The best keyboards and air mice for controlling a TV set-top box, mini-PC, home media center, Smart TV

Many manufacturers of equipment and electronics are increasingly equipping devices with smart hardware. This allows you to control devices using applications and even voice assistants.

At first, the ability to control a TV, audio system or air conditioner from a smartphone seems cool and innovative. Later you realize that everything is not working as smoothly as you would like.

Apps often freeze or have glitches, you need to always have your smartphone handy, and voice assistants still struggle to control home appliances.

Try launching Siri, Alice, or unlocking your smartphone every time you adjust the volume, switch channels, or rewind a video.

On the side of remote controls is convenience, ergonomics and the ability to perform most actions without looking at the buttons.

As a result, we return to the old, but familiar set of several remote controls. The easiest way in this situation is to get one universal remote control for all the equipment in the house.

What are “TV keyboards” and air mice?

A “TV keyboard” usually refers to keyboards used to control set-top boxes, mini PCs, home media centers, projectors, and other entertainment devices.
An air mouse (English: air mouse) is conceptually different from a “TV keyboard” in its small size, the shape of the remote control and the inconvenience of typing large texts. In general, both types of devices enter text, control the cursor, and communicate wirelessly with the target device. Mostly, users control their multimedia devices using “classic” air mice with a minimum of functions.
However, there are air mice combined with a mini-keyboard, as well as smaller versions of keyboards with a built-in touch panel and air mouse function. There are also universal models with full-size keys, a touchpad and an arbitrary set of customizable IR buttons, joysticks and navigation pads.

Is it worth buying a keyboard for Smart TV?

It is difficult to answer this question unequivocally. It all depends on how you plan to use your smart TV (Smart - translated from English as “smart”).

If the available channels are enough for you. You are not going to use all the TV capabilities that manufacturers included during production, then no. The remote control performs switching channels, adjusting sound, brightness, contrast and other operations very well on its own.

If you want to use the TV not only as a device for watching TV programs, but also as a “smart” one - to use all the capabilities of a full-fledged Android operating system developed for mobile devices, then definitely yes.

The remote control cannot replace the mouse and keyboard in any way. And these devices can:

• turn your TV into a computer (not too powerful, but with a huge monitor);
• music center with light and sound system and karaoke function;
• television game console;
• Internet surfing tool;
• improve communication on social networks;
• It is possible to integrate Smart TV into a “smart” home.

Air mice without keyboard

G20BTSPLUS - about 800 rubles

G20BTSPLUS has the most balanced set of characteristics: the ability to connect both via the included USB dongle at a 2.4 GHz radio frequency and via Bluetooth 5.0; switchable backlight; voice dialing; 2 learnable IR buttons; quality materials.

Find out the price of G20BTSPLUS.

When compared with G20BTSPLUS, then:

• all air mice connect to target devices in one of two ways: either via radio frequency or via Bluetooth;
• G10S, G10N, G20S, G21S, G30S, G40S and G50S - that is, models with a single postfix "S" or "N" in the name - do not have backlighting;
• The G10 fits in the hand better than others. The downside to superior ergonomics is instability on surfaces;
• G21S has problems with the battery compartment;
• The G30S has 33 trainable IR buttons, but you need to change your grip to reach the control ring;
• G40S has pre-configured profiles for Apple TV, Visio, Roku and 33 customizable IR buttons;
• The G50S has matte plastic that is pleasant to the touch, but the playback control buttons are located in an unusual way.

Find out the price of the G10 series.

Find out the price of the G20 series.

Find out the price of G21(Q7).

Find out the price of G30S.

Find out the price of G40S.

Find out the price of G50S.

Mouse for Smart TV

Smart TV uses a wireless mouse as a remote control. It can look like a regular two-, three-, or four-button optical mouse that connects to all devices, and like a multifunctional remote control.

There are many types and models of these small devices, from ordinary mechanical to professional. But not everyone can fit the functionality. Therefore, before choosing a suitable mouse, you need to read its description in the user manual.

The rating of the best and best-selling model includes:

• Samsung ET-MP900D;
• Philips SPM7800;
• Sony VGP-BMS20;
• Air Mouse T2.

Before you decide exactly which company’s device is best to buy, you should read their detailed description.

Samsung ET-MP900D

Samsung is a world leader in the production of high-quality electronics. The brand is most famous to absolutely all people of different ages. The ET-MP900D is no exception. Comfortable and ergonomic four-button mouse with a stylish design and leather-like texture. Pleasant to the touch and quite weighty. It is easy to grasp and glides well. Available in two colors: black and white.

Externally, it is similar to a standard and wireless mouse, with two clicker buttons on top, and the company name is indicated just below. A scroll wheel is located between the keys. On the side there is a small one-step back button. Together they provide easy navigation through pages or menus.

Technical specifications:

The first thing I would like to note is the considerable sensor resolution - 1600 dpi, which provides high accuracy and a large signal radius. Bluetooth 3.0 for fast communication when connecting to all types of devices. In addition to Smart TV, it is ideal for PCs, laptops and tablets.

Samsung ET-MP900D

Advantages:

• Nice design;
• Good quality;
• Impressive parameters and high sensitivity;
• Price, the cheapest option, the cost is 990 rubles.

Flaws:

• Its size will not fit every hand, it may be too small for some.
• Weak glide and may be uncomfortable for professional gamers.

Philips SPM7800

Quite an old and once famous company, which is now forgotten. Although it still produces high-quality components for computers, electronics and small household appliances.

The budget version of the SPM7800 wireless and optical mouse is capable of connecting to absolutely all devices. It is convenient to perform not only various functions and menu switches in Smart TV, but also to work on a regular PC or laptop.

Stylish and unusual design, it is square in shape with rounded corners, and has three buttons. Between the clickers there is a scroll wheel; it is unusual, looking like a swing. At first you need to get used to it, over time it will become very convenient, but it will be difficult to use in shooters or online games. Two colors: creamy white and matte black.

Its main qualities are indicated in the table:

Philips SPM7800

Advantages:

• Possibility of left and right hand control;
• Accuracy, although not at the highest resolution - 1200 dpi;
• The interaction radius is quite decent - 10 meters.

Flaws:

• Unusual swing of horizontal scrolling.

How much does a model with a cool and unusual design, adapted for left-handers, cost? Its price is only 700 rubles.

Sony VGP-BMS20

We smoothly move on to another well-known manufacturer of high-quality electronics and mobile phones. Sony competes with Samsung and occupies a significant share of the global market. Its products have always been distinguished by their unusual appearance and a variety of colors for any choice.

VGP-BMS20 mice have a futuristic design, oval shape with pointed bases. Available in a huge range of colors: from standard white and black to bright and acidic. They come to the CIS countries in the following palette: black, white, pink, orange, pistachio and blue mother-of-pearl.

There are two clickers on top and a scroll wheel between them. The company logo appears in silver just below the middle.

Main parameters:

Sony VGP-BMS20

Advantages:

• What attracts attention first of all is the bright palette and variety of colors;
• Creative appearance;
• Ability to connect to all devices from TV to PC or tablet and connects via a standard USB port;
• The communication range is 10 meters.
• Long battery life;
• Here you can add convenient navigation and slow scrolling.

Flaws:

• Low resolution - 800 dpi, which negatively affects accuracy;
• Small in size, this model is more suitable for miniature women's hands.

Best air mouse with mini keyboard

L8Star G7V Pro RU - approximately 1,370 rubles.

The L8Star G7V Pro RU air mouse with mini keyboard runs on battery power for up to 2 weeks without recharging. Radio connection, two-way backlight, Russian keyboard, voice dialing and air mouse work as they should. The backlight turned on on the front side, when turned over to the side of the mini-keyboard, goes out simultaneously with the backlight of the mini-keyboard turning on. The four buttons above the control ring and the power button are customizable IR buttons.

Find out the price of L8Star G7V Pro RU.

The alternative model MX3-L is inferior to the G7V Pro in the layout of the keys on the front side and their number on the minikeyboard; compared to the G7V, Tab and three more buttons are missing.

Find out the price of MX3-L.

The Rii i25A also does not have a Tab button or backlight, which is critical for air mouse models with a keyboard. The mini keyboard is not suitable for touch typing in the dark. The advantages of the i25A include a headphone jack with mono sound.

Find out the price of Rii i25A.

VONTAR C120 does not have a backlight in the Russian version, the keys are located non-standardly, Esc and “ъ” are missing.

Find out the price of VONTAR C120.

Mini keyboards with touchpad

Rii X8+ — 1,732 rubles

Rii X8+ is a mini keyboard with touchpad and microphone. Devices of this type usually have a hole for a microphone, but there is almost always no microphone. The Rii X8+ mini keyboard layout is close to a regular qwerty keyboard. There is a backlight in 7 colors.

The touchpad doesn't support all Windows gestures, but it does the job of a mouse. The two buttons on top emulate pressing the left and right “keys” of a mouse. The manipulators include a control ring and a red volume knob. Under the ring are indicators for on/off, Caps Lock and battery charge. To the left of the indicators is the power switch.

Find out the price of Rii X8+ on Aliexpress.

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Alternative options

The Rii i4 Mini differs from the Rii X8+ in the absence of voice input and a more convenient location of the mouse keys on the top end. The D8 Super|Plus is more compact than the previous ones, with only a keyboard and touchpad. The mouse and volume buttons are relegated to the top row of the keyboard; there is no control ring. The D8 Super supports wireless communication via radio and Bluetooth.

Find out the price of Rii i4 Mini on Aliexpress.

Mini-keyboards are significantly less popular than air mice with mini-keyboards or even just air mice.

Inexpensive keyboards with touchpad

HARPER KBT-570 - 1950 rubles.

KBT-570 is a universal keyboard for controlling Smart TV, various media devices, laptops, and computers. The touchpad and mechanical keys underneath serve as a mouse. The keyboard is an island membrane with a scissor mechanism. The layout is familiar, suitable for touch typing. Additional “Android keys” and three volume control keys located above the touchpad will help you control Android and Linux devices.

The keyboard runs on two AAA batteries and interfaces with devices via radio. A USB transmitter is included in the kit and is mounted under the battery compartment cover. The case is thin, but quite strong.

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Alternative options

Oklick 830ST - similar in characteristics, but without additional control keys.

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Logitech K400 Plus is a classic budget membrane with large key travel and noisy clicking of them against each other.

Wireless keyboard Logitech K400 Plus Black (920-007147) - marketplace sbermegamarket.ru

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How to use a smartphone instead of a keyboard

To control via a smartphone, perform the following sequence of actions:

• The SMART TV must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone;
• a special application must be installed on both the TV and smartphone (for example TV Remote Control or Easy Universal TV Remote);

• It is checked that UPnP must be activated (not disabled) on the router.
• Check if Faierwoll is stopping traffic between these devices and the local network;
• We configure pairing of devices via the Wi-Fi Direct function.

Some equipment manufacturers provide the ability to control your TV from your phone without installing third-party software, but the equipment must belong to the same brand, for example Samsung (Samsung TV and Samsung smartphone). Samsung has developed the Samsung SmartView program to control your TV. LG has developed the LG TV Remote application to control its devices. These programs are easy to pair and work with any device.

Unfortunately, a smartphone cannot replace a keyboard completely and efficiently. A smartphone for controlling a TV is a good substitute for a remote control.

Another way to control the TV with a smartphone is by using the IR port of the smartphone.

For example, smartphones can control any, even old TVs, using the Mi Remote application.

Keyboards with touchpad at an average price

HARPER KBT-330 Bluetooth 5.0 — 3199 rubles

The KBT-330 is a good keyboard with instant switching between three paired devices, one via radio and two via Bluetooth 5.0. To the 79 main ones, 19 additional multimedia keys have been added to control entertainment systems. The IR button can be configured to act as a TV remote control.

The keyboard keys are rounded. Back, Enter and right Shift are smaller than we would like, however, as are the “arrows”. To the right of the main layout is an oval touchpad, below it are the right and left mouse buttons, and a control ring.

Wireless keyboard Harper KBT-330 Black - marketplace sbermegamarket.ru

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Alternative options

Trust Thesa with monochrome backlight and battery. If we exclude the backlight from the comparison, then the keyboard is the most ordinary: connection via radio channel, via a USB transmitter; in the top row there are low multimedia keys; there are no additional keys; touchpad with physical mouse keys; The power indicator is combined with a battery charge indicator.

Trust Theza Keyboard for SmartTV | Buy from the Trust store

Trust Theza keyboard buy with delivery in Moscow and Russia. Official guarantee 2 years! Reviews and characteristics

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The Microsoft All-in-One Media Keyboard is functionally closer to inexpensive keyboards with a touchpad, but costs thousands more. Comparing this model with others, it seems that the Microsoft brand hides a keyboard with excellent quality characteristics, but it has everything like everyone else and nothing special.

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Connection instructions

If the first models of TVs with the Smart TV function could only understand wired keyboards and mice, then later devices recognize their Bluetooth analogues with almost no problems.

Let's look at the practical steps to connect controllers to our TV.

Connecting the keyboard

If you want to know how to connect a wired keyboard to an LG Smart TV, we will provide you with brief instructions.

• We find a USB connector on the back or side panel of our TV.
• We insert the connector from the keyboard into it.
• If we see a notification on the screen about connecting a new device, it means that everything was successful.
• Otherwise, we should review the list of supported products and purchase models that have been tested for compatibility.

If, for example, you have a wireless keyboard for Samsung Smart TV, then the operating principle is as follows:

• We connect the adapter to provide wireless communication into one of the USB connectors of the TV.
• We are waiting for a message to appear indicating that our device was successfully detected.
• You can start working.

As you can see, connecting an external keyboard is a fairly simple task, the setup of which can be handled by a person completely unskilled in technology.

Connecting the mouse

Connecting a wired mouse is no different from connecting the same keyboard:

• Simply insert the cable into one of the USB sockets on the back panel or side, depending on the brand of the TV.
• If you have a wireless analogue of this device, then simply connect the adapter for communication into the same USB socket.
• If the device is successfully recognized, we will see a message about this on the screen.

Now you can use the mouse in the same way as on a regular computer; it will perform exactly the same functions.

Expensive keyboards with touchpad

Prestigio Click&Touch 2 — 6000-8000 rubles

Click&Touch 2 is the second generation of an innovative keyboard-touchpad in which manufacturers took into account the wishes of users and added functionality. The keyboard still automatically detects whether you want it to be a touchpad or a keyboard and can pair with up to 4 devices simultaneously via Bluetooth and wire.

The annoying mode indicator above the top row of keys has disappeared. Mechanical mouse buttons appeared under the space bar. The dimensions of the model have slightly decreased and the inclination to the surface plane has almost disappeared. The key travel is now shorter, which results in a positive change in the typing experience. The keyboard "added". It is also noticeable that manufacturers listen to the wishes of users.

The presses are noisy and do not always work correctly, but this is apparently a matter of skill. Supports 5 simultaneous connections via Bluetooth, radio and USB-C. The model won in four categories of the prestigious Reddot Design Award: innovative product, smart product, TV and home entertainment, computers and IT.

Find out the price of Prestigio Click&Touch 2.

Alternative options

Corsair K83 is one of the most successful attempts to make a universal keyboard. You can play, print, and manage multimedia entertainment.

The keyboard has everything you need: an anodized aluminum body; backlit ergonomic keys with scissor mechanism; the required set of indicators; joystick; volume control; touchpad with full support for Windows gestures; mouse keys under the touchpad and on the back side; iCUE software for customizing almost everything; Anti-Ghosting system and 20 simultaneous clicks; input encryption. There is no keyboard itself, the keyboard is almost impossible to find in stores. Cost about 10,000 rubles.

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Prestigio Click&Touch , on the one hand, fell in price by half with the release of its second version, on the other hand, all the shortcomings that were eliminated in the second version have not disappeared. Clicks are noisy and do not always work correctly, the indicator in the dark leaves a “mark on the retina,” and there are no mechanical mouse keys. The price is about 3000 rubles.

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Possible connection problems

There are often situations when, after connecting to a port, the device is not found by the system. In this case, you need to study the instructions for the TV in detail. It tells you which brands of keyboard are suitable for this TV. Then you have to purchase an input panel from the required company.

Perhaps the most common cause of connection problems is software glitches. For example, the user updated the firmware, after which the TV stopped detecting the device. It is possible that over time the developers will prepare an update package, the installation of which will eliminate the difficulties encountered.

Drivers should pay special attention - it is possible that the failure occurred precisely because of this. Hardware damage should also not be ruled out; be sure to check the connectors; perhaps the problem lies there. Try connecting using a different port.