Logitech MK850 Performance Mouse & Keyboard Combo Review

Logitech's MK850 Performance Mouse & Keyboard Combo goes under the spotlight today as we examine if its worth buying or not.

Published
Updated
Manufacturer: Logitech
16 minutes & 18 seconds read time
TweakTown's Rating: 96%
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The Bottom Line

Many will blow the MK850 off as a high cost generic combo, but it's not the truth at all. Logitech has combined some common features and spiced things up with the Options Software, making this a god send for those who spend waking hours working from the PC or mobile devices.

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

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With most of what we see from Logitech, most of the gear is oriented to gamers. This has not been a bad path for Logitech, as they have a huge following and some of the best products on the market currently, all due to their diligence of listening to the customer and innovating new ideas along the way. However, you can walk into any box store on the planet, and find Logitech gear that is not oriented to gamers, but those who just surf the web, answer emails or need to get their social media fix. There is another group of users that we do not see much attention paid to, and those are the people who work on multiple systems, whether for production purposes or even those who work eight to ten hours a day in the office. Of course, just about any product will suffice to get many a user through the day to day grind, but rarely are they catered to.

This was the quest for Logitech; to try to make office use and even the daily grind of using a PC more intuitive, by adding features specific to these tasks. Logitech did not stop there though. In this setup, multiple devices can be connected to this mouse and keyboard, three in total. There is an additional feature which follows this as well. Not only can you link three devices to one keyboard and mouse, but they can also connect wirelessly through a USB dongle, or be paired via Bluetooth. Going a step further, Logitech also incorporated functionality for MAC users as well. Not only do you clear the desk of pesky wires, but by being able to connect to virtually any device, it lessens the amount of gear needed on the desk to manage the daily workload.

No matter which device we are looking at from Logitech, Quality has never been an issue. Whether looking back to our first Logitech Ergo keyboard, or even the first of their wireless mice, we had many years of pleasure from both products, and all of them after that we have kept in service. So when it comes to the MK850 Performance combo kit from Logitech, one should not write them off so quickly. These are products, the K850 keyboard, and the M720 mouse, which will not only feel great and be easy to use, they will simplify everything you know when it comes to working with multiple systems. Even with the trends driving for gaming products, and driven to mechanical keyboards or mice with outrageous DPI levels, the MK850 allows you to take a step back and realize, unless an avid gamer, maybe there are better options out there.

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The Specifications taken from the Logitech site are quite extensive, covering anything you may want to know about the M720 and K850. The K850 is 25mm tall, it is 430mm wide, and is 210mm deep, and weighs in at only 733 grams, including the batteries. As for the M720, it is 45mm tall, it is 74mm wide, and 115mm long, but weighs only 135grams with the battery included in that. When signals are sent over wireless USB, the keyboard can use Windows 7 or newer OSes, Mac OS X 10.10 or newer, even Chrome OS. And the same is said for the mouse. When it comes to Bluetooth connectivity, the keyboard will pair with Windows 8 or newer, Mac OS x 10.10 or later, iOS5 or later, Chrome OS, and Android 5.0 or newer devices. The mouse will work on the typical operating systems, but will not pair to mobile devices.

The K850 uses Bluetooth Smart and 2.4GHz wireless connectivity with a range of ten meters. The K850 offers wireless encryption so nobody can tell what you are typing, it comes with a pair of AAA batteries, which are shown to have a three-year lifespan. The M720 uses the same Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, but without encryption. A single AA battery powers the mouse, and it is also rated two years of life. The M720 is built with an Advanced Optical Sensor with a resolution of 1000 DPI maximum. The scroll wheel has an option for segmented scrolling, or with the press of a button can be set to freewheel or Hyperfast mode. All told, the M720 offers users eight buttons, which via software can be reassigned to fit whatever your work-related needs might be. We can also see on the right side of the chart, that both products are covered by a one-year warranty if anything should happen to go wrong.

While reading up on the MK850 Performance combo, we found that Logitech has set the MSRP for $99.99, which may seem high for a rubber dome keyboard and low DPI mouse. Beyond that, we see that Newegg wants $102.23 for it, but Amazon is shaving the price a bit, as we find it listed there for $92.12. Yes, there certainly is a bit of sticker shock to all of these prices, but Logitech adds features that will not only help those who work with a PC all day but has also added a couple of tricks to the software suite that brings forth options we have never seen before. While gamers may scoff at such a product, those who are answering emails while trying to stay on top of social media accounts via mobile devices, and maybe even have a laptop present scanning PDF files, well it can all be controlled with a single pair of peripherals. Logitech proves they can think outside of the box, and once you gain the perspective of all the possibilities possible here, the pricing does not seem as formidable as it does now.

Chad's Peripherals Test System Specifications

Packaging, Accessories, and Documentation

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The packaging for the MK850 Performance comfortable keyboard and mouse with advanced multi-device functionality has a matte black face. Aside from the Logitech name found at the bottom, we see near life-sized images of both the K850 and the M720 in the middle.

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On this longer side panel, we see what comes in the box, what you need to run them, and a bit about the one-year warranty. The rest of the panel covers the specifications, and since we covered them in detail, there was no need to show them again here.

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The next side panel on the box is a short one, where we not only see the Logitech and MK850 Performance names, but there is also a hint at a large anti-tamper sticker. This ensures nobody has messed with the contents. If the seal is broken, make sure to contact Logitech.

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The second long side of the box has only two things to show. The Logitech name sits in the middle of the panel, while at the right end, it displays that these products connect either by Bluetooth or a unifying receiver via USB.

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The last of the side panels offer a view of the left edge of the K850 keyboard. It is again, near life-sized, and shows the color contrast of the frame sections as well as the cloth used on the wrist rest.

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The back of the box of the MK850 wireless keyboard and mouse combo lists features under the name. They cover the quiet and comfortable switches, the contoured mouse and Hyperfast wheel, the ease to switch devices used with them, and DuoLink software which adds a whole new element to what is possible.

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Inside of the box, we find that the K850 is wrapped in plastic to protect its finishes, and is kept separated from other components. The M720 is under a layer of hard plastic to keep it secure while traveling, and we can see the unifying receiver facing up in the front-right corner.

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Once the K850 is lifted out of the box, we find that the connectivity instructions are printed in the box. The instruction covers wireless USB as well as the Bluetooth pairing and shows you where to go for questions and software.

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Under where we last say the USB wireless unifying receiver, there is a cable located there. This cable is a range extender. For those with a PC under their desk, connecting the unifying receiver to this cable, and placing the cable end and receiver on the desk, delivers cleaner, uninterrupted communications with these two devices.

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The last thing we found in the box is this paperwork. Since the instructions were addresses on the box, this information is about the safety and compliance information, as well as explaining the terms of the warranty.

Logitech K850 Keyboard

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The left side of the K850 has a white lower section and a black top frame section; both are thin to offer a low profile to the keyboard. We see that all of the keycaps are flat at this time, but we can also see a bit of a wave across the top, as the center of the keyboard is higher than the sides.

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This section of the keyboard uses low profile keys on rubber dome switches, and there are hints to the ergonomic shaping from this angle as well. Also, the wrist rest is a permanent addition to the front edge of the keyboard, removing stresses from those who use this keyboard for many hours throughout the day. You may also notice the Mac specific keys on either side of the spacebar.

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Along the top edge, all of these keys offer a second function. The Escape key works as a Function Lock, the F1 is the Home key, F2 is the same as a right click of the mouse, and F3 is the same as clicking the back-page button on the mouse. F4 will open the search menu, while F5 will select the previous track, and F6 is used for play and pause.

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Continuing down the line, F7 is used to select the next track, F8 mutes the volume, F9 lowers the volume, and F10 raises it. F11 takes you to the log-in screen, and F12 appears to open a browser, but we found pressing it did nothing for us.

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The right third of the keyboard has everything one will need for office work. The white buttons allow for the selection of paired devices to function with, and on the command keys we see the camera for a screen shot, a scroll lock option on the Home key, and using the Page Up key will open the calculator. There is lock LED indicators at the top for Caps lock and a low battery, and we even get arrows on the number pad.

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With the feet extended while viewing the right end of the keyboard, we can see that the keycaps are all angled now, making them easier to access. We can also see a small switch near the back of the keyboard, which allows the user to switch the keyboard on and off, to help save battery life when not in use.

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The bottom of the K850 has many screws to hold it together, but a few of the holes are also for drainage, just in case of accidental spillage. There are five rubber feet to secure the keyboard on a desk, and the product sticker has just the name of the keyboard on it.

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The K850 comes with a pair of feet on either side of the back edge. This allows for multiple work angles to fit a wider array of users. We also see that the feet flip out to the sides, so they will not collapse, and both of them have rubber pads to keep a similar footing on the desk.

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At the back edge of the keyboard, there is a cover which has a pair of AAA batteries from Duracell installed under it. It is easier to remove the cover and pull the tab out, but it can be done without opening this as well.

Logitech M720 Mouse

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Looking at the left side of the M720, we see a stubby mouse with a tall top to it. The mouse has a rubberized coating applied to the top, while the bottom section is white to match the keyboard. We also located three buttons, the front two used for page forward and page back functions.

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The third button on the left side is how one goes about swapping what device is being controlled. Just like the white buttons on the keyboard, this allows you to switch between devices quickly.

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From the back, we can see the contoured shape of both sides, which lends to a comfortable feel to the M720. Logitech places their name on the heel, and the lower white section is raised to add more contrast to the device as it sits on the desk. Just because it is for work doesn't mean it can't look cool.

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There is much less going on with the right side of this mouse, but it is still rubber coated, which ensures grip will always be had.

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The front of the mouse has a taller while lower section too, and the main buttons come right down to it, and are cut blunt at the front edge. These buttons wrap the scroll wheel and give the M720 a clean and sophisticated look.

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On the top of the M720, there is a metal scroll wheel, which can scroll forward and back, but also tilts to the right and the left. On top of that, if you do not care for the segmented feel of the wheel, press the large button behind it, and the wheel spins freely in Hyperfast mode.

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Under the M720 we find there to be three PTFE feet that the mouse glides upon. The eye of the optical sensor is shifted back and to the left, with a power switch located on the side of it.

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The lower portion of the bottom of the M720 is a large cover for the battery compartment. This time, there is only a single battery, an AA, which is also shipped with a tab in place to break the connection and keep the battery life intact until it is first used.

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When it comes to the daily uses of the MK850, this is all you have to deal with. No wires are congesting the desk or tangling with other things. While not backlit, either device, the lock, and battery LEDs are white, and so are the pairing button LEDs.

Logitech Options Software

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Once the software is located, installed, and running on the PC, it opens to show this. On the left, we see the mouse with indications of a full battery and an icon noting it is connected via the unifying receiver. To the right, we find the keyboard, with the same icons below it.

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By clicking on the image of the mouse from the last image, we are given two views of the M720. At the top-right corner, you can pick from normal use or use with the Function key, while at the bottom-left, we have options to swap the main buttons, see more options, or restore default settings.

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Either by clicking on the More button or by selecting one of the white circles on any of the mouse buttons, we are offered a multitude of possibilities to set to the mouse. This is only part of what is possible, but it is easy enough to gauge the potential delivered for the M720.

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Moving to the next tab, we can adjust the pointer speed, but this is also the DPI settings. As it sits, the mouse is set to 500 DPI, and you must slide the slider all the way to the right to use the 1000 DPI setting. We can also enable smooth scrolling, or change the way the scroll wheel works, directionally.

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The flow tab is certainly interesting. It is with this that you can take information from one PC and move it to another. As long as this software is installed on the devices you wish to swap images and files to, you can move the mouse to the edge of one screen, and it will automatically move to the next screen, simplifying life in a way we have not seen before this.

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Options for the K850 include being able to reassign some of the F-keys, and also has green indicators on the Function keys, reminding you that you can change what the M720 can do while holding the key on the keyboard. Think along the lines of zooming in and out of images, or scrolling pages or files just by moving the mouse around.

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The Easy-Switch tab will show you which computers or mobile devices the MK850 is connected to. At the time we grabbed the software images, we had it connected to the main desktop but had no issues connecting to our laptop or phone, later on, taking advantage of not having to move or pick up devices to carry on about the day. It can all be done right here, with the MK850, simply by pressing a button or dragging the mouse from one to another.

Gaming and General Impressions

DOOM & Battlefield 1

While gaming is not the intended usage of these devices, we all know days can get long, and you can always find time to squeeze in a round or two of something. In our testing, we find the membrane keys not easy to collapse, so resting your hand does not lead to accidental movements. We did not notice any huge delays in the input, not enough to get us killed, but the mouse on the other hand, which is a different story.

The mouse does tend to shut down faster than the keyboard, so there is lag when it comes to movement if the mouse was left stationary. The DPI is a tad low to enjoy games on a 4K screen, but we tried anyways. This leads us to find that when moving the mouse slowly, it did not seem to read movement as well, and tended to "jump" back into action once the mouse realized it was moving this whole time. Again, this is not the way the MK850 is meant to be used, but it is possible.

Windows and Productivity

The daily grind is where it's at for the MK850 Performance Combo. While we are huge fans of mechanical keyboards, the feel of the rubber dome switches is impressive and does not have us wanting to toss it to the side like many others we tried. The ability to swap through various devices eliminates times when you are using a mouse or keyboard, while not being able to figure out why nothing is happening, then realizing you have the wrong device in hand. Once paired, all you have to do is select the proper buttons on the mouse and keyboard, and away you go with the rest of what you were doing, and can easily move right back to the first PC.

On top of that, we can set the mouse for its standard eight buttons, to reassign them as needed, but we can also double all of them, using the Function key on the keyboard. Then, of course, there is the handy little trick of allowing the mouse to drag files from one PC to another seamlessly. That is something that can be done by connecting all PCs to the same network or using a NAS to transfer, but in a work environment, you do not always have access to such options.

Final Thoughts

Initially, our thoughts were that this combo or peripherals might be just another average set for daily grinders out there, but we have completely changed our minds. Yes, the keyboard is built ergonomically, to relieve stresses and feel better while using it long term, and the mouse, while small, is comfortable to use with easily accessible buttons. However, that is where the line is drawn between the average sets we see, and what Logitech is trying to do. Not only are these devices wireless and Bluetooth capable, which has its own sets of benefits, once the Logitech Options Software is installed, but it also takes basic functionality beyond what many are used to, and simplifies all aspects for those who have to work on multiple devices throughout the day. Swapping devices with the press of a button, having the ability to double the mouse functionality and remapping a few keys on the keyboard are all well and good. However, what takes this over the top is Logitech Flow, which we have never seen before, and is something so handy, you will wonder how you ever got on without it.

While not intended for gaming use, we were able to get by and break up the monotony of working for many hours of the day with the MK850. We did have some limitations, but we will not hold that against Logitech or this combo, as this kit is designed to improve productivity and enhance workflow. What we are left with is a keyboard with a built-in wrist rest, dual stage adjustable feet in the back, an ergonomic shape to alleviate pain and stress, and an all-around comfortable feel of the low profile caps and rubber dome switches. We do find the 1000 DPI of the mouse a bit lacking with our 4K display, but when we used it on the laptop at 1080p, the slow feeling is diminished. Yes, the mouse is compact, yet anyone will find not issues using it, as it can get the job done for you, and with the additional features the software adds, can only help lessens the time it takes to do the day to day activities.

Initially, we thought the pricing might be a bit of a stretch for a rubber dome keyboard and a small mouse to accompany it, but we have found that the K850 and M720 combined in the MK850 Performance Combo is worth every penny it takes to get them to your door. Of course, we always recommend shopping wisely, to get the best deal possible, which currently is through Amazon at $92.23. To us, this is like buying a cheap drill for work usage versus buying something more industrial, which has all the features needed to get through every day on the job. Those stuck with average OEM keyboards and mice at work will love what Logitech is offering.

If you can speed up your day, simplify the desktop, and control multiple PCs and device all from one set of peripherals, spending a bit up front only makes sense to us. This is why we feel that Logitech is on the right path with what they delivered in the MK850 Performance Combo, and the market it is intended for is a huge segment of people, which will likely make this a huge hit.

Chad's Peripherals Test System Specifications

TweakTown award
Performance 97%
Quality 93%
Features 99%
Value 95%
Overall 96%

The Bottom Line: Many will blow the MK850 off as a high cost generic combo, but it's not the truth at all. Logitech has combined some common features and spiced things up with the Options Software, making this a god send for those who spend waking hours working from the PC or mobile devices.

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Chad joined the TweakTown team in 2009 and has since reviewed 100s of new techy items. After a year of gaming, Chad caught the OC bug. With overclocking comes the need for better cooling, and Chad has had many air and water setups. With a few years of abusing computer parts, he decided to take his chances and try to get a review job. As an avid overclocker, Chad is always looking for the next leg up in RAM and coolers.

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