk. But it turns out there are even more benefits to a mini keyboard that make it a must-have tech accessory for productivity.

I’ve been getting a lot of ads for smart typewriter-like products that offer distraction-free typing, and as a full-time writer, that sounds like a dream. Truthfully, I was tempted, but with a hefty price tag, I quickly sought out other options. Turns out, I already had one (enter: mini keyboard). Sometimes, I use my standard mini keyboard to type on my phone when I get thumb fatigue from typing and scrolling, and I’ve used it with my iPad and wireless mouse, which essentially turns it into a mini laptop and workstation. So I essentially already have what I was looking for. But I do plan on making an additional mini keyboard purchase to make the most of my tablet and phone usage on the go (more on that later).

And that just scratches the surface of how convenient mini keyboards are. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your office setup or turn your smart devices into mini laptops, these are the types of mini keyboards to put on your radar.

Handheld mini keyboards 

If you want the most compact keyboard, a handheld mini keyboard is your best choice. They’re so small that they can likely fit in the palm of your hand and can be even smaller than a smartphone. ​​They’re ideally suited for gaming, managing smart TVs and streaming apps, or work presentations. Whether you want to type on a keyboard to enter your passwords on Netflix, message your friends while you game, or easily swipe through presentations, a mini handheld keyboard can make it easier.

These mini keyboards can easily be used in conjunction with your phone or your tablet, too, especially if a standard mini keyboard is too much to take with you on the go. In addition to making it easier to type, it can give you a nostalgic feeling of the QWERTY phone keyboards of the ’90s and early 2000s.

Fosmon Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

Burhoo Mini Keyboard with Touchpad

Rii i4 Mini Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad

Rii Mini Bluetooth Keyboard

Standard mini keyboards

Standard mini keyboards are portable, space-saving, and can improve the ergonomics of your office desk setup. These mini keyboards have fewer keys than a full-size keyboard, with a 60%, 65%, or 70% layout. At minimum, mini keyboards remove the number pad on the side that adds to the length, but 60% keyboard layouts only have the essential keys without the top function row. 

They take up less space on your desk than a full-size keyboard. Not only does that make them space savers, but also more ergonomic, since you can use your mouse closer to your body and can ultimately limit shoulder strain and excessive arm movement. Their small size also makes them easier to move around, whether you’re working in a hybrid setup and switching between remote and office work. And they’re perfect for pairing with a tablet or a phone, turning them into a mini laptop, especially when you pair them with a wireless mouse.

I’ve personally been a big fan of mini keyboards for years, with my daily mini Logitech keyboard going on over five years strong. I use it with my laptop (that’s elevated with a stand) and a wireless mouse, on top of using it with my tablet or phone when I want to type faster and not use a touchscreen.

Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380S Wireless Keyboard

Logitech MX Keys Mini Keyboard

Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard with Built-in Touchpad

Foldable keyboards

If a handheld mini keyboard is too small and you want something even more portable than a standard mini keyboard, a foldable keyboard is your next best bet. They’re the Goldilocks of mini keyboards, offering a small size when folded that’s easy to travel with and pack, but unfolding into a standard mini keyboard that can be easier to type on. 

Even though handheld and standard versions can be used with your phone or tablet, a foldable mini keyboard just might take the cake. They match the portability of a phone and tablet, and some even come with a stand to prop up your device. With a foldable design, some options come with a trackpad that can give a phone or tablet a true laptop feel. I already have a mini keyboard, but for maximum portability and productivity, a foldable pick is my next buy.

ProtoArc XK04 Foldable Compact Keyboard

Samsers Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad

Sikai Case Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard with Magnetic Stand

Why do you need a mini keyboard?

When you want to be productive, the right accessories can make it happen. A mini keyboard — whether it’s a handheld, standard, or foldable option — is one that offers unmatched versatility. Handheld keyboards can help you manage everything from smart TVs to streaming apps to work presentations to phones or tablets with a compact device. Standard mini keyboards are portable enough to take on the go and used with a phone, tablet, or laptop, or used on your desk (without taking up too much space). Foldable keyboards have the ideal middle ground between a handheld mini keyboard and a regular mini keyboard, offering easier typing but a travel-ready size when folded. 

Whichever style you choose, a mini keyboard can make it easier to use the devices you have with ease. Rather than buying a whole new setup, this tech accessory is a worthy investment that can not only increase your comfort but also your productivity.

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