The default remote controls that come with a Smart TV work well enough but there are better options including wireless keyboards.
Wireless compatible keyboards come in all shapes and sizes and can be used to control a TV easily.
This is usually done by plugging in a small USB dongle into the TV and activating the keyboard.
Controllers can also have built-in Bluetooth that Pairs with a TV.
Some TVs come with a keyboard while others don’t and simply come with a remote control.
Whatever you are using to control your Smart TV there are many options when it comes to wireless keyboards and mouse controls.
Many of these packages come in a keyboard, mouse, touch-pad combination and have all types of different layouts and designs.
What Type of Smart TV Wireless Controls are There?
- Bluetooth
- Wireless 2.4GHz Frequency
The keyboard combinations work the same as they do for a wireless mouse or keyboard working with a desktop PC.
They usually use a 2.4GHz USB dongle or Bluetooth remote that transmits to the TV.
Be sure to check your documentation that came with the TV to see what features it has for input controls.
Some TVs will have Bluetooth built-in and be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard while others will need to use a 2.4GHz dongle.
Some models may have a proprietary system depending on the manufacturer that may not be compatible with Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz dongle.
Depending on your media center setup most of these wireless remote control packages also work with Android TV Boxes, HTPC, Fire TV Stick, and more.
There are many good units available with some of our favorite picks below.
As always be sure to read the reviews on Amazon or elsewhere to be sure a unit is a good fit for you.
*This post contains affiliate links which at no cost to you allows us earn a commission on product purchases.
Our Picks for Best Smart TV Wireless Keyboard Remote Control Combinations
- WeChip W2 Pro
- Logitech K600 TV
- PONYBRO Wireless Mini Keyboard
- iPazzPort Wireless Mini Handheld Keyboard
- Gimibox Air Mouse
The WeChip W2 Pro has many nice features and combines a standard remote control with a keyboard, voice controls, and air mouse.
One side of the controller has standard remote control buttons.
The other side of the controller has a small keyboard.
In the center of the keyboard is a small touch pad to move a mouse cursor about.
The WeChip W2 Pro is a good all-in-one controller that has all remote control features built into one unit.
The Logitech K600 TV is a mid-sized keyboard with a touch-pad built-in.
It can connect up to 3 devices with Bluetooth or an included small USB dongle.
If your TV does not have built-in Bluetooth it likely will need to use a 2.4GHz USB dongle for a controller to work.
The unit is also compatible with PCs, Android TV boxes, Laptops and more.
The PONYBRO is a small unit with a keypad at the bottom and a touch-pad in the top center.
It is back-lit with the background light color able to be changed or shut off.
It uses a 2.4GHz USB dongle that plugs into a compatible TV and is ready to work.
iPazzPort makes this popular handheld unit that has a small keypad and touch-pad built-in.
It has an operating range of 25ft and uses AAA batteries.
Besides Smart TVs, it also has wide compatibility such as PCs, Android TV boxes, Smartphones, and many other devices.
It uses a 2.4GHz USB dongle to communicate so be sure to have a compatible TV with USB ports.
Air mouse remote controls work by moving the controller about and an onscreen cursor following.
Some people only use air mouses while others dont like them preferring to use buttons or keys.
Using any type of controller is a preference with an air mouse option nice to use with a bit of practice.
The Gimibox Air Mouse is once such option that also has standard buttons and a keyboard.
Summary
Using a keyboard with a Smart TV is ideal in many scenarios such as surfing the internet or when typing.
There are many units available from small mini-units with touch-pads, to mid-sized units.
Small units are the most popular but mid-size units work just as well.
The set up is usually very simply by plugging in a USB adapter that comes with the unit and it is ready to work.
Some controllers are Bluetooth only and will need to Pair with a compatible TV.
Having a good controller for a Smart TV makes it much easier to control along with advanced features such as surfing the internet.
My firetvstick has been reset. And I lost my remote . I cant go past the remote setup which is needed to setup the firetvstick for further step. So. Can this keyboard help me with setting up the remote . Can the home button on this keyboard will help me get past the initial remote setup?
Thanks for the guide for the best wireless keyboard for smart TVs.
I am using MXQ 4k Pro Android TV Box for my smart TV.
Which wireless keyboard will be compatible with this TV box.
I am interested to purchase one of these Android TV Keyboards. Based on your review, you’d recommend the Logitech keyboard. I have used one of these keyboards in the past and the feeling while pressing the keys was very nice vs. some other cheap keyboards that you can buy in China based websites. I have a couple of questions:
1) Do the ipazzport keyboards offering a good feeling while pressing the keys? can be comparable to the Logitech keyboard?
2) Are these keyboards compatible with Smart TVs running Android OS? Did you try the Logitech keyboard with any of these Android TVs?
Regards,
Julian
I like the iPazzPort keyboard but this is only a personal opinion. Everyone will have a different pressing style so what works for one may not be right for another person. The best bet is to read the reviews on Amazon to see which one is best for you.
Yes they work with Android boxes as long as it has a USB port for the adapter or comes with the Bluetooth built in to the box. Be sure to check the boxes features for what it comes with. Most will have a USB port for an adapter to be plugged in.
I have two of the ipazzport keyboards. The on with the laser pointer and white backlight display, and the one with the ir learning/air mouse/orange backlight. They’re not the greatest. Main reason is the positioning of the touchpad, the response of the keys and the annoying air mouse for the latter of the two.
On many occasions when you press a letter, it has a tendency to either not respond smoothly or over respond leaving a trail of the same letter allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll across the field you wish to type in. Forcing you to have to delete it all and start over. While the need to type in characters is seldom, it is very annoying when you wish to use it.
The air mouse is quite horrible, even when you get used to it. It seems way off the mark and the position of the IR receiver on you Android Box is key to getting it close to where you want it to be.
The position of the touchpad isn’t too, too big of an issue with it being on the far right of the keyboard, but I find that the ones that have the touchpad positioned in the center and above the keyboard to be much more comfortable to use.
I highly recommend the commonly know Rii mini keyboards which are geared towards android tv boxes. Mainly because of the added key functions such as Pause/Fwd/Rwd etc. Which on the ipzzport remotes and secondary functions that are activated with the ‘Shift/Fn’ button. Not to mention…again…. that the position of the touch-pad on these remotes make it easily accessible with from either side with your thumbs.
Now, with that all said, in my personal experience with the one that i have, the signal does cut out from time to time and you have to re-insert the ir receiver on your box in order to gain a connection again. However, this minor setback is much more of a plus over the user-friendliness of the ipazzport keyboards.
When you consider that the cost of the Rii mini’s is at least half the amount of the ipazzports, I’d say it’s worth it.
I did just find another keyboard during my search which is called the ‘SMK-Link’.