KINESIS Gaming Freestyle Edge RGB Split Mechanical Keyboard | Cherry MX Linear Red Switches | RGB | Ergonomic | Detachable Palm Support | Fully Programmable | TKL | Available Tenting

Lets get this straight: Right now, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge is the best relatively-conventional ergonomic keyboard you can buy. No exceptions. Yes, its expensive, as keyboards go. But it is tentable, adjustable, programmable, comes with your choice of three types of Cherry mechanical keyswitches (not cheap Chinese knock-offs) and actually useful palm rests. Its solidly constructed and has the good key feel youd naturally expect from Cherry switches. It is customizable in many ways, almost all of which can be done right on the keyboard itself, but if you prefer to do it from a configuration application, Kinesis has you covered there as well. (The Smartset app, available for MacOS or Windows, does everything you can do directly from the keyboard as well as a few things that you cant.) The Edge RGB adds fully addressable RGB backlighting, for the loss only of the Scroll Lock key which honestly NOTHING EVER USES ANY MORE ANYWAY. Like the Caps Lock key, I dont know why it still even exists on modern computer keyboards. Its no longer relevant, and its no pain whatsoever to lose it. I mentioned MacOS above. Yes, you can use this keyboard with your Mac. To do that, youll need to do two things: 1. Youll need to order and install https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B085PWG291/, a set of four replacement keycaps for MacOS. 2. To make the keyboards actions match the new key caps, youll have to remap four keys, swapping the left and right Windows keys with the left and right Alt keys. ALT on the PC and ALT/OPTION on the Mac send the same key code, and WIN on the PC sends the same key code as the Macs COMMAND key, but their positions on the keyboard are swapped. Remap each WIN to ALT and likewise each ALT to WIN, and youre good to go. (This is easier and less confusing to do from the Smartset app.) Every time you run it, the Smartset app will also check to see if your keyboard needs any firmware updates. YES, THIS KEYBOARD GETS FIRMWARE UPDATES. Updating firmware is simplicity itself: Copy the update to the keyboards firmware folder, unplug the keyboard, plug it back in, and thats it. DONE. Your grandmother could do it, after you show her how the first time. So what makes this better than all of those $20-$60 ergonomic keyboards? Well, bluntly, theyre all cheap, dumb crap with no adjustment, no programmability, and with cheap, bad membrane switches (and usually with even cheaper screen-printed keycaps). Theyll wear out quickly under heavy use, and theyll never approach the key feel or tactile feedback of a proper mechanical key switch. Why is tactile feedback important? Because it prevents you from damaging your hands by hitting the keys harder than you need to. So if you have any semblance at all of RSI issues, and you want to protect your hands and wrists, buy this keyboard. Seriously. Im not kidding here. Your hands and wrists will thank you forever. UPDATE ====== Since writing the above Ive bought a third of these, for use with a work-issued Mac. If youve ever typed on a recent Mac keyboard, you know why. The first two are original-version Edges, one with Red switches, one with Brown. For the RGB I went back to the Reds because I think I slightly prefer them. All three have silicone damper rings installed. I personally give the RGB color control on the Edge RGB a resounding meh. I do NOT like the changes to the keycaps; shifted keys are upside down, which is to say, the shifted character is BELOW the unshifted character, not above it or to its right. This can be confusing. I have never seen any other keyboard do this, EVER, and it is a BAD IDEA. It doesnt even work well with the illumination, as the light is mostly blocked from the shifted character. Kinesis should change it back. Since they are standard Cherry keycaps, you could of course work around this by replacing the keycaps with a more conventional set of backlight-compatible Cherry keycaps. But on a $200 keyboard, you shouldnt HAVE to.

So I’ve been looking for a new keyboard and decided to go with a split keyboard. All the other split keyboards have typically 6 inches of cable length between the sides, but this one has 20 inches. Enough room for me to place my StreamDeck XL between the halves with room to spare. Overall the quality is very nice and the clicks have a satisfying feel. Really my only gripe is the way the software is handled with this keyboard. My other gaming keyboards I’ve used all had better software implementation with them. Really that’s the main weak spot with this keyboard. I also do not like that there is absolutely no tenting on the keyboard unless you buy the extra attachments.

I write for a living, and I play a lot of games, so Ive been hunting for a good ergonomic mechanical keyboard (in MX Brown, please) for a long while. I finally got my hands (heh...) on one of these and yeah, this is exactly what Ive been after. Its comfortable, easily customizable (uses Cherry Profile keycaps), and tactile in all the ways I want it to be. My hands are very thankful for the ergo assist, and the gamer in me loves being able to move the right side away for left-hand keys and right-hand mouse. Even the wrist-rests, usually the first thing I take off on a keyboard, are wonderful to use. The closest I can get to a complaint is the software that runs the RGB is more than a little barebones compared to the iQue software my old Corsair K70 used. This is a *fantastic* board. Highly recommended!

Im going to be honest: I got this to decide if I want to make the jump to (and shell out for) the ErgoDox EZ or ZSA Moonlander. Id never used a split keyboard before, but I needed to try something to deal with the pain I was getting in my back and shoulders and going smaller and smaller was not it (but the Logitech G915 TKL is still my most favorite keeb). I have a company provided basic wave ergonomic keyboard from Microsoft at work thats been helpful to mitigate shoulder/back pain, so I decided to go full split at home and Im glad I did. There is a learning curve to be sure; Im still in it. But the fact that I can position each half to keep my shoulders in a neutral position while typing has made a huge difference for me. I did shell out for the additional tenting kit to help my wrists and I highly recommend getting that too as well as using the included wrist rests. I appreciate that there are multiple switch options ( I love speed silvers) for this keyboard and that it has RGB backlighting. Im not a gamer, but I like pretty stuff and this is pretty. Only negative for me is that its not wireless. For someone who is split keeb curious, this is a good starting option. I will eventually pony up for the ErgoDox EZ or the Moonlander...some day.

Due to my rheumatoid arthritis, I always use the ergonomic styled keyboard, recent ones have been the keyboards by Microsoft. However, I missed typing on Cherry MX switches, Ive also had a Razer keyboard. However regular keyboards hurt my wrists over time (Im a developer so I type a lot). I wanted to give this keyboard a shot because it combines the switches I love typing on, with some cool RGB lighting effects and macros to setup convenience shortcuts, etc. I am very happy I decided to give it a try, I love typing on this keyboard. Keys feel fantastic (I got the MX Brown), their app to setup the shortcuts, lighting effects, etc. is super simple to use, and the palm rests are some of the best Ive ever had on a keyboard. Ive seen the off shoots/copy cats, one has a dial, but to me setting up the Kinesis button to be my play/pause key, and setup the two macro buttons below for volume is very convenient. If you want an ergonomic keyboard with Cherry MX switches, I would highly recommend giving this product a shot. I dont think youll be disappointed.

I was hoping this might help my writs and forearms, but its seriously weird to use. I realize new things take time to learn, but Im way too busy to fumble around all day typing gibberish - especially in code . I like the soft wrist pads, though I question the durability. Those have to go away when you add the risers (sold separately). The letter key placements were really awkward for me. Normally, with the fingers on the home row, a C is mostly under the D. With this keyboard, reaching for where C should be hits both X and C (favoring the X) because the positions are off. I have used split keyboards for over 20 years. I just couldnt make this work well. The keyboard does seem mostly well-built, and Cherry MX keys are nice (brown in my case) but I need something that lets me stay productive and moving quickly. That pays the bills. I also dont think its worth $200 plus $25 for the risers. This gets a lot of 5 star reviews, so people must love it, but Im not feeling it.

Programmer here, writer of design docs, etc. Not a gamer. My old Microsoft Natural 4K encountered some coffee one day, and I had to get another ergonomic keyboard. This was one of the few ergonomic & mechanical keyboards on the market; one of the extremely few from a reputable company. I chose the Blue variant, along with the lift kit, etc. This keyboard is very nice. I do miss the curvature of the MSN4K, but other than that, it provides almost the same experience. The feedback provided by the Blue keys is much nicer than most of the membrane keys on the market; I dont regret purchasing it at all. I did have a customer support issue (PEBCAK, turns out), and their Twitter rep was very helpful. I appreciate that, a lot! The RGB system is mostly tacky, I found a reasonably pleasing pattern. I havent gone deep into the macro system: its not something I care about generally speaking. I do note that the split design is a bit funky, I have to adjust both sides of the keyboard just so, or I wind up with a host of illegible characters. The primary ergonomic issue with this keyboard is the location of the arrow keys; my hands have to force down to manipulate the arrows. Ive appropriately remapped my editors to handle key actions, but its pretty frustrating having keys that arent sustainable to be regularly and at speed. I anticipate that this will be my daily driver for a long time.

So 3 stars seems about right, theres a lot that i love about this keyboard, Ive bought this one as well as the original version that was blue backlit only. I compare this keyboard to the Dygma Raise, Ergodox EZ as they are all split mechanical keyboards. The good: I love that its a standard layout, the extra bulk doesnt bother me as i like having a 75% or TKL keyboard. The macro keys dont get much use but there are times when i just need some more keys whether it be in games or for work purposes. The palm rests are perfect and much better than the fabric ones that came optional on the original. Arrow keys are often left out of some custom split keyboards, and while you can use layers on the Dygma and ergodox I tend to just prefer the standard arrow keys Things to improve it to my ideal keyboard. 1. Detachable USB-C cables to connect it to my computer as well as the 2 halves. I have custom cables that Id rather use and being tethered to this keyboard can be a bit frustrating as i tend to swap every so often. 2. Hot-swappable key switches. Id love to be able to change my key-switches with basically anything I want but would have to de-solder and re-solder every key, something Id rather not have to do. 3. The non standard key cap sizing makes it incredibly difficult to find key cap sets that I can use the only real issue here is what is listed within the second image. group buy key cap sets are amazing but most the time the bottom row is a pain. 4. Finally the overall construction. I understand that injected plastic is infinitely cheaper than say aluminum but it makes the typing feel a bit hollow. Having a premium option would be amazing, and Id love to mod the keyboard with dampening foam as well. If the above changes were to be made it would honestly be my endgame split mech keyboard, as for now the search continues.

Love this keyboard! I use it for software development everyday. Love programmable keys. Love that my hands and arms can be shoulder width apart, ending all sorts of shoulder and neck tension. I did purchase the lift kit, which helps wrist tension. Easy to type on, smooth feel, even with the more tacticle keys.

UPDATED 4/8/2020 Oh for crying out loud. Back to two stars. The keyboard crapped out on me yet again. This time the suggestions offered by the KINESIS rep did not work. I tried both a Hard Reset and a Rescue Command. I tried multiple USB ports (motherboard integrated, front panel, and add-on card), restarting and turning on and off the computer. It looks like this will be returned. The search for the perfect keyboard is back on. ------------------------------------ UPDATED 4/6/2020 I received a response from a nice KINESIS rep who shared with me a few trouble shooting tips which lead to my keyboard responding again. So Ive brought my rating back up to four stars. If It continues to work without issue, I may change to a five star. ---------------------------------- UPDATED 4/4/2020: Ive dropped my review from four stars to two. After less than one month of use the keyboard is no longer recognized by Windows. Unfortunate as I was really starting to like it. Ive submitted two support tickets with KINESIS and have yet to hear a word. It may be because of the resent world wide issues, but if not then I dont much appreciate their customer service. I will wait a bit longer but if I dont hear anything soon Im afraid Ill have to return the keyboard and risers. Below is my original review. ------------------------------------------ First a little backstory. I bought the KINESIS Gaming Freestyle Edge keyboard with MX Brown switches (and extra tilt risers) after looking for a solid ergonomic keyboard. Traditional ergonomic keyboards just didnt cut the mustard for me. After some contemplation I realized a split keyboard that could also tilt would actually provide a truly ergonomic experience. To give some context, I do graphic design, blogging, story writing, and gaming. So a good keyboard is a must. At first I found a great split mechanical keyboard with MX switches that was highly customizable. However its layout would require relearning how to use a keyboard and its price was a bit higher as well. Finally I came across this one from KINESIS Gaming. This keyboard has some great aspects, but it also has a few issues. The main issue I find is the lights sometimes turn back on after my computer is off even if I turn them off before shutting down. This doesnt matter if I use a profile or the manual turn off the lights key. Additionally the keyboard will sometimes loose its connection. Which is odd since its a wired device. Hopefully these issues can be fixed with a firmware update. To summarize: PROS: - Highly ergonomic - Mechanical (MX Brown) - RGB (could be a con for some) - Profiles - Customizable lighting - Solid materials - Nice wrist rests CONS - Sometimes the lights kick on after I turn my computer off - Looses connection randomly (requires that I unplug and replug the USB) - Wired Despite the cons (unless connectivity gets worse) I would still recommend this keyboard for anyone looking for a solid ergonomic keyboard that can also be used for gaming.