By some keystroke of luck, I got my hands on the popular typewriter keyboard from Five Below.
I came across this keyboard in a Yahoo article that popped up in my recommendations and the timing couldn't have been better. I was thinking about replacing the Bluetooth keyboard I'd been using for about six years, as the batteries weren't lasting as long and it would sometimes disconnect from my computer or duplicate keystrokes in abundance; it's not exactly easy to write when your sentences go from normal to insannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnely long out of nowhere or you end up losing entire chunks of text because your keyboard convinces your computer that you hit the Backspace key two hundred times! Naturally, the algorithm picked up on my casual browsing for a replacement and found the perfect one for me.
I tend to do a little research before purchasing electronics. I've been burned in the past by not doing my due diligence so I'm super cautious nowadays. This keyboard, however, was a total impulse buy and I'm so glad I did!
And did I mention it's only $10 before tax? Honestly, it's a steal.
Since the unboxing reel I posted to Instagram became one of my most-viewed, I figured I'd follow it up with a more in-depth review of the keyboard.
A quick disclaimer before we get going: I am not affiliated with Five Below or PrimeConnect nor is this post sponsored by either party. I just have a few people who have expressed interest in the keyboard so I thought I'd share my thoughts.
Additionally, the keyboard was still sold out online at the time of writing this post but you may be able to find it in-store depending on your location! I'd recommend calling ahead or setting up an in-store pickup to ensure you can grab it.
Product Stats And Specs
Made by PrimeConnect, the typewriter keyboard sold at Five Below comes in white and in pink and measures 13.66in x 6.92in x 2.04in according to the listing on the store's website.
It's Bluetooth and compatible with laptops, smartphones, and tablets. The keyboard runs on one AA battery but at the time of writing, I've had it for just under a week so it's too soon to determine the longevity (BTW, the battery isn't included), but it does have an automatic sleep mode after fifteen minutes of inactivity, which helps to conserve the battery.
There are also multimedia buttons that let you control music and such, adding a bit of convenience.
The knobs on each side work the kickstands, allowing for the keyboard to sit at a slight angle. There's also a groove where the carriage would be loaded on an actual typewriter that can accommodate a tablet or your phone.
Now that we've talked stats and specs, here are my thoughts on the keyboard.
Pros
Right off the bat, the keyboard is aesthetically pleasing. While that's not normally the most important thing for me when it comes to buying electronics or accessories for my devices, it's certainly a draw here. I mean, the fact that it looks like a typewriter and comes in pink was what initially sold me on it in the first place—because, as a romance writer, it just makes sense for my vibe. Not to mention the general love for that vintage, classic feel. And the color is so cute! With Valentine's Day on the horizon, it'd make a great gift for your writer friend or work-from-home boss babe if you can find it.
Speaking of aesthetics, I'm glad the device is wireless. I already have an abundance of cords strewn about my desk as it is. Not having more to deal with is a plus.
The price is also a factor. You can find typewriter-inspired Bluetooth keyboards on Amazon in the $30-$50+ range, with some costing almost twice that! The PrimeConnect one runs $10 before tax, at least a third of the price.
Connecting the keyboard to my laptop was easy enough. I did have to consult the instruction manual to figure out which keys to press to activate the Bluetooth searchability but it didn't take long to set up after that.
While I was a bit worried that the low price would indicate low quality, I'm pleasantly surprised. It's lightweight but feels sturdy enough (though I won't be tossing it off the roof to see how well it holds up anytime soon).
The keys feel pretty good. They're the slightest bit concaved, creating perfect spots for my fingertips to nestle in, and so far my press-on nails haven't gotten caught between them as I type (which occasionally happens when I'm typing on my Alphasmart NEO2).
Cons
While there is definitely a lot to love about the typewriter keyboard, there are a couple of tiny flaws that really get chalked up to being my personal preferences rather than imperfections with the device itself.
If you're a fan of "wonderfully loud clicking sounds," as one of my friends described it, you may find yourself a tad disappointed. While there are still some clicking sounds when you type, it's a little quieter than I personally prefer. And for a typewriter-inspired keyboard, I was expecting a bit more clacking.
I also wish the kickstand's angles were more pronounced than they are. It still feels like a flat surface, as if I'm typing on a laptop's keyboard. Again, that's just a personal preference.
Lastly, there was a mini learning curve to the multimedia buttons. The trick is that you have to hold down the Fn key as you're using them, otherwise instead of backing up your music with F5 for example it will refresh the page. Not a major issue and certainly not a deal-breaker by any means, but just something to note if this isn't something you've had to do with past keyboards.
Final Thoughts
I have to say, the typewriter keyboard exceeded my expectations. It feels great to type on, looks adorable and fits in with my ever-evolving romance writer aesthetic, and is a budget-friendly option for anyone looking to spruce up their writing nook or workspace.
There's definitely a reason was flying off the shelves, and I still can't believe I managed to get my hands on the pink one. Like I mentioned at the top of this post, it's currently sold out on the Five Below website but may be available in-store.
It's a solid 9.5/10 for me. I gotta knock off a half-point for the lack of wonderfully loud clickety-clacks when you type since that's something I look for in keyboard purchases. But as far as everything else goes? I highly recommend it.
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