Logitech POP Combo Wireless review - Fancy mouse with an emoji keyboard

The studio series of Logitech now has a successor: the POP Keys Wireless mechanical keyboard, as well as the POP mouse. You can now purchase both in the colors 'heartbreaker', 'blast' and 'daydream'.

While the mouse is very lightweight, the weight of the compact keyboard is surprising. The latter has definitely not been produced for mobile use and while this is the case for the mouse, there is no possibility to connect it to the Bolt receiver.

Both products can benefit from the Bolt standard, as long as the provided dongle is being used. Logi Bolt has the advantage of being safer than conventional Bluetooth connections and it is less prone to interference from other participants in the 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi network. This enables a radio contact with incredibly low latency and without interruptions.

The Logitech POP Keys gives a high quality impression. It stands on rubber feet to prevent sliding. The workmanship is aesthetically pleasing, merely the clearance at the rounded-off corners is not completely even. The keys are made of smooth plastic and their labeling consists of a slightly roughened print. An LED informs about the charging status of the batteries, when the keyboard is in use. Another one is integrated into the shift key. On top of that, the keys for the choice of device each have an LED that offers information about the pairing state and the choice of the connected gadgets.

The emoji keys on the right side of the Logitech POP Keys make for another special feature. You can accommodate up to five emojis here, although the lowest key is assigned to the emoji menu. Via the Software Logitech Options, you can adapt the mapping of the keys to your own desire. That includes, among others, different navigation or productivity functions, the navigation to a predefined website or commands for multimedia control. It is powered by two AAA batteries hidden underneath a flap at the bottom. The USB dongle can also be stashed away here.

The mechanical moniker is not cosmetic. Inputs are very reminiscent of a mechanical typewriter. Loud key strokes and a long travel (about 4.3 mm/~0.2 in) reinforce that impression and convey a nostalgic feeling of writing. Fans of mechanical keyboards will surely be impressed. The actuation point is not clearly defined and inputs are being recognized long before the key has been pushed down all the way.

The Logitech POP mouse is pretty small, which makes it somewhat uncomfortable for big hands. It is suitable for left- and right-handed people. The wheel of the mouse makes fast scrolling possible, it doesn't work as quickly and smoothly as with the M650, though. The clicking sounds are really quiet and barely audible. The cover is magnetically locked and can easily be removed. Underneath, there is an AA-battery that can be switched without much effort. Furthermore, the POP mouse can be connected to up to three devices simultaneously, which can be switched between at the push of a button. While the gliding properties are good, the mouse is not suitable for use on glass.

Both the Logitech POP mouse and the POP Keys can be connected to computers and Macs via the Bolt dongle. Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth LE, which makes it possible to connect to all other common operating systems.

Thanks to the option of switching between up to three devices with the push of a button, a single mouse and keyboard can be used with, for example, a computer, tablet and laptop. Therefore, the mouse as well as the keyboard can be used separately.

The keyboard and the mouse both have an emoji key that is assigned to the emoji menu, although it is also possible to assign it to various other commands. Logitech has promised a battery life of one to two years, for the POP Keys it's three years and the keys are rated for up to 50 million strokes.

Both of those peripherals are currently available directly from Logitech, but they can also be purchased via other distributors such as Amazon. They can be purchased separately or as a set, but for now, there is no pricing advantage for getting the combo. It should also be taken into consideration that the Bolt receiver is only included in the keyboard.