6 Surface Pro keyboards that cost less than Microsoft’s Type Covers
Like all things Surface, Microsoft’s Pro Type Covers can be pricey, especially the ones covered in Alcantara fabric. In fact, it’s tough to find an official Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Type Cover for less than $100. Thankfully, a set of third-party manufacturers have stepped in to offer some more wallet-friendly options, and often for less than half of what Microsoft charges. You can get a decent keyboard cover for your 2-in-1, whether it’s the new Surface Pro 6 or a Pro from a few years ago.
Staff pick
Fintie’s version of the Surface Pro Type Cover has backlit keys that light up in seven different colors and at two brightness levels. It packs a built-in 750 mAh battery to help support the backlight and Bluetooth, and the layout of the keyboard is designed to be a bit more spaced out than Microsoft’s keyboard, according to the manufacturer. It also connects via Bluetooth wirelessly so it doesn’t have to be physically connected to your Surface Pro.
Best budget pick
The most affordable Surface Pro keyboard in this roundup, ZAMO’s option boasts most of the same features as the others and few unique ones. It has a built-in battery (350mAh) to support Bluetooth wireless, which lets you use it when not physically connected to your Surface, but it also lets you turn the trackpad off if it gets in the way while using an external mouse. Plus, it has an 18-month warranty. This keyboard also has a quirkily-placed, upward-facing charging port that some users don’t love, though.
This Fintie Surface Pro Type Cover is very similar to the keyboard described above with a couple of key differences: it does not have backlit keys, and it’s both slightly smaller and lighter. It also connects via Bluetooth so you can use it even when it’s not physically connected to your Pro.
Unlike Microsoft’s Type Cover and any of the other keyboards in this roundup, this one is made of aluminum and uses a hinge to balance your Pro’s display instead of a kickstand. It also has backlit keys and a built-in battery. The trackpad is made of glass and it connects via Bluetooth. There’s even a version with built-in storage, though it costs more than Microsoft’s Type Covers. And it’s now available in a new black color.
This keyboard is one of the more affordable options with backlit keys featured here, though it comes in two models: one with lit keys and one without and you’ll pay $5 extra for the LEDs. It has a built-in battery, supports Bluetooth, and it comes with a money-back satisfaction guarantee, something no other product here offers. Unfortunately, this keyboard has the odd upward charging port that some users dislike.
MoKo’s keyboard is backlit, which should help when using it in dim or dark environments. Because of that backlight, which comes in seven colors and two brightness levels, the keyboard has a built-in battery (750 mAh) that charges via Micro-USB.
If we had to pick …
Even though Microsoft’s Signature Type Cover costs $160 and its regular Type Cover costs $130, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a decent keyboard for your Surface Pro. Every keyboard cover in this post is significantly cheaper than Microsoft’s official offerings, and most offer similar functionality. That includes a quality typing experience, some protection when closed, backlit keys (except for the second Fintie option), and general good looks.
But if we had to pick just one, we’d go with Fintie’s Backlit Surface Pro keyboard because it’s reasonably priced, mostly matches the quality and features of the others, looks nice, and has a good rating on Amazon based on hundreds of customer reviews.
If money is your main concern, the ZAMO Surface Pro keyboard could be for you, though it’s charging port placement may not be ideal.
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