Quick verdict: Buy the Logitech MX Keys S if you like a quiet, laptop-style typing feel and want the slimmest, most office-friendly keyboard in Logitech's lineup. Buy the Logitech MX Mechanical if you want more key travel and the tactile feedback of real mechanical switches without the loud clatter of a gaming board. Both are full-size, pair with 3 devices, support Logitech Flow, and charge over USB-C; the decision is almost entirely about how you want the keys to feel.
- Type
- Low-profile scissor
- —
- Layout
- Full-size
- Full-size
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth + Logi Bolt
- Bluetooth + Logi Bolt
- Pairing
- 3 devices
- 3 devices
- Charging
- USB-C
- USB-C
- Switches
- —
- Tactile Quiet (low-profile)
- Quiet, precise low-profile scissor keys
- Pairs 3 devices, Logitech Flow support
- Backlight wakes as your hands approach
- Not mechanical — shallow key travel
- Battery drops fast with backlight on
- Tactile Quiet low-profile mechanical switches
- 3-device Bluetooth/Bolt pairing with Flow
- Smart backlighting, USB-C charging
- No hot-swap or keycap customization
- Full-size footprint eats mouse space
The Core Difference: Scissor Keys vs Low-Profile Mechanical Switches#
The MX Keys S uses low-profile scissor switches under spherically dished keycaps. The dish is designed to cradle your fingertips and guide them to the center of each key, and the scissor mechanism gives a stable, precise press with shallow travel. If you are used to a laptop keyboard or Apple's Magic Keyboard, it will feel familiar from the first minute.
The MX Mechanical uses low-profile mechanical switches — the version covered here has Logitech's Tactile Quiet switches. Each key has noticeably more travel than a scissor key and a tactile bump that tells your finger the keystroke has registered. Typists who bottom out hard on shallow keyboards, or who simply enjoy a mechanical feel, often find it more satisfying and less fatiguing over a long writing session.
Noise in a Shared Space#
Both keyboards are designed to be office-appropriate, but they are not equally quiet. The MX Keys S is the quieter of the two: scissor keys produce a soft, muted press that is unlikely to bother anyone on a call or across a shared desk.
The Tactile Quiet switches on the MX Mechanical are among the quieter mechanical options, and they avoid the sharp click of clicky switches. Still, any mechanical switch makes more sound than a scissor key. If you take frequent calls without a noise-suppressing headset, or share a room with someone who is sensitive to typing noise, the MX Keys S is the safer pick.
Features and Software#
The MX Keys S adds proximity backlighting that wakes as your hands approach the keyboard, plus Smart Actions in Logi Options+, which let you chain several steps — opening apps, typing text, toggling settings — onto a single key. It is the more feature-rich of the two out of the box.
The MX Mechanical has smart backlighting and the same multi-device convenience: 3-device pairing over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver, and Logitech Flow for moving between computers with a compatible Logitech mouse. What it does not offer is the customization enthusiasts expect from mechanical keyboards — there is no hot-swap switch support and limited keycap options.
Battery and Footprint#
Owners note that the MX Keys S battery drops fast with the backlight on; turning the backlight off or down stretches the time between charges considerably. Both keyboards recharge over USB-C, and both are full-size layouts with a number pad, so each takes up a similar amount of desk width. If you need more room for mouse movement, that full-size footprint is worth keeping in mind with either model.
Who Should Buy Which#
Choose the Logitech MX Keys S if you:
- Prefer a quiet, shallow, laptop-like typing feel
- Work in a shared space or take frequent calls
- Want proximity backlighting and Smart Actions shortcuts
Choose the Logitech MX Mechanical if you:
- Want deeper key travel and a tactile bump on every press
- Enjoy mechanical keyboards but need something office-friendly
- Type for long stretches and tend to bottom out on shallow keys
Frequently Asked Questions#
Is the MX Mechanical better than the MX Keys S for typing?#
It depends on your preference. The MX Mechanical offers more key travel and tactile feedback, which many writers and programmers prefer for long sessions. The MX Keys S offers a quieter, shallower, laptop-style press that suits people who type lightly or are used to laptop keyboards. Neither is objectively better; they are built for different typing styles.
Is the MX Mechanical loud?#
Not by mechanical-keyboard standards. The Tactile Quiet switches are designed to avoid the sharp click of clicky switches, so it is far quieter than a typical gaming keyboard. It is still louder than the MX Keys S, whose scissor keys are among the quietest full-size options available.
Can both keyboards switch between multiple computers?#
Yes. Both pair with up to 3 devices over Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver, and both support Logitech Flow for moving between computers alongside a compatible Logitech mouse.
Can I swap the switches on the MX Mechanical?#
No. The MX Mechanical does not support hot-swapping, and keycap customization is limited. If you want to change switches or build a custom look, a dedicated enthusiast mechanical keyboard is a better fit.
The Verdict#
The MX Keys S is the better keyboard for quiet offices, frequent calls, and anyone who loves the precise, shallow feel of a premium laptop keyboard, with proximity backlighting and Smart Actions as a bonus. The MX Mechanical is the better choice for typists who want real mechanical feedback and deeper travel while keeping noise at a level coworkers will tolerate. Choose based on how you like your keys to feel, and see our full keyboard reviews for more options.
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