A Bluetooth keyboard offers a winning combination of portability and cross-device compatibility—but they're not perfect for everyone. While there are Bluetooth keyboards out there worth buying, you should be aware that they come with trade-offs. For one, you'll need a Bluetooth adapter if your computer doesn't have Bluetooth built-in.

For example, gamers, coders, and writers should use wired keyboards, offering better reliability, functionality, and security. Should you get one? Here are six reasons why you may want to rethink the Bluetooth keyboard.

1. Durable Keyboards Have Better Value

The keyboard remains one of the few computer components that never goes obsolete. With PS2-to-USB adapters, many mechanical keyboards from thirty years ago remain useful today. And why would you want to use such an old keyboard? For its mechanical switches. They feel better and last longer compared to membrane boards.

Long Service Life

Unlike today's membrane keyboards, a mechanical keyboard offers a combination of durable keycaps along with switches that will last for up to 80 million key presses. Plus, keys for a mechanical keyboard are usually easier to activate and provide a satisfying crunch when activated. See the best mechanical keyboards for some examples.

Easier to Activate for Marathon Typing Sessions

A common membrane keyboard requires around 1.8 ounces of force to actuate, while a Gateron mechanical switch only needs about 1.2 ounces of force—practically a feather-like touch. Plus, mechanical switches activate when they're half-pressed, unlike membrane switches that only activate when they're full-pressed.

This is what a membrane switch looks like:

A membrane keyboard
Image Credit: Wikimedia

While a Bucking Spring mechanical switch looks like:

An illustration from US patent 4,118,611 "Buckling Spring Torsional Snap Actuator"
Image Credit: Wikimedia

As you can see, a membrane switch costs less money because of its reduced complexity than a membrane/dome design.

Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboards Aren't Practical

Mechanical Bluetooth keyboards exist, but they aren't practical, mainly because you lose the portability that makes a Bluetooth keyboard worth getting. For example, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro mechanical wireless gaming keyboard weighs over 3 pounds, more than the base model of Dell's 2022 XPS 13 Plus laptop (yes, an entire laptop).

Sure, there are a few excellent options out there, such as the Logitech G915 mechanical wireless keyboard. However, the Logitech G915 costs a fortune, measures 1.9 inches thick, and weighs 1.1 pounds. In short, the G915 just isn't all that portable. Fortunately, it can form a wired connection via a built-in USB port, which offsets the fact that it's one of the few portable Bluetooth mechanical keyboards around. Before buying anything, we advise reading up on what kind of mechanical keyboard switch is best for you.

2. Bluetooth Keyboards Aren't Great for Gaming

If you prefer using a keyboard for gaming, wired ones are your best bet. Bluetooth keyboards are not good for gaming, regardless of whether you're a casual or competitive gamer. The primary reason for this is the relatively higher latency. Latency refers to the time it takes for the keyboard to register a keystroke on the screen.

The higher the latency, the more time it will take for your keystroke to be shown on the screen. Due to their higher latency, Bluetooth keyboards are more suited for casual office work where lightning-fast reactions are unnecessary. Gaming requires you to react as fast as possible, determining whether you win or lose a game.

Although you'll see lots of Bluetooth keyboards being advertised as gaming-focused, they can't rival wired ones when it comes to latency. So don't use a Bluetooth keyboard for gaming at all costs. Instead, ignore the manufacturers' marketing gimmick.

3. Standards Become Obsolete & Insecure

Unlike a wired connection, the Bluetooth wireless protocol rapidly changes over time, which would be fine, except that Bluetooth keyboards don't receive security updates as they age. As a result, what's considered secure today might be easily exploited tomorrow.

For example, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) published a best-practices guideline for Bluetooth usage, which notes that older Bluetooth standards that don't support the Low Energy extension are vulnerable—and that's pretty much all Bluetooth 3.x keyboards. In addition, there's a long list of potential security holes and Bluetooth security vulnerabilities, including Bluejacking and Bluebugging.

This issue is so important because many users type their passwords and logins into a keyboard. If that keyboard's text input gets sent to a malicious intermediary, you've given your logins and passwords to a criminal.

mechanical keyboard on a wooden desk

And that's why user-upgradeable firmware is a must on all wireless keyboards. A handful of such devices combine Bluetooth, user-upgradeable firmware, and mechanical switches.

A good example is the Razer Pro Type. It sports fully programmable keys, white LED backlit keys, multi-device pairing, and more. However, its retail price does make it a hard sell to almost anyone but the most diehard wireless keyboard enthusiasts.

4. No Bluetooth In the BIOS

What's a Basic Input Output (BIOS) environment? On PC and some Mac computers, users can enter a pre-OS boot environment and change basic variables, such as CPU frequency and other settings. Unfortunately, Bluetooth drivers are loaded by the operating system.

Without wired capabilities, a keyboard can't function in a BIOS environment. A handful of Bluetooth keyboards do possess the ability to work over a wired connection in a BIOS environment, but these are almost always expensive mechanical models. Only a few Bluetooth keyboards include both wireless Bluetooth and wired compatibility.

Related: The BIOS Explained: Boot Order, Video Memory, Saving, Resets & Optimum Defaults

One keyboard worth mentioning is the Keychron K4. Not only does it work in wired mode (via a USB Type-C port) for BIOS compatibility, but it also avoids the pitfalls of other wireless keyboards. In particular, it has user-upgradeable firmware, a compact 100-key layout, and—of course—works in the BIOS. Out of the box, it runs Bluetooth 5.1. Unfortunately, it's still around 1.5 inches thick.

Even so, it's the best combination of features available for a wireless, portable, mechanical keyboard. The Keychron K4 also offers hot-swappable keys and over 15 types of RGB backlighting to fit into different setup aesthetics. In addition, it features both native Mac and Windows keys, so no matter which operating system you use daily, it has your back. Plus, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

It also includes a monstrous 4000mAh battery, promising about 240 hours of battery life (which is great but don't expect to get the same in real-world use).

Why You Need Wired and Wireless Support in the Same Device

More or less, the Bluetooth standard is messy and fragmented. The same problem also plagues Linux, where 4.0 modules fail to function properly. Compared to a wired connection, Bluetooth suffers from substantial compatibility issues. That is why you should consider buying a keyboard that offers you the best of both worlds.

A wired keyboard gives you access to the BIOS, and a wireless one will only work outside that environment. But thanks to the proliferation of wired and wireless functionality in the same device, you no longer need to pick one or the other. The aforementioned Keychron K4 is a good example of a keyboard that packs both functionalities in one package at an accessible price point.

5. Bluetooth Has Pairing Issues

Corner of Macbook base with Bluetooth logo in the image centre.

This is Bluetooth's biggest problem, and a quick scan of customer reviews of Bluetooth keyboards shows countless complaints about compatibility issues. For example, there are many issues you could run into when connecting Bluetooth on Ubuntu. In the past, it was even worse. At some point, Ubuntu didn't work with Bluetooth 4.0 devices.

Windows 7 wasn't compatible with Bluetooth 4.0, which was one of the issues Microsoft fixed with the debut of Windows 8.1. Also, versions of Android older than 4.3 Jelly Bean won't support Bluetooth's Low Energy extension. While some Bluetooth pairing problems can be fixed, overall compatibility issues can spoil the main advantage offered by Bluetooth keyboards in the first place.

With any luck, we'll see some Wi-Fi Direct keyboards in the future. Wi-Fi Direct requires a Wi-Fi Direct compatible wireless card, but that's okay because most modern Android devices are compatible. The problem is that good Wi-Fi Direct keyboards are hard to find.

6. Bluetooth Keyboard Batteries Won't Last Forever

In fact, a Bluetooth keyboard's battery might not even last a few years. All Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries fail over time, and the more discharge-charge cycles it goes through, the faster its battery chemistry loses coherency. Furthermore, while a seldom-charged Li-ion battery can last a long time, most are not user-replaceable.

If it does fail, you've got to discard the entire keyboard unless you have soldering skills. Bluetooth keyboards with replaceable batteries do exist, but they're uncommon and few stand out. One exception is the Logitech K780.

Logitech's K780 wireless keyboard
Image Credit: Logitech

The K480 offers a solid combination of a slender form factor, multi-device compatibility, and replaceable AAA batteries. Unfortunately, it still suffers from the majority of issues plaguing Bluetooth keyboards—namely, that it doesn't have user-upgradeable firmware, it has mushy membrane key switches, and might not fit in your purse or satchel.

It's relatively heavy, weighing about 1.9 pounds. You still get compatibility issues, especially if you're using old software.

Should You Buy a Bluetooth Keyboard?

There's no perfect Bluetooth keyboard solution, so you've got to either compromise or not buy a keyboard. If your laptop keyboard stops working, for instance, you may need a Bluetooth keyboard after all. If you absolutely must buy a Bluetooth keyboard, we advise you to either go cheap or get the Keychron K4 100-key mechanical keyboard.

The Keychron K4 doesn't cost much, and it offers both USB (Type-C) and Bluetooth connectivity in a compact form factor. The Keychron K4 ranks among the best portable Bluetooth keyboards at its price point.

Unfortunately, its thickness may limit how you carry it around. For those looking for a slim keyboard for use with a smartphone or tablet, the Logitech K780 board ranks among the best out there.

If you don't need wireless capabilities, invest in a wired mechanical keyboard. If you need it for a mobile device, consider buying a USB On-the-Go (OTG) cable (make sure your device is compatible with OTG cables, although most Androids are). Finally, Bluetooth keyboards aren't good for gaming if you want a gaming keyboard due to their relatively higher input lag.