Computer Accessories
Logitech

Logitech Pop Keys mechanical keyboard, Pop mouse review

Style over functionality

₹ 9,995

(Pop Keys)

Sambit Satpathy 25 Feb 2022 11:58 AM

Emojis have fast become a universal language that is understood by the young and old, and also accurately convey our expressions, mood, and tone. It’s only natural that they should be a part of keyboards, and Logitech has heard us.
Logitech’s new Pop series is as colourful and funky as a TikToker’s hairstyle, and also replaces a few boring old keys on this mechanical keyboard with emojis. So is the keyboard-mouse combo worth your money? Read on.

Pop Keys design and performance

The moment you take the Pop Keys keyboard out of the box, there are two things you’re bound to notice. First is just how much focus there is on the emojis, and secondly, how heavy the keyboard feels. 
Then there’s the riot of colours that will leave you overwhelmed. There are three colourways to choose from, and the ‘Blast’ version we received for review, is the most sober (if we may say so) of them.

Almost immediately after you open the box, your eyes fall on the row of emoji keys on the extreme right. Logitech has replaced five keys from a standard keyboard with a choice of eight emoji keys. You can swap out these keys easily by pulling them out, and also customise them using Logitech’s software – more on that later. 
The keyboard features a 75% layout, and is compatible with a host of operating systems, including Windows and macOS. It can connect to multiple devices using Bluetooth or the bundled dongle. In our time of testing, connectivity was seamless without any drops or lags.

You can switch between devices easily by hitting the F1, F2 and F3 keys, and the switch itself is quite instantaneous. The keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries that are claimed to last over three years. There’s no way to test this claim, so we take Logitech’s word for it.

The keys are circular like a typewriter from the days of yore, and the typing experience is almost the same as well. Logitech has opted for TTC Brown mechanical switches, and while you don’t need the strength of Thor to hit each key, it does take a considerable amount of time to get used to them. 
The circular keys no doubt look good and invoke nostalgia, but we would have preferred square keys for a better and faster typing experience. Even after using the keyboard for a few days, it is still difficult to type out a complete sentence quickly without typos.

Pop Mouse design and performance

The Pop mouse shares the colourway of the keyboard but is more minimalist and sober. Where the keyboard comes across as an extrovert making enough clickety sound to wake the next door neighbour, the mouse is an introvert who goes about doing its job silently. 
We were in fact taken aback by just how quiet the mouse is at first. We had to double-check if we had actually clicked. It’s the very antithesis of the loud keyboard. 
The mouse performs as expected with Logitech’s smart scrolling still among the best out there. It is ultra-fast when you want to, and smooth at all times. The quick access button under the scroll is a nice touch if you want quick access to emojis, and it too can be customised via Logitech’s software.

Software: Customisations galore

Logitech’s software for the POP series has built-in options to customise the various keys on the keyboard and the button on the mouse. It doesn’t have a learning curve, and the graphic representation of the keyboard and mouse makes it easy to understand and use.

You can remap the function keys and the emoji keys on the keyboard, which is a boon for those who don’t want all those shortcuts to eat into useful keys. For instance, we really missed the brightness controls on the keyboard so we remapped the F4 and F5 keys. It’s almost a mental strain to use the keys for something when the symbols say something else, but at least, using the software you don’t miss out on any feature.

The process of remapping the shortcut button on the mouse is the same as well, using the software. You can either use it as a shortcut for a single emoji, the whole emoji menu or some system function.

Verdict: Should you buy it?

Logitech’s Pop Keys and mouse aren’t for everyone, but there are some who will like the looks and also appreciate the ease of access to emojis. If you’re among those who spend most of their waking hours on social media and use emojis more than typed words, then the Pop Keys is for you. 
The Pop Mouse, on the other hand, is quite simple, easy-to-use, and the customisable emoji button is a bonus. But at ₹2,995, it does feel a tad expensive and is better as a part of the combo to complete the set.

Stuff Says

Funky mechanical keyboard and mouse combo with excellent battery life to liven up your work desk.
Good stuff
Bad stuff

  1. Great looking combo

  1. Long battery life

  1. Mechanical keyboard

  1. Multi-device connectivity

  1. Emoji keys are limited

  1. No option to get a 100% keyboard layout

  1. Mouse clicks are deceptively quiet

Specifications
Pop Keys dimensions: 321.2 x 138.47 x 35.4 mm
Pop Mouse dimensions: 104.8 x 59.4 x 35.2 mm
Weight (with batteries): 779g (keyboard) / 82g (mouse)
Compatibility: Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later, iPadOS 13.4 or later, iOS 11 or later, Chrome OS 9, Android 8 or later