Perixx Periboard-805e US Review

The Perixx Periboard-805E is a super-portable folding keyboard that's all about saving space. It folds to wallet-size and turns on/off automatically when opened or closed. Typing feel is mediocre and it uses older Bluetooth 3.0, but the design is clever. At $70, it's a niche product for the ultra-mobile who value portability above all else.

Let's be real, you're not looking at the Perixx Periboard-805E because you want the ultimate typing experience. You're looking at it because you need a keyboard that literally disappears when you're done with it. This is a gadget for the ultra-mobile, the person who's already carrying a phone, a tablet, maybe a laptop, and just can't fit a full-sized keyboard in the bag. It folds down to the size of a large wallet, and that's the whole point.

It's a keyboard for specific moments. Think replying to a long email on your phone while waiting for a train, or jotting down notes on a tablet during a coffee shop meeting where you don't want to unpack your whole laptop. The ergonomic V-shape and scissor switches are Perixx's attempt to make this tiny, foldable thing less of a chore to use. It's an interesting compromise between portability and usability.

The magic trick here is the magnetic switch. Open it, and it turns on and pairs. Close it, and it shuts off. There's no fumbling for a power button. That simple feature, combined with the 4.9-ounce weight, makes it feel less like a computer peripheral and more like a clever accessory you might actually remember to bring with you.

Performance for a keyboard like this isn't about GHz or GB. It's about connection stability and typing feel. The Bluetooth 3.0 connection is stable once paired, but it's worth noting that tech has moved on. Bluetooth 5.0 is standard now for better range and lower power, so the 3.0 here is a bit of a throwback. In our tests, it held a connection fine within a typical desk range, but don't expect to type from across the room.

The typing experience is the real story. The scissor-switch keys are quiet, which is great for public spaces, but they're also very shallow and have a light, almost mushy feel. If you're a touch typist used to mechanical keyboards, this will feel like typing on a flat surface. For short bursts of text, it's perfectly serviceable. For writing a novel, you'd go insane. The 'X-type' key layout is compact, so there's a learning curve to hit the right keys without looking.

At around $70, the Periboard-805E sits in a weird spot. It's not cheap enough to be an impulse buy for most people, but its unique folding design means it doesn't have many direct competitors. You're paying a premium for the form factor. For the same price, you could get a much nicer, full-sized Bluetooth keyboard from Logitech or Anker that will type far better, but it won't fold up and vanish. The value here is entirely in the portability. If that's your primary need, the price is justifiable. If you just need a wireless keyboard for your desk, you can get a better one for less money.

The most obvious alternative is a simple silicone roll-up keyboard. They're cheaper (around $20-30) and even more portable, but they have a truly awful typing feel. The Perixx is a major step up from those. The real competition comes from compact, non-folding Bluetooth keyboards. The Logitech K380 is a classic, often found for $30-40. It's more solid, has better keys, and supports multi-device pairing, but it's a rigid slab that takes up more bag space.

If you need a keyboard for a tablet, Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad or various Brydge models offer a far superior typing experience and act as a case, but they're heavier, more expensive, and locked to a single device. The Perixx's advantage is its device-agnostic, pack-and-go philosophy. It's a tool for someone who needs to type on multiple different screens and values bag space above all else.

If you're a writer, programmer, or anyone who types for hours at a stretch, skip this. The shallow, compact keys will drive you nuts. You need a keyboard with proper key travel. Also, if this is going to live on your desk 95% of the time, skip it. You're paying for a folding mechanism you'll almost never use, and you can get a better, more comfortable keyboard for less money.

Gamers should also look elsewhere. The latency, while fine for typing, isn't ideal for gaming, and the layout lacks any dedicated gaming features. For these users, a dedicated mechanical keyboard or a high-quality membrane board is a far better investment. The Periboard is a tool for a very specific job.

If your life involves constant movement between devices and locations, and a standard keyboard feels like too much bulk, the Perixx Periboard-805E is a clever solution. It's the keyboard you buy when you've decided portability is your number one, non-negotiable feature. The magnetic switch is genius, the battery life is solid, and it works with everything.

For everyone else, it's harder to recommend. If you mostly type at a desk or with a single laptop/tablet, a standard Bluetooth keyboard will give you a much better experience for the same or less money. The typing feel and older Bluetooth tech are real compromises you make for that folding trick. Think of it as a specialty tool, not your daily driver.