Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard, Platinum

The Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard is the official keyboard cover for the Surface Pro line, priced at $149 USD. It delivers a genuine laptop-like typing experience with a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and a large glass touchpad. It's the best choice for Surface Pro owners who type regularly, though the price and added weight won't appeal to everyone.

Typing feel is the whole ballgame with a keyboard cover, and Microsoft has been doing this long enough to get it right. The full mechanical keyset means you get actual key travel, not the mushy, shallow typing you find on cheaper third-party covers. The backlit keys are a lifesaver for late-night work sessions or dimly lit coffee shops. The glass touchpad is another highlight, it tracks smoothly and supports precise control, which matters when you're trying to navigate Windows without reaching for the screen every five seconds.

In our database, this keyboard's feature score lands at the 53rd percentile, which is about average for its category. That's not a knock, it just means the feature set is solid but not overflowing with extras. The connectivity score is a different story, it sits at the 9th percentile, which is one of the worst we've seen. But that's a bit misleading, because this keyboard doesn't need Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It connects directly through the Surface Pro's keyboard connector, which is actually more reliable than wireless. The low connectivity score reflects the lack of wireless options, not a functional problem.

Compared to the Apple iPad Pro 11's Magic Keyboard, the Surface Pro 13" Keyboard is actually cheaper, Apple's version runs well over $200, and the Surface option includes pen storage, which Apple's doesn't. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ keyboard cover is closer in price but doesn't match the Surface's key travel or glass touchpad quality. The Xiaomi Pad 7 and Lenovo Idea Tab Plus are budget tablets with budget keyboard accessories, so they're not really in the same conversation if typing comfort matters to you.

Where the Surface keyboard falls behind is portability and simplicity. The iPad Pro's Magic Keyboard has a floating cantilever design that feels more premium, and Samsung's keyboard covers are often lighter. But for pure typing feel and the convenience of a charged pen always ready, the Surface Pro 13" Keyboard holds its own against anything on the market.

At $149 USD, the Surface Pro 13" Keyboard sits in the premium tier for tablet keyboard covers. You can find third-party Bluetooth keyboard cases for half the price, but they won't have the same key travel, the glass touchpad, or the seamless physical connection. The real question is whether you'll use your Surface Pro as a laptop replacement often enough to justify the cost. If the answer is yes, this is the best typing experience you'll get for the Surface Pro line. If you only type occasionally, a cheaper Bluetooth keyboard might do the job for less money.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard is the official keyboard cover for the Surface Pro line, and it's the accessory that turns Microsoft's tablet into something that actually feels like a laptop. At $149 USD, it's not cheap, but it's the default answer when someone asks how to make a Surface Pro usable for real work. The Alcantara finish gives it a warmer, softer feel than the cold metal or plastic you get on most keyboard covers, and it adds a storage tray for the Surface Slim Pen for Business, which is a nice touch if you're into digital inking.

Compatibility is one of the first things people search for with this kind of accessory, and the good news is it works with the Surface Pro 10, Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8, and Surface Pro X. That's a solid range of devices, so if you've upgraded your Surface over the years, this keyboard will likely follow you. At 281g, it adds noticeable heft to the tablet, but that's the trade-off for a full mechanical keyset and a glass touchpad.

We don't have benchmark data for keyboards in our database, so we're judging this one on specs, build, and what it's designed to do. The headline features are the backlit keys, the large glass touchpad, and the pen storage tray. Whether that's worth $149 depends on how much typing you plan to do on your Surface Pro.

Skip this keyboard if you rarely type on your Surface Pro and mostly use it as a tablet for watching videos, browsing, or drawing. The $149 price tag and 281g of added weight aren't worth it for casual use. If you need a keyboard only occasionally, a cheap Bluetooth keyboard will do the job for less money. Also skip it if you're bothered by Alcantara material, which can show wear and stains over time, or if you don't plan to use the Surface Slim Pen, since part of the value is tied to that storage tray.

Should you buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 13" Keyboard? If you own a Surface Pro 8, 9, 10, or X and you plan to type on it regularly, yes. This is the accessory that makes the Surface Pro a legitimate laptop replacement. The typing experience is excellent, the touchpad is responsive, and the pen storage tray is genuinely useful if you have a Surface Slim Pen.

If you're a casual user who mostly watches videos and browses the web, you might not need a $149 keyboard cover. But if you're writing emails, documents, or code on your Surface Pro, this is the best option available, and it's the one Microsoft designed specifically for the job.