T
heMXCraftis Logitech’smost
premiumnon-gamingkeyboard,and
it boaststhesameexcellentall-
roundtypingexperience,wirelessconvenience
andlow-profiledesignoftheMXKeys(see
Issue195),butwiththeadditionofa creative
inputdialcalledtheCrown.LikeMicrosoft’s
SurfaceDial,thislarge,pleasinglytactiledial
enablesyoutomanuallyadjustsettingssuchas
contrastlevelsinPhotoshop,orthebrushsize
inIllustrator.It’sdesignedtogivecreativesa
veryaccurateextrameansofadjustingthese
analogueparametersina waythatisn’teasily
replicatedwitha mouseorkeyboard.
It workstoo.Thedial’srelativelylargesize,
heftandhighsensitivitymakesit easytovery
finelyadjustwhateversettingyou’retweaking.
Aswellascontrollingsmooth,linearsettings,
it canalsobeusedformoregeneraldesktop
work,suchasswitchingapplicationsor
scrollingthroughbrowsertabs,inwhichcase
theCrownwillswitchitsrotationactiontoa
notchedfeel,likea mousescrollwheel.
LOGITECH MX
CRAFT /£180 inc VAT
SUPPLIER logitech.com
It does this via the same electromagnetic
technology used in Logitech’s MX Master
Mouse 3 and it works brilliantly. You set up all
the Crown’s functions via Logitech’s Options
software, which offers a wealth of possibilities
for setting up the Crown’s job in any given app.
The software Is also used to configure this
keyboard’s other big extra feature, which is
Logitech Flow. This allows you to connect the
keyboard to up to three devices and not just
switch between them, but also move text,
images and files between them. You just copy
as normal, switch device via the convenient
buttons on the keyboard, and paste. The actual
data transfer takes place via the software,
not the keyboard, of course, but its seamless
nature makes it so convenient.
The rest of the keyboard is relatively typical
of a premium, low-profile keyboard. It has a
stylish, dark grey and silver appearance, and
generally excellent build quality throughout.
Backlighting is also present, and although it’s
just plain white, it makes for a very clear, easy-
to-read keyboard in all lighting conditions.
You get a full complement of keys, and
there are even legends for both Mac and PC
use, so if part of your multi-device workflow
involves switching between both types of
machine, you have those commands on hand.
This does clutter up some of the keys quite a
lot, but it feels like a sensible compromise for
its target market.
The typing action is good too. The keycaps
have a rather silly-looking round dent in theirtops, rather than a conventional dip that spans
the full top of the key, but it still does its job well
enough, helping to keep fingers centred on the
keys. The scissor key action is a little spongier
than some keyboards when it bottoms out, but
it still feels crisp, responsive and comfortable,
plus it’s relatively quiet too.
Really, the only issue with this keyboard,
other than its high price, is that the battery
is captive. It can be replaced but not easily.
Instead, you charge it via a USB Type-C port on
the back, which sits next to the power switch.Conclusion
The MX Craft is an excellent keyboard for
creatives looking for a low-profile model.
The overall typing experience is very good,
the backlighting is spot on, and it has loads of
features, including the very useful Logitech
Flow. The Crown dial is also super-useful in
certain circumstances, and we could easily
see it becoming an essential part of some
workflows. However, its price is hard to take.
It’s a full £80 more than the MX Keys, and the
only extra is that dial.VERDICT
A great keyboard for creatives, but it comes
ata highprice.CREATIVE
+Greattyping
experience
+Potentiallyuseful
creativedial
+Easydeviceswitching
+Loads of featuresCRAFTY- Veryexpensive
- Creative dial is
ofnicheuse - Captive battery
SPEC
Connection Wireless and Bluetooth
Cable USB Type-C
Material Plastic and aluminium
Switch type Scissor
Backlighting White
Extras Crown dial, Logitech Flow,
multi-device connectionDESIGN
22 / 25FEATURES
23 / 25OVERALLSCORE
79 %%
PERFORMANCE
22 / 25VALUE
12 / 25