The 10 best Bluetooth keyboards for your Apple TV:
Last month we
discovered the latest Apple TV beta has a new Bluetooth menu that allows users to pair a wireless keyboard to second and third-gen Apple TVs. With
Apple’s release of iOS 6.1 to the public today and
an update to Apple TV, you’ll probably be in the market for the right Bluetooth keyboard to occupy a spot next to your already crowded table full of remotes. Below we have put together a few of our favorite compact options that will pair perfectly with your Apple TV.
Compact, handheld keyboards:
HiPPiH Pro ultra-foldable keyboard: Apple sells a
HiPPiH foldable wireless keyboard on the Apple Online Store for $60. An identical looking model sells
on Amazon for $50 and appears to be one of the better compact, foldable keyboards available with strong reviews. Like the iPad keyboards below, you should have no issues pairing with your iPhone and iPad when not using with your Apple TV, and the small, TV controller-like dimensions (12.5″ L x 4″ W x 0.39″ D, 14.4 ounces) should fit in with your table full of remotes. It requires two AAA batteries.
Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard: Another compact keyboard that should be right at home with your TV remotes is this thumb-operated, palm-sized mini keyboard from Logitech. It packs in orange and green backlight options, had a directional pad and touchpad, and measures in at just 2.9 x 8.6 x 8.6 inches and 5.9 ounces. A USB port will let you charge its built-in 950 mAH Li-ion batteries for
30 days battery life. The diNovo Mini sells on Amazon for $80.
Amazon has a few cheaper options available that have positive reviews including
this $5 mini Bluetooth keyboard, and
another foldable, backlit keyboard for $30.
Full-sized keyboards:
Logitech Easy-Switch Keyboard: If you want a truly full-sized keyboard, Logitech makes one of our go-to options with the backlit, easy-switch keyboard that lets you quickly switch between three bluetooth devices such as an iOS device, Mac and, in this case, your Apple TV. It’s
available for $99 from Logitech.
iPad keyboards: If you’re going to get a keyboard larger than the handheld options above, iPad keyboards will do double duty as a lightweight, compact keyboard for your Apple TV. Here are a few of our favorites:
Cygnett KeyPad: Cygnett, a company that makes several iPhone and iPad accessories we’ve enjoyed, has another great option with the high quality but lightweight Cygnett Keypad pictured above in the middle.
ZaggKeys PROplus: One of the highest-quality iPad keyboards on the market that we’ve had the pleasure of using is the PROplus from Zagg ($125). It comes with a case for your iPad that will keep the keyboard magnetically attached, but the keyboard by itself provides one of the nicer, iPad-sized keyboards on the market.
Zagg also sells its FLEX standalone keyboard for tablets
as low as $53 on Amazon.
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover: Zagg’s biggest competition with the PROplus is this ultra thin keyboard from Logitech. It too comes with a cover for iPad that will attach magnetically to the keyboard, which also means it will easily detach to allow you to use the keyboard standalone with your Apple TV. It also sells for slightly less than Zagg’s PROplus
at $80 on Amazon.
Solar: Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard: Another great option and one of our favorite keyboards is Logitech solar products. Sitting in your living room, you should be able to keep a charge for months without ever having to worry, and Logitech sells two sizes:
a smaller, compact version for $65, and a
full-sized version that sells on Amazon for $60.
Apple Bluetooth keyboard: Of course Apple’s own Bluetooth keyboard is always an option and a keyboard that many of us at 9to5 use on a daily basis. It doesn’t have USB charging or illuminated keys, but it’s competitively priced with the keyboards above and will get the job done
for $69 on Amazon.