The $54.99 iClever 3 Color Backlight Bluetooth Keyboard is an upgraded version of the Portable Keyboard we reviewed last year. It's slightly larger, with a less cramped layout, standard-size keys, and the ability to switch seamlessly between Bluetooth or wired connectivity with an included micro USB cable. Add a color-changing backlight along with a sturdy and lightweight aluminum design, as well as compatibility with Android, iOS, and Windows devices, and you get our new Editors' Choice.
Design and Features
The iClever Portable Foldable Backlight Bluetooth Keyboard measures 11.4 by 4.6 by 0.3 inches (HWD) when open, and 6.5 by 4.7 by 0.6 inches folded. It weighs 9.12 ounces, which makes it slightly heavier than its predecessor, but still one of the lightest keyboards we've tested. To compare, the Logitech K810 Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard measures 11.3 by 5.1 by 0.4 inches and weighs 11.89 ounces.
The keyboard's hinged case is made of brushed matte aluminum. The hinges let you fold the keyboard when you want to stow it away, but it has no locking mechanism. Flip-out feet with rubbery pads help stabilize the keyboard on flat surfaces. It has no magnetic connection, so it won't attach to any of your devices.
Unfolding the keyboard powers it on; there is no physical power switch. You'll see three LEDs—Power, State, and Caps—in the middle of the keyboard, above the Function keys. The Power indicator blinks green for a few seconds and then turns off to let you know the keyboard is activated. The Power LED also flashes red when the keyboard needs to be recharged. When charging, it glows steadily red; when fully charged, it turns off completely. A battery capacity Function key makes the Power LED flash to indicate its charge level.
Similar Products
Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard
Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air
Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case (for iPad)
ClamCase Pro (for iPad)
ClamCase Pro for iPad Air
ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2
ClamCase Pro for iPad Mini
ClamCase Pro for iPad mini 1, 2 & 3
The State indicator flashes blue when the keyboard is in pairing mode and turns off when it's successfully paired. It also glows a steady green when the keyboard is plugged into a laptop or other compatible device with the included micro USB cable. And the Caps LED simply turns blue when you press the Caps Lock key.
Color backlighting is a nice addition. You can select between blue, green, and red. The colors illuminate the outline of each key and the symbols on each key. You can cycle among colors by holding the Function button and left Alt key, and pressing the up or down directional keys.
When idle for 15 minutes, the keyboard goes to sleep; tapping any key will wake it up. The 750mAh lithium-polymer rechargeable battery lasts an impressively long time. iClever claims 300 hours of continuous use with the backlight off, or five hours with the backlight on, with 90 days of standby time. It takes less than four hours for the battery to recharge completely. The micro USB charging port is located on the top edge of the keyboard, behind the LEDs.
Setup
Bluetooth pairing is easy. Simply unfold the keyboard, then press the Function button and the C key at the same time to activate Pairing mode. Then select the iClever keyboard in your device's Bluetooth settings menu. To test, I paired the keyboard with a Samsung Galaxy S6 and an iPhone 6 with ease.
You can use a wired connection as well. Just unfold the keyboard to power it on, then plug the provided micro USB cable into the keyboard and connect the other end to your device of choice. I tested with a Lenovo ThinkPad X250, which worked instantly. You can swap between wired or wireless connections by pressing the Function button and the 1 (wireless) or 2 (wired) keys. That means you can connect up to two devices at once.
The keyboard works with Android, iOS, or Windows PCs, phones, and tablets, but not with Mac computers, Nokia devices, or Windows 8 PCs. For broader compatibility, try the aforementioned Logitech K810 that works with Android, iOS, Mac OS X, and Windows, including Windows 7, 8, and 10. But it doesn't fold up, and it costs more than the iClever keyboard.
Typing Experience
Typing takes little to no time to get used to. The keys are the same size as on a standard keyboard, so I had no trouble typing out entire emails and documents, including this review. Someone with large or wide hands may experience some discomfort, but I had no issue.
The keys offer a good amount of resistance and feedback, and they're silent, which is a plus when you're typing at night. Unlike the previous model, this keyboard has a row of dedicated Function buttons at the top of the keyboard, though you still need to hold down the Function button to activate items such as Cut, Copy, Paste, and media controls. Apple tablet users may want to stick with the ClamCase or the Zagg Zaggfolio, each of which has a dedicated row of iPad-specific function keys. But those keyboards are larger and won't work with Android or Windows devices.
Conclusion
The iClever 3 Color Backlight Bluetooth Keyboard is an improvement over its predecessor in many ways. It lets you connect to devices with an included micro USB cable, as well as wirelessly via Bluetooth. Battery life is long, and the keyboard is slightly larger, which allows for a more comfortable typing experience. The sturdy aluminum build means it should survive in backpacks and other bags, and the multicolor backlighting just plain looks cool. For the price, the iClever Portable Foldable Backlight Bluetooth Keyboard is one of the best portable keyboards we can recommend, and our latest Editors' Choice.
The iClever 3 Color Backlight Bluetooth Keyboard is an affordable, high-quality, solution for typing on your phone or tablet, and even some desktops.
Like What You're Reading?
Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Sign up for other newsletters
