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4.7 star rating
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PC
Electronics
Accessories
Keyboards
What are the best split-design keyboards?
4
Options
Considered
22
User
Recs.
Apr 16, 2021
Last
Updated
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4
Options
Considered
Best split-design keyboards
Price
Weight
Cable
--
ErgoDox
-
-
-
35
Kinesis Freestyle2 w/ VIP3
$134
-
-
--
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard
$220
1kg
180cm, removable
--
Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard
$78+
-
-
See Full List
--
ErgoDox
My Rec
ommendation
for
ErgoDox
My Recommendation for
ErgoDox
All
13
Pros
7
Cons
6
Top
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.
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Top
Con
•••
Hard to use with small hands
Because of its size, it's hard to use for those who have small hands.
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Top
Pro
•••
Open source
The ErgoDox has an open design, so if you want to modify anything at all, you can fork the Github repository.
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Top
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 ErgoDox kit did came with an option allowing one to choose whether to have it pre-made or not.
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Top
Pro
•••
Split design lets you optimize positioning
You can arrange each side of the keyboard to match your hand positions. Helps keep your body straight and improve your posture.
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Top
Con
•••
Difficult to source
You have to either source the individual components and build it yourself or wait for a Massdrop group purchase.
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Top
Pro
•••
More actions for the thumb
Unlike other keyboards, like the Lexmark M15 and Cherry G80-5000, where the only action performable by the thumbs is punching the spacebar, ErgoDox has extra keys placed near the spacebar, within thumb reach. This prevents the thumbs from being a bit redundant.
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Top
Con
•••
Expensive
Getting a complete kit from Massdrop costs about $400. Sourcing each part individually ends up a bit under $200.
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Top
Pro
•••
Comfortable for those with broad shoulders and large hands
Because of its split design, the ErgoDox lets you optimize the positioning of its halves according to what's best for your body shape, even if you have broad shoulders and large hands.
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Top
Con
•••
Tends to move around during use
Due to its split structure and lack of sturdiness, it tends to move during use.
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Top
Pro
•••
Many accessible keys
There are more keys which are easily accessible for touch typists than on the usual keyboards.
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Top
Con
•••
Can't return it if you don't like it
As the Ergodox is an open source design, you'll either get each component individually or purchase it from Massdrop. Either way, it's not possible to return if you don't like it.
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Top
Pro
•••
Firmware updates
Because of the nature of ErgoDox, within an open source community, there are advancements in firmware being made continuously.
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See All
Get it
here
Recommend
7
35
Kinesis Freestyle2 w/ VIP3
My Rec
ommendation
for
Kinesis Freestyle2 w/ VIP3
My Recommendation for
Kinesis Freestyle2 w/ VIP3
All
4
Pros
2
Cons
2
Top
Pro
•••
Ergonomic design
The Freestyle 2 has an ergonomic design, aimed to promote healthier and more comfortable typing.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not very solid
This keyboard's construction is not very sturdy and it feels flimsy.
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Top
Pro
•••
Reduces wrist pain
The wrist support offered by this keyboard alleviates wrist strain.
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Top
Con
•••
Bad for spreadsheet work
Since it has no numeric pad, the Freestyle 2 is not convenient for spreadsheet work.
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Hide
See All
$134
Recommend
11
--
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard
My Rec
ommendation
for
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard
My Recommendation for
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard
All
7
Pros
5
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Feature customization via add-on modules
You can attach trackpoint, trackball, trackpad and additional key clusters to the board. This allows for extensive feature customization, for increased productivity and convenience.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not shipping until Spring 2017
The HKB is not shipping yet. Manufacturers predict they will start shipping during Spring 2017.
See More
Specs
Weight:
1kg
Cable:
180cm, removable
Length:
left: 13.5cm, right: 15.4cm, combined 28.9cm
Available Switches:
Kailh (Blue, Brown, Red, Black), Cherry (Green, Clear)
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Ergonomic design
The UHK has a split design, since two keyboard halves result in a more natural typing posture. The halves are connected by a bridge cable, which expands and contracts as needed, occupying minimal desk space. The halves can be merged together as one, which is useful for transportation purposes or if you happen to prefer a one-piece keyboard.
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Top
Pro
•••
Programmable
Through the use of an app called Agent, users can configure the UHK to their liking.
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Top
Pro
•••
No need to leave the home row
For maximum touch-typing productivity, one's hands should not leave the home row frequently. With conventional keyboards, this is not the case when navigation and function keys need to be used. On the HKB, via a thumb key press, several function layers can be activated, turning the home row keys into function keys.
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Top
Pro
•••
Modular and disassembly friendly
The UHK is modular and has disassembly instructions embossed onto components and even printed on the circuit board. It records use data, so when key switches have reached the end of its lifespan, users can replace them.
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Hide
See All
$220
Recommend
4
--
Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard
My Rec
ommendation
for
Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard
My Recommendation for
Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard
All
3
Pros
3
Top
Pro
•••
Tilt and angle are adjustable for maximum comfort and ergonomy
The height of the middle section is adjustable. The two halves can be angled up to 15 degrees so that your hands can stay at a comfortable, natural angle while typing.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Very portable
This keyboard folds in half, which is nice, since it makes it conveniently smaller for transportation. Since it folds inwards, the keys are protected from external elements.
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Top
Pro
•••
Lightweight
Weighing only 1.3 pounds, this keyboard is light.
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Hide
See All
$78+
Recommend
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