5 physical keyboards that work well with smart TVs

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Being able to connect a keyboard might be one of the coolest things you didn’t know your smart TV could do. It can give you new ways to control content on the big screen, including making it much easier to find media, enter passwords, navigate apps, games, or even browse the web. Pair that with a handy multitasking feature you should use with new TVs, and a wireless keyboard can turn your TV into almost another computer for your home.

To help you get the most out of your TV, we sifted through product listings and online reviews to find a variety of physical keyboards that work well with smart TVs. Some connect via Bluetooth, others use a wireless USB connection. There are even keyboards with built-in trackpads to make the interface easier to navigate.

Although we have tried to select devices that work with a wide variety of TVs using Bluetooth or USB connections, not all of them are fully compatible. Read below for more details on how to determine compatibility.

The Arteck HD197 is a keyboard that features full-size keys plus an additional touchpad and dedicated media buttons that can emulate much of the PC experience for your TV. The HD197 can connect to up to three devices, one via a USB wireless connection and up to two via a Bluetooth connection, and switch between them with the press of a button. For a few dollars less, you can get the Arteck HW197, which is almost entirely identical, except that it runs on 2 replaceable AAA batteries, rather than one rechargeable, and connects only via wireless USB, not Bluetooth. But with a list price difference of just $3, the HD197 is probably the better choice at $43.

It’s worth purchasing a keyboard that includes arrow keys and function keys, as there are keyboard shortcuts that allow you to control YouTube videos much more effectively, and your TV will likely support them. For example, the left and right arrow keys can let you fast forward and rewind a video.

Not every keyboard compatible with smart TVs needs to be placed in a standard-sized frame that sits awkwardly on your lap. The iPazzPort Mini is a compact keyboard that’s about the same length as your hand. You can hold it the same way you might hold a horizontally oriented smartphone, using your thumbs to type. It connects to your TV or streaming device via Bluetooth. As the name suggests, the iPazzPort Mini is small enough that you can simply keep it nearby and reach for it whenever you need to enter text on the screen.

We’ve covered the iPazzPort Mini in the past and explained why it’s a great low-cost upgrade to the Amazon Fire TV Stick, and for good reason. The mini keyboard also has handle grips that hold your TV remote on the back, making it a convenient all-in-one navigation tool. You wouldn’t want to use it for writing an essay, but it’s handy for entering passwords and typing movie titles into a search bar.

The Logitech K400 Plus is another keyboard that combines full-size keys with an integrated touchpad, dedicated media keys, arrow keys, and function keys. It can only connect to one device at a time via USB wireless connection. The device also doesn’t have a built-in rechargeable battery, but it offers up to 18 months of battery life before needing to upgrade to a new pair of AAs. It may be missing some features, but the Logitech K400 Plus only costs $30, making it one of the most affordable USB keyboards of its type and a must-have option among tech enthusiasts.

The main thing that might attract you to this keyboard, besides the price, is the Logitech name. It is the household name for keyboards, mice, headsets and other computer accessories. If you already use Logitech products, it makes perfect sense to stay in this ecosystem. And considering the lifespan of Logitech mice, a keyboard like the K400 Plus can also last you a long time.

The Clevetura CLVX S is by far the most expensive option on this list at $199. It is compact, elegant and discreet. This makes it an attractive choice if you want all the benefits of a physical keyboard that you can type on, but with a less bulky form factor. The CLVX S can connect wirelessly to up to three devices via Bluetooth and also has a fourth wired USB-C connection option.

The feature that makes this keyboard particularly useful for navigating smart TVs is its touch capability. While there’s no dedicated touchpad, the keyboard itself can act as a giant touchpad. Everything from the F2 and F11 keys to the spacebar has touch functionality, meaning you can swipe, “mouse over,” or tap to “click” on items on the screen. If you like everything you hear and want this to be a full-size keyboard, Clevetura sells a full-size version with number keys that costs $250, but is sometimes on sale for the same price of $199.

The Reiie H9+ Mini is, as its name suggests, a mini keyboard that you can hold in your hands. It has a form factor similar to that of a video game controller, so you can comfortably wrap your fingers behind it and grip the textured sides. It also only costs $20, making it among the cheapest ways to upgrade your TV setup. The main downside is that it only connects via USB wirelessly; there is no Bluetooth option.

On the plus side, the H9+ Mini has a directional pad with arrow keys that you can use to navigate the on-screen menus. It also has a touchpad that you can use like a mouse, as well as several dedicated media buttons. The keyboard itself is laid out so that you can type with your thumbs, much like many of us have become accustomed to the virtual keys on our smartphones. Perhaps the most convenient thing is that it comes with a rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to worry about having to search for extras when you need them most.

To create a diverse list of physical keyboards that you might find convenient to use with a smart TV, we found models at different price points and with a range of features. We made sure to choose models that offer a variety of connection options, including wireless USB connectivity via dongle, Bluetooth, or via direct cord. We’ve also selected keyboards that offer different ways to navigate on-screen interfaces, such as touchpads, arrow keys, and media keys.

Every product on our list holds at least a 4-star user rating on Amazon at the time of writing. We’ve read customer reviews to ensure that any commonly reported defects are unlikely to affect your experience if you decide to purchase one of these wireless keyboards for yourself.

We have also tried to select the most compatible devices possible, but this is not guaranteed. We recommend checking with your manufacturer for keyboard support before attempting setup. Typically, many TVs powered by software like Google TV or its predecessor Android TV work with keyboards, as do those powered by Amazon’s Fire TV. Apple TV boxes also work with keyboard and mouse, as do some TVs made by LG and Samsung. Roku recommends using its official mobile app to replicate a keyboard and mouse experience.