The best Chromebooks aren’t exactly performance monsters suitable for gaming (though if you attach a monitor they’ll handle indies and some less demanding titles), they’re incredible, portable productivity solutions. That said, to truly unlock their potential, you’ll need to pair them with a proper keyboard, particularly if you’re going to be doing a lot of writing or editing.
Be aware, however, that not just any deck will do. You’ll need a board that’s compatible with ChromeOS, and, ideally, one that’s lightweight and portable enough, so it doesn’t add a ton of additional bulk to your Chromebook, negating one of its greatest advantages. Worry not, however, this list includes some of the best Chromebook keyboards currently available based on price, functionality, and features.
One of the primary differences between standard Mac/Windows keyboards and those designed specifically for Chromebooks is dedicated Chrome OS keys. These give you quick access to handy Chrome features like full-screening videos or refreshing a page and include additional functionality like summoning the Google Assistant at the push of a button. That said, they’re more of a luxury than a necessity, and some of the best Chromebook boards don’t include them.
The Logitech K780 is perfectly sized for portability, is fully wireless (with Bluetooth, or USB dongle), and even has a slot at the top to stash your phone or stylus. If you want a solid mechanical deck (and don’t want to spend several hundred dollars), the Keychron K3 is a great option, and while it’s our premium pick, it still costs significantly less than most high-quality mechanical boards.
If you want to save a few bucks, consider the aptly named CTL Works With Chromebook. It’s incredibly compact for a full-sized keyboard and boasts a fantastic battery life and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for speedy, stable pairing.
While Chrome OS doesn’t support complete universal key remapping, you can reassign a couple of keyboard shortcuts. To change the behavior of keys such as the backspace and search buttons, first, open the taskbar. Next, click the Settings icon, select Device, then select Keyboard. After that, altering the functions of a few select keys is pretty straightforward.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
