I tested this magical keyboard with keys that transform into a trackpad — and it will make you want to ditch your mouse

Having a separate keyboard and mouse is soooo old school — how about a keyboard that does both? The Clevetura CLVX S is designed for minimalist setups, and it’ll blow your mind. Its touch-sensitive keycaps turn into a trackpad that’s highly responsive, and even registers MacBook-specific gestures. The keyboard itself is great to type on, and customization is quick and easy via user-friendly software.

But how much would you pay for a keyboard that doubles as a mouse? If the answer is $200, the CLVX S’ price tag won’t make your eyes water — but that’s a lot of money! In the U.K., it’s even more. And while I’ve loved the typing experience, the keycaps are fingerprint magnets… and battery life isn’t the longest.

Is this still the best wireless keyboard for you? Read my full Clevetura CLVX S review.

Clevetura CLVX S review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A keyboard with touch-sensitive keycaps that turn it into a trackpad
• Who is it for? For people who travel a lot, or those with minimalist setups
• How much does it cost? It ain’t cheap — the Clevetura CLVX S is available for $199 / £290
• What do we like? The premium and portable design, trackpad capabilities, typing experience, and user-friendly software
• What don’t we like? The fingerprint-prone keycaps and the steep price

Clevetura CLVX S review: Specs

Clevetura CLVX S review: The ups

From its portable design and trackpad capabilities to the excellent typing experience, the Clevetura CLVX S doesn’t give you much to complain about.

Portable, durable design

You’re getting your money’s worth with the Clevetura CLVX S. This is an exceptionally well-built and good-looking keyboard. Its case is made of anodized aluminum and smooth polycarbonate, both of which make the keyboard super sturdy. There’s no flex in the body, something you usually get with cheap all-plastic keyboards.

The CLVX S is a very travel-friendly keyboard. It measures just 11.5 x 5.1 x 0.48 inches, so it’s ever-so-slightly shorter than an A4 sheet of paper. It weighs 15.17 ounces, so it’s a little lighter than other travel keyboards, like the NuPhy Air75 V3 ($139, 1.65lbs) and the Logitech MX Keys Mini ($99, 17.8 ounces). I’ve had no issues carrying the keyboard in my backpack to and from work.

In addition to its solid build quality, the CLVX S is a looker. It comes in either black or white, and in either macOS or Windows layouts. Clevetura sent me one of each, and I have to say, both look gorgeous. I love the minimalist design, and the per-key pastel-toned RGB lighting looks classy and not garish.

Another thing I love about the CLVX S is the flip-out feet that let you prop it up at an angle. I usually wouldn’t shout this out on a keyboard, but it’s difficult and costly to fit adjustable legs to an aluminum bottom case — like on the Epomaker Luma84 ($109). I will caveat that by saying that the CLVX S’ premium build quality is reflected in its steep price, and I’ll talk more about that shortly.

Doubles as a mouse

The Clevetura CLVX S is a unique keyboard since it doubles as a trackpad or mouse! It features TouchOnKeys touch-sensitive keys which automatically recognize whether you’re typing or using touchpad gestures. Basically, there’s a touch-sensitive layer under the keys which enables the keycaps to act as a trackpad.

Drag your finger across the keycaps and the on-screen cursor moves. Double-tap and drag, and you can select text in a Google Doc or the icons on your desktop. There are two click buttons located right under the spacebar, and these function as the left- and right-click buttons would on any mouse. The trackpad works on Windows, Linux, iPadOS, Apple TV and macOS — though you’ll need to configure it via the TouchOnKeys app when you use it for the first time with your MacBook.

What’s more, you can use macOS gestures! Once you’ve set up the keyboard via the macOS app (it takes about five minutes and you don’t have to do it again), you can use finger gestures like you can on your MacBook’s trackpad. You can spread your thumb and fingers apart to show the desktop, pinch your thumb and fingers to access Launchpad, swipe left or right with four fingers to move between Spaces, and more. You name it, the CLVX S’ trackpad can do it.

In theory, that all sounds great, but does it work in real-world use? Why, yes it does! I’ve been extremely impressed with the CLVX S’ trackpad and gestures. The keyboard registered every command instantly, and I’ve found the trackpad comfortable to use. As someone who uses MacBook-specific finger gestures a lot, I absolutely love that the CLVX S mimics them this well.

There is, of course, a steep learning curve before using the CLVX S’ trackpad becomes second nature, but after a day of using the keyboard, my fingers got the hang of it. This is a fantastic all-in-one keyboard for those who don’t want to carry a separate keyboard and mouse. I can see myself taking just this keyboard with me when I’m on the move — I’ll have more space for stuffing more tech into my day bag that way.

User-friendly companion app

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To customize the Clevetura CLVX S, you’ll need to download the TouchOnKeys app — if you’re a macOS user, the app is a necessity. You’ll need to download the app, plug the keyboard in (it features a USB-C port), and only then will gestures become available over Bluetooth. It took me only five minutes. You don’t need to do any of that if you’re using the keyboard with, say, Windows.

The TouchOnKeys app is a joy to use. Sporting a minimalist interface that matches the CLVX S general vibe, everything is well-signposted. You can create custom settings profiles for different apps, personalize three- and four-finger gestures and swipes, assign actions to Touch Sliders (Function row), and customize the RGB lighting. No complaints from me here.

Great to type on

I’ll be honest: I’m a mechanical keyboard die-hard, and I’ve achieved some of my fastest type test scores on the likes of the Epomaker Glyph ($139). But I’m no stranger to keyboards with scissor switches, having reviewed decks like the Logitech MX Keys S ($109).

The Clevetura CLVX S features low-profile scissor switches that provide good tactile feedback when pressed. They have a travel distance of 1.2mm and require 50g to 60g of force to activate. That’s much heavier than I’m used to — my trusty Epomaker Glyph’s switches require just 38g of force to activate.

But I haven’t found the CLVX S fatiguing to type on, thanks to its low-profile design — I even wrote this entire review on it! The low-profile design is also ergonomic and comfortable. Since the keyboard sits flush against your desk, you don’t need to raise your wrists too much to type. Even after a full day of typing, my wrists and fingers felt perfectly fine.

As soon as I unboxed the CLVX S, I took a typing test at 10fastfingers.com, and I achieved a speed of 95 words per minute with 90% accuracy. That’s either similar to or slightly better than other scissor-switch keyboards I’ve tested, as you can see from the table above.

Clevetura CLVX S review: The downs

It’s difficult to fault the Clevetura CLVX S, but it’s worth noting that its ABS keycaps are fingerprint magnets, and its battery life is short.

It costs HOW much?!

The Clevetura CLVX S is the first of its kind: a keyboard with touch-sensitive keys that negate the need for a separate mouse. It’s a very niche keyboard, but even so, I honestly wasn’t expecting it to cost this much. If you’re based in the States, you can grab the keyboard for $199 at Amazon U.S. That is already a lot, but if you’re in the U.K. (like I am), CLVX S costs a lot more at £290. Two hundred and ninety of the King’s pounds! Sorry, that’s a ludicrous amount of money.

Though I’ve tested my fair share of expensive keyboards, none has been as expensive as the CLVX S. I can’t even really recommend a cheaper alternative, as there aren’t any other touch-sensitive keyboards out there. If you don’t need touch-sensitive keys, the Logitech MX Keys Mini ($99) and the Keychron B2 Pro ($44) are outstanding portable keyboards with scissor switches.

Keycaps or fingerprint magnets?

There isn’t much wrong with the Clevetura CLVX S’ design or performance, but its keycaps are fingerprint magnets. The keyboard is fitted with ABS keycaps, which aren’t as durable or wear- and tear-resistant as their PBT counterparts. They feel soft to the touch but also slightly slippery — and they’re quick to attract fingerprints. Half an hour into testing, I could already see my fingerprints on my black review unit.

You can’t swap the ABS keycaps for PBT ones either. Clevetura advises against attempting to remove or rearrange the keycaps as they’re “an integral part of the TouchOnKeys technology.” Doing so can also permanently damage the device, and it will most certainly void the warranty.

I wouldn’t have minded the fingerprint magnets that much if the keyboard didn’t cost nearly $200. You could always get the CLVX S in white instead. My white review unit was quick to become shiny, too, but I couldn’t really see the fingerprints unless I was intently staring or looking for them.

Running out of juice

Frustratingly, the Clevetura CLVX S doesn’t have the longest battery life. With its RGB lighting enabled, it’s rated for just 44 hours. Turning the lighting off bumps that to approximately 10 days, but that pales in comparison to its rivals. The Logitech MX Keys Mini can last up to five months (backlight off), while the Keychron B2 Pro is rated for 300 hours of uninterrupted use. The Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT ($49) beats them all with its 18-month runtime, though.

Clevetura CLVX S review: Verdict

The Clevetura CLVX S feels like magic. It’s a keyboard whose touch-sensitive keycaps turn it into a trackpad or mouse, and they know when you’re typing or using gestures. It’s a novel concept on paper, and it works extremely well in practice. The keyboard is great to type on, and it’s highly portable. Oh, and its user-friendly companion app makes customization easy as pie.

But the CLVX S isn’t perfect. Its battery life isn’t the longest, and its keycaps are fingerprint magnets. It also costs an arm and a leg. But if you want a portable keyboard that streamlines your workflow by negating the need for a separate mouse, there’s no other like it.