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

Ive done a lot of research to find an ergonomic setup that fits my lifestyle. I do a lot of typing and gaming on my computer, and I needed a keyboard that could transition from both seamlessly. I was using a cheap mechanical keyboard before that left my hands useless. I love mechanical keyboards and wanted to find an ergonomic version that also had a backlight. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB keyboard was my answer, but it might not be yours. The split design allows for more natural hand placement, ideally relieving unnecessary strain from your hands and wrists. I have wide shoulders, and the split design allows for a more ideal placement that better fits my frame. As far as mechanical keyboards go, the Edge is on the quieter side. I did opt for the quieter brown switches because I wanted softer key presses, but you can get one with the louder and more tactile blue switches if that fits your style better. The brown switches arent completely quiet, and you do get some sound, but it isnt as loud as some of the cheaper mechanical keyboards out there. This keyboard comes with nine programable macro keys that can be easily adjusted on the keyboard or through the official software. You can save two different profiles, which is nice if you share a computer with someone else or if you need nine extra macro keys. I dont have much use for the macros except for media keys at the moment, but setting them up was very simple. The RGB profile can also be adjusted easily through the software. Any changes you make to this keyboard whether it be macros, profiles, or RGB is saved to the keyboard directly. If you switch to a different computer, all your profiles and macros transfer with the keyboard. Its nice to not have to have another account to access your preferences or lose them if your computer wipes. I love this keyboard and have been daily driving it for nearly three years without any issues. My only complaint with this keyboard is that it doesnt come with the lift kit. Kineses offers a separate kit which isnt necessary, but I do recommend it getting one. I used the keyboard without the kit for about a week before giving in and buying one. There was nothing wrong with the flat setup of the keyboard, but I use my computer too much and needed the additional ergonomics. The lift kit offers a more natural position for your hands, and I honestly cant go back to using anything else. The keycaps are nice. They are very soft to the touch, but you can customize your keyboard with third-party caps if they fit MX switches. Be mindful of the measurements. You might have trouble finding spacebars that fit this board. If you have a mac, Kinesis offers a separate kit to change your command keys. Unfortunately, the kit is an additional $28, and you have to install it yourself. The installation is very easy, even if you have no prior experience. The Freestyle Edge is an adequate keyboard for gaming. The keys are responsive and easy to press, but the function keys are a bit out of reach for me. I often had to stretch to hit these keys, and my performance suffered. Games where I needed to press these keys more often would also tire my hands out more quickly. This is possibly a personal problem for my short stubby fingers, but it is something to keep in mind. Games that dont require the function keys are fine. I could play for a lot longer before feeling any discomfort. I still recommend taking regular breaks and doing stretches keyboard this wont fix the issues completely. For people who play and work a healthy amount, the Freestyle Edge is a fantastic solution. So is it worth it? Honestly, this keyboard is a bit pricey for what you get. I bought it because I liked the style and the RGB and didnt mind the tax for both options. But if you are on a budget and only need the ergonomics, there are better options. The Kenisis Freestyle Edge has made a huge difference in my setup, and I do not regret my purchase. I understand that this keyboard isnt for everyone, but for those interested, you can buy it on Amazon.

Ordered the brown by accident, just assumed that $200 Mechanical keyboard should have swappable keys. THEY ARE NOT. The switches are permanently attached to the PCB, theres no way to remove the switches without destroying it. Shouldve read it more carefully. There, I just saved you $200.

Great keyboard hight quality. I wish a volume control in next model but Its fine for now!

I bought this keyboard in desperation after I started experiencing severe pain in my wrists and fingers from constantly typing on regular keyboards or my laptop keyboard. Im a big guy (6 ft 4) with monster hands, so the idea of a split keyboard to keep my arms in a more natural position was extremely appealing. I was wary of spending so much, but decided to take the risk. Took a few days to get used to the keyboard being split in half, but my wrist pain has pretty much vanished within 2 weeks. I cant possibly recommend this product enough, this plus an ergonomic sideways mouse has made work and just general computer use significantly less painful. The programmable displays are gorgeous, the Cherry MX Red keys respond perfectly, and the interface for custom mapping of the keys is easy and intuitive to use. 5/5 for functionality, 5/5 for ergonomic use, my one and only complaint is that the tenting kit (which allow you to angle up the keyboard) is an absolute necessity to keep your wrists in proper position, and at the price tag this keyboard is at should be standard. The fact you have to pay extra for an essential component for the keyboards intended use (ergonomic typing) is a bit outrageous.

Let me begin by saying that Ive been using ergonomic keyboards since 2011. I have used both the wired and wireless Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, and then the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard. I do like the mechanical keys, wrist rests, and optional tilt mechanism of this keyboard better than the Microsoft keyboards. However, this keyboard has some pluses and minuses to it, and for the price, I was hoping the minuses would be much less. Pros: 1. Nice key-feel 2. Backlighting 3. Good quality USB cable that can be tucked away if you dont need the full length 4. The ability to program the backlighting exactly how you want it and other programming features. Cons: 1. The keyboard backlighting turns off when you press the FN key. Why do they think I dont need to see the keys any longer when I press the FN key? 2. The keys with multiple glyphs on them (e.g., number keys) only allow the backlighting to shine through one of the glyphs. 3. The glyphs are in the wrong order on the individual keycaps. I have been using a computer almost daily since 1988, and used a typewriter before that, and in all my years of using keyboard, I have never seen this done. The shift character is on the bottom of the keycap. In other words, the 5 key has the % symbol below the 5. The period key has the > below the period. I am a touch-typist, but there are many times when I am using both the trackpad and the keyboard that I need to quickly press one of these keys and it breaks my brain every single time I look at one of these keycaps. 4. The space bars extend too far to the left and right. I am a touch-typist and the finger I normally use to press the command key cannot reach it. This has broken my normal use-case so thoroughly, that I have remapped the caps lock key to command. There is absolutely no need whatsoever for the spacebar to be as wide as it is. My thumbs rest on the part furthest to the center naturally. On every other keyboard I own, the spacebar ends up to a full key and a half before the spacebar on this model does. 5. The forward-delete key is way too far away in the top-right corner. It is impossible to reach without moving my hands far off of the home row. It doesnt even make any sense how far away it is. 6. The tilt kit should come standard. 7. The weird software system that you have to load by pressing a key combination

I ordered the version with Cherry MX Silver keys/switches. It feels great and not clicky like the number pad I ordered to go with it. It was awkward at first because I have muscle memory with my old keyboard. The missing number pad is both nice because my mouse is closer and hard because I used it all the time. Now I have a separate number pad with more functionality, and Im liking it too. Build quality is great. I really like that I could remap keys. I quickly remapped the PG UP, PG DN, and END keys to match my laptop keyboard, so I didnt have to relearn everything. The macro keys on the left are handy too. I want to be able to map applications to keys, not just record keystroke patterns, though. Hoping this is possible with the software. I miss having a button for the calculator, notepad, etc.

Overall like the keyboard. You can, in theory, move keys around. The reprogramming software works fine. But the keys themselves are different heights per row. So if you move a key from one row to another then both keys you swapped are the wrong height for their new position.

The keyboard is as advertised. Although I cant give it a higher rating due to a few issues: - The cord connecting the 2 splits are fixed and short for someone with wide shoulders like me, Ive seen other offerings that has different forms of connection between the splits which you can replace as you see fit. - The Esc key sits right next to the F1 key and makes me sometimes accidently press the wrong Fn key. Could use some spacing. - Palm rests are soft but the material feels a bit cheap. - No lighting on the 4 small buttons on the very top of the right side.

I love this beast. Im a massage therapist with arm/hand tendonitis and gaming tendencies. Greatly reduces strain while gaming while also being aesthetic af and giving just the right amount of satisfying mechanical feedback. The wrist pads are comfy. Downsides: 1: I wish you could keep the tenting without the wrist pads, as I sometimes like to use an ice pack as a wrist pad for the WSAD side while gaming. So when I do this I have to take out the tenting stand along with the wrist pad. 2: tenting stands sold separately on an already expensive keyboard 3: the software is ....... not great. I tried several times and still havent figured out how to get the Windows key to function. I have also forgotten the magic code to open the settings now and cant be bothered to look it up. 4: no number pad. this is a blessing and a curse honestly because I have way more room for my mouse now on a Not Large keyboard tray. (I bought a separate number pad for the rare occasion that its extremely inconvenient not to have one)

This was one of the highest rated keyboards for ergonomics from Wirecutter and some other sites. I appreciate the split style and key action, but the number pad is in an unusual configuration on the left hand side of the keyboard, which makes my default left hand position feel unnatural. Also tenting is extra, I didnt think I needed this add-on, but the keyboard itself almost seems to slope inward uncomfortably. Perhaps it is because I formerly had a one piece ergonomic that was slightly raised in the center. Ive currently just stuck a notebook under the middle bit of the keyboard. long-term, I might return this keyboard, but will utilize for some time before deciding.