Logitech Pro X 60 Wireless Gaming Keyboard
Efficiency often draws a link to specific qualities — minimalism, sophistication, organisation, and so on — and products sometimes adopt this same journey, especially for space-saving offerings, where the design philosophy of “the less clutter, the better” rules.
To that end, the keyboard market continues to welcome different size options. There are full-sized ones for conventional use, the tenkeyless (TKL) models that fit better on smaller workstations without sacrificing too much functionality, and also more compact builds presented in the 75 per cent, 65 per cent, and 60 per cent layouts. The last three figures refer to the width, where the input devices are roughly that percentage of the width of a full-size keyboard.
Logitech, a latecomer to the 60 per cent space, is finally leaving its first footprint in the mud with the Pro X 60 keyboard, and it’s been a long time coming for the peripheral company, given its range of competitive offerings and the esports skew of ultra-portable models.
The extra years of work didn’t go to waste, even if the wait isn’t necessarily worthwhile for some. There’s a lot done right here, from versatile customisation to high-speed and responsive performance, that delivers an enjoyable experience, though there are slight missteps and a premium price tag that withhold the full extent of its potential.
Measuring 28.9 cm long and 10.4 cm wide, the Logitech Pro X 60 serves as the fun-sized iteration of the G Pro X TKL. The 20 per cent difference (TKLs typically have 87 keys, which translates to an 80 per cent layout) between them is immediately prominent — frills have no place on the keyboard, and only the alphabets, modifiers, and number rows are included.
It can take newcomers a while to get used to this minimalist layout, especially for those who are coming over from an array of arrow keys, function rows, and dedicated productivity buttons. But space-saving efficiency is the whole point here, as it means users can have more room for mice action on their desks. Besides, any additional keys outside of the core set are hardly used for competitive play.
The Logitech Pro X 60 also brings its own minimalist flair to the standard 60 per cent look. Inheriting the aesthetics of its TKL counterpart, this review unit comes decked out entirely in white, but there are also options for magenta or black. The Escape key is furnished with a black-accented ‘G’ print, while a white-on-white ‘PRO’ logo sits on the right along the base frame.
Switching out the former to a traditional-looking Escape key is possible, as the keyboard includes an extra keycap. Users will have to use their fingers to pry it out, however, since a key-puller isn’t included, but it can be done with some force. Carrying it around won’t be too much of an issue either, as a nifty carrying case has been included.
Flipping the unit over to the underside reveals a small cutout that stores its accompanying dongle when not in use. Courtesy of four silicone non-slip adjustable feet, it’s possible to prop the Pro X 60 up – even if they barely add any height. The slight tilt, coupled with the lack of a wrist rest, makes it weary to type for an extended period of time, so it’d be welcome if the keyboard could sit a little higher.
Naturally, there are sacrifices that come with such a diminutive frame. For one, functionality is limited, with access to fewer keys and shortcuts, and it’s a compromise most 60 per cent enthusiasts are comfortable with. Logitech seeks to work around the issue in their own way, adding a volume wheel and a Game Mode switch on the left and right side of the keyboard, respectively, though the former can be a bit of a mixed bag.
While not a bad idea per se, the side-mounted control is awkwardly located in that it requires some finger gymnastics to reach. Individuals with smaller hands, in particular, may find it difficult to tweak audio levels on the fly, and in very specific scenarios where users often reposition the keyboard, accidental brushes can take place.
Having said that, it does come in handy in a pinch, even if the landing doesn’t quite stick. Game Mode, which disables the Windows and Menu keys by default, will likely prove more useful, as users won’t have to worry about hitting them in the middle of a heated match. As a whole, the keyboard’s build quality is impressive, sporting zero flex and a secure, durable underside.
In play, there’s little to complain about its performance. The Logitech Pro X 60 ships with double-shot PBT keycaps and the Lightspeed USB receiver, the company’s wireless solution for low latency and reliable performance, and it runs like clockwork. There’s slightly more weight to its tactile key switches (an optical linear option is also available), but they are snappy and responsive under the fingers. Coupled with instant keystrokes, gaming proves to be a smooth, enjoyable affair – be it in fast-paced shooters like Apex Legends and Overwatch 2, or in RPGs such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Shin Megami Tensei.
This sprightliness extends to day-to-day tasks and general productivity. For starters, connectivity is quick, straightforward, and stable, offering simultaneous pairing with up to three devices via Bluetooth. Typing feels good, and the inputs are largely accurate. The auditory profile is clean and crisp as well, albeit louder than expected.
Still, some minor issues persist. The keyboard includes a wide range of colour and effect options for backlighting, but the backlighting isn’t consistent on longer keys like Caps Lock or the Shift keys, failing to fully illuminate the text on both ends. Additionally, there’s a very slight drag that follows each key debounce, which can make a difference in milliseconds-count situations.
The most glaring misstep, though, is the limited 1,000Hz polling rate. While hardly a dealbreaker for the everyday gamer, the Logitech Pro X 60 is going up against high-end models with 4K and 8K polling rates – the kind of standard that highly-competitive individuals and professionals demand, and who form the demographic here. Likewise, the other niggles will likely only affect a very select group of users, but they do dull the allure of an otherwise premium offering.
The compensation comes in the form of its final party trick: customisation. To work around the lack of bells and whistles, the keyboard makes full use of the Logitech G Hub software, which has plenty of flexibility to go around. Individual key mappings and commands are available in spades, with community presets included for both competitive and non-competitive titles. More notably, users can also upload their own profiles for others to reference.
As with all mini keyboards, the setup process will take some time, especially with a dense user interface to navigate. The convenience of it makes the effort worthwhile, however – not only is switching between different presets instantaneous, the system is intuitive and well-designed, too. For steamers and content creators, there’s the added bonus of integration with Discord, Steamlabs, and OBS, where certain shortcuts are enabled.
The Logitech Pro X 60 touts a 65-hour battery life, and it’s unclear whether this theoretical figure is derived from Bluetooth or dongle connection, and if lighting effects are taken into account. Real-world use with active backlighting lasted through a week or so with around a 10 per cent charge remaining, so it’d be fair to assume that users will have to top-up weekly. It’s a decent stamina level, but could do with more juice.
All things considered, it’s difficult to recommend a $299 peripheral that doesn’t really reinvent the wheel in any way, especially coming this late into the game. The highly-customisable functionality is undeniably useful for a 60 per cent keyboard, and there’s a lot to like about its performance and feel. Still, the Logitech X 60 falls short of the expectations that come with a premium investment, and is hardly the most value-for-money pick for casual gaming. Those seeking a compact board for pro-level play may find their answer here; if not, the features will likely end up as wasted potential.
Summary
The Logitech Pro X 60 is a highly-competent compact keyboard that shines in gaming performance and customisation, but offers little value and significance beyond pro-level play.
