Best Alternatives to Apple's Magic Keyboard iMore 2019

Every iMac and iMac Pro comes with a specially designed, Apple-branded Magic Keyboard and you either love it or hate it. If you love the look of the Magic Keyboard but don't love the feel, or maybe you were hoping for a little more than what comes in the box, we've got a list of keyboards that have a very similar design but offer something a little different.

Easy multi-pairing: Logitech Easy-Switch K811

Staff pick

This little ditty is my personal favorite. It's a compact keyboard designed with Mac in mind that has plenty of useful additional features. It has the added benefit of being specially designed to control features on your iPhone or iPad, like navigating to the Home screen and audio playback controls. With one button, you can switch between three different devices.

$99 at Logitech

Comes with Numeric Keypad: Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad

If you love everything about the Magic Keyboard, but you really want a numerical pad, this model's nearly identical to the Magic Keyboard except that it has a 10-key number pad, a couple of additional function keys, and dedicated control keys. It's the perfect solution for Mac users that need more keyboard functionality.

From $112 at Amazon

Trackpad intact: Twelve South MagicBridge

If you already have a Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad and want to keep it in a tidy unit, the MagicBridge is the perfect setup for you. It's not a keyboard, but a case for your keyboard and trackpad. It fits both perfectly and you can switch the trackpad to either side. All ports and switches are exposed for convenient access.

$35 at Amazon

More color options: Matias Wireless Aluminum Keybaord

Matias' keyboard looks very similar to the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad and has a nice, comfortable slant for typing. You can also pair up to four different Bluetooth supported devices, including your Apple TV. You can get the standard Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard in space gray, gold, silver, and rose gold.

From $80 at Amazon

Solar charged: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

The K750 is a hugely popular alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard because it's a full-sized keyboard, complete with a very similar spacing pattern. Though it's called "solar," it actually charges up using any light, including a desk lamp in your hotel room.

$54 at Amazon

Budget friendly: Anker Ultra Slim keyboard

For a low-cost alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard, you'll be happy with Anker's universal Bluetooth keyboard. It uses the Magic Keyboard's scissor mechanism keys, so your typing experience will be very familiar. It doesn't come with a lot of bells and whistles, but for the price, it's the perfect alternative.

$22 at Amazon

Which one should you choose?

There are lots of third-party keyboards for Mac on the market. These are specifically for those of you that like the Magic Keyboard's design but are looking for something slightly different. My personal favorite is the Logitech K811. I love being able to quickly switch between my Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

However, if you just want something inexpensive that you can toss into your bag when you're on the go, then pick up an Anker Ultra Slim Keyboard. It's compact, just two thirds the size of a traditional keyboard. The battery will go six months between charges with typical use and takes only 2.5 hours to charge fully.

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