The 7 Best Backlit Keyboard Laptops Reviewed
Backlit keyboards aren’t optional for those working in a variety of settings. Working in the dark while sitting on the couch watching Netflix or gaming with RGB as the sole source of light require backup lights on the keys for easier typing. Even if you just need to work in bed or in a library, coffee shop, or anywhere else, bright keys make typing a much easier chore.
Even if you are an expert typer, finding the function keys in the dark may cause some challenges. As the function is so affordable to add and so convenient to use, why not choose a laptop with this function? The real question is whether you want a simple white light or rich RGB colors. Let’s take a look at the seven best options available in a variety of categories to suit any needs.
Best Backlit Keyboard Laptops
1. Apple MacBook Air
With the new Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip, you get more than just a backlit screen, but the newest computer with an incredible processor. Although, do note the backlighting only comes in regular white color, but it’s adjustable. Moreover, you can shut it off at the touch of a button too for when you don’t need it and want to conserve energy.
Beyond the wonderful backlighting, the laptop includes all of Apple’s fantastic software such as Safari, notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, GarageBand, and Apple TV, along with so much more. All of these apps and many more will run exceptionally well with the 8GB 8-core M1 processor. Moreover, the new silicone processor doesn’t heat up and does not require a fan making this an exceptionally quiet machine.
Next, the laptop comes with plenty of storage with 512GB on a solid-state drive for speedy access to your information. All on a 13-inch screen inside of a lightweight frame of only 2.8 pounds. Moreover, the laptop includes touch ID and impressive 18-hour battery life. You also get an 8-core GPU for faster graphics and even Dolby Atmos sound, a mic, and a camera.
Finally, the computer comes with a Retina display with 25 percent more colors than sRGB for razor-sharp images and text. It even has True Tone technology to automatically adjust the color temperature to your environment. Gain even more benefit from the precision touchpad, access to Wi-Fi 6, and easy cohesion between all of your Apple products.
- All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power.
- Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly and easily.
- Stunning Display – With a 13.3” Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
2. Lenovo Yoga C740
If you want a 2-in-1 laptop with backlighting, check out the Lenovo Yoga C740 2-in-1 14″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop. It’s a great budget option, too, with a reasonable price ready to fit into most budgets. While you do not get as much RAM with this option, you get enough for more usability, but you may not want to pick this option if you plan to run power-hungry software like AutoCAD.
The Lenovo computer offers a ton of impressive features, including a Dolby Atmos speaker system. It includes a full HD display of 1920 x 1080 resolution for color clarity. With anti-glare and LED, the 14-inch display is even better. Also, it comes with an i5 Intel Core processor with quad cores for both speed and efficiency. The laptop also includes 8GB of RAM and a massive 2TB solid-state drive.
As a 2-in-1 laptop, this computer works in regular mode with a keyboard or as a touchscreen and flipped over in studio view. You still get Windows 10 Home for a familiar operating system. Furthermore, the laptop includes an HD webcam, Bluetooth, and a UHD graphics card. Also, it’s lightweight at just over 3 pounds and has a built-in fingerprint reader making it an exceptional bang for your buck.
- 【Upgraded】Seal is opened for upgrade only, 1-Year warranty on Upgraded RAM/SSD from SnowBell, and original 1-Year Manufacture warranty on remaining components.【14" FHD Touchscreen Display】The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. Touch, tap, glide and make the most of Windows 11. Energy-efficient LED backlight.
- 10th Gen Intel Core i5-10210U Processor, Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core, eight-way processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go.
- 【8GB DDR4 RAM】Plenty of high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run your games as well as multiple programs. 【1TB PCIe SSD】Save files fast and store more data. With massive amounts of storage and advanced communication power, great for major gaming, multiple servers, backups, and more.
- 【Backlit Keyboard】with numeric pad, Allows you to enjoy comfortable and accurate typing, even in dim lighting.【Intel Iris Xe Graphics】Impressive performance for creating, gaming, and entertainment. A new level of graphics performance and crisp, stunning visuals – with the convenience of a thin & light laptop.
- Windows 10 Home included. 3-cell Lithium-ion battery, 12.7" x 8.4" x 0.7", 3.09 lbs. 1 x USB 3.0 Type A Port, 1 x 3.5-mm headphone/microphone combo jack. Built-in fingerprint reader, 360° flip-and-fold design, Wireless-AC and Bluetooth, Mica, Bonus 32GB Snow Bell USB Card.
3. Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
Get the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop if you want a beast of a machine with RGB backlighting. Whether gaming, surfing the web or using processor-hungry software, this computer is ready to let you work in any lighting conditions with extremely visible keys. With four zones of customizable keyboard sections, you can make the computer look exactly as you like.
Each of the keys has see-through concave-shaped keycaps for WASD along with two integral keys for overclocking and to open the utility app. All the settings are controlled through easy to access software. Beyond coloring, you gain a massive screen size of 15.6 inches.
Any software you need can run on this 16GB of RAM laptop with 1TB of storage on a solid-state drive (SSD). Furthermore, the computer includes a 10th Gen Intel 6-Cord i7 processor ready to handle practically any feat, especially with the aforementioned Turbo Boost Technology. The Predator also features Bluetooth, an HD webcam, and surround sound built-in with DTS:X Ultra.
A refresh rate of 144Hz and a Nvidia Geforce RTX graphics card makes this an excellent gaming laptop. However, the battery life is short at about 6 hours. The computer is heavy too, at five and a half pounds. All this is worth the minor inconveniences thought with all the incredible specs, including a uniquely shaped fan designed for quiet performance.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10750H 6-Core Processor (Up to 5.0 GHz) with Windows 10 Home 64 Bit
- Overclockable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS display (144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, 300nit Brightness & 72% NTSC)
- 16 GB DDR4 2933MHz Dual-Channel Memory, 512GB NVMe SSD (2 x M.2 slots; 1 slot open for easy upgrades) & 1 - Available Hard Drive Bay
4. HP Envy 17T
The HP Envy 17T 2020 i7-1065G7 includes a backlit screen with a full keyboard and an impressive 17.3-inch screen. However, it comes with two issues, with the first being a subpar battery life and the second it’s heavy at six pounds. If you can live with these issues, then the computer is ready to impress you in every other aspect. It’s also the best option for people looking for more privacy options and security.
With a built-in fingerprint reader and a privacy camera kill switch, and even protection from corruption, this computer keeps you and your information safe. The price is on the high side to get these features, but the features are very high. For example, the computer includes an insane 32GB of RAM, ready to run even power-hungry software easily. It also includes 1TB of storage on an SSD drive with the latest 10th Gen Intel i7 processor with four cores and the Nvidia GeForce MX330.
Not only will this computer impress you for both work and play but also for sound as it comes with custom-tuned speakers from Bang and Olfsen. All this on a full HD touchscreen with Wi-Fi 6. Run the familiar Windows 10 Pro operating system and any software you can imagine for the next decade with these specs. Furthermore, the laptop includes Bluetooth, a microphone, and a webcam too if you need a computer for work meetings.
With the fabulous hardware, you can keep this laptop for years and still get high output. Another great aspect of the computer is the massive screen size of 17.3 inches in full HD with WLED. Also, artists will love that the computer includes touchscreen functionality. Moreover, you get speakers, Bluetooth, a microphone, and a webcam too. The Envy will be the only computer you need for work, home use, and even gaming.
5. MSI GP65 Leopard
If you want more color on your keyboard, you need the MSI GP65 Leopard 10SEK-048 15.6″ 144Hz 3ms Gaming Laptop. It’s a full-on gaming laptop with impressive hardware ready to work for almost any need. What’s special about this option is every key has its own RGB backlight, or you can choose bold Red backlighting instead. You can customize every single key or only the ones you want lit for exceptional personalization.
Moreover, the keyboard backlighting includes several other modes like FPS, MMO, or MOBA for gamers. You can choose fun settings like freeway, chakra, disco mode, or roulette. The keyboard also includes a full numeric keypad for extra ease for working or gaming. Moving onto the display, the laptop has an incredibly thin bezel for a larger display on a 15.6-inch screen.
Sound lovers will love the giant speakers with exclusive audio module design and independent sound chambers. It comes with dual fans too for exceptional cooling and maximum performance. Another feature is MSI app player, which offers a seamless gaming experience between mobile and PC.
As for the specs, this computer includes 16GB of RAM, an Intel Core i7 processor, Wi-Fi 6, 512GB on an SSD, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, and a webcam. With a machine this powerful, you won’t need another laptop for anything. Although it’s heavy at five pounds and the battery life isn’t exceptional, which is to be expected with the massive features.
- 15 6" Thin Bezel FHD IPS-Level 144Hz 3ms 100%sRGB 72%NTSC NVIDIA GeForce RTX2060 6G GDDR6
- Core i7-10750H 2. 6 - 5. 0GHz Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201(2*2 ax)
- 512GB NVMe SSD 16GB (8G*2)DDR4 2666MHz 2 Sockets Max Memory 64GB
- USB 3 2 Gen2 Type C *1 USB 3 2 Gen1 *2 Steel Series per-Key RGB with Anti-Ghost key+ silver lining 720p HD Webcam
- Win 10 Multi-language Giant Speakers 3W*2 6 cell (51Wh) Li-Ion 230W
6. ASUS ZenBook Duo
For those with an impressive budget to work with, check out the computer of the future – the ASUS ZenBook Duo UX481 Laptop. With an extended display, you can do more with ease or have more open with better viewing. People who need to work on multiple applications at the same time will fall in love with this new computer. Of course, it comes with standard white backlighting, so you can more easily type even in the dark.
Even with the added screen where the keyboard normally goes, this computer still provides a full-sized keyboard and a full trackpad, too, but it does lack a numeric keypad. It will take a while to get used to the trackpad, which is off to the side and comes with two-click keys as well. Everyone from visual designers to musicians and more will love the versatility of this laptop.
Use the handwriting and touchscreen mode on the keyboard screen for more functionality. With the specs including an Intel i7 processor, GeForce Mx250 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 14-inch screen, there is nothing this laptop cannot handle, including processor-heavy software. The Zenbook also comes with dual fans for longevity and triple heat pipes.
Lastly, get ultrafast connectivity to the internet with up to Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax), and it even works with Alexa for voice commands. It includes the standards too like a webcam, Bluetooth, Windows 10 Pro, a full HD display, and a lightweight too, all stored in a military-grade case. However, the battery only lasts about 6 hours, but that’s the only downfall.
- ScreenPad Plus: 12.6 inch matte touchscreen, giving your endless way to optimize your multitasking experience by extending the screen or split windows and apps on both displays
- 14 inch Full HD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display
- Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) with NVIDIA GeForce MX250
- Detachable palm rest, sleeve and ASUS active stylus pen included
- Fast storage and memory featuring 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD with 16GB RAM
7. Acer Aspire 5 Slim
The best budget laptop with a backlit screen is the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop. While it doesn’t offer the high-end specs you need for heavy-duty software, it’s perfect for web-browsing, working on documents, and light gameplay. With the Acer Aspire, you can stay within budget and still get everything you need, but you will sacrifice the touchpad and the screen.
While the touchpad feels cheap, you still get a full keyboard, including the numeric pad making it great for those who need to run numbers. Also, the screen isn’t the most vibrant, but it is full HD and comes in an impressive 15.6-inch size, perfect for having multiple screens open at once. The laptop runs Windows 10 Home, perfect for students and most light computer needs.
Lastly, the computer comes with 8GB of RAM, a 256GB solid-state drive, and an AMD Ryzen 5 quad-core processor. It also has a decent battery life of 7.5 hours, making it a great on-the-go option. The computer also includes Acer TrueHarmony for deep base and more volume for fantastic sound perfect for movie and music lovers.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB DDR4 Memory; 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with HDCP support
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 hours battery life
Buying Guide for Backlit Keyboard Laptops
Take a look at key features to look for in backlighting on a laptop. Doing your research ahead of time saves you from ending up with a laptop that does not suit your needs.
Backlighting Features
The first decision to consider is what kind of backlighting you want. Do you want plain white, or do you prefer full RGB color? If you want the latter, you will need a gaming laptop; otherwise, any of the options will work. However, then you need to decide if you want adjustable lighting, which can allow you to change the brightness or shut it off completely to save battery life. Some very fancy options allow you to dedicate a color to every single key individually, but it’s a feature that will cost more.
Type of Laptop
The next feature to consider is what you will use the laptop for – home use, work, or gaming. If you only plan to surf the web and do some light documenting, then a gaming computer will cost more than is necessary. Make sure you know exactly what you plan to use the computer for as some software requires a better processor or even more RAM. Also, you may need a numeric keypad too for working with numbers or gaming. Finally, consider a 2-in-1 computer if you want your laptop to function as a tablet too.
Location
Lastly, you need to consider where you need backlighting. Will you be working in a dark location, or do you want to game in your room with RGB lighting? Where you will be on the computer may change which lighting you choose. For professional use, it’s best to choose subdued white lighting, while for home use, you can use either type of lighting.
Questions About Backlit Keyboard Laptops
What the biggest benefit of a backlit computer?
The best benefit is having extra lighting for easy visibility no matter your current environmental conditions. With the lights, you can be on your computer anywhere at any time, although you may want to avoid using the computer in a movie theater. Moreover, backlighting can help those with poor vision to better see the keys and can help gamers see the keys they need the most easily.
Will the backlighting kill my battery?
Yes, the backlighting will affect your battery. If you have enough lighting, turn it off to preserve battery life and then only turn it on when you need it on for visibility. Some computers with higher specs can handle the backlight drain better than those with smaller processors.
What are the potential problems with backlit computers?
The main problem that’s possible is that the backlighting stops working. Always check the reviews for any item you are interested in to find out what problems tend to be common with that model. Sometimes rebooting the computer can fix the problem. Keep the warranty information in case the backlighting fails, or you encounter any other problems.
Conclusion
Find everything you need in the Apple MacBook Air. Not only is it backlit, but the settings are adjustable right on the keyboard for easy access. With an 18-hour battery life, you won’t mind if a little of the power on this new silicone processor goes to lighting up your screen at night. All this with specs ready to last for a decade and incredible software included for a smooth transition back to work, play, or web surfing.