The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 introduces itself as a remarkable entry into the world of office keyboards, boasting an extraordinary feature: a built-in solar panel. This innovative design, coupled with an internal battery, grants the keyboard unprecedented longevity, freeing users from the constant worry of charging.
Rated an impressive 9 out of 10, this keyboard truly can last almost indefinitely without external power. While perpetual battery life might seem like a luxury, its practical benefits are surprisingly substantial. This smart, user-friendly keyboard delivers excellent value.
Pros:
- Never needs charging
- Solar panel functions effectively even in low light
- Sleek and intelligent design
- Supports multiple devices seamlessly
- Offers a comfortable and responsive typing experience
Cons:
- Lacks backlighting for keys
- Key legends are screen-printed, potentially prone to wear
- No dedicated gaming features
- Connectivity is Bluetooth-only, without a low-latency option
Years-long battery life isn’t typically the top priority for those seeking a high-performance gaming keyboard. However, for many users, this feature proves to be incredibly valuable. To evaluate this claim, we rigorously tested Logitech’s latest offering over several weeks. While this timeframe isn’t sufficient to exhaust its longevity, Logitech’s accompanying software allowed us to monitor the solar panel’s efficiency in real-time, observing how it consistently kept the internal battery charged.
Specifications
| Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 | |
| Dimensions (mm) | 430 x 141 x 16 (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 707g |
| Format | Full-size |
| Connection | 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth |
| Switch type | Scissor |
| Switch life | Not stated |
| Backlighting | No |
| Extras | USB-C wireless dongle |
Design and Features
The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 continues the aesthetic lineage of Logitech’s acclaimed MX Keys series. It features a minimalist gray color scheme, a remarkably slim profile, and gently rounded corners. The solar panel integrated along the top edge adds a functional touch that only slightly alters its elegant appearance. Overall, it’s a sophisticated keyboard that looks equally at home in a lavish, minimalist office or alongside a high-end gaming PC, although its understated design might be a touch too simple for a flashy, RGB-laden gaming setup.
Speaking of RGB, this brings us to a notable absence: backlighting for the keys. This is the primary functional difference between this keyboard and the MX Keys lineup, aside from the solar panel. In well-lit conditions, this doesn’t impact usability. However, in dimly lit or dark rooms, the key legends become unreadable, which isn’t ideal for gaming in low light.
The key legends – the characters printed on the keys – are screen-printed. While common for this type of keyboard, this method typically means they are susceptible to wearing away over extended use. In contrast, many modern gaming keyboards utilize more durable methods, such as double-shot legends (a second plastic layer embedded in the keycap) or dye-sublimated keys (legends effectively melted into the key surface).
Most of this keyboard is less than 10mm thick, with a thicker 16mm section at the rear that elevates the back for an improved typing angle. Unlike most keyboards, this angle is fixed as there are no flip-down feet. However, I found this low-angle design to be quite comfortable and effective.
Six small rubber feet ensure the keyboard stays firmly in place. The only other external feature of note, beyond the keys, is a sliding power switch located on the back edge. With a sealed, rechargeable battery and no external USB charging port, the keyboard design avoids the need for a battery compartment or any other chassis interruptions. While the rechargeable battery isn’t user-replaceable, Logitech’s impressive 10-year lifespan claim means you won’t need to consider repairs or warranty-voiding DIY battery swaps for a very long time.
On the top surface, you’ll find a standard full-size keyboard layout (in a UK ISO configuration, as opposed to a US ANSI layout). Additionally, there are four dedicated extra keys in the top right corner. By default, these open the calendar, mute your microphone (app-dependent), turn off your camera (app-dependent), and lock your PC.
To the left of these are three more buttons for switching between connected devices. The keyboard can connect to three Bluetooth devices simultaneously, including Logitech’s universal wireless dongles. With Logitech’s software, you can even seamlessly copy content from one PC and paste it onto another if the software is installed on both systems.
In addition to Windows key legends, the keys also feature Mac legends, making this an ideal choice for users who frequently switch between a MacBook for work and a PC for gaming. The top row of F keys defaults to a set of secondary functions, including screen brightness adjustments, media playback controls, and multi-desktop view. Pressing the Fn key in conjunction with any of these will revert them to their standard F-key function, or you can configure this behavior in Logitech’s software.
Performance
Overall, the keyboard’s build quality is quite respectable. While it does exhibit some flex if twisted with both hands from either end, the design ensures that the entire front edge and rear foot rest securely on your desk, preventing any flex during typing. In fact, the typing experience is superb. The keys offer a crisp and responsive feel, with a satisfying amount of resistance and a clearly defined actuation point, all without feeling overly stiff or requiring excessive force.
Logitech has incorporated laptop-style scissor switches into this keyboard. While these typically don’t offer the same longevity as mechanical switches (whether full-size or low-profile), I’ve generally found them to outlast full-size rubber dome switches found in thicker, cheaper keyboards.
That said, if you are a particularly heavy typist, it’s possible that the key switches might begin to lose responsiveness within a year or two, even before that impressive 10-year battery life is reached. In my career, which involves typing thousands of words daily and extensive gaming, I’ve observed that typical scissor switch keyboards can sometimes show signs of wear within a couple of years. In contrast, I’ve had mechanical keyboards function flawlessly for over a decade. It’s simply too early to definitively comment on this keyboard’s long-term switch durability, and Logitech hasn’t provided a specific lifespan for the keys. However, for most users who aren’t exceptionally heavy typists, this shouldn’t be a major concern.
Battery life
Logitech makes bold claims about this keyboard’s battery life. Although the battery capacity isn’t specified, the company states it will last four months when used in complete darkness.
Introduce the keyboard to light, and its solar panel will continuously replenish the charge, effectively providing up to 10 years of power (and potentially even longer, though 10 years is the official Logitech figure).
For those familiar with solar-powered devices, the question of light requirements is important. Logitech specifies that the keyboard will charge in anything above 200 lux. In practical terms, a small desk lamp with a 2W/200 lumen bulb or a ceiling light with a 5W/450 lumen bulb, positioned to shine reasonably directly on the keyboard, is sufficient for charging. Even a faint hint of sunlight in a room provides more than enough illumination.
Price
The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is priced at $99.99 / £99.99, positioning it as a premium but not excessively expensive keyboard. Given its solar-charging capabilities and near-endless battery life, this price point is generally very reasonable. However, the absence of backlighting and the use of basic screen-printed key legends slightly detract from its overall perceived value.
Verdict
For the most part, I’ve become a true advocate for the Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980. As someone who spends over 80% of their computer time working, with the majority of that dedicated to typing, the effortless nature of this keyboard is incredibly appealing. Once the dongle is connected or Bluetooth is paired, you never have to worry about plugging in a cable or any other power-related concerns. It simply works, always ready in its slim, portable, and elegant form.
Factoring in its seamless device switching, useful secondary key functions, and Logitech’s excellent Options+ software for workflow optimization, this truly stands out as a fantastic productivity tool.
That said, for gaming, it offers no meaningful specialized features. It’s neither ultra-fast nor packed with gaming-specific buttons or intelligent profile switching. Advanced features like rapid trigger or analog inputs are absent. However, this is entirely expected given its design focus.
Instead, my primary reservations stem from the lack of key backlighting, the screen-printed key legends, and the overall key action. While the key action is largely excellent, the sheer volume of my typing often leads me to prefer a lighter-feeling keyboard to prevent RSI. Though the keys here are far from heavy, they aren’t as light as a quality, linear mechanical keyswitch, and their shorter travel means you bottom out the keys more frequently than with a full-size mechanical switch keyboard.
Does the appeal of an everlasting, solar-powered keyboard resonate with you, or does it seem like an unnecessary feature?