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Most modern keyboards and mice rely on Bluetooth connectivity, which is a bit more convenient than a wired connection. But this increased convenience comes with a bunch of downsides, especially in terms of battery life, reliability, and device longevity. Here’s why I hate Bluetooth keyboards and mice.
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When you use a wired keyboard or mouse, you can plug it into your computer once and never think about it again. But Bluetooth keyboards and mice use lithium-ion batteries, which need to be charged. And man, they run out of battery waaay very fast.
At most, Bluetooth keyboards and mice last a few months on a charge. But fancy models with backlit keys or optical switches need to be charged every week when used regularly; I know from experience. Backlit keyboards and RGB mice are better when wired.
I personally don’t like the idea of ​​charging for a bunch of extra junk. There’s nothing worse than stopping in the middle of work, searching for cables, and skewering a huge mess of noodles on my desk because I forgot to charge my keyboard.
Yes, you could do some “cable management” magic and clip a USB cable near your keyboard or mouse. That will save you from searching for a cable or making a mess on your desk. But at that time, why use Bluetooth?
As a side note, I prefer wireless keyboards and mice that use AA or AAA batteries. They tend to have much longer battery life than their lithium-ion cousins, and of course battery life doesn’t diminish over time. Lithium-ion batteries wear out very quickly!
A frustrating user experience
The Bluetooth standard becomes more reliable every year. And of course, wireless keyboards and mice benefit from the constant improvements of Bluetooth. That’s why the latest wireless keyboards and mice rarely come with a USB receiver. they do not need one more dedicated receiver!
But despite all the improvements to Bluetooth, wireless keyboards and mice are still very frustrating to use. Latency, dropped connections, and other strange glitches are not uncommon. The solution is usually quite simple: reset Bluetooth on your computer. But how are you supposed to do that when your Bluetooth mouse isn’t working?
These issues are especially frustrating for gamers. Of course, competitive gamers using wireless keyboards or mice generally skip Bluetooth in favor of older IR receivers; There’s still a big gap between IR and Bluetooth connectivity standards, and Bluetooth is technically the “inferior” option.
Interestingly, one of my biggest complaints about Bluetooth has nothing to do with reliability. I hate that Bluetooth keyboards and mice have to “wake up” when they haven’t been used for a few minutes. Hitting the space bar or moving your mouse to “wake it up” is a pain in the neck, but it’s a necessity, as Bluetooth devices must enter a low-power mode to conserve battery life when not in use .
Wireless Media E-Waste
Computer accessories become obsolete after just a few years. But you can take a 30-year-old keyboard, plug it into a PC (via an adapter), and use it like it’s new.
No, I’m not asking you to use an old keyboard. I’m trying to illustrate that wired keyboards can last a long time – they don’t get stale and they’re pretty easy to clean. This is especially true for mechanical keyboards, which (usually) have user-replaceable keys and other components.
Bluetooth keyboards are practically made for the landfill. Lithium-ion batteries wear out after a few years and are not easy to replace in keyboards. When the average person notices that their Bluetooth keyboard has no charge, they throw it away and buy a new one. Technology, combined with corporate negligence, encourages waste. (This is why I recommend you buy a Bluetooth keyboard that uses AA or AAA batteries.)
This is also true for Bluetooth mice. Although, to be fair, mice do tend to wear out quickly. And modern mice aren’t always easy to clean.
But what if you’re a super cool DIY warrior? With enough effort, you can replace the lithium-ion battery in almost any device. Well, there is still one big problem: security!
The Bluetooth standard is constantly evolving. And with every iteration of Bluetooth comes new security enhancements. In 2021, the NSA published an article explaining how wireless communication protocols, including Bluetooth, pose a security risk in public settings. And this is especially true when a device uses an outdated version of Bluetooth.
You cannot update the Bluetooth on your wireless keyboard or mouse. Even if you figure out how to replace your lithium-ion battery, you’ll eventually become vulnerable to vulnerabilities. Admittedly, this isn’t a major concern for keyboards and mice left at home. But it is a problem that forces waste among select groups, including companies.
Unfortunately, Bluetooth may be your best option
To be perfectly clear, I’m not some weird outcast who yells at people for using Bluetooth. That would be annoying, embarrassing and hypocritical. My complaints about Bluetooth keyboards and mice come from years of experience: Keeping up with technology is part of my job, and new articles regularly come across my desk for review.
I am frustrated by the lack of reliability and terrible battery life of Bluetooth keyboards. And every time I look at the pile of wireless keyboards on my shelf (which I need to donate), I can’t help but notice that they’re doomed to end up in a landfill. Do we put up with all this nonsense just to avoid plugging anything into our computers?
Here’s the thing; Bluetooth keyboards and mice are often the best options for modern computer users. It’s not that people are too lazy to use a USB cable, or whatever, they’re just forced to go wireless.
Modern PCs and Macs aren’t made to accommodate a ton of wired accessories. And even if you own a computer with a decent port selection, it’s probably a combination of USB-A and USB-C. The idea that people will waste these ports on keyboards or mice is totally unrealistic. Yes, you can expand a computer’s port selection with a USB hub or cradle, but Bluetooth accessories are a cheaper and easier solution.
This situation is compounded by the rise of a certain trend: people are replacing their desktops with laptops. Thanks to USB-C and Thunderbolt, you can connect a laptop to a monitor (and charge it) with a single cable. The problem, as any MacBook Air user knows, is that this type of setup can severely limit your selection of USB ports. Bluetooth keyboards and mice fit this use case, but wired options don’t.
So this is my suggestion. If you plan on using a wireless keyboard or mouse without a backlight or other flashy features, try to find one that runs on AA or AAA batteries. It will give you great battery life and you won’t suffer the sad death of a lithium-ion device.
Those who want a power-hungry keyboard or mouse with amazing RGB lighting should consider a wired option (or a wireless keyboard that also works in wired mode). Not only does this eliminate reliability concerns, it also ensures your keyboard or mouse will last a long time.
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