With yesterday’s kids becoming the hottest demographic for marketers today, it’s no surprise that companies want to offer products specifically aimed at Gen Z ages 16-24. In one such attempt to capture the attention of a younger audience, Logitech is looking to cross the line between cool and cringe with the POP Wireless Mechanical Keyboard ($99.99). This compact and colorful wireless mechanical keyboard has some interesting and quirky features, but also a surprising lack of customization given its tech-savvy target audience. Perhaps more concerning: it’s hard to type on.

Smile like you mean it

The first thing you’ll notice about this new keyboard is how colorful it is. The Logitech POP mechanical keyboard is the flagship of Logitech’s Studio Series line, which includes the $40 POP mouse, also pictured above, which will be reviewed separately. (Both products are not available as a bundle.) The board is available in three different color options, each more vibrant than the last. Our review unit uses the Blast color scheme, a saturated yellow body with circular black and gray accents reminiscent of an old-school typewriter. Your other options include the cooler lilacs, blues, and whites of the Daydream color palette, or the softer reds and pinks of the Heartbreaker.

(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)

Whichever color you choose, you will be greeted with the same keyless design board. At 1.4 by 12.6 by 5.5 inches (HWD) and just 1.7 pounds, the POP keyboard is compact and lightweight, and the keys, which are rounded at the edges, are about the same size than the tip of your finger. Logitech is ditching the common Cherry MX switches found in most mechanical boards, in favor of TTC Brown switches.

In use, the TTC Brown switches perform just as well as their Cherry MX cousins, providing a satisfying click (although some might agree that they’re slightly louder than the Cherry MX Brown switches). There’s enough space between the keys to easily clean between them, although due to the shape of the keys not all my button presses blocked their landing. Fast typists should not apply.

(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)

Along the right side of the board you’ll find the power switch and below that a slight bump at the top of the area where the AAA battery is stored. This protrusion also gives the map a bit of tilt. All in all a very perky board that is sure to brighten up your desk.

The second selling point of the POP keyboard is a little harder to swallow. The board features five dedicated emoji buttons, meant to spice up your boring text with a quick smiley, crying face, or heart-eyed emoji. Four emoji keys are installed on the board, and four more are included in the box.

(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)

Admittedly, the use and meaning of an emoji has become more polarizing as times change. (Just ask anyone under 25 if they’ve ever used the crying emoji without irony.) So quick-access emojis could entertain some while taking up valuable keyboard space for others. As a passionate emoji avoiderI find myself leaning towards the latter category, instead wishing they were typical macro buttons (which they can be, with a few tweaks).

While the jury is out on whether the emoji buttons are actually useful or not, the POP keyboard has some solid features. For starters, the keyboard can use the included Logitech Bolt USB wireless dongle or Bluetooth to connect to your PC or other devices. You can sync the map with up to three devices at once, cycling through each one by pressing one of the first three function keys.

(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)

Additionally, the row of function keys controls volume, can instantly bring up the capture tool, control media playback, and even offers immediate voice dictation at the press of a button. All of these functions can be adjusted in the Logitech Options app.

Logitech options: not enough, well, options

As a hub used to control your Logitech POP keys, other features of the Logitech Options app are unfortunately limited. You can use it to adjust and remap only the emoji keys and the majority of function keys. (The first three are reserved for signal switching between devices.) You can also assign different emoji-key shortcuts to launch specific apps like WeChat instead of the emoji depicted on the keycap, but the customization stops there. .

For keyboard enthusiasts anxious to remap their keyboards, limiting themselves to function keys and emoji buttons can be a deal breaker. If that’s where your interest lies, you’re better off going with something like the Razer Pro Type Ultra, a general-purpose mechanical keyboard with tons of more premium features you’ve come to expect for high-end productivity. or game cards, including customization options. in abundance.

If you’re thinking about casual gaming, the POP keyboard works just fine, though its rounded keys, while aesthetically pleasing, aren’t reliable for fast-paced action games. You’re better off with a gaming keyboard like the Asus ROG Falchion Wireless Gaming Keyboard.

(Photo: Zackery Cuevas)

With a promised 36-month battery life on one set of AAA batteries, the POP keyboard delivers strong battery life, though we can’t help but wish the batteries were rechargeable.

Just a pretty smiling face

As a simple general-purpose keyboard, the POP Keyboard works pretty well overall for emoji-conscious people (not fast typists). It will appeal to casual computer users, students looking to spruce up their workstation, and energetic social media junkies. The colorful and compact board is easy on the eyes and will impress… at least, at first.

But once you start diving deeper you will see how limited the board is. If you’re looking for a keyless mechanical keyboard for under $100, you might want to try the entry-level Drop ENTR mechanical keyboard. If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Razer Pro Type Ultra offers both better aesthetics and increased functionality. Otherwise, with POP, know what you’re getting if you go: buy it for the looks, and stay for the smileys.