We get this question regularly: "I need a large print keyboard — should I get the Bluetooth one or the ASTRA 2?" The honest answer is that it depends on two things: your lighting environment and how you use your devices. Get those two factors right and the decision is straightforward.
The short answer: choose the LogicKeyboard Large Print Bluetooth if you work in normal lighting, want wireless, or switch between a computer and an iPad or iPhone. Choose the ASTRA 2 Backlit if you work in dim or changing light, prefer a wired connection, or need a number pad. Both have the same 4x-larger, high-contrast key labels.
Key takeaways
- Both keyboards print key labels 4x larger than standard (10mm x 10mm) in high contrast.
- Bluetooth model: black-on-white, wireless, works with PC, Mac, iPad, and iPhone, runs on AAA batteries, no numpad.
- ASTRA 2: white-on-black with adjustable LED backlighting, wired USB, includes a numpad.
- If you are unsure about your lighting, lean toward the ASTRA 2 — you can dim the backlight, but you cannot add one later.
- For seniors, key legibility and simple setup usually matter more than switch type.
I've been recommending LogicKeyboard products to clients with macular degeneration, low vision, and visual impairment for years. A keyboard is only one piece of an accessible workstation — monitor distance, magnification, and lighting matter too, which we cover in our guide to computer setups for low vision. Large print keyboards also sit within a wider family of ergonomic input devices, from split keyboards to vertical mice. Here's how I actually think through the keyboard choice in an assessment.
What Do the Two Large Print Keyboards Have in Common?
Both keyboards share the core feature that makes LogicKeyboard products worth recommending: key labels that are 4x larger than standard keyboards. The characters are printed at 10mm x 10mm — large enough to read without leaning in, squinting, or guessing. For clients who've been hunting and pecking on standard keyboards because they can't read the keys, this alone is transformative.
Both use high-contrast printing. Both have a full-size layout with function row, number row, and arrow keys. Both are compatible with PC and Mac. Both are built to LogicKeyboard's quality standard, which in my experience is consistently reliable.
The differences are about connectivity, lighting, and use case — not about which keyboard is better in an absolute sense.
Who Is the LogicKeyboard Large Print Bluetooth Keyboard For?
The Large Print Bluetooth Keyboard is the choice for users who want wireless freedom and work in reasonably lit environments.
Key specs
- Bluetooth 3.0 wireless — no cable, no dongle
- Compatible with PC, Mac, iPad, and iPhone from a single keyboard
- Black-on-white high-contrast printing
- Powered by 2x AAA batteries (included) — no charging required
- 78 keys (PC) / 79 keys (Mac)
- 12-month warranty
Who this is for
The Bluetooth model is the right choice when wireless connectivity matters — whether that's for a cleaner desk setup, multi-device use (switching between a Mac and an iPad, for example), or simply the freedom to position the keyboard wherever it's most comfortable without cable constraints.
It's also the right choice for users who work in normal office or home lighting. The black-on-white printing is high-contrast and readable under standard fluorescent or natural light. If you can see the keys clearly in your current lighting, you don't need backlighting — and the Bluetooth model's battery-powered design means no charging to manage.
I recommend this keyboard most often to clients who are managing macular degeneration or low vision in a standard office or home environment and want the simplicity of a wireless setup that works across multiple devices.
Who Is the LogicKeyboard ASTRA 2 Backlit Keyboard For?
The ASTRA 2 Backlit Keyboard is the choice for users who work in low-light environments or need illuminated keys for any reason.
Key specs
- Wired USB connection — plug and play, no pairing required
- LED backlighting with adjustable brightness
- White-on-black high-contrast printing — the backlight illuminates white characters on a black background
- Full-size layout with numpad
- Compatible with PC and Mac
- USB powered — no batteries required
Who this is for
The ASTRA 2 is the right choice when lighting is the primary challenge. If you work in a dim office, a home office with poor overhead lighting, or at a workstation where the ambient light varies significantly throughout the day, backlit keys make a meaningful difference. The white-on-black printing with LED backlighting is highly visible even in near-darkness.
It's also the right choice for users who prefer a wired connection — no batteries to replace, no pairing to manage, no wireless interference to troubleshoot. For users in clinical or institutional settings where wireless devices may be restricted, the ASTRA 2 is the practical choice.
The ASTRA 2 also includes a full numpad, which the Bluetooth model doesn't. For users who do significant data entry or work with spreadsheets, this is worth noting.
How Do the Bluetooth and ASTRA 2 Compare Side by Side?
Key size and contrast are identical; lighting, connection, power, and the numpad are what separate them.
| Feature | Large Print Bluetooth | ASTRA 2 Backlit |
|---|---|---|
| Key label size | 10mm x 10mm (4x larger) | 10mm x 10mm (4x larger) |
| Print color | Black on white | White on black |
| Backlighting | None | LED, adjustable brightness |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 3.0 wireless | Wired USB |
| Device compatibility | PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone | PC, Mac |
| Power | 2x AAA batteries | USB powered |
| Numpad | No | Yes |
| Best for | Normal lighting, multi-device, wireless | Low light, wired, data entry |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
Which Large Print Keyboard Should You Choose?
If I'm doing an assessment and a client asks me which to get, here's how I frame it:
Get the Bluetooth model if: You work in normal lighting, you want wireless, or you use multiple devices (especially if you switch between a computer and an iPad or iPhone).
Get the ASTRA 2 if: You work in dim or variable lighting, you prefer wired, you need a numpad, or you're in an institutional setting where wireless is restricted.
If you're genuinely unsure about your lighting situation, I'd lean toward the ASTRA 2 — backlighting is always available when you need it, and you can simply turn it off or dim it when you don't. The Bluetooth model can't add backlighting after the fact.
What Is the Best Keyboard for Seniors?
For most seniors, the best keyboard is one with large, high-contrast key labels and a setup simple enough to use without help — which is why large print keyboards like these two are where we usually start. Many people search for a mechanical keyboard for seniors because they want clear feedback with each keypress; that can help, but legibility usually makes the bigger day-to-day difference.
A few other options are worth knowing about. If an older user relies on a small set of commands — copy, paste, zoom, print — keyboards with built-in shortcuts can replace multi-key combinations with a single labeled key. And for anyone who types mostly with one hand after an injury or stroke, it's worth looking at handheld keyboard options and one-handed layouts.
Are Large Print Keyboards Hard to Set Up?
No — both keyboards are genuinely easy to set up. The Bluetooth model pairs in under two minutes. The ASTRA 2 is plug-and-play. Neither requires drivers or software installation. For clients who are less comfortable with technology, this matters — and it's one of the reasons I recommend LogicKeyboard products specifically over other large print options that require more configuration.
If you're setting up either keyboard for a family member or client with low vision and want guidance on the full workstation setup — monitor distance, font size, contrast settings, and keyboard positioning — our specialists can walk through that in a virtual assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bluetooth keyboard good for macular degeneration?
Yes — the 4x larger key labels and high-contrast black-on-white printing make it significantly easier to locate and read keys for users with macular degeneration. In normal lighting conditions, most clients with macular degeneration find the Bluetooth model fully readable. If your central vision loss is more advanced or your lighting is poor, the ASTRA 2's backlighting provides additional contrast.
Can I use the Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad?
Yes — the Bluetooth model pairs with iPad and iPhone via Bluetooth 3.0, in addition to PC and Mac. The ASTRA 2 is wired USB and works with PC and Mac only.
Which keyboard is better for low-light environments?
The ASTRA 2 Backlit is the clear choice for low-light environments. The LED backlighting illuminates the white-on-black key labels and is adjustable in brightness. The Bluetooth model has no backlighting and relies on ambient light to make the keys readable.
Do either of these keyboards work with screen magnification software?
Yes — both keyboards work with any screen magnification software (ZoomText, Windows Magnifier, macOS Zoom, etc.) because they're standard HID keyboards. The large print keys reduce reliance on screen magnification for key identification, which many clients find reduces cognitive load during typing.
Is the ASTRA 2 good for post-stroke recovery or neurological conditions?
Yes — the ASTRA 2 is recommended by occupational therapists for clients with neurological conditions that affect visual processing or fine motor control. The large, high-contrast, backlit keys reduce the visual search time required to locate each key, which is particularly helpful for clients with processing speed challenges. The wired connection also eliminates the need to manage Bluetooth pairing, which can be a barrier for some clients.
Can I order these keyboards for a clinic or organization?
Yes — Ask Ergo Works supports B2B and institutional purchasing for healthcare, education, government, and corporate clients. We supply both models to low vision clinics, rehabilitation centers, and corporate accessibility programs. Contact our corporate team for volume pricing.
This article shares ergonomic and accessibility guidance based on our fitting experience and is not medical advice. For changes in your vision, talk to your eye doctor or a low vision specialist.
About the Author
Anne Kramer writes for Ask Ergo Works, where our ergonomic specialists have been recommending accessibility keyboards and fitting workstations from our Palo Alto showroom for more than 30 years, for clients with low vision, macular degeneration, and visual impairment.
