Key Points
- Bluetooth keyboards suffer from latency or lag, making them unsuitable for gaming and potentially slowing down productivity.
- Frequent battery drain can interrupt work and require constant recharging, while limited functionality arises from signal congestion and non-serviceable batteries.
- Compatibility issues and obsolescence due to technological advancements can render Bluetooth keyboards outdated and unusable.
- Potential security threats from hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in Bluetooth technology can compromise user privacy and data.
A Bluetooth keyboard connects to a parent device wirelessly using Bluetooth protocol. You can use a keyboard with portable devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, or ultrabooks. It is part of the two wireless keyboard types, with its counterpart being the RF keyboard that connects with devices using a USB receiver. Bluetooth keyboards are a game-changer as they do not require plug-ins in USB dongles. Unfortunately, some circumstances will warrant you to avoid a new Bluetooth keyboard today.
Wireless keyboards are highly advantageous as they help declutter your desk. Also, some models do not produce the tap sounds associated with standard keyboards. As a result, you can type quietly and fast on your laptop, phone, or tablet. At the same time, you can invest in an inexpensive and versatile keyboard for an enjoyable typing experience. We came across Bluetooth keyboards that pair with up to three devices, have long battery lives, and are light on your lap or carrier bag.
Yet, there are good reasons to avoid buying a new Bluetooth keyboard. Let’s consider the following six:
- Keyboard lag
- Frequent battery recharge
- Limited functionality
- Compatibility issues
- Obsolescence due to technological advancement
- Potential security threats from hackers
Keyboard Lag
Bluetooth keyboards are not ideal for gaming due to high latency or keyboard lag. What does this mean? Latency is the duration or delays between pressing a keyboard button and when your computer receives it. Gaming is a fast activity, and your speed determines success. Glitches make you lose or fail to maximize your gaming experience. Of course, gaming-grade wireless keyboards exist, and these have lower latency than the ordinary type. But let’s remind you, gaming-grade keyboards have poor battery life.
On the other hand, it is frustrating to experience keyboard delays when working. You could be on a tight schedule, and your boss does not take delays lightly. Even worse, you achieve less productivity each time a Bluetooth keyboard lags.
For instance, if you’re using Windows 11, you might need to update drivers or reinstall them again. Manual updates take time, while automatic updates require downloading and installing correcting software. Another annoying thing is slapping the keyboard or pressing the spacebar repeatedly to re-awake the device. These activities will stress you for nothing. The trouble is, you might have to repeat them each time you use the keyboard. The solution is to avoid a new Bluetooth keyboard today.
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Frequent Battery Drain
Bluetooth keyboards run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that aren’t supposed to drain fast. LED backlights, keyboard polling rate, and high data-transfer rates during gaming are all aspects that will drain your battery. An illuminated keyboard enhances the user experience and helps if you’re working in a dark place. Unfortunately, the LED illumination kills your battery life dramatically.
On the other hand, Bluetooth technology is such that the more devices you pair, the busier it gets. Your cellphone provides an excellent demonstration of the battery drain. When you go to an area with limited cellular network connectivity, it overworks to locate a tower with a signal. The constant pinging for a signal tower drains the phone’s battery.
Using the same concept on a Bluetooth keyboard, if paired correctly with another device, it works perfectly. However, multiple devices make the keyboard lose contact and have to search constantly. Moreover, intermittent connection and disconnection while seeking a Bluetooth signal are other causes of battery power loss.
Stopping what you’re doing to recharge your keyboard isn’t nice. Imagine jumping up in a panic to search for the charging cable. Wired keyboards do not subject you to such frustrations. Once you plug it in, that is the end of the story.
Limited Functionality
Here’s another reason to avoid a new Bluetooth keyboard today. Tiny built-in radio transmitters on wireless keyboards need battery power to remain functional. We covered battery drain on Bluetooth keyboards earlier. The device is useless if your keyboard’s battery is low or completely dead.
Moreover, radio congestion affects a Bluetooth keyboard’s functionality. Bluetooth loses its efficiency when using your keyboard in an office alongside other wireless keyboards, Wi-Fi signals, and Bluetooth earpieces. Signal congestion in such environments prevents the keyboard from communicating with its paired device.
Rechargeable Bluetooth keyboards remain functional for as long as the battery is intact. Normally, these high-end models allow recharge while still in use or for later utilization. Since you don’t need to buy batteries, you could comfort yourself that it is a plus. We couldn’t agree more. However, there’s a huge minus at the end. You cannot service built-in rechargeable batteries. You can only replace the built-in batteries if you’re an expert and have the right tools, but doing so may also void your warranty.
Unfortunately, lithium-ion batteries have a relatively short lifespan. The more you charge them, the more they lose their capacity to charge. Once they’re kaput, you have no option but to find a new keyboard.
Compatibility Issues
Compatibility is one of the shortcomings of Bluetooth technology. For example, Bluetooth 4.0 could not connect to Ubuntu, as with Windows 7 and older Android versions. Fortunately, these problems were later fixed, but connectivity on Bluetooth is sometimes annoying and inconvenient. In addition, as one of the dedicated Bluetooth devices, you must put your wireless keyboard into pairing mode.
Whether you are pairing with a computer, tablet, or phone, the first thing you do is turn on Bluetooth. You then ensure that the devices are close together. You often connect devices to other devices and can only connect via Bluetooth if you first disrupt the initial connection. If the connection worsens, you must locate the troublesome device, disconnect and reset it.
Every Bluetooth keyboard has a reset mechanism. Some feature a dedicated switch you turn on or off, while others require you to press some keys together. Your keyboard’s manual shows the steps to reset. Do you see where this is heading? It all points to compatibility issues. So we’re justified in asking you to consider avoiding a new Bluetooth keyboard today.
Obsolescence Due to Technological Advancement
Unlike their traditional counterparts, typical Bluetooth keyboards do not last. The former can withstand over 80 million keystrokes translating to decades of continued use. As Bluetooth technology evolves, so do its protocols. Bluetooth keyboards are incapable of receiving security updates, as happens with other electronic devices. Once new updates emerge or Bluetooth technology goes a notch higher, you are left with an outdated device.
Even worse, when your Bluetooth keyboard stops holding a charge, the only option is to throw it away. The device ends up in a landfill as electronic waste. The only exception is with keyboards that use regular batteries. Conversely, wired keyboards remain in use for decades. A 10-year-old mechanical keyboard is still good enough today as it was when it came from the manufacturer’s warehouse.
Potential Security Threats From Hackers
Bluetooth keyboards are prone to attacks from hackers that capitalize on vulnerabilities in the technology. Take it from us that wireless keyboards are among the safest devices. However, the conditions you’re working under and unknown flaws in another device could expose you.
Examples of these attacks include:
- Bluejacking: An attacker hacks into your phone and uses it to send messages to other devices within your range.
- Bluesnarfing: In this attack, someone steals the information you’ve stored in your phone. The attacker could target your phone book, videos, text messages, and emails.
- Bluebugging: A hacker gains total control of your device, including listening to your calls and accessing data.
Researchers in 2016 discovered flaws in keyboards and mice that hackers use to inject keystrokes. They nicknamed these attacks Keysniffer. How it works is that hackers use radio devices to intercept up to eight computer and wireless keyboard connections from a distance of 250 meters.
What is most horrifying is that the attackers can type keystrokes on your machine and record your typing content. This vulnerability makes Bluetooth keyboards highly vulnerable since they have no encryption. Keysniffer exploits keyboards from Toshiba, General Electric, Insignia, HP, EagleTec, Kensington, and Anker. Isn’t this a shocking reason to avoid a new Bluetooth keyboard today?
Best Alternatives to a New Bluetooth Keyboard Today
To compensate you for the avoidance of Bluetooth keyboards, here are three alternatives:
- Wireless USB keyboards
- Wired keyboards
- Projection keyboards
Wireless USB Keyboards
If you’re still into wireless keyboards and want nothing to do with Bluetooth, choose one that connects via a USB receiver. It has a wireless dongle that attaches to a USB port. Once activated, the keyboard connects to your laptop as long as it is within its line of sight. Besides, wireless USB keyboards do not have lag time, as is the case with their Bluetooth cousins. Additionally, USB wireless connection is always reliable.
- 2.4 GHz wireless connection
- Spill-resistant design
- Provides quiet typing
Wired Keyboards
Perhaps you don’t need an introduction to wired keyboards, but we shall do it anyway. Wired keyboards connect to a computer, laptop, or tablet via a wire. The cable’s end has a USB plug that connects to the other device’s USB port. These are one of the most reliable keyboards; they don’t depend on battery power to remain functional. But they also have a few setbacks. For example, wired keyboards limit the distance between the two connected devices, plus the cable clutters your desk. Regardless, you can trade in the setbacks for a load of benefits.
- US layout (QWERTY)
- 4 function keys
- Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10
Projection Keyboards
A projection keyboard projects a virtual image of a real keyboard on a surface. Once you touch the key in that image, it translates into a keystroke on your device. Projection keyboards look cool and are portable. Different models have exciting features like a QWERTY keyboard and a smart standby that keeps your phone connected even when someone calls. Innovative designs ensure that you don’t press the wrong keys. Moreover, laser keyboards support Android, iOS, and Windows operating systems.
- Virtual laser keyboard and mouse save space
- Compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows
- Use with laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones
- Bluetooth connectivity
Conclusion
Bluetooth keyboards and mice are more convenient than wired keyboards. However, the convenience comes with numerous downsides. Bluetooth keyboards suffer from latency or lag, which could slow you down. Their battery drains fast, and you must recharge the device. Besides, Lithium-ion batteries are short-lasting too.
Limited functionality is another minus point propagated by signal congestion and non-serviceability of the rechargeable models. Bluetooth technology can frustrate you when you need it most. Sometimes the device does not pair properly, forcing you to run through several annoying protocols. Lastly, Bluetooth keyboards have a short lifespan due to the technology’s dynamic nature. Having discussed the above reasons to avoid a new Bluetooth keyboard today, you now have information to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
- Logitech MK345 Wireless Combo
- 2.4 GHz wireless connection
- Spill-resistant design
- Provides quiet typing
- Amazon Basics Low-Profile Wired
- US layout (QWERTY)
- 4 function keys
- Compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10
- AGS Laser Projection Bluetooth Virtual Keyboard & Mouse for iPhone, Ipad, Smartphone and Tablets
- Virtual laser keyboard and mouse save space
- Compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows
- Use with laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones
- Bluetooth connectivity
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Summary Table
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Lag | High latency or keyboard lag, not ideal for gaming or fast typing |
| Frequent Battery Drain | LED backlights, multiple device pairing, and signal searching drain battery life |
| Limited Functionality | Low battery, radio congestion, and non-serviceable built-in batteries limit usability |
| Compatibility Issues | Bluetooth technology sometimes causes annoying and inconvenient connectivity problems |
| Obsolescence Due to Technological Advancement | Bluetooth keyboards become outdated as technology evolves and cannot receive security updates |
| Potential Security Threats From Hackers | Bluetooth keyboards are vulnerable to attacks such as Keysniffer, which exploit unencrypted connections |
