There’s a moment every Surface Pro owner experiences. You’re sitting in a coffee shop, an airport lounge, or at your kitchen table, marveling at the sleek, powerful tablet in your hands. It’s a brilliant device for media consumption and touch-based tasks. But then, the real work begins. An urgent email chain explodes, a detailed report needs editing, or a creative idea demands more than just taps and swipes. Suddenly, the on-screen keyboard feels cumbersome, covering half your precious screen real estate and slowing your typing to a crawl. You realize that to transform this brilliant tablet into the true laptop replacement it promises to be, a physical keyboard isn’t just an accessory; it’s a necessity. The problem? The official Microsoft Type Cover, while excellent, comes with a premium price tag that can feel like a bitter pill after an already significant investment. This is the exact dilemma that sent us searching for a viable alternative, leading us directly to the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad, a third-party contender that promises the full laptop experience for a fraction of the cost.
- 【Compatibility】This Bluetooth keyboard designed for Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024 new release), Surface Pro 10 (2024 new release), Surface Pro 9 (2022), Surface Pro 8 13 inch (2021), Surface Pro...
- 【Magnetic Detachable Wireless Keyboard】This Surface pro 10 keyboard makes it easy to do your work on the go. It is easy to pair with your device by BT with a range of up to 33 feet. A powerful...
- 【7 Color Backlit & Pencil Holder】The surface pro 9 keyboard with 7 color backlight and 3 brightness level , ideal for typing freely even in any other low light environment or at night. This...
What to Consider Before Buying a Tablet Keyboard
A tablet keyboard is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming a content consumption device into a powerful productivity machine. It bridges the gap between the portability of a tablet and the functionality of a laptop. The primary benefit is a massive boost in typing speed and accuracy, making tasks like writing emails, editing documents, or coding on the go not just possible, but efficient and comfortable. Furthermore, an integrated trackpad frees you from constantly reaching up to touch the screen, creating a more traditional and ergonomic workflow that can significantly reduce fatigue during long work sessions.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a student, a mobile professional, a writer, or anyone who frequently uses their Surface Pro for text-heavy tasks and wants a seamless, all-in-one solution. If you need to write essays, manage spreadsheets, or communicate extensively while traveling, a dedicated keyboard case is a game-changer. However, it might not be suitable for those who primarily use their tablet for drawing, media consumption, or light web browsing. For these users, the added bulk and cost might be unnecessary. They might consider a standalone, ultra-portable Bluetooth keyboard or simply stick with the on-screen controls if their typing needs are minimal.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Connectivity & Power: Keyboards connect either through a physical smart connector (like the official Microsoft version) or Bluetooth. Bluetooth offers versatility but requires its own battery and occasional pairing. Consider how important a direct, power-drawing connection is versus the flexibility of a detachable wireless keyboard.
- Typing Experience & Layout: The core function is typing, so key travel, spacing, and feedback are paramount. Scissor-switch keys, like those on the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad, offer a tactile and responsive feel similar to many modern laptops. Check for features like backlighting, which is invaluable for working in dim environments.
- Trackpad Performance: A good trackpad is non-negotiable. It should be responsive, support multi-touch gestures (like two-finger scrolling and pinch-to-zoom), and have a reliable clicking mechanism. A poor trackpad can be more frustrating than using the touchscreen itself.
- Build Quality & Durability: This accessory will be your tablet’s constant companion, so it needs to be durable. Materials range from soft Alcantara fabric to hard plastic. Consider how well it will withstand the rigors of daily transport in a backpack or briefcase.
Ultimately, choosing the right keyboard involves balancing performance, portability, price, and personal workflow preferences to find the perfect match for your Surface Pro.
While the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad is an excellent choice for Microsoft users, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition in the broader market. For a wider look at all the top models, especially for those in the Apple ecosystem, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Excellent Compatibility: The Bluetooth keyboard compatible with iOS, Android and iPad OS system. It is perfect for Apple iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Android Samsung LG tablet...
- IMPORTANT NOTE: This keyboard is compatible with 3 systems, please press FN+A/S/D to switch the required system before use (“FN+A” is for iOs , “FN+S” is for Windows, “FN+D” is for Android...
- 【Compatibility】For iPad (A16) 11th generation 11-inch 2025 (Model: A3354/A3355/A3356), For iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch 2022 (Model: A2696/A2757/A2777). Not for any other models. Please check...
First Impressions: A Sleek and Feature-Packed Arrival
Unboxing the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad, we were immediately struck by its slim and lightweight design. At just 0.24 inches thick, it adds minimal bulk, preserving the Surface Pro’s sleek profile. The grey plastic enclosure feels solid enough for daily use and matches the professional aesthetic of the Surface line well. Snapping it onto our Surface Pro 9 was satisfyingly simple; the magnetic connection is strong and aligns perfectly, holding the keyboard securely in place while allowing it to function as a protective cover when closed.
Unlike the official Microsoft keyboard, which draws power directly from the Surface, the Qulose operates on Bluetooth and has its own rechargeable battery. Setup was straightforward, as confirmed by several users who noted the “well written instructions” and “smooth and easy” pairing process. A small LED indicator signals charging and pairing status, and the inclusion of a Type-C charging cable is a modern touch. The most visually arresting feature right out of the box is the backlighting. Powering it on revealed a bright, even glow across all the keys, with the ability to cycle through seven different colors—a premium feature that immediately makes the keyboard feel like a great value and a feature that really sets it apart, which you can explore further on its product page.
What We Like
- Excellent value for the price compared to first-party options
- Bright, 7-color adjustable backlighting with 3 brightness levels
- Comfortable scissor-switch keys provide a satisfying typing experience
- Slim, lightweight design with a strong magnetic attachment
- Includes a convenient holder for the Surface Slim Pen
Drawbacks
- Bluetooth connectivity can be unreliable, requiring re-pairing after sleep mode
- Build quality concerns, with some reports of materials ungluing over time
A Deep Dive into the Qulose Keyboard’s Performance
A third-party accessory lives or dies by its real-world performance. Does it seamlessly integrate into your workflow, or does it introduce friction? We spent weeks using the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad as our daily driver for everything from writing long articles to casual web browsing. We evaluated its core functions—typing, navigation, and connectivity—to determine if its budget-friendly price point comes with any critical compromises.
The Typing and Backlighting Experience: A True Pleasure to Use
The single most important aspect of any keyboard is the typing experience, and this is where the Qulose truly shines, punching well above its weight class. The keyboard features a standard QWERTY layout with scissor-switch keys, the same mechanism found in many high-end laptops. The result is a typing experience that is both comfortable and efficient. We found the keys to have a pleasant amount of travel and a soft, quiet, yet tactile feedback. As one user aptly put it, the keys are “very comfortable to press upon,” allowing for long, two-hour typing sessions that felt “very smooth and nice.” We were able to achieve our full typing speed almost immediately, with no adjustment period needed. The spacing is generous, and the inclusion of a full function row with media controls is a welcome feature for managing playback and adjusting screen brightness on the fly.
However, the standout feature is undoubtedly the 7-color backlighting. With three levels of brightness, it makes working in dimly lit environments, like an evening flight or a cozy study, not just possible but enjoyable. Cycling through the colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Cyan, and White) is simple and adds a touch of personalization that even the standard official keyboards lack. One user review celebrated this, stating they “Love the colored backlighting, not only the brightness but the easily changeable color options.” While we did note, as another user pointed out, that the printing on the keycaps themselves isn’t exceptionally bright, the backlight is more than powerful enough to make every key clearly visible in the dark. It’s a premium feature that elevates the entire user experience, and you can see its full feature set and user reviews to learn more.
Trackpad and Navigation: Mostly Smooth Sailing
A keyboard cover without a good trackpad is an incomplete solution. The trackpad on the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad is generously sized and has a smooth surface that allows for easy finger gliding. For the most part, it performed admirably. Standard cursor control is precise, and it fully supports Windows 11 multi-touch gestures. We could seamlessly use two-finger scrolling through web pages and documents, pinch to zoom on images, and use three-finger swipes to switch between apps. For everyday navigation, it effectively eliminates the need to constantly touch the screen, providing a genuine laptop-like workflow.
That said, it’s not without its quirks. The physical click mechanism is integrated into the bottom portion of the trackpad. While this is a common design, we did encounter a minor issue that was also highlighted by a user in their feedback. The user reported that “Anywhere but the very bottom left was a right click.” During our testing, we found the distinction between left and right clicks to be less pronounced than on a premium device like a MacBook or even Microsoft’s own Type Cover. It required a more deliberate press in the correct corner to register accurately. While we adapted to it quickly, users accustomed to more sensitive or distinct trackpad clicks might find it takes some getting used to. It’s a small compromise, but one worth noting for power users who rely heavily on precise trackpad input.
Connectivity and Battery Life: The Achilles’ Heel?
This is the area where the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad presents its most significant trade-off. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth, not the Surface’s proprietary physical connector. On the one hand, the initial setup is a breeze. Our unit paired with our Surface Pro 9 in seconds, and we were up and running without any issues. The keyboard charges via a standard USB-C port, a modern convenience that means you likely already have the right cable. Battery life was also respectable; we found one user’s claim of it lasting “about a week” with all-day use to be accurate, which is more than sufficient for most users.
The problem, however, arises with the connection’s stability after the Surface goes to sleep. We, along with several users, experienced a frustrating issue where the keyboard would fail to automatically reconnect upon waking the device. As one user detailed, “The bluetooth connectivity is lost every time the surface is close or put to sleep. The keyboard will not respond… I found myself having to delete the keyboard from the bluetooth list and adding it back again.” We can confirm this behavior. While it didn’t happen every single time, it occurred often enough to be a noticeable annoyance. Having to navigate through the touchscreen to the Bluetooth settings to manually re-pair the keyboard disrupts workflow and detracts from the seamless experience a keyboard cover should provide. This Bluetooth bug is the single biggest drawback and something potential buyers must be aware of before they check the latest price and availability.
What Other Users Are Saying
After thoroughly testing the device, we turned to a wider pool of user feedback to see if our experience was typical. The consensus largely aligns with our findings, painting a picture of a high-value product with a few notable flaws. On the positive side, praise for the value proposition is nearly universal. One user summarized it perfectly: “For the $50 +/- price is an overall worth the price keyboard.” Another lauded its “great value for the price compared to other keyboards.” The typing comfort and backlighting are also frequently mentioned highlights. One happy customer, identifying as “not particularly tech-savvy,” was “pleasantly surprised by how effortlessly I could sync this keyboard,” and praised the backlit feature and slim design for their “on-the-go business.”
However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses on two key areas: connectivity and build quality. The Bluetooth re-pairing issue we experienced was the most common complaint, representing a significant source of frustration. The other concern relates to long-term durability. One user shared a photo of the keyboard beginning to “unglue” at the seam where the wrist rests, forcing them to return it. Another user noted that while it “works great,” it “doesn’t seem very durable.” This feedback suggests that while the day-to-day functionality is strong, its longevity might not match that of a more expensive, first-party product.
How Does the Qulose Compare to the Alternatives?
No product exists in a vacuum. To truly assess the value of the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad, it’s essential to compare it against its key competitors, each of which serves a different user and budget.
1. Apple Magic Keyboard iPad Pro/Air
- WHY MAGIC KEYBOARD — The perfect companion for iPad Pro and iPad Air, Magic Keyboard features a great typing experience, a trackpad, backlit keys, a USB‑C port for pass‑through charging, and...
- COMPATIBILITY — Magic Keyboard works with iPad Pro 11‑inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); and iPad Air (4th and 5th generation).
- KEYBOARD LANGUAGES — Arabic, British English, Chinese (Pinyin), Chinese (Zhuyin), Danish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain),...
The Apple Magic Keyboard is the gold standard within the Apple ecosystem, offering an unparalleled user experience for iPad Pro and iPad Air users. Its standout features are the “floating cantilever” design, a superb scissor-switch keyboard, a highly responsive trackpad, and seamless integration via the Smart Connector, which handles both data and power. However, it is a premium product with a price tag to match and is completely incompatible with any Microsoft Surface device. This is the ideal choice for an iPad power user who is willing to pay a significant premium for flawless integration and build quality. It highlights the Qulose’s primary strength: providing a similar feature set (backlit keys, trackpad) for the Surface platform at a mere fraction of the cost.
2. Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Type Cover
- Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and large trackpad for precise navigation and control
- Slim and compact, yet performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard
- Clicks in place instantly — use in combination with Surface Pro 7 Kickstand for a best-in-class laptop experience anywhere.
This is the official, first-party option and the most direct competitor to the Qulose. Its greatest advantage is its perfect integration. It uses the physical Surface Connect port, meaning there are zero Bluetooth pairing issues, no need for a separate battery, and an instant, reliable connection every time. The keyboard is often covered in a luxurious Alcantara fabric, giving it a premium feel. However, it is significantly more expensive than the Qulose, and base models often lack the multi-color backlighting that makes the Qulose so appealing. The Microsoft option is for the Surface user who prioritizes absolute reliability and a premium finish and is willing to pay the steep “brand tax” for it. The Qulose is for the user who wants 90% of the functionality, and even some extra features like colored backlighting, for less than half the price.
3. iClever BK05 Backlit Foldable Keyboard
- Tri-fold Backlit Foldable Keyboard - The folding keyboard has 3 color backlights(Red, Green, and Blue) and 2 brightness levels. The backlit keys allow easy typing in dim-light environments to reduce...
- Connect up to 4 Devices - Features wired and 3 Bluetooth 5.1 connect channels, with just a simple keystroke(Fn+Q/W/E/R), can connect and switch seamlessly between up to 4 devices, such as your laptop,...
- Premium Durability & Stability - The aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction ensures superior strength and durability. This high-quality material resists wear and tear. The attached balance stands...
The iClever BK05 represents a different approach to tablet productivity. It is not a keyboard case but a universal, ultra-portable, foldable Bluetooth keyboard. Its main selling point is its incredible portability and versatility; it can be folded down to pocket size and used with a Surface Pro, an iPad, a smartphone, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. While it includes backlighting, it lacks an integrated trackpad and the all-in-one, laptop-like form factor of the Qulose. This keyboard is for the ultimate minimalist traveler or the user who needs one keyboard for multiple different devices. It sacrifices the seamless, case-integrated experience of the Qulose for maximum portability and cross-device compatibility. Choosing between them depends on whether you want a dedicated solution for your Surface or a jack-of-all-trades travel companion.
Our Final Verdict: A Worthy Contender with a Caveat
After extensive hands-on use and analysis, our verdict on the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad is overwhelmingly positive, albeit with one important reservation. This keyboard delivers an exceptional amount of value. The typing experience is fantastic, the 7-color backlighting is a brilliant and functional addition, and the slim, magnetic design perfectly complements the Surface Pro. For a price that is often less than half that of the official Microsoft counterpart, it successfully transforms the Surface from a tablet into a legitimate productivity laptop.
We would wholeheartedly recommend this keyboard to any Surface Pro 8, 9, X, 10 or 11 user who is budget-conscious but still desires premium features like backlighting and a full trackpad. It is perfect for students, writers, and mobile professionals. However, this recommendation comes with the crucial caveat regarding its Bluetooth connectivity. If you are a user who demands flawless, instant-on reliability and would be driven mad by the prospect of occasionally having to re-pair your keyboard, you may be better served by saving up for the official Microsoft Type Cover. For everyone else who can tolerate this minor (though frustrating) quirk, the Qulose represents an unbeatable bargain. If you’re ready to unlock your Surface Pro’s full potential without emptying your wallet, you can find the Qulose Surface Pro 9 Keyboard with Trackpad and check its current price online.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API