Video summary

Logitech Alto Keys K98M Review: They did it!

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Logitech Alto Keys K98M — a productivity-focused, hot-swappable mechanical keyboard (98% layout) launching in the US after earlier availability in China.

Main features

  • Hot-swappable

    • Supports 3- or 5-pin switches
    • Compatible with custom switches, including silent switches

  • “Uni cushion” gasket design

    • Uses a gasket + large rubber element inside the case
    • Intended to reduce vibration and prevent a hollow sound

  • Case & build

    • Translucent glossy top with visible wavy gasket pattern underneath
    • Flexible but reported as creak-free (no weird creaking when flexed)
    • Includes rubber bumpers, a receiver storage slot, and adjustable feet
    • Foot angles: 5° to 9°

  • Keycaps

    • PBT keycaps (more durable than typical productivity Logitech boards that often use ABS)
    • Aimed to resist shine over time
    • Cylindrical/cylindrical-ish profile (the reviewer personally prefers more concave caps)
    • Shine-through legends with some unusual font choices (explained as manufacturing/structural necessity)

  • Layout

    • 98 keys with a full function row
    • Small zero key on the numpad
    • Navigation cluster above the numpad includes End, Page Up, Page Down
    • Home/Delete arrangement with non-customizable behavior

  • Backlighting

    • White-only backlight
    • 7 brightness levels, controlled via F4
    • Default auto-off after 30 seconds (adjustable in software from 5 seconds to 30 minutes)
    • Some legends (top/bottom letters) reportedly receive less light

  • Connectivity & power

    • No wired mode (no USB direct wired connection for use)
    • 3-device Bluetooth switching using F1–F3
    • Includes a Logibolt USB-A receiver, but it uses up one of the device slots because it relies on Bluetooth tech
    • Wireless uses Bluetooth polling capped at 125Hz
      • Reviewer reports no noticeable lag in testing
    • Battery life: up to 12 months with backlighting off (backlighting reduces that; not quantified)
    • USB-C port for charging while using wirelessly
    • Includes a 1m USB-A to USB-C cable

  • Software (Options Plus)

    • Required for customization; must be installed and running
    • Changes are not stored on the keyboard; they’re sent via software and saved in cloud
    • Allows behavior adjustment for 12 top-row keys (function row except device pairing + the 3 shaped buttons on the top right)

  • Switch behavior demo

    • Preinstalled switches (“marble switches”) described as crisp and consistent
    • Spacebar is the loudest and can sound hollow

Typing experience (pros/cons)

What’s good

  • Overall typing is better than expected for a Logitech productivity board
  • Uni cushion/gasket helps avoid an overall hollow feel/sound
  • Included linear switches feel smooth with light actuation, making long sessions easier

What’s not

  • Despite the gasket appearance, it does not feel very “soft/cushioned”
    • Flex exists, but the main benefit seems more about vibration control than true softness
  • Spacebar remains loud and hollow compared to the rest of the board

Silent switch results

  • Swapping a silent switch only into the spacebar reduces distracting sound significantly, but doesn’t fully fix it
    • Remaining issues include stabilizer/design imperfections
    • The spacebar can still bottom out loudly
  • Swapping full silent switches (example: Otmu Silent Peach V3) makes it a “stealth”/office-friendly board
    • Some spacebar imperfection remains

Customization & user experience notes

  • Delete/home/navigation usability conflict (major frustration)

    • Home/delete behavior requires a function key
    • Not customizable
    • Awkward reach from the function key (right side) to the navigation area

  • Function row omissions/choices

    • Media controls exist (F9–F12), but the reviewer notes no forward/back media buttons
    • Reviewer generally prefers forward/back media controls over other shortcuts (dictation, emojis, screen capture, mic mute)

Comparisons and alternatives mentioned (price + key differentiators)

Around $120 (with some discounts/codes):

  • Logitech MX Keys S: $10 more than K98M

  • Logitech MX Mechanical: $60 more MSRP (not hot-swappable)

  • Keychron K4 Max ($120)

    • Similar size; spherical keycap shape (reviewer likes this)
    • Switch choice
    • Wired connection
    • 10,000Hz polling
    • RGB backlighting
    • Web-based QMK customization (no app install)

  • Keychron V5 Max ($120)

    • Similar to K4 Max, adds a knob

  • Nuphy Halo 96 V2 ($140)

    • More “fun” RGB/exterior design
    • Silent switch option
    • Offers similar “incredible features” to Keychron
    • Costs $20 more, but code Cameron could save $10

Pros (unique points collected)

  • Logitech’s first hot-swappable keyboard aimed at productivity users
  • Supports 3/5-pin hot swap
  • PBT keycaps (durability, resist shine)
  • Uni cushion/gasket design reduces hollow feel and vibration
  • Stable Bluetooth/multi-device switching praised
  • Estimated 12-month battery with backlight off
  • Adjustable typing angle (5°–9°)
  • Supports silent switch experimentation for a quieter/office-friendly setup
  • Receiver storage slot included; switching via F1–F3
  • Options Plus allows mapping 12 keys (top row) and supports features like Logitech AI prompt building

Cons / deal-breakers (unique points collected)

  • Price feels high: $120
  • No wired connectivity option
  • Wireless polling capped at 125Hz (though no lag felt during testing)
  • Customization depends on Options Plus running; not stored onboard; uses cloud
  • Layout usability issues:
    • Small zero on the numpad
    • Home/delete requires function key; awkward reach; behavior not customizable
    • Media section lacks forward/back buttons
  • Spacebar can be loud and hollow, even with partial silent switch mods (stabilizer/design imperfections)
  • No keycap/switch puller included despite hot-swap (possible barrier for beginners)
  • Backlighting limitation: white-only, and some legends don’t shine through well

Verdict / recommendation

The reviewer frames the Logitech Alto Keys K98M as a good step forward: a reliable, stable Logitech multi-device productivity keyboard that’s hot-swappable and can become very office-friendly with silent switches.

However, it’s not the best value and has real usability and sound annoyances, especially around delete/navigation and the spacebar, plus no wired mode and software-dependent customization.

Overall recommendation:

  • Worth considering if you want a Logitech-stable, multi-device productivity board and like the idea of hot-swapping into silent switches.
  • Less ideal if you strongly want wired use, full onboard/offline customization, better spacebar/stabilizer tuning, or you dislike layouts with the reviewer’s navigation/delete conflicts.

Speaker views (identified roles)

  • Single primary reviewer (main speaker): Delivered the build/typing experience, usability criticisms, pricing context, and silent switch demo results, plus comparisons to Keychron, Nuphy, and Logitech’s lineup.

Original video