Keyboard and mouse sets are fairly inexpensive ways to improve your work productivity. Whether you’re working from home or at the office, membrane keyboards like the Logitech MK545 and MK540 provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience with an ambidextrous mouse. With a textured palm rest, long battery life and wireless connectivity, you can focus on the tasks at hand with these mouse and keyboard sets. Check out our comparison below to see what’s different between the Logitech MK545 Advanced and Logitech 540 Advanced.
Logitech MK545 vs MK540 Keyboard & Mouse Combo Comparison Chart
| Model | Logitech MK545 Advanced | Logitech MK540 Advanced |
| Size | Full-size | Full-size |
| Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless |
| Keyboard Keys | 114 | 114 |
| Tilt Positions | 3 | 3 |
| Palm Rest | Textured | Smooth |
| Mouse Buttons | 7 | 3 |
| Media Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Batteries | 4x AA | 3x AA |
| Battery Life | 24 – 36 months | 18 – 36 months |
| Dimensions | Keyboard: 18 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches Mouse: 1.6 x 4.7 x 2.6 inches | Keyboard: 18 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches Mouse: 0.5 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight | Keyboard: 805 g Mouse: 83 g | Keyboard: 805 g Mouse: 73.5 g |
| Compatibility | Windows, ChromeOS | Windows, ChromeOS |
Design
The Logitech MK545 has a textured palm rest and better mouse than the Logitech MK540.
As you might imagine from their model numbers, the Logitech MK545 and MK540 are highly similar in designs. Their full-size keyboards have the complete implement of buttons including the number pad and arrow keys. Making them easier to type on are their palm rests, which provide ample surface area to keep your hands well positioned for typing. Here the Logitech MK545 has a nicer textured palm rest compared to the smooth plastic of the MK540. You can adjust the height of both keyboards with 3 available tilt positions, natural, 4° and 8°, to match your preferred angle.
Now for the mice. Simply put, the Logitech MK545 Advanced includes a better mouse than the Logitech MK540 Advanced. Both have full-size mice, a welcome inclusion compared to other keyboard and mouse combos with typically smaller mice that can cramp your hand. The MK545’s mouse features seven buttons compared to the MK540’s three. In addition to the primary buttons and scroll wheel, the MK545 mouse has two side buttons and tilt scrolling for even easier controls. Other than that, the two mice sport soft rubber side grips and a smooth ambidextrous shape.
Features
The Logitech MK545 and MK540 have the same features.
Among the 114 keys on the keyboards of the Logitech MK545 and MK540 are one-touch media controls and convenient audio buttons. These are found along the upper portion for easy access. Along the row of function keys, Logitech added productivity shortcuts to open the calculator app, check battery levels, lock the computer and go to the home/desktop screen. Furthermore, you can customize the function keys to perform other actions using the Logitech Options software.
All keyboards and mice in these Logitech sets are fully wireless but not via Bluetooth. They use the Logitech Unifying receiver which plugs into any USB port on your PC or laptop and connects all compatible devices. This means you only need one such receiver for both keyboard and mouse. You’ll get a strong, reliable wireless connection up to 10 meters away.
The Logitech MK545 and MK540 keyboards are spill-resistant up to 60 ml of liquid, so they can withstand the occasional coffee drip. All keys are abrasion resistant, so the printed characters will stay visible for a long time. Meanwhile, the additional buttons on the Logitech MK545 gives it a considerable edge over the MK540, especially for documents that require horizontal scrolling or for quick back and forth web page navigation.
Performance
The Logitech MK545 has a slight edge in performance over the Logitech MK540.
With almost similar keyboards, the real difference between the Logitech MK545 and MK540 mouse-keyboard combos are their mice. The MK545 has an upgraded mouse that can enhance your productivity, even if you don’t notice it at first. The ability to quickly go back and forward pages is handy, and you can further customize what the extra buttons do, too. The MK545 mouse also uses laser-grade tracking while the MK540 has an optical sensor. Both mice slide nicely along most surfaces and their clicks are quiet yet tactile.
Meanwhile, the MK545 and MK540 membrane keyboards are quiet and fast, with key presses being recognized instantly by your computer. The flat keys resemble laptop keys though with a bit more key travel and sufficient gaps in between. The smooth edges can take some getting used to so you’ll occasionally press 2 keys together. The three tilt positions ensure you’ll find an optimal position for your hands, which are supported comfortably by the generous palm rest.
Battery levels on both Logitech keyboards are amazing. The included two AA batteries for the keyboards can last up to 36 months. Their mouse are a different story though. The MK545 mouse also uses two AA batteries so it’s a bit heavier but can last up to 24 months. The MK540 mouse on the other hand only requires a single AA cell, but its battery life is limited to 18 months.
Both keyboard and mouse sets are compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10 as well as ChromeOS. The keys aren’t backlit so they’re best used in well-lit conditions, though there are indicator lights for Caps Lock and so on.
Verdict
The Logitech MK545 is simply better than the Logitech MK540.
It’s pretty clear that the Logitech MK545 Advanced is a straight upgrade over the MK540. It has an updated keyboard with textured palm rest and an improved mouse with more buttons and better tracking. Its mice is a bit heavier but it’s balanced out by incredible battery life. With their price tags being nearly the same, you should definitely get the MK545 if given the choice. The Logitech MK540 Advanced should be a decent alternative if you prefer a smooth palm rest, fewer mouse buttons and a lighter mouse.
FAQs
? Does the MK545 keyboard light up?
No, the Logitech MK545 and MK540 keyboard does not have backlit keys.
? Is the Logitech MK540 compatible with MacOS?
You can technically use the Logitech MK540 with Mac computers and laptops though there’s no way to map certain keys and shortcuts to MacOS functions.
? How do I pair the Logitech MK545?
You simply plug in the included Logitech Unifying receiver to any USB port on your computer and turn the Logitech MK545 keyboard and mouse on.
? Are Logitech USB receivers universal?
The Logitech Unifying receivers will work with any Logitech device that supports it. However, this does not include wireless devices made by other brands.