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| 7 Recommended Products | Recommendations | Weight | Warranty | USB Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop· · · | 4 | 2 | – | – | – |
| #2 Kinesis Advantage2· · · | 3 | 0 | 1 kg / 2.2 lbs | 3 years | Yes |
| #3 Ergodox· · · | 3 | 0 | – | – | – |
| #4 Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000· · · | 3 | 1 | 1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs | 3 years | No |
| #5 Kinesis Freestyle2 w/ VIP3· · · | 1 | 0 | – | – | – |
| #6 Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard· · · | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
Pro Ergonomically shaped
Our hands naturally rest angled when in front of us, and this keyboard has been built to conform to that, rather than having us awkwardly trying to straighten our hands on a regular flat keyboard, putting strain on our wrists. The keyboard is also curved into a dome shape, which contributes to its...
Pro Quiet
Thanks to the scissor switches used, this keyboard is very quiet.
Pro Slider witch for using special functions or media controls
Rather than the usual Fn key that needs to be pressed in combination with other keys to activate said key's secondary functions, the Sculpt has slider switch that does this. This makes it easier to default to those functions.
Con Some keys aren't very reliable
Some keys (like Backspace or Enter), if not pressed perfectly perpendicularly, hit the shelf of the frame and get blocked on their way down. This means the stroke isn't registered and, on top of that, feels awkward. On the (slightly) bright side, this awkward feel acts as feedback that the key...
Con The key switches used aren't ideal for long typing sessions
The switches used are scissor switches, which are the ones used in many laptops. They provide shallow keystrokes which don't give the same feedback as a mechanical keyboard. These keys need to be bottomed out in order to activate, which creates some strain on your finger's joints as they a...
Con Functions keys are not easy to use
The function keys are too small.
Pro Clusters of keys under each thumb means less reaching
Having multiple keys under the thumbs lets you keep the rest of your hands still, and helps prevent reaching. For example, the backspace key on a regular keyboard is way in the top right corner, while on the Kinesis keyboard it's under the left thumb. So, to hit the backspace button you just n...
Pro Optimized, ergonomic shape that significantly reduces the risk of RSI
This keyboard is sculpted to fit the curvature of your hand more naturally than regular flat boards. This helps reduce the risks of suffering repetitive strain injuries.
Con Proficiency means overcoming a learning curve
Becoming an expert at using this keyboard’s optimized design needs time and patience, since it’s so different from what most people are used to. Some of its drastic layout changes can be disorienting at first. For example, the four arrow keys are separated: up and down on the right side cluster; l...
Con Different switches for the function keys
The functions keys are not build with the same switches than the other keys: they use Cherry ML switches instead of Cherry MX Brown switches. Because of their shorter travel distance, the ML feels quite different. It's awkward to have such different sensations for different parts of the keyboa...
Pro Ultimate customizability
You can map any key to any position easily using a simple GUI, including making hardware key layers. And, since the firmware is open source, you can modify it to do anything you want. Many of the hardware components can also be altered/replaced by equivalent parts.
Pro Firmware updates
Because of the nature of ErgoDox, within an open source community, there are advancements in firmware being made continuously.
Con Expensive
Getting a complete kit from Massdrop costs about $400. Sourcing each part individually ends up a bit under $200.
Con Needs to be assembled
This can be fun, but some people just want a working keyboard without having to spend three hours with a soldering iron. It's tricky to find pre-assembled ErgoDoxes, and they're not mass-produced. It is also possible to commission an enthusiast to build one up as well. Some Massdrops of the
Pro Great value for money
With a retail price of $96.86, this keyboard is considerably more affordable than most ergonomic keyboards on the market. It doesn’t have the same caliber as more premium keyboards, but it’s a top option for those on a budget who are looking for a good ergonomic option.
Pro Ergonomic and comfortable
The 4000 keyboard is designed to be more comfortable to type on than regular rectangular keyboards. Its key rows curve to match the human hands’ angled resting position, eliminating the wrist strain that happens with regular keyboards. This is an important factor in reducing the risk of injury.
Con It’s from Microsoft, which has a track record of being unethical
A lot of people are not very fond of Microsoft for ethical reasons. This con has nothing to do with the technical capabilities of the keyboard, it's just something to keep in mind.
Con No USB ports
Can't connect any external devices, since there aren't any USB ports.
Pro Ergonomic design
The Freestyle 2 has an ergonomic design, aimed to promote healthier and more comfortable typing.
Pro Reduces wrist pain
The wrist support offered by this keyboard alleviates wrist strain.
Con Bad for spreadsheet work
Since it has no numeric pad, the Freestyle 2 is not convenient for spreadsheet work.
Con Not very solid
This keyboard's construction is not very sturdy and it feels flimsy.
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