9 Top Picks
3 Reviewers
40 Hours of Research
20 Options Considered
Recently, laptops with backlit keyboards are getting more and more popular. While enabling buyers to choose from a wider range and at a more reasonable price, this can also cause great troubles for people that are not in the computer and technology field.
9 Top Laptops with Backlit Keyboard
[Best Overall]
This is a natural silver laptop with a large 17.3 inches screen. Its 7.3 inches screeno offers enough space for my multitasking assignments and playing games.
5.0/5
[Best for the Money]
The laptop features a sleek design with ultra-thin bezels. A wide 100% sRGB color gamut coverage for enhanced color depth.
4.9/5
[Best for the Good Performance]
3. ASUS TUF
The ASUS TUF gaming laptop PC is one of the best products for gamers with limited budget.
As its name suggests, portability is a focused feature of the product.
4.8/5
This is one of the oldest Apple’s pieces of hardware. Even though not as proficient as some recent models, Macbook Air is still among the most affordable Apple laptops out there.
4.7/5
5. Acer Aspire
Acer Aspire can proceed pretty much everything with a minimum slowdown. Undoubtedly, this will give you the best gaming experience you could ask for, with just about $700.
4.6/5
6. MSI GL62M
The MSI GL62M is proof for the fact that you don’t always have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a decent gaming laptop.
The product is an asset for gamers and anyone that demands excellent functions from a laptop.
4.5/5
This is one of the most popular gaming laptops at the $1000 price point.
Just as the MSI GL62M, the ASUS VivoBook features Intel Core i7 and a storage space of 1 TB, making it the top choice for gamers on budget.
4.4/5
8. HP ENVY 13
Powered by the 8th generation core i7-8565u, HP Envy 13 enhances the user experience to a level beyond words. While the HP Envy 13’s speed is not the highest you can find on the market.
4.3/5
9. Asus FX503VD
Featuring Intel Quad Core i7-7700HQ and 8GB RAM, the product is capable of handling pretty much everything you throw at it. The solid hard drive of 128GB M.2 SSD is another advantage, giving you abundant space to store your stuff.
4.2/5
In this article, we will present the top 7 laptops with backlit keyboards along with a short and sweet review on each. Read on!
Top 7 Laptops with Backlit Keyboard
[Best Overall]
5/5
HP Pavilion 17.3" FHD IPS Laptop is a natural silver laptop with a large 17.3 inches screen. I love the large screen size because I can use it for gaming or multitasking purposes. Its stylish, thin, and sleek design is what attracted me most. Its backlit keyboard makes the laptop even more appealing to me. Other than design, it has quality features that enhance its performance, ensuring I finish my assignments and tasks in time. Another thing that caught my attention is its powerful 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, which has a high processing speed of up to 4.2 GHz, ensuring the HP laptop responds fast.
Features
HP Pavilion 17.3" FHD IPS Laptop has the following features.
A 7.3 inches screen, offering enough space for my multitasking assignments and playing games
A 16 GB DDR4 memory for a lag-free operation and 1 TB PCIe SSD storage, ensuring I store multiple files
Supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth connectivity technologies
A backlit keyboard that enhances its appealing characteristics, I personally liked this keyboard, as it makes the laptop stylish and trendy.
Supports Windows 11 OS with high-end features
The 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 with a frequency of 2.4 GHz to 4.2 GHz for fast processing
The Intel Turbo Boost Technology increases the laptop’s responsiveness and performance
A Full HD laptop with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 for a quality image display, which allows me to edit my photos and videos.
An IPS panel with accurate color reproduction and excellent viewing angles
Anti-glare, which reduces strain on my eyes
High brightness levels of up to 300 nits
A wide sRGB color gamut coverage of up to 100% for color depth
An HP True Vision 720p HD camera, allowing me to hold video conferences and online meetings.
An Intel Iris Xe Graphics for transformational graphics rendering
Two USB Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, and one HDMI 1.4b allows me to connect it to multiple devices
Pros
Cons
[Best For The Money]
4.9/5
Acer Swift X SFX14-42G-R607 Creator Laptop is a grey 14-inch laptop running on Windows 11 OS. The laptop features a sleek design with ultra-thin bezels and a compact build that ensures I effortlessly carry it around. Besides, it has a backlit keyboard that enhances the appealing characteristic of the laptop. In my own experience, this laptop is the ideal option for content creators as it features wide sRGB color gamut coverage, NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti Graphics card, and a high screen resolution.
Features
Acer Swift X SFX14-42G-R607 Creator Laptop has the following features.
A 14 inches screen offers enough space for my work
A Full HD laptop with 1920 × 1080 maximum screen resolution for the quality display
A wide 100% sRGB color gamut coverage for enhanced color depth
Features NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti Graphics card for boosted graphics rendering
A large memory capacity of 16 GB to eliminate lag. It also has 512 GB SSD storage ensuring I store multiple files
A backlit keyboard that looks attractive to my eyes
Supports Windows 11 OS with Windows Hello allowing me access to accessibility features easily
It has a powerful battery for long life
Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor ensures fast processing speed
Processor frequency of 2.4 GHz to 5.0 GHz
An IPS panel with accurate color reproduction and excellent viewing angles improves my watching experience.
300 nits brightness, high enough to ensure a precise view in bright conditions
A wide 16:9 aspect ratio
The Fingerprint Reader allows me to sign in using my finger biometrics
Measures 12.71 × 8.35 × 0.7 inches and has an average weight of 3.06 lbs
Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity technologies
Pros
Cons
[Best For The Good Performance]
3. ASUS TUF
4.8/5
The ASUS TUF gaming laptop PC is one of the best products for gamers with limited budget, since it goes for a price of just under $700.
As its name suggests, portability is a focused feature of the product. ASUS TUF has a thin profile and 5.07-pound weight.
Light and affordable as it is, the laptop still offers decent performance and processing speed with 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8300H and 8GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM. On top of that, do not worry if you have a lot of stuff to store, as with the ASUS TUF, you will enjoy the 1 TB hard disk drive which is enough for about 200,000 songs, 310,000 photos or 500 hours worth of movies or 310,000 photos.
One of the most impressive features of the laptop is the red backlit keyboard, which offers 1.8mm key travel distance and a 20 million keystroke durability. This is a feature that many gamers find hard to resist.
Regarding its price versus all that the product offers, ASUS TUF Thin & Light gaming laptop is too good to be true!
Pros
Cons
4.7/5
This is one of the oldest Apple’s pieces of hardware. Even though not as proficient as some recent models, Macbook Air is still among the most affordable Apple laptops out there with less than $1000 and some as cheap as $700.
With a screen size of 13.3-inch and a weight of just 2.96 pounds, Macbook Air is the top choice for those who want a light yet powerful laptop. Thanks to its 1.8 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Macbook Air 2017 can handle most things you throw at it, be it graphic design, word processing or surfing the web.
When it comes to battery life, the product has almost no competition. Its wireless battery life of up to 12 hours enables you to do your job on the laptop through the workday without a recharge. While Macbook Air’s temporary memory and space storage are not the most impressive on the market, its build quality, touch and feel are top-notch.
Overall, it's definitely a top laptop if lightness mobility is your main criteria. We strongly recommend it to college students and those who have to travel frequently, such as businessmen.
5. Acer Aspire
4.6/5
The Acer Aspire may not be the best laptop with a price of under $700, but it is one of the few that are decent for gamers.
Featuring an Intel Core i5-6200U processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD hard disk drive, Acer Aspire can proceed pretty much everything with a minimum slowdown. Undoubtedly, this will give you the best gaming experience you could ask for, with just about $700.
In its price range, this Acer model is among those with the longest battery life. To be specific, the laptop lasted 9 hours and 43 minutes, more than enough to walk you through an average workday. Generally, the feature set for this laptop provides great value for the price.
6. MSI GL62M
4.5/5
The MSI GL62M is proof for the fact that you don’t always have to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a decent gaming laptop.
Combining GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4G Graphics, 8GB RAM, Quad-Core i7-7700HQ with 128GB solid-state drive plus 1TB hard drive, the product is an asset for gamers and anyone that demands excellent functions from a laptop.
Not only powerful with Quad Core i7-7700HQ and 8GB RAM, its 1TB hard dics is really impressive, allowing you to multitask and store whatever you want in your laptop while also enjoying the smoothest processing speed.
Generally, the MSI GL62M is among the best under-$1000 laptops you could ask for!
4.3/5
The ASUS VivoBook is one of the most popular gaming laptops at the $1000 price point.
Just as the MSI GL62M, the ASUS VivoBook features Intel Core i7 and a storage space of 1 TB, making it the top choice for gamers on budget. Compared to the MSI, the ASUS VivoBook has a much larger SSD (256GB) that will improve the boot times and game loading, giving a smoother experience for players.
Graphics and mobility are also the product’s selling points. With the 15-inch full HD display, it offers a thrilling feel for users, no matter if you are a gamer or a Netflix sucker. Weighing only 4.85 pounds, the ASUS VivoBook K570UD is among the most compact gaming laptops on the market.
8. HP ENVY 13
4.2/5
For those who want a slim, light, versatile laptop for both work and play, HP Envy 13 is definitely among the best picks.
Powered by the 8th generation core i7-8565u, HP Envy 13 enhances the user experience to a level beyond words. While the HP Envy 13’s speed is not the highest you can find on the market, it does a nice job of balancing between power and mobility. Considering its reasonable price, the performance it offers is really impressive.
Plus, you’re also in for a spacious 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. With these features, you will be able to enjoy a handsome amount of multitasking without the slightest slowdown. The device also offers up to 12GB SDRAM for memory as well as 128GB SSD which can be leveled up to 1TB HDD in case you plan to expand its storage.
The HP Envy 13’s backlit keyboard is recognized as one of the comfiest ones available on the market, with a comfortable travel distance. The keys are also really quiet, which makes the model a good choice for students or a laptop for teachers.
9. Asus FX503VD
4.1/5
Tailor-made for the most avid gamers, ASUS FX503VD is a powerful, high-performance laptop. Featuring Intel Quad Core i7-7700HQ and 8GB RAM, the product is capable of handling pretty much everything you throw at it. The solid hard drive of 128GB M.2 SSD is another advantage, giving you abundant space to store your stuff.
As a typical gaming laptop, ASUS FX503VD also has an excellent backlit keyboard with a comfortable amount of travel. This allows you to experience the game to its best.
However, we must say that mobility is not ASUS FX503’s strength. Considered bulky and heavy, the product is not suitable to carry everywhere with you, and officers and businessmen are not recommended to purchase it. Anyway, if you are a gamer, this should not be so big of a deal right?
Things To Take Into Consideration When Looking For A Laptop With Backlit Keyboard
When buying a laptop with a backlit keyboard, you need to consider several things in a laptop and not just its backlit keyboard, which makes the task really tricky for most people. Below, we will present the main features of a backlit laptop and how to know which types will be suitable for your case.
Processor
As a main part, the CPU determines a laptop’s processing speed at any task. If you want to multitask on your laptop, you should buy one which has a powerful processor, or your laptop will end up hanging every single time you attempt to make it run more than one program.
Most laptops come with an Intel (AMD CPU brand in other cases). Their differences? In terms of power, the Intel has an edge over the AMD. Still, if price is what you consider priority, the AMD appears more budget-friendly
RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM, also known as computer memory, is your system’s short-term data storage. RAM allows you to multitask and at the same time decides if you can switch among these tasks at a high speed, as it remembers where you are in one task when you proceed to another task.
While 8GB of RAM will suffice for the majority of users, many gamers find a 16GB more comfortable to use. Less than 4GB of RAM is not recommended.
Hard Disk Drive
To put it simply, the hard disk drive helps store all your data including videos, documents, photos, and other system files. Small laptops usually have a storage of 320 GB, and a 500 GB one will be enough for the majority of users.
However, if your budget is generous and you have a lot of stuff to keep, you may want to consider a laptop with 1 TB storage space.
Screen size
Most laptops have a screen of 14 to 18-inch length. Basically, a large screen will provide more satisfying watching experiences and is also more friendly for your eyes.
Regarding this, if you have to work long hours on your laptop or enjoy watching Netflix on it, head for a screen size of around 17 inches. Otherwise, a smaller 14-inch laptop would suffice.
Backlit Keyboard Features
As you are choosing a laptop featuring a backlit keyboard, you should definitely be aware of the most common features these backlit keyboards offer:
Brightness: Not all laptops allow you to control the brightness while some do, usually using one of the F keys. This feature is usually found in premium laptops, the MacBook Air for instance.
Sensor: This helps you adjust the brightness level based on your surroundings and might turn the light off during the daytime.
You should also take a look at normal features of the keyboard. As laptops are getting thinner and lighter every day, there is considerably less room for keyboards, influencing the key size and placement.
If possible, try some simple typing exercises before the purchase. Pay attention to the location of the fundamental keys such as space bar and all. Make sure they are placed in a way suitable for your hand size and typing habits.
Battery
This is a factor not to be overlooked when you choose a laptop, especially that with a backlit keyboard as it can be really power-consuming. A poor battery not only affects your workflow (and consequently your productivity) but also indicates short longevity. If you plan to spend a lot of time on your laptop and do not want to replace it soon, it is important to avoid those with less than 4 or 5 hours of battery life.
Laptop with Backlit Keyboard - A definition
So what exactly is a backlit keyboard?
Basically, it is a keyboard that is illuminated for better visibility and easier access, especially in the dark. The light usually comes from underneath the keys. In most cases, you can adjust the keyboard’s brightness levels.
Main reasons why you should take a laptop with a backlit keyboard into consideration include:
- Helpful in Low Light Conditions: On a public transit such as a red-eye flight, for example, it will give you just enough light to do what you need to do, without disturbing anyone nearby.
- Aesthetically Pleasing: A LED keyboard can light up your laptop’s appearance, not to mention some keyboards’ light come out in colors other than white (ASUS for example, with red backlight).
- Best gaming experience: Most gamers enjoy gaming in low light or in the dark for the most genuine feel and amazing experience. Therefore, a backlit keyboard increases their typing accuracy under insufficient light, which is the reason why it is featured in most gaming laptops.
FAQs
Q1: Can I adjust the brightness level of the backlit keyboards?
Yes. Most laptops allow you to control the brightness of the keyboard backlight, and some even have the option of deactivating one or all key lights. Usually, you can adjust the brightness manually: press F5 for dimmer and F6 for brighter keyboard.
Q2: What types of laptops feature backlit keyboards?
Premium Laptops, Gaming Laptops, and Ultrabooks are types of laptops that usually feature backlit keyboards. While premium laptops are often expensive ones which usually start at 800$, gaming laptops are those tailor-made for gamers and cost around 1000$ (except for some extremely affordable ones as listed above).
Q3: Do laptops with backlit cost extra money?
Yes. A laptop that does not feature a backlit keyboard generally costs less money. For that reason, it is sometimes suggested that you can cut the expense for your laptop by choosing one without a backlit keyboard.
Q4: What are the problems that a backlit keyboard could have?
All backlit keyboards can be exposed to several problems, among which backlight bleeding is the most popular.
An ideal backlit keyboard will have lighting blocked under each key and not leaked around the edges.
But there’s always more or less backlight bleeding, mainly due to the keys’ misplacement. But there are still some products that have almost no backlight bleeding, like Lenovo ThinkPads or Macbooks.
Conclusion
Choosing a laptop with backlit keyboard is a challenging task for most people. Take a serious time to consider these fundamental questions: “What am I planning to do with my laptop?” and “How much money will/can spend for this laptop?” and you will find the task much more malleable.
Above are our top 7 best laptops with backlit keyboard, and several things to keep in mind while choosing the best fit for you. Good luck with your choice!
