Cherry KW 9200 MINI Keyboard Review: Mini But Mighty

If you person ever wished for a compact, travel-friendly keyboard that supports each imaginable connectivity action without compromising nan typing acquisition aliases features, rejoice! Cherry's KW 9200 MINI keyboard seems to person answered your call.

This compact, rechargeable keyboard boasts a trifecta of connectivity options, including 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, and cablegram connection, making it a versatile companion for your on-the-go manner and/or cramped workspaces. However, immoderate shortcomings exist, specified arsenic nan deficiency of backlit keys and its incompatibility pinch Macs. In this review, we'll return a person look astatine nan Cherry KW 9200 MINI Keyboard to thief you find if it's nan correct keyboard for you.

Cherry KW 9200 MINI Keyboard

Rechargeable multi-device compact keyboard pinch 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0 and cablegram connection.

Brand Cherry

Wireless Yes

Backlight No

Num Pad No

Compatible Devices Windows

Wired operation Yes

Dimensions 11.63 x 5.08 x 0.62in (29.5 x 12.9 x 1.6cm)

Bluetooth Yes

Key encryption AES-128

Key type Cherry SX Scissor

Layout Compact (75%)

Pros

• High-quality build
• Compact shape factor
• Great typing experience
• Customizable shortcuts

Cons

• No backlit keys
• Limited compatibility pinch Macs
• Cheaper alternatives available

Build and Design: Size Isn't Everything

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

Taking nan KW 9200 MINI retired of its container nan first time, I was pleasantly amazed by its compact size. With a footprint of astir 12x5 inches, this keyboard is sleek and compact, rivaling nan size of a modular keyboard recovered connected 15.6-inch laptops. It's incredibly easy to carry, slipping snugly into immoderate laptop backpack without taking up overmuch space. Inside nan box, you besides find a high-quality recreation pouch and a reasonably agelong USB type-A to type-C cable. This cablegram tin beryllium utilized to recharge nan keyboard artillery for wireless usage aliases to usage nan keyboard straight successful wired mode.

The keyboard's build value feels premium, pinch a matte achromatic integrative chassis that feels coagulated and well-constructed. The sheet underneath nan keys is painted a agleam and bold reddish color, which almost convinced maine that nan keys were backlit. Although they're not, I'm still smitten pinch nan tasteful black-and-red colour scheme. Weighing conscionable astir a pound, nan keyboard does consciousness deceptively hefty for its compact size. While it's not heavy, per se, nan added heft surely contributes to nan wide consciousness of high-quality construction.

The absence of a thenar remainder whitethorn beryllium a deal-breaker for some, but nan KW 9200 MINI's attraction connected compact size and portability makes this omission understandable. It features a flimsy tilt by default, but I recovered that folding retired nan adjustable feet for a much tilted typing position was perfect for optimal comfort. On nan keyboard's apical edge, you'll find nan red-colored USB dongle tucked successful nicely, on pinch nan USB type-C port, a artillery level parameter LED, and nan powerfulness on/off slider.

Overall, nan Cherry KW9200 MINI has a sleek and minimalist creation that is some functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Setup and Software: Simplicity astatine Its Best

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

Setting up nan KW 9200 MINI was easier than I expected. I plugged successful nan included USB cablegram to complaint nan keyboard via my PC's USB port, and nan keyboard was already fresh to usage successful wired mode. I removed nan cablegram aft nan artillery LED turned off, indicating a afloat charge, and plugged successful nan USB dongle, making nan keyboard instantly brace pinch my PC wirelessly.

You tin further link nan keyboard to up to 2 much devices via Bluetooth. Switching betwixt nan devices is simply a breeze acknowledgment to nan F1-F4 usability keys, which let for effortless hot-swapping betwixt connected devices. The keyboard useful perfectly good pinch Windows and Android machines. You tin besides link it to Macs, but you get constricted functionality. If you want a wireless keyboard for your Mac, see nan Logitech MX Keys Mini.

Rushil Agrawal

Cherry besides offers its Cherry Keys software (available only for Windows) for customizing your keyboard experience. The KW 9200 MINI offers nan expertise to programme each of its 12 usability keys to execute a wide scope of tasks, from basal media power and page scrolling to much precocious functions specified arsenic app launching and matter artifact insertion, each astatine nan elemental property of a button.

According to Cherry's charismatic website, nan keyboard artillery tin past for weeks, and I tin corroborate that this declare is valid. As of penning this review, I person been utilizing nan keyboard for astir 2 weeks without nan request for a recharge since nan first setup. The keyboard does participate a low-power authorities erstwhile not being used, though you tin conscionable move it disconnected betwixt uses.

However, it's worthy noting that there's nary meticulous measurement of determining nan battery's nonstop level, and nan only denotation provided is simply a flashing LED that signals nan request for a recharge.

Typing and Usage Experience: Exceeds Expectations

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

The keyboard boasts scissor-switch keys utilizing nan Cherry SX scissor mechanism, known for its level keys and precise typing feel. Despite being a compact keyboard, nan Cherry KW 9200 MINI maintains nan acquainted layout of a full-size keyboard. The only differences are nan missing numeric keypad and nan relocated arrow keys, now astatine nan keyboard's bottommost right. The FN cardinal is afloat utilized, allowing you to entree emblematic features for illustration Page Up/Down, Print Screen, Volume controls, and moreover multimedia playback without needing dedicated keys. Super effective.

Coming from a split ergonomic keyboard, I had to spell done a flimsy learning curve adjusting to nan KW 9200 MINI's shape factor, but I achieved my accustomed typing velocity wrong a mates of hours. There is simply a decent magnitude of cardinal travel, making nan keyboard consciousness overmuch much tactile than laptop keyboards aliases cheaper BT keyboards. However, mechanical keyboard enthusiasts mightiness not for illustration nan low-profile keys and near-silent typing experience.

Although it is not explicitly marketed arsenic a gaming keyboard, I recovered it sufficiently responsive for playing FIFA connected my PC. I didn't look problems pinch nan keyboard registering aggregate keys simultaneously, and location was nary perceivable input lag either. While nan 9200 MINI lacks backlit keys and could use from a much ergonomic typing position, it's important to retrieve that this keyboard was not designed to beryllium a imperishable fixture connected a desk. It's designed to beryllium conveniently transported, truthful you tin easy return it retired during a flight, while successful a cab, aliases sitting successful a cafe, link it to your laptop aliases smartphone, and bask a seamless and businesslike typing experience. And that, it does very well.

Should You Buy nan Cherry KW 9200 MINI Keyboard?

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

Without a doubt, nan Cherry KW 9200 MINI keyboard is an exceptional action for anyone seeking a high-quality wireless keyboard that boasts some portability and functionality. Its compact and sleek creation makes it nan cleanable companion for those who often recreation pinch their devices, while nan Cherry SX switches supply unparalleled tactile feedback, making it an fantabulous prime for some typing and gaming.

Additionally, nan keyboard's intuitive features, specified arsenic customizable shortcuts and nan expertise to entree communal functionalities via nan FN key, elevate its convenience factor. However, it's worthy noting that nan deficiency of backlit keys whitethorn airs an inconvenience for users who activity successful dimly lit environments, and nan absence of a number pad whitethorn beryllium a deal-breaker for immoderate who trust connected it for their work. Its incompatibility pinch Macs is different point to remember.

Despite these downsides, this is still a high-quality keyboard pinch an awesome typing experience. If you're conscionable looking for a portable Bluetooth keyboard for occasional usage, you tin get overmuch cheaper alternatives for illustration nan Logitech K380. If you're consenting to walk connected a bully keyboard, you tin find options for illustration nan Logitech MX Mechanical keyboard, which offers backlit keys and compatibility pinch Macs. Nonetheless, if you're seeking a wireless keyboard that seamlessly combines portability, comfort, and features, nan Cherry KW 9200 MINI is undoubtedly worthy your consideration.

Cherry KW 9200 MINI Keyboard

Rechargeable multi-device compact keyboard pinch 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth 5.0 and cablegram connection.