I’m never plugging my keyboard in again with Logitech’s smart new solar-powered ‘board on my desk

Desk declutterers can finally throw away their keyboard’s USB-C cable for good: Logitech has just unleashed a fully solar-powered speller, which promises to be efficient enough that you never need to plug it in. The Signature Slim Solar+ K980 doesn’t skimp out on Logitech’s familiar features, either, like multi-device switching and customisable shortcut keys.

A strip of LightCharge solar panels at the top of the ‘board can convert both sunlight and indoor lighting to electricity, meaning the Signature Slim Solar+ K980’s Bluetooth connection is perpetually powered. It’ll even last for four months in total darkness, meaning residents of Svalbard, Norway (who experience continuous darkness from late October to mid-February) don’t have to miss out. Det er flott!

Logitech is so confident in the tech there’s not even a USB port onboard for slurping down some emergency mains power. The pre-fitted battery is rated for a ten year lifespan, and the firm has teamed up with teardown site iFixit to supply replacements when the time comes.

The island-style keys and low profile shape will feel familiar to laptop users and owners of other Logitech kit; as will the three device switching and support for the Logi Options+ software suite. The app indicates if the board is getting enough light to maintain a charge, and lets you customise the two shortcuts to perform complex macro functions.

There’s also a dedicated AI launch key, which can be set to trigger Microsoft CoPilot, Google Gemini, or open a ChatGPT prompt.

You don’t get backlit keys here – the LightCharge panel aren’t quite that efficient – and Logitech has ditched the dongle too, at least for the consumer version, which is Bluetooth only. A business version gets an encrypted Logi Bolt USB-C dongle, ensuring no-one can snoop on your keystrokes.

The Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 is on sale right now, in graphite colours, for $100/£100/€110. A Mac-only version in silver is coming to North America only for the same price.

• Related: Logitech’s clever keyboard case might be the perfect pairing to iPadOS 26

Tom Morgan-Freelander Deputy Editor

About

A tech addict from about the age of three (seriously, he's got the VHS tapes to prove it), Tom's been writing about gadgets, games and everything in between for the past decade, with a slight diversion into the world of automotive in between. As Deputy Editor, Tom keeps the website ticking along, jam-packed with the hottest gadget news and reviews.  When he's not on the road attending launch events, you can usually find him scouring the web for the latest news, to feed Stuff readers' insatiable appetite for tech.

Areas of expertise

Smartphones/tablets/computing, cameras, home cinema, automotive, virtual reality, gaming