If you’ve got a home theatre PC (HTPC), a keyboard is a must. You can use it for web browsing, controlling your media in the likes of Plex, Kodi, and Emby, as well as light gaming and emulation. But you’ll want to make sure you get the right keyboard for your needs. Check out the best HTPC keyboards for all uses and budgets in 2024!
Best Overall HTPC Keyboard – Rii i8+ Mini Wireless Keyboard
The Rii i8+ wireless keyboard (our review) is the best overall HTPC keyboard for most users. It’s a small keyboard about the same size as a game controller. There’s a built-in Li-ion rechargeable battery, backlight, and a touchpad. Above the QWERTY keyboard, you’ll find dedicated buttons for controlling the volume, a play/pause button, and shortcuts to fast forward as well as rewind. For wireless connectivity, the Rii i8+ uses a 2.4GHz wireless dongle. The Rii X8, is a solid alternative which comes in a similar form factor but swaps the media playback buttons for a scroll wheel, and the single-color backlight for an eight-color RGB LED. Still, the Rii i8+ is a good small keyboard perfect for pairing with a Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Shield TV, smart TV, or living room PC.
Pros:
- Affordable
- 2.4GHz wireless
- Full QWERTY keyboard with trackpad
- Lots of colors to pick from
- Dedicated media buttons: play/pause, fast forward, rewind, volume up and down
- Mouse click buttons
- Backlight
- Lightweight and good for one-handed or two-handed use
Cons:
- Small, cramped keypad
iPazzPort KP-810-19S – Best Wireless Mini Handheld Keyboard With Touchpad
If you need a tiny keyboard with trackpad suitable for one-handed use, the iPazzPort KP-810-19S is a fantastic choice. Arriving in a candybar remote package, the iPazzPort mini keyboard and mouse doesn’t compromise on buttons. It sports a full QWERTY keyboard replete with mouse buttons and a touchpad. There’s a 2.4Ghz wireless USB receiver, and it’s AAA battery-powered.
Unfortunately, with its reliance on AAA batteries, it’s not rechargeable. Of course, you could use rechargeable AAA batteries, although that still requires swapping batteries when they’re low. Because of its minuscule size, the iPazzPort KP-810-19S has really tiny keys that aren’t ideal for large fingers. For living room use, this should be just fine though. Sadly, there’s no backlight. If you’re willing to setp up to a larger small keyboard, the iPazzPort KP-810-21S adds media playback buttons, though no backlight. But if you want an incredibly compact HTPC keyboard, the iPazzPort KP-810-19S is a great option.
Pros:
- Compact candybar form factor
- Uses AAA batteries
- 2.4GHz wireless dongle
- Full QWERTY keyboard and trackpad
- Affordable
Cons:
- No backlight
- Not rechargeable
- Lacks dedicated media playback buttons
Best Air Mouse Remote for HTPC Use in 2024 – Huafeliz Air Mouse
With its air mouse functionality, the Huafeliz remote is a fantastic media centre PC wireless keyboard. Onboard, you’ll find a QWERTY keyboard. On the other size, the Huafeliz air mouse sports media buttons like volume control, a home button, directional pad (D-pad), and even a power button. It connects with various devices using a USB dongle and 2.4GHz wireless connection. Where the Huafeliz air mouse shines is its 6-axis internal sensor. The gyroscope feature makes the Huafeliz an awesome choice for general HTPC and streaming box control, as well as gaming. As a living room air mouse, the Huafeliz is a good keyboard.
Pros:
- Air mouse, 6-axis internal gyroscope
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Dedicated media buttons
- Power button
- 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle
- Rechargeable battery
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not backlit
- Small keys
Best Budget Full-size Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo – Rii K18 Plus
Although mini keyboards are convenient and space-saving, there are merits to larger keyboards as well. A full-size wireless keyboard and mouse combo is far easier to type on, and you can use it for gaming as well. The Rii K18 HTPC keyboard is an excellent option. It sports a three-color backlight, and full QWERTY keyboard. To the right of the keyboard is a large trackpad. At the top of the device is a handy row of multimedia playback buttons. Cheap but high-performing, the Rii K18 Plus is a superb wireless keyboard and mouse combo that won’t break the bank. Unfortunately, it’s only available with a right-handed touchpad. Lefties, you’re out of luck. But if you can put up with that minor inconvenience, the Rii K18 Plus handles web browsing, media playback, and gaming with aplomb.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Large touchpad
- Rechargeable battery
- 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle
- Large, easy to use
- Dedicated media playback buttons
- Good for web browsing, media playback, gaming
Cons:
- Not low-latency, so not ideal for certain games like first-person shooters or fast-paced multiplayer games
- Only available with the trackpad on the right
Best Wireless Keyboard and Mouse for the Living Room – Logitech K600 TV Keyboard
The Logitech K600 TV keyboard comes with a built-in trackpad. Unlike many wireless keyboard and mouse combos, the K600 sports an attractive rounded-button design. There’s a helpful D-pad for simple navigation, as well as media shortcuts for playback and volume control. Its touchpad feels good and is incredibly responsive.
There’s a long 15-meter range, and multi-device control for easy toggling between different devices such as smart TVs, HTPCs, and mobile devices. It’s a bit pricey at a standard retail value of over $50 USD, although you could save money with the K400 Plus TV keyboard. Particularly at this price point, a backlight would be expected though it’s oddly absent. But with its great performance, the Logitech K600 TV is an excellent wireless ergonomic keyboard and trackpad.
Pros:
- Attractive rounded keys
- Responsive touchpad
- Seamlessly switch between different devices
- Full-size QWERTY keyboard
- Rechargeable battery
- 2.4Ghz wireless USB dongle
- D-pad and dedicated media playback buttons
- Good for web browsing, media playback, gaming
Cons:
- Not backlight
- Expensive
- Not low-latency, so not ideal for certain games like first-person shooters or fast-paced multiplayer games
- Only available with trackpad on the right
Best Full-size HTPC Keyboard and Trackpad – Logitech K830
Logitech’s K830 is the best HTPC keyboard available in 2024. It’s a full-sized QWERTY wireless keyboard with a built-in touchpad. You’ll find dedicated media shortcuts and a convenient backlight. There’s a lengthy 10-meter wireless range, and good battery life. Plus, Logitech’s unifying receiver means that you can pair other peripherals such as mice that connect with a single receiver. However, the main downside is price. Expect to shell out over $75 for the Logitech K830 when it’s regularly priced. But if you’re willing to pay the premium that comes with the K830, you’ll get a high-quality backlit wireless keyboard and mouse combo that’s versatile enough to fulfill a variety of needs, from media playback and web browsing to light gaming.
Pros:
- Backlight
- 10-meter wireless range
- Comfortable keys and trackpad
- Full-size QWERTY keyboard
- Dedicated media keys
- Works well with Windows, Linux, and Android
- Good for web browsing, media playback, gaming
- Logitech Unifying Receiver
Cons:
- Pricey
- Not low-latency, so not ideal for certain games like first-person shooters or fast-paced multiplayer games
- Only available with trackpad on the right
Best Gamepad With QWERTY Keyboard – Rii RK707
A living room PC lets you not only playback media on the big screen but play games natively installed or streamed via Steam Link, Stadia, or another video game streaming app. As such, a game controller is a great addition to any home theatre PC. The Rii RK707 is a nifty gamepad with a full QWERTY keyboard. Its controller features dual analog sticks, a directional pad (D-pad), X, Y, A, and B buttons, four shoulder buttons, plus start, select, turbo, and clear hotkeys.
On the flip side, there’s a keyboard complete with a backlight and touchpad. Boasting wireless connectivity, the Rii RK707 is a superb solution for a hybrid HTPC gaming computer. The keys are a bit small, but around average size for a mini keyboard. Lack of palm grips may disappoint some gamers, although the rectangular gamepad is comfortable to hold. A fantastic choice for living room gaming and particularly good for Raspberry Pi retro gaming, the Rii RK707 is a must-own for PC gamers.
Pros:
- QWERTY keyboard and game controller hybrid
- Backlit keyboard
- Touchpad and dedicated mouse buttons
- Easy to toggle between keyboard and gamepad modes
- Wireless 2.4GHz USB dongle
Cons:
- Small keys
- No wired connectivity
- Lacks palm grips
What to Look for in an HTPC Keyboard
When you’re picking out a living room keyboard, you’ll want to select a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. Depending on your needs, you might prefer a mini wireless keyboard or a full-sized wireless keyboard with touchpad. Think about connectivity. Bluetooth works for a wireless connection, or you might need to use a dongle that takes up a USB port. You’ll definitely want a backlight. This helps you see the keys even in the dark.
Connectivity: Think about how you want to connect your living room computer. For operation from the couch, wireless connectivity is easier and avoids running cables across the room. You can use Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless. A 2.4GHz wireless connection requires a dongle, while a Bluetooth keyboard might not need a dongle.
Backlight: Especially since movies are best watched in total or near-complete darkness, a backlit keyboard for a home theatre PC is incredibly useful. That way, you can avoid fumbling around in the dark for what buttons to press.
Size: HTPC keyboards come in all shapes and sizes, from game controller-sized mini keyboards to full-size keyboards fit for a desk.
Integrated touchpad or mouse pad: A built-in touchpad means you won’t need an external mouse. However, you might instead want an onboard mousepad for using a traditional computer mouse.
Cost: Price is a consideration too. While you can find a lot of budget HTPC keybooards, there are pricer premium options as well.
Battery life and type: Particularly for wireless keyboards, battery life is important to think about. You won’t want to recharge your keyboard after almost every use. Similarly, think about the type of battery your keyboard has, removable or non-removable.
Wireless keyboard buying considerations:
- Connectivity: USB dongle vs. Bluetooth
- Backlight vs. no backlight
- Cost
- Battery life and type (removable vs. non-removable)
- Touchpad and/or mouse pad
- Size: mini wireless keyboard vs. large keyboard
Best HTPC Keyboard Options – Final Thoughts
There are loads of different HTPC keyboards available. For a good budget-priced small keyboard trackpad combo, the Rii i8 Plus is a great pick. It’s compact and backlit, plus includes media hotkeys for simple navigation. Huafeliz offers a solid air mouse that boasts easy control, or you could snag a full-size keyboard like the Rii K18 Plus, Logitech K600 TV, or K830. Overall, you’ve got no shortage of wireless living room keyboard and trackpad combos for all your entertainment needs.
Your turn: Which HTPC wireless keyboards do YOU recommend?
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