Releasing alongside the Dell Silent Keyboard and Mouse (KM555), the $34.99 Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) is a bargain-priced keyboard designed with productivity in mind. This board features video-chat controls compatible with both Zoom and Microsoft Teams, a dedicated Microsoft Copilot button, and the option to connect via USB-A or USB-C. It has some minor issues, similar to the KM555’s—primarily, the membrane keys aren’t the most comfortable to type on—but its affordability is argument enough to score it a recommendation if you’re in the market for a cheap keyboard.Design: A Familiar Look and FeelNearly identical to the keyboard included in the KM555 bundle, the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard is fairly standard. “Generic” might sound too harsh, but it’s apt to describe the keyboard’s simple design. But simple is not bad, as the lightweight (1-pound) and compact (1-by-17-by-8.8-inch) build makes the keyboard easy to move around your desk. Like on the KM555, the membrane switches make the keyboard’s typing slightly uncomfortable. It’s not terrible; I imagine users accustomed to the short key travel distance of Apple keyboards might have no issue with them. But for others, it could be a noticeable annoyance. The chiclet keys feature no backlighting, but the white labels against the black keys do pop enough to give your workspace a clean, no-nonsense look.
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A closer look at the keyboard reveals one of the major differences between the KM555 and the KB525C: the four keys above the number pad.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Touted by Dell as the “world’s first wired collaboration keyboard for Zoom and Microsoft Teams,” the keyboard includes four shortcut keys exclusively for video calls. It’s certainly not the first Zoom-minded keyboard, though. The much pricier Dell KB900 Premier Collaboration Keyboard was among one of the first keyboards to be “Zoom certified.” The four LED keys come to life while on a video call, offering one-press shortcuts for the camera, microphone, messaging, and screen-sharing functions. On Zoom calls, the functionality works flawlessly. For Microsoft Teams calls, however, you must navigate to the settings menu and activate a third-party API before the functionality is recognized. Teams isn’t the only place Microsoft injects itself into the keyboard. A Copilot button works its way onto the KB525C, too, an increasingly common way to bring basic AI functionality to keyboards. In this case, pressing the button automatically opens Microsoft Copilot on devices that support it.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The second major difference between the two new Dell keyboards is in the name. You may have already guessed, but the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard is, well, wired. The KB525C doesn’t support Bluetooth or any other type of wireless connection. It instead offers both USB-C and USB-A connectivity. The cable is a USB-C one, but it has a removable USB-A cap that stays connected to the cord if you’d prefer to use a USB-A port. Software: Collaboration Is KeyAlmost every mainstream and high-end keyboard has downloadable software meant to squeeze more functionality from it, but budget models sometimes skip this. The Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard does not, though. Installing automatically the first time you connect it to a Windows PC, the Dell Peripheral Manager is where you will adjust functionality. It has fewer function buttons to customize, down to 15 from the KM555’s 18, but that’s still a surprising amount for a run-of-the-mill productivity daily driver.
(Credit: Dell)
After spending some time with the keyboard, I found that it easily fills its role as a reliable productivity tool, even if the gummy-feeling keys aren’t the most desirable to type on. I didn’t have to worry about wireless connection glitches, thanks to the wired connection. The keyboard can be used across operating systems, including macOS, Ubuntu, ChromeOS, and Red Hat operating systems (though the software is only compatible with Windows).All of these capabilities increase the KB525C’s appeal, but the real selling point for the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard is its price. At just $35, the keyboard is highly affordable. It’s a way better buy than the Amazon Basics Low-Profile Wired USB Keyboard, and if you don’t mind the membrane keys, it’s just as good as, if not better than, the Cherry Stream Keyboard, thanks to the productivity add-ons.Verdict: A Good Basic Value for Frequent Video CallersSure, you could buy the Dell KB900 Premier Collaboration Keyboard, the Razer Pro Type Ultra, or another general-use keyboard if you’ve got $100 or so to spend, but if you’re looking for an excellent keyboard on the cheap, the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) is for you. Exceptionally quiet when you’re typing, the KB525C is compact, and it comes armed with a surprising amount of functionality and customizability. Best of all, it balances out some of its shortcomings with an affordable price. It stands out from the bargain-keyboard crowd as one of the best buys for economizing shoppers.
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About Zackery Cuevas
Analyst, Hardware
I’m an Analyst and ISF-certified TV calibrator focused on reviewing computer accessories, laptops, gaming monitors, and video games. I’ve been writing, playing, and complaining about games for as long as I remember, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to shout my opinions directly at a larger audience. My work has appeared on iMore, Windows Central, Android Central, and TWICE, and I have a diverse portfolio of editing work under my belt from my time spent at Scholastic and Oxford University Press. I also have a few book-author credits under my belt—I’ve contributed to the sci-fi anthology Under New Suns, and I’ve even written a Peppa Pig book.
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