Logitech K840 Review

Logitech is very well-known around the world for making quality peripheral computer devices. Everything from computer mice, different types of microphones, and headphones are all a part of their line-up for business and gaming computers. But where they shine the most is in their production of keyboards, which range the full gamut of uses.

Today, we will look at the Logitech K840 and discuss what it is best suited for, its construction, and what we like and don’t like about it.

So, let’s find out if the K840 is the right keyboard for you…

Logitech K840 Review: Overview

The Logitech K840 is your standard 104 key qwerty keyboard. It is meant for the typist who enjoys the sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard. But it does not have any of the pageantry that comes with gaming keyboards. Underneath the keycaps, you will find Logitech’s patented Romer G switches, which we will go into detail about later, that are usually found in their gaming keyboards.

Not just for the office worker, the keyboard also has some functions that are useful to gamers. Most notable and useful for everyone is NKRO, which will be explained further on. Then there are programmable function keys and a Window key lock.

The Design

The keys sit high on top of a solid anodized aluminum backplate that is laid over the plastic body of the board. It not only gives the keyboard a professional look but also adds strength to the body. The board is quite slim at just over an inch and lies fairly flat on a desk. Underneath the board are five sectioned non-slick pads that completely cover the bottom and do their job very well.

You have to give the board a decent push for it to move. You will also find legs under the board to provide a lift to the back for better ergonomics. Strangely, these flip out towards the sides and not the back of the board.

You should know…

The keycaps are a bit of a disappointment but shouldn’t really stop you from purchasing this keyboard. They are large and made of ABS plastic with non-laser etched markings, so over time, the symbols will rub off long before the switches wear out, leaving you with a worn-looking and probably unusable keyboard.

You may notice a bit of a scratchy sound while you are typing; this is caused by the keycaps rubbing up against each other. It really isn’t as bad as it sounds in writing and will probably only be irritating to the pickiest of people.

About The Switches…

Logitech uses their own Romer G switch (rated at 70 million strokes) in most of its gaming keyboards and has decided to use them in the K840. The switches are not like the industry standards of Cherry MX blue, red, or brown for mechanical keyboards, where brown is the quietest. They lie somewhere between Cherry MX red and brown, and this is due to the use of a spring which gives a dampening effect.

In the K840, the switches are set at 45g of pressure with a shallow actuation distance of 1.5mm before dropping out. This means that you don’t need to tap the keys very hard for them to register. The space bar, along with other less often used keys, requires a bit more pressure to actuate. This, along with N-key rollover, saves on errors.

What is NKRO?

Another outstanding unseen feature of the Logitech K840 is the addition of N-key rollover. This is incredibly helpful in preventing errors for people who type quickly or tend to roll their fingers.

Using a non-NKRO keyboard, the computer is what registers the keycaps being pressed. If you type too quickly or accidentally partially press two or more keys at a time, the computer can and most likely will make an error or create a ghost letter.

As fast as you want… 

Key rollover is a system in the keyboard that registers the order in which the keys are pressed, and the computer reads from that list. It truly allows you to type as fast as you possibly can.

NKRO was most likely developed for gaming and is now being used for typists’ keyboards. That is why you will see labels of different numbers or the use of the word “full” in front of KRO. The K840 is 26KRO, meaning that all of the alphabetical keys register on the keyboard and are then read by the computer.

How it sounds…

Mechanical keyboards make noise, and referring back to the Cherry MX switches, blues are very loud and “clacky,” reds are a bit less, and browns would be the quietest. As stated, the Romer G switch falls somewhere between the red and brown Cherry MX switches, so it does make some noise. The “clack” isn’t too bad and may sound quite pleasing to some, but the space bar is atrocious.

Granted that most space bars have a bit of a different sound due to their length. However, on the K840, who knows what happened? The space bar has a sound that is completely separate from the other keys and screams out every time you hit it. The sound of the keys can be dampened if you are willing to take the time to add bushings. But, we are not sure it would help too much on the space bar.

Specs, Pros, and Cons Of Logitech K840

Specifications

Looking For Some More Superb Keyboard Options?

Then check out our Best Ergonomic Keyboards Reviews, our Best Quiet Mechanical Keyboard Reviews, our Best Expensive Gaming Keyboards Review, our Best Membrane Keyboards Review, our SteelSeries Apex Pro Review, our Logitech G Pro Keyboard Review, and our review of the Best 60 Mechanical Keyboards on the market in 2023.

And we know you won’t want to miss our Steam Controller Review, our Best Rudder Pedals Review, and our review of the Best Computer Speakers you can buy.

Logitech K840 Review – Is It Worth It?

Mechanical keyboards tend to be more pricey than other types of boards. In fact, they can be astronomically expensive. However, the Logitech K840 is a basic keyboard. Although it does come with two outstanding features and a bit of makeup to make it look good. It isn’t flashy in any sense of the word, and it has a couple of minor flaws that, for the most part, can be overlooked.

We would give this keyboard some serious consideration as it is a bit of an all-rounder. This makes it great for the office and good for gaming, and it comes in at a very reasonable price.

Happy keying!