Dell’s new $50 silent mouse and AI keyboard are great, especially with the Copilot key.
What you need to know
- Today, Dell announced its new Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) and Silent Mouse and KB Combo (KM555), aimed at office workers or students.
- The KM555 wireless keyboard and mouse combo is just $49.99, while the standalone keyboard is $34.99.
- Both keyboards are quiet and offer Microsoft’s new Copilot key.
- Our hands-on review gives both thumbs up.
It feels like there are hundreds, if not thousands, of keyboards out there today, but few get Dell’s approval. Today, the company announced its new Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) for $34.99 and Silent Mouse and KB Combo (KM555) for just $49.99.
I have been using both bowls for the past week and am impressed. When I first received them, I had no price information, so for all I know, a keyboard and mouse combo is around $100. However, I was surprised to learn that these are higher-end offerings while providing additional productivity functionality, including Microsoft Copilot key and flexible keyboard settings.
Here’s how they break down their differences and why they’re worth buying.
Dell Silent Mouse and KB Combo (KM555)
The Silent Mouse and KB Combo (KM555) are my favorites because of their size. Despite their compact design, they still have a full complement of full-sized number and arrow keys.
As you may have noticed, this is completely wireless and connects via Bluetooth AND 5.1 or a 2.4GHz Type-A dongle (which saves well on a mouse or keyboard battery). I don’t like the removable battery door at the bottom, as it’s a bit difficult to remove and replace, but the good news is that the two included AAA batteries should last 3 years, which is not make sense.
The theme of this keyboard emphasizes silence, and Dell delivers here. It’s quiet, making it the perfect keyboard for office or college students sharing a dorm room. The key travel is very comfortable and feels more than 1mm, so it never feels shallow or dropped. There is no flex on the desk, due to the short edges of this keyboard.
Behind the keyboard there is a small on/off switch, and there are devices that raise one level to provide some height and a more ergonomic approach.
This keyboard is among the first to include Microsoft’s new Copilot key, which allows you to call an AI-powered assistant on a single keyboard. I’m a big fan of Copilot and use it regularly, but how others feel about it remains to be seen.
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Interestingly, while Dell doesn’t let you customize the Copilot button, it does allow you to assign the function to up to 18 others, including an entire row of functions. By using the Dell Peripheral Manager software, users can assign keys for various actions, including productivity, productivity, Windows features, and multimedia. It’s the perfect organizing tool, which should please even the pickiest of typists.
While we’re no longer stuck with our best gaming keyboards, this quiet Dell keyboard will make our best keyboards for 2024.
Turning to the Dell Silent Mouse (MS355), it’s also better than you might think at this price (sold separately for $29.99). DPI ranges from 600 to 4,020, which is more than enough for most people (I set it to 2,250 while using a 4K 32-inch display, and my cursor zips across big show).
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Although the sampling rate, which offers 125Hz, 250Hz, or 333Hz, cannot compete with the best gaming mice (usually around 1,000Hz), it is still higher than the average office mouse yours, which is 125Hz (see our 2024 mice for more ideas).
Like the keyboard, Dell is flexible about settings. You can swap the main mouse button from left to right (the mouse is ambidextrous) and customize the wheel print mode for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Finally, since both devices run on batteries (2x AAA for the keyboard and 1x AA for the mouse), the battery status is visible in the Dell Peripheral Manager tool, making it easy to check.
Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C)
Assuming you use Microsoft Teams or Zoom, the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C), priced at $34.99, is a great option for those who need video call functionality.
It is similar to the previous keyboard but has a few important differences. For one, it is connected with a USB-A plug that also covers the Type C below it, giving users flexibility without having to worry about misplacing the adapter (connected).
One is the “collaboration” keys included in Zoom/Microsoft Teams (sorry, Google Meet), including video on/off, screen share, chat, and mic mute/bounce, which anyone can call. The video team will appreciate it. . The keys are illuminated to notify the user that they are available to operate and provide a good visual indication if they are in use.
With this keyboard, the user can only program 15 keys, but that is still more than average.
Because of its wide width, the Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) has some flex, but it’s not noticeable unless you press hard. Like other silent keyboards, this one has the same travel space, silent keys, and back keys.
The Dell Wired Collaboration Keyboard (KB525C) also has a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant.
Should you buy?
Considering the low price of $50 for a mouse and keyboard combo and a $35 wired keyboard, these new upgrades from Dell are great.
My only complaint is that I wish both keyboards required less effort to press a key, which feels a bit more resistive than I’d like. There are also no backlights for either keyboard, so these won’t be usable in the dark for most people. It makes sense for a wireless keyboard, since most don’t offer backlighting (and if they do, the battery life is terrible). However, it would have been a good deal for a keyboard with a network (while raising the cost, unfortunately).
Overall though, both of these keyboards punch above their weight and would be perfect for any office worker or student looking for simple yet productive keyboards. doesn’t break the bank.
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