Best external keyboards for Android tablets 2024

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to find the best external keyboard for your Android tablet. Your Android tab is a great little consumption device that lets you take in streaming movies and play a few games. But tablets fall short of being true productivity machines due to one thing. Tablets need keyboards for good content creation.

After considering all the keyboards for Android tablets that are out there, we can confidently say that the Logitech K480 multi-device Bluetooth keyboard is the best out there. Between the price, convenience, and a great typing experience, you'll do well. Plus, if you have another use case in mind, there are plenty of other options to choose from.

At a glance

Best overall

Logitech is one of the big names in computer peripherals, mice, and keyboards included. So it's no wonder that a Logitech keyboard ended up being our favorite. The Logitech K480 keyboard combines a great typing experience with multiple connectivity options and portability for the best on-the-go experience. Your Android tablet wasn't designed to sit on a desk. It was designed as a mobile device and your keyboard should go along with it. But the keyboard experience doesn't have to stop at just your tablet.

With the rotating dial switch, the Logitech K480 keyboard can connect to any of three different devices which means you get the same keyboard on whatever device you want. Switch between your computer at home, your tablet on the go, and your laptop at work. Having the same keyboard everywhere will just make you that much more productive. Plus, Logitech's Flow technology allows you to pair up a compatible mouse and you can type, copy, paste, and move files between devices, which is pretty powerful.

It's a little on the small side, sacrificing size for portability, so it may not be an ideal desktop typing experience. For example, there is no number pad on the right. But for a tablet, this is the right size and you get a slot to hold your tablet upright. On top of that, the affordable accessory is spill-resistant too. The only thing that is missing is a rechargeable battery. The batteries are standard AAA batteries, so they're easy and cheap to replace and they last an estimated two years.

Best budget

The Anker Compact Wireless Keyboard is an absolute steal for the price, averaging at around $11 to $15 at most retailers. This charming bargain might not have a full keyboard with a number pad, but it can still connect to three devices simultaneously.

Aside from its delightfully low price tag, the Anker Compact Wireless Keyboard also comes with a really cool feature in the form of its built-in two-in-one stand. You can use the stand to raise the keyboard itself or prop up your tablet and another device like a phone if you want. Like most Bluetooth keyboards for Android tablets and phones, you can connect to three devices simultaneously and switch between them using keyboard shortcuts.

This also uses AAA batteries, so it's not rechargeable, but the batteries are easily replaced and available anywhere you can buy batteries.

Best multi-device

Logitech slays across the board when it comes to peripherals. The brand has something to offer for every kind of user. If you're the sort who likes to use one Bluetooth keyboard with everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, the Logitech K400 Plus is the most versatile keyboard you can buy.

Not only do you get Bluetooth connectivity with native support for Android and iOS, but you also get support for Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and smart TVs. This jack-of-all Bluetooth keyboard is a stellar investment across the board. Since it's powered by two AAA batteries, you can expect them to last around two years before they need replacement.

Best keyboard case

This is another Bluetooth keyboard from Logitech that supports Android, iOS, and Windows tablets. The Logitech Universal Folio is a universal keyboard case with Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity.

As long as your tablet is between 9 inches to 10 inches wide, it can easily fit the Logitech Universal Folio. Unfortunately, this makes it incompatible with larger tabs like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. The case protects your tablet when folded and it has a stand to prop your tab up, laptop style. It even includes a stylus holder so you can store your tab's S Pen or whatever stylus you're using in it.

For charging, the Logitech Universal Folio uses two CR2032 cells. These are easily replaceable but you won't have to worry about that for at least a year or two.

Best mechanical

The Keychron K2 is a cult classic when it comes to Bluetooth-enabled mechanical keyboards. Not only is it one of the top contenders when looking at the best mechanical keyboards for Android, but it is also a highly suitable choice for Chromebooks.

Keychron's K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Version 2) works with three devices at once, has swappable keys with various Gateron switch options, and supports Android, iOS, and Windows. You get USB-C charging, which is another plus point.

To top it all off, the Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Version 2) has RGB backlighting with more than 15 light modes to choose from. It's not the most portable or affordable Bluetooth keyboard for your tablet, but it sure is one of the most solid and fun ones out there.

Best foldable

If you're looking for the ultimate in portability, the Samsers Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard might be best for you. The name is a bit cringe, but the keyboard itself is solid. It has a metal casing with sturdy ABS plastic hinges that may emote a cheap feeling, but the keyboard itself is great. It's a tri-fold keyboard that gets nice and small when closed.

Thanks to the keyboard's Scissor Switch keys, it is designed to be quiet when typing and the quality of the keys is fabulous for the price. You can purchase various variants of the Samsers Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard, depending on your needs. This includes bright color options as well as Bluetooth 3.0 and newer Bluetooth 5.0 iterations of the foldable keyboard.

The Samsers Bluetooth Keyboard supports Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Our favorite feature after it's foldability is its USB-C charging port. That's right, you don't need to worry about getting triple A batteries for this keyboard, you can top it up with your own Android tablet's Type-C charger.

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What to look for in an external keyboard for Android

There is no shortage of great Android tablets out there. Maybe you just picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra which we called the best Android tablet money can buy. But finding a great typing experience to go along with it that's compact and portable can be a challenge. That's why we went with the Logitech K380 keyboard. It has a great typing experience, and is ultra-portable, and isn't limited to just your tablet.

At the core of your tablet experience is portability, which is why we mostly picked portable keyboards. If your situation differs, we have options for you too. A desktop experience can also be great on your Android tablet. But for a combination of all of those together, you can't go wrong with Logitech.