While you think of buying a wireless keyboard for your living room use (mostly connecting to your TV) in that case you will get two best options from highest selling keyboards from Logitech. There are two main Logitech wireless keyboard models being sold for living room use. I have shortlisted two of them Logitech k830 vs k400 both HTPC keyboards having fantastic touch pads with wireless connectivity for convenience and many features.
Question is that which of them you need to choose? since both of them looks the same but having different price point .. why there is price difference and which one to choose from?
Which HTPC keyboard I should buy?
In this post I will be comparing the k830 vs k400 models which are Home Theater Personal Computer keyboards – for specs and features versus value for money or precise which model you should choose from and why?
In general things which are compared are wireless connectivity options supported, battery type and battery life, design features and other must have features.
Main differences in between these two most selling keyboards are –
Design
Logitech K400 is one of the best keyboard showing minimalist design providing precise function with lowest possible thickness, low profile keys, noiseless typing. Good thing is to have a 3.5-inch built-in touch pad with large left and right click buttons for easy operation.
One of the issue with K400 is operation in dark, while you wish to operate the keyboard while lights in living room are switched off which is resolved in the K830 with the illuminated keyboard.
Also K830 features sharp keys which are brightly illuminated for comfortable reading in darkness, as soon as you want to operate the keyboard, with a press of key, illumination happens. (which gets switched off within 7 seconds in power saving mode)
Not only this but also the K830 features an ambient light sensor, which automatically detects light in room and tunes the brightness of keyboard backlight.
K830 also looks & feel rich with its soft feel, metal like finish and low profile keys.
Bluetooth connectivity (Duel)
Basically these both keyboards gets connected to your TV using the Unifying receiver which goes inside the USB port of TV.
However K400 only have unifying receiver compatibility and not Bluetooth, hence it can’t be connected to other Bluetooth compatible devices.
K830 features Dual connectivity through Bluetooth Smart technology or Logitech Unifying receiver, which means you are not restricted to use it with only the TV but also can connect it to many Bluetooth enabled devices at home.
For TV or Computer?
K400 = HTPC keyboard for PC connected TVs
K830 = HTPC keyboard for PC-to-TV control
Battery
The Logitech K440 comes with removable 2 AA batteries which lasts for over one year or upto 2 million keystrokes. Practically speaking this life is more than sufficient for home use.
The K830 features a rechargeable battery which will last upto 10 days in a single full charge. The charging can be done using standard micro-USB cable within 3 hours.
What are the added features in k830 compared to k400?
Following features are different than k400 and you can take a call if you wish to spend about double price to get them –
- Back light which automatically illuminates when typing starts, fantastic for those who wish to use keyboard in darkness. (Back light automatically shuts off after 7 seconds to conserve power)
- Ambient light sensor – Detects amount of light in the room and automatically brightens or dims the back-light.
- Duel connectivity – Bluetooth connectivity in addition to the unifying receiver.
- Rechargeable battery
What are the Common features in k830 compared to k400?
- Wireless range up to 33 feet
- Ability to store upright
- Logitech unifying receiver operating at 4 GHz
- Plug-and-play operation
- Windows 8 start key
- Media hot keys for : Play / Mute / Volume
- Four charm keys that give direct access to the following functions:
- Search / Devices / Share / Settings
Logitech k830 vs k400 specs and feature comparison
Logitech k830 |
Logitech k400 |
|
Offers – Discounts |
Best Buy k830 |
Best buy k400 |
| Dimensions | 4.93 x 14.45 x 0.65 Inches | 5.5 x 14 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 17.5 oz | 12.6 oz |
| Touchpad dimns | 3.5″ multi finger touch-pad | |
| Wireless Protocol | Logitech 2.4 GHz Wireless Technology | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth Smart | |
| Wireless range | 10 m (33 feet) | |
| Software Support (at release) | Logitech Options | |
| Supported Hardware (at release) | Logitech Unifying receiver | |
| Key life | up to 5 million keystrokes | |
| Typing noise | within 55 dBA for all keys | |
| Indicator Lights (LED) | Battery and connection status LED (green / red) | |
| Backlighting | Smart Illumination | No |
| Special Keys | Mute, Volume Down, Volume Up | |
| Connect / Power | On/Off Switch | |
| Battery Details | Rechargeable Li-Po Battery | 2 AA batteries |
| Battery Life (rechargeable) | 10 days (after three hours of recharge) |
1-year battery life |
| SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS | Windows® 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 or later Chrome OS™ USB port |
Windows® XP, Windows 7, Windows® Vista or Windows® 8 / Windows® 8 RT USB port |
| Cable Length (Power/Charging) | 51.18 inches | |
| PACKAGE CONTENTS | Illuminated Living-Room Keyboard | Wireless Touch Keyboard |
| Unifying receiver | Duel connectivity Unifying receiver or Bluetooth® Smart technology |
|
| USB Range Extender Cable (150 cm) | ||
| User documentation | ||
| USB Recharge Cable | 2 AA batteries (pre-installed) | |
| Warranty | 1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty | 3-year Limited hardware warranty |
Bottom line
Both K400 and K830 are best sellers in wireless keyboard range with multi-touch pad.
When it comes to the price point, K830 will cost almost double than K400 and hence it is important to really look into what features you want by spending almost double amount.
What I like in K400
- No hassle to recharge keyboard each week, the batteries last for 12 to 18 months (depending upon the use)
- Simple functional minimal design with noiseless keyboard
- Touch-pad with multi touch operation.
Best buy k400
What I like in K830
- Customizable – You can personalize the settings using Logitech Options software.
- Illuminated keyboard – best for using in darkness
- Auto back-light brightness control
- Duel connectivity – Unifying receiver or Bluetooth, providing you flexibility to get connected to Bluetooth smart ready devices.
- Ability to recharge
The K830 although costly looks high class to stay in living room, the metal-like finish with soft feel low profile keys makes is a luxurious model to use.
Best Buy k830
References for writing this post are taken from official website of Logitech
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/living-room-keyboard-k830
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r