Logitech has launched a new solar keyboard built for everyday desks, claiming light-powered freedom from charging cables and battery anxiety. The Signature Slim Solar+ K980 runs on practically any light source via the company’s Logi LightCharge system, with a quoted four months of operation in complete darkness and a target battery lifespan of up to 10 years at a $99.99 price point [1]

Announced on September 24, 2025, the full-size K980 aims to remove a daily hassle—topping up peripherals—by capturing ambient light from offices, home workstations, and even dim rooms to stay powered, then bridging gaps with a long reserve when lights go out [1]

Key Takeaways

– Shows the K980 solar keyboard runs on any light source, needs 200 lux to maintain charge, and recharges in about eight hours of light [1][2][5] – Reveals up to four months of operation in complete darkness and a battery design targeting up to 10 years of life at $99.99 [1][2] – Demonstrates a full-size 430.8×142.9×20.2mm layout at 700g, Bluetooth Easy-Switch for three devices, and multi-OS support [3][5] – Indicates Logitech added an AI Launch key, Logi Options+ customization, and no USB charging port—solar-only by design [2][4] – Suggests North America gets a macOS-specific model, while global availability begins immediately through Logitech and retailers [1][3]

What Logitech announced and when

Logitech introduced the Signature Slim Solar+ K980 on September 24, 2025, positioning it as an everyday productivity keyboard that charges from any light source using Logi LightCharge [1]

The headline claim is longevity without light: the keyboard can continue working for up to four months in complete darkness after exposure to light, backed by a battery design targeting up to 10 years of service life [1]

Global availability begins at $99.99, reinforcing a mainstream pitch rather than a niche, premium device [1]

How the solar keyboard charges on minimal light

The K980’s top-edge photovoltaic strip is tuned for indoor environments, requiring a minimum 200 lux to maintain charge, which aligns with lit office conditions and brighter home setups [2]

In practical terms, The Register reports the keyboard can replenish in about eight hours of light, suggesting a daily workday under indoor illumination should comfortably offset typical usage, with excess energy banked for nights and weekends [5]

Crucially, Logitech says the system works with “any light source,” meaning you aren’t reliant on direct sun; overhead LEDs or window-filtered daylight suffice to keep the reserve topped up [1]

Solar keyboard specs, footprint, and connectivity

This is a full-size layout with a dedicated number pad, designed to minimize compromises for spreadsheets, shortcuts, and data entry [5]

MacRumors lists dimensions at 430.8mm wide by 142.9mm deep by 20.2mm tall, and a 700-gram weight that suggests desk stability without being unwieldy for occasional moves around the house [3]

Connectivity targets multi-device workflows: Easy-Switch lets you pair and toggle between three devices via Bluetooth, and the keyboard supports multiple operating systems out of the box for easy cross-platform use [3][5]

Logitech also includes an AI Launch key, reflecting how AI shortcuts are becoming standard on modern PCs and peripherals, and customization is available via the Logi Options+ software suite [2][4]

Price, models, and availability

The K980 is priced at $99.99 and available globally through Logitech and retail partners, a notably accessible tier given the promise of light-powered operation and long-term battery design [1]

In a regional twist, Logitech is offering a macOS-specific model, but only in North America, a configuration move that may reflect market demand for Apple-centric layouts in that region [3]

The company frames the product as “one less thing to worry about,” aiming squarely at busy home and office users who want fewer cables and charging routines in their setups [1]

Sustainability and repairability considerations

By removing a USB charging port entirely, the K980 embraces a solar-only ethos, trading absolute fallback flexibility for the lowest-friction charging model in well-lit environments [4]

Logitech says the battery is designed for up to 10 years, a meaningful metric in a category where many keyboards cycle out every few years due to wear, charging fatigue, or dated connectivity [1]

The Verge reports Logitech will partner with iFixit for replaceable parts, an encouraging nod to repairability that could extend service life beyond typical accessory horizons [2]

Design details add everyday utility too: the top solar groove can double as a pen rest, an unobtrusive touch that acknowledges actual desk habits [5]

Early reviews: strengths and trade-offs

Early impressions underscore the sustainability angle—no cable, no port—but they also surface trade-offs that serious typists will weigh carefully [4]

Wired notes the K980’s screen-printed key legends may not match the longevity or clarity of etched caps over years of use, and the overall typing feel and build do not rise to the level of Logitech’s higher-end MX Keys line, despite solid software customization through Logi Options+ [4]

On the plus side, hands-on coverage reinforces the practicality of the full-size layout, three-device switching, and a charging system that keeps pace under everyday indoor lighting, preserving multi-week reserves for low-light stretches [5]

How the solar keyboard fits real desks and real lighting

The 200 lux maintenance threshold sets a clear, testable expectation: typical office lighting commonly exceeds that bar, and many home offices do as well, especially near windows or under task lighting [2]

The reported eight-hour recharge window under light suggests that standard workdays will replenish the battery more quickly than everyday use will drain it, keeping the banked reserve healthy for evenings and weekends in low light [5]

Since LightCharge works on any light source rather than only direct sun, users in north-facing rooms, co-working spaces, or overcast climates remain viable candidates for this charging model [1]

Who should consider this solar keyboard

The K980 is built for multi-device users who don’t want to think about battery management—people who split time between a laptop, tablet, and phone and need fast switching without cable clutter [3][5]

If your desk sees regular weekday illumination and you value “silent” energy upkeep, the four-month dark runtime plus solar-only simplicity will feel liberating compared with periodic cable charging and dwindling battery alerts [1][5]

If you want the most luxurious key feel or etched legends that resist decades of wear, Logitech’s own premium lines may remain better fits, but they won’t deliver the same cable-free energy story [4]

What to check before buying

First, assess your lighting: if your workspace consistently falls below 200 lux, plan to adjust lamp placement or expect to rely more on the battery reserve between brighter sessions [2]

Second, decide whether a solar-only design without a USB charging fallback aligns with your tolerance for emergencies; if you often work in very dim setups for extended periods, a cabled keyboard might still be prudent as a backup [4]

Third, consider the platform specifics: the global model supports multiple OSes, while the macOS-specific variant is limited to North America at launch [3]

The bottom line on the solar keyboard

For $99.99, Logitech’s Signature Slim Solar+ K980 offers a compelling blend of light-powered autonomy, multi-device flexibility, and long-view battery design that should suit most well-lit desks [1][3]

The 200 lux maintenance threshold and eight-hour recharge guidance provide concrete expectations, and a four-month dark reserve eases concerns during vacations, late nights, or weekend downtime without lights [2][5]

Trade-offs include a solar-only posture—no USB port—and a typing experience and keycap printing that reviewers say lag behind pricier Logitech models, but the overall value proposition remains strong for the productivity mainstream [4]

Sources:

[1] Logitech – Introducing Logitech Signature Slim Solar+ K980 Keyboard: https://ir.logitech.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/Introducing-Logitech-Signature-Slim-Solar-K980-Keyboard/default.aspx

[2] The Verge – Logitech’s new light-powered keyboard doesn’t even need the sun: www.theverge.com/news/782968/logitech-signature-solar-k980-keyboard” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.theverge.com/news/782968/logitech-signature-solar-k980-keyboard [3] MacRumors – Logitech Launches Solar-Powered Signature Slim K980 Keyboard: www.macrumors.com/2025/09/24/logitech-solar-signature-slim-k980-keyboard/” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/24/logitech-solar-signature-slim-k980-keyboard/

[4] Wired – Review: Logitech Signature Solar Slim+ K980 Keyboard: https://www.wired.com/review/logitech-signature-solar-slim-k980-keyboard [5] The Register – Solar flair: Logitech’s K980 Signature Slim keyboard runs on rays: https://www.theregister.com/2025/09/24/logitech_k980_signature_slim/

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