Best Raspberry Pi Keyboard in 2024

Our top pick is the Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard, not least because it comes from the folks at Raspberry Pi and, as such, is designed to pair perfectly with the Raspberry Pi. Aside from the official stamp of approval, the Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard is also an ergonomically designed 79-key keyboard shrunk down to a compact form factor that efficiently balances comfort and space-saving.

The white and red or black and grey color schemes look great and complement good construction. The keys are thin and responsive, conducive to a pleasant typing experience, as suited to those penning lengthy essays or coding late into the night on their Raspberry Pi, as the occasional short burst of typing when web browsing.

The Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard handily incorporates a three USB 2.0 Type-A port hub conveniently mounted on the front-facing part of the keyboard. The positioning is ideal for adding a mouse, external hard drive, or USB dongle without encroaching on precious desk space. And, of course, the hub serves as a USB pass-through, so you’re not sacrificing a precious on-Pi USB port to use the keyboard. On the contrary, the hub expands the USB offering from four to six ports.

The only genuine complaint is that the Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard is wired and features no Wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, making it only really suitable for a desktop Pi setup. That said, the provided USB Type-A to micro USB Type-B cable offers quick plug-and-play connectivity to both the Raspberry Pi and any standard computer or laptop, meaning the Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard can double as a multiple purpose keyboard.

More reminiscent of a game controller than a keyboard, the REIIE H9+ is designed for those that want wireless, in-hand control over their Raspberry Pi. The keyboard adopts a compact, ergonomic handheld design that conforms well to the natural contour on the hands.

2.4 GHz wireless connectivity allows for wire-free functionality thanks to an included mini receiver dongle that plugs directly into one of the Raspberry Pi’s USB ports. The dongle has a maximum range of 15 meters, which should be more than enough for most users, and can even be stored in a bracket on the keyboard itself when not in use.

In our experience, the wireless signal is strong and doesn’t suffer from interference. A built-in Li-ion battery offers roughly a week of average use on a single charge, and charge times are nippy to boot. The keyboard also includes a power conserving sleep mode that triggers after 3 minutes of inactivity.

The REIIE H9+ features a touch pad mounted on the center of the device that handles multi-finger controls. We found it reasonably responsive and well suited to navigating any of the Raspberry Pi compatible operating systems. Alongside, there’s even a pair of controller-style triggers that work as right/left click alternatives. You’ll also find a generous selection of media controls, including volume control, play/pause/forward/rewind, and a remote-control style d-pad. The keys also have back-light LEDs, which work great in darker environments.

While the REIIE H9+ sticks to the traditional keyboard layout, the spacing of the 73 keys is very tight, and the keys themselves are small compared to a typical keyboard. Their size isn’t necessarily an issue if the keyboard is used occasionally to navigate a Raspberry Pi rigged to operate a home theater setup or for light web browsing. But, for sustained typing, the cramped layout quickly becomes challenging to work with.

Measuring an ultra-compact 10″ x 3.8″, the Rii K12+ is our top pick for those looking for a portable, thin form factor Raspberry Pi keyboard.

Despite its diminutive size, the Rii K12+ includes a standard keyboard layout (minus the number pad and with the function keys incorporated into the top line number keys) and a touch pad with multi-finger functions (right-click, left-click, and scroll commands). The Rii K12+ features an aviation-grade aluminum back-plate for a solid in-hand feel while still being lightweight.

2.4 GHz wireless connectivity ensures a full cordless experience. The keyboard comes with a tiny USB dongle with its own on-keyboard storage slot and offers a generous operational range of 25 meters. The 450mAh Li-ion battery guarantees about a month’s use on a single charge. There’s also a power on/off switch on the keyboard, which can help save battery life, as does the auto sleep function.

A symptom of attempting to downsize a keyboard to such a small form factor, the key size and spacing make for a cramped layout. As a consequence, the typing experience weighs down what is otherwise a well-built and feature-full keyboard. For sofa use or the occasional trot through the internet, it’s perfect. We’d suggest one of the larger, more ergonomically-geared options like the Raspberry Pi Official Keyboard for serious Pi coding.

While technically a keyboard, the Vilros 2.4GHz Keyboard and Touchpad Hub is much more in that it is also a case for the Raspberry Pi, offering an all-in-one solution for those that want all the parts of their Pi setup in one convenient unit.

It’s fair to say that the Vilros 2.4GHz Keyboard and Touchpad Hub is a chunky device that’s reminiscent of the form factor of the Commodore 64 and, as such, isn’t the most compact solution out there. Nevertheless, the larger footprint is put to good use with a special compartment with a fan designed to house a Raspberry Pi, including all models dating back to the original Pi 1, a touch pad with dedicated right/left click buttons (menu, volume, mute, etc.), and six media keys.

Installation of the Pi is exceptionally straightforward and well-guided, thanks to clear and concise instructions. You can even store an HDMI cable within the unit to help with cable management.

The Vilros 2.4GHz Keyboard and Touchpad Hub isn’t without its oddities, though. Chiefly, it runs on a pair of AAA batteries (which aren’t included with the keyboard) housed in a hard-to-reach compartment that requires lifting out the Pi to access. Furthermore, while technically wireless, the keyboard still requires a USB dongle connected to one of the USB ports on the Raspberry Pi to function.

Our top pick for those looking to buy a Raspberry Pi keyboard on a tight budget is the Arteck Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard. You get what you pay for, but when it comes to stretching $15 to the limit, this keyboard certainly delivers everything you’d need to use a Raspberry Pi.

It has an ultra-slim and lightweights design and a standard layout (minus number pad and arrow keys) with function keys doubling as media keys. The keys are of the low profile variety and deliver a pleasant on-finger feel that’s responsive and comfortable. According to Arteck, they can handle up to 3 million key presses before petering out.

Bluetooth connectivity offers an operational range of 10 meters. The included two AAA batteries deliver roughly four months of daily use before they need replacing – one of the most energy-efficient keyboards in our list by a considerable margin. There’s even an auto-sleep mode to conserve even more battery. An in-built Li-ion battery would have been a welcome feature, but at this price point and given the battery life, this isn’t too much of a negative.

Arteck describes the Arteck Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard as having ‘silent’ keys. In practice, the keys are quite noisy, which, while not an issue for most, is something to be aware of if you’re looking for quiet operation.

At under $15, we can’t expect the best build quality for the Arteck Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard. It’s a cheap and cheerful option and has the construction to match. Don’t expect this one to survive multiple drops or to be still running years down the line.