I recently started to play a crafting mmorpg (bitcraft) and while it runs great on the steam deck, the controls are not great. I have been playing with an old dell usb keyboard and Bluetooth trackball. I would like to find a great Bluetooth keyboard. So many of the wireless keyboards I have looked at require a dongle, which limits my ability to charge unless I use a dock.
I would rather a larger keyboard than a smaller one.
Check out the keychron lineup. They have some decent Bluetooth ones that work fine. I have the V6 pro and it has been serving me very well.
I like those! I may replace my main keyboard with one of those too.
Very reasonably priced, too. Customizable if you’re into that. I put in my own switches and key caps, added some foam and it now sounds fantastic.
I can thoroughly second this recommendation. I have a K4 for my main computer keyboard, and a K7 low profile for my deck (as it fits into the steam deck case I have), and they’re both fantastic and completely without hassle
What steam deck case are you using? Thanks for the recommendations.
It’s just one of these cheapo ones Nothing fancy, but I can keep the keyboard, a small mouse, and some other bits all in one
Ohh cool, it gets the job done no matter how not-fancy it is! Thanks for sharing, I’ve been keeping my eye out for a better one than the case that came with the deck, that looks like it’ll work for me!
I have an Air75 from Nuphy that I love. Not super cheap, but it is a really nice low-profile mechanical keyboard. I was very impressed by the feel and quality of it. It works with either a dongle or Bluetooth. If I was buying one now I’d probably go with the Air60 v2 to make it a bit more compact.
I’ve been using the K380 and pebble mouse. It’s not large, so probably not for you. You can buy the pebble 2 combo now. I bought a basic leather case for the k380 which works fine.
It got a weird issue a couple years in where it never powers down, so for travel I remove one of the AAA batteries and slide that into the case next to it. The pebble mouse has never acted up. A couple of keycaps on the k380 also fell off before I got to he case, so I would say that if you’re carrying it in a backpack I’d definitely recommend getting a case.
Overall, though, it keeps chugging without much more issue. I also reconfigured the keycaps to reflect my Dvorak layout without any special tools.
I have the k480 which I like for typing and such, but for gaming I find it too small. It looks to be similar to your 380 but the 480 has a slot to hold a tablet or phone.
I do like hearing the 380 has a case though.
I was looking at the Logitech mx keys s, but it is $130. At that point I would probably go with a gaming keyboard.
This thing is a tank and works great.
https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/accessories-and-software/keyboards-and-mice/keyboards/4y40x49493
Tried some of the smaller folding keyboards but found this to be the most comfortable and reliable
For portable use I love this keyboard: https://a.co/d/a1s6Slt
It’s not the best option if you’re just using it at home, though.
I have a Samsers brand just like this in my gig bag, and I love it. The hot-swapping between devices is nice, cuz it also pairs with my iPad. So I can have both paired, then swap back and forth as needed.
They don’t sell it anymore, but I use this super cheap tablet one, which only cost me $6.88.
It’s about the exact same length as the deck, and it has a flip out tablet stand that perfectly supports the steam deck.
I’m sure it’s not as nice as a lot of the keyboards mentioned in this thread, but it’s been perfect for me.
K380 all the way. Compact and pairs simultaneously with three devices
I dont really use one for gaming ,but I have an epomaker which I really like (th80 pro) I sometimes use my phone as a Bluetooth keyboard when I need to type a lot/paste stuff from the phone/use a mouse when docked
so I originally got mine for my PC and that’s where I mainly use it, but I also use it with my Steam Deck sometimes via Bluetooth
I have the Epomaker EK68 and it’s a 65% sized keyboard so it’s smaller than a full sized one but not too tiny. I find it nice because it’s not TOO compact but can slip into a backpack without taking up too much space. It can connect with USB, dongle, or Bluetooth and switches between them with a little switch on the back. It’s mechanical and you can swap the key switches for whatever type you want
Overall not too expensive either
I don’t yet have it, but I’m looking at getting a Royal Kludge 70 RKS.
USB Wired / Bluetooth / 2.4 Ghz Chicklet
Has a 3150 mAh battery, claims to be able to hold a charge for two weeks of wireless usage.
Comes with the wrist rests, too, they’re not an extra addon with more cost, as best I can tell.
Also, is split.
So… you could more easily use it while say, reclining, or use it for better ergonomics in a sitting position, also each half has 4 adjustable little leg thingymabobs to further get an ergonomically optimal wrist angle.
OP, if you’re looking for a larger one, RK does make larger, mechanical keyboards, but not any that have say, a full numpad that also split apart.
Also again, grain of salt with all of this, I’ve not actually ever owned or used this KB, I am just also in a ‘looking for a Steam Deck / PC keyboard’ phase, and so far this one seems the best to me, in a ‘most bang for your buck without breaking the bank’ kind of way.
I ordered a k1 max from keychron today. It was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but it looks to be a good board. This one looks interesting. I have used ergo boards but never a split board.
I have a number of Bluetooth keyboards and they all seem to work just fine with the steam deck. I think you can pick the keyboard you want style wise and you’ll be fine.
The problem I have run into is the keyboards I am finding are either wireless with dongle, or very small TV keyboards.
If it says bluetooth, then it can do bluetooth even if it comes with a dongle.
A lot of keyboards support bluetooth, but also come with a dongle in order to have the option for a dedicated wireless connection.
Bluetooth is convenient, but if you care about latnecy, it’s horrid. Bluetooth mice and keyboards are noticably worse for performance gaming due to the additional delay in button presses and movements.
Hence people tend to prefer to use the dongle if possible, as it allowa for a significantly higher polling rate. Doesn’t mean the keyboard won’t work just fine on bluetooth.
Some sites return wireless keyboards even when specifically searching Bluetooth.
Well yes you should check if the specs on the product page say Bluetooth.
I dunno, I recently bought two keyboards and both could do all theee, wired, wireless with the dongle, or Bluetooth with no dongle. I have a keychron and love it - if you’re looking for desktop keyboard, that’s a great choice although pricy. Logitech makes some good travel ones too that operate in all three modes. Try those brands if you’re having trouble finding Bluetooth keyboards.
Keychron K17 max. Decently small footprint. Wired for the desktop, Bluetooth for the deck and rf for the rack kvm.
