This keyboard is powered by both Solar and Artificial Lights – Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ Wireless Keyboard K980 Review

The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is a full-sized wireless keyboard that promises to keep itself charged through solar and artificial light. It sounds almost too good to be true – a keyboard that never needs charging cables or battery replacements even when you are using it far from the touch of sun light. After testing it for two weeks in various lighting conditions, I can confirm the solar charging technology works better than expected.

The headline feature here is Logi LightCharge technology, which combines a light-absorbent strip with a durable battery that can last up to 10 years. The system is designed to capture both solar and artificial light, storing enough power to keep the keyboard running for up to four months in complete darkness.

Through the Logi Options+ app, you can check whether your current lighting conditions are sufficient to charge the keyboard. Here’s where things get interesting – during my two-week testing period, the app consistently indicated there wasn’t enough light in my room to charge the keyboard. My desk sits quite far from the windows, so direct sunlight rarely reaches it.

Surprisingly though, the battery has remained at 100% even with full-time work use, primarily coding throughout the day. This suggests the keyboard is still capturing some ambient light, even if the app doesn’t register it as “sufficient” for charging. The efficiency is impressive – the keyboard sips power so conservatively that even minimal light exposure keeps it topped up.

For those working in dimly-lit environments, the worst-case scenario is exposing the keyboard to direct sunlight once every few months to fully recharge the battery. In reality, you might never need to do this if there’s any ambient lighting in your workspace. Using the keyboard at night with artificial lights on? You’ll still get some charge, which is a clever advantage over purely solar-powered devices.

Build Quality and Design

The Signature Slim Solar+ K980 features sturdy construction with a full-sized layout including a number pad. The build feels solid and premium. There’s no flex or creaking when typing, and the keyboard has enough weight to stay planted on your desk without sliding around. The full-sized layout provides excellent spacing between keys, making it comfortable to type on with minimal adjustment period.

The trade-off for a full-sized keyboard is desk space. If you’re working with a compact setup or prefer minimalist desks, the K980 will take up considerable real estate. For those who need the number pad for data entry or prefer traditional keyboard layouts, the size is perfectly justified.

Typing Experience

The key switches feel bouncy and responsive, providing satisfying tactile feedback during extended typing sessions. They’re quiet enough for office environments without being completely silent. The laptop-style typing feel makes the transition from a notebook keyboard seamless, which is particularly useful if you switch between a laptop and desktop setup regularly.

I can get 107 WPM when I tested it with typingtest.com on a Medium text.

They don’t quite match the exceptional typing experience of the Logitech Wave Keys, which remains my favourite keyboard for work. The keys are bit stiffer and of course, you lose the ergonomic design as well. The K980 is still comfortable to type on, but if you prioritise typing feel and experience above batteries changing, definitely consider the Wave Keys instead.

One significant limitation is the absence of backlighting. There’s no illumination on the keys whatsoever, which makes typing in dark rooms challenging. If you’re a touch typist who never looks at the keyboard, this won’t matter. For everyone else, you’ll need adequate ambient lighting to see what you’re typing.

Multi-Device Connectivity and Smart Features

The K980 supports Easy-Switch functionality, allowing you to connect up to three devices simultaneously and switch between them with dedicated buttons. The 10-metre wireless range via Bluetooth Low Energy provides reliable connectivity across your workspace.

The keyboard is compatible with Logitech Flow technology if you’re using a compatible mouse, enabling seamless text, image, and file transfers between computers. This works across different operating systems too, so you can move between Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS devices without friction.

The customisable AI launch key is okay – because everything needs to have an AI these days, right? Out of the box, it opens Microsoft Copilot in Windows or Gemini for ChromeOS, but you can customise it to launch any application you choose through the Logi Options+ app. The app also lets you assign shortcuts to keys, create Smart Actions for repetitive tasks, and personalise the keyboard’s behaviour to suit your workflow.

The Logi Options+ software provides comprehensive customisation options for the K980. You can reassign keys, set up Smart Actions to automate tasks, and monitor the keyboard’s charging status. The app works on Windows and macOS, though it’s currently not supported on ChromeOS, Linux, iPadOS, iOS, or Android OS. Basic keyboard functions work without the apps so you don’t really need to install the app if you don’t want to.

The Smart Actions feature is particularly useful for automating repetitive workflows. You can set up a single keystroke to open multiple work applications or switch between different app sets.

Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 Review Conclusion

The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 delivers on its promise of hassle-free charging and I’ve never heard a device that can be charged with artificial lights. The keyboard maintains its charge even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, demonstrating impressive power efficiency. The ability to recharge using artificial light means you’ll likely never need to worry about the battery dying or having to buy batteries ever again. It’s pure awesomeness.

The build quality is solid, the full-sized layout is comfortable for extended typing sessions, and the multi-device connectivity works flawlessly. The Logi Options+ app provides useful customisation options that improve productivity for power users.

For users seeking a reliable, maintenance-free wireless keyboard with excellent battery life and multi-device support, the Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is an easy recommendation. The solar charging technology works better than expected, and the sustainability credentials add long-term value.

The keyboard retails for A$179.95 and is available now at retailers around Australia. Also at Amazon.

Disclosure: Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 review sample was supplied for reviewing