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

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!

First thing that was a real headache is that the keyboard didnt work at all through my rather standard IO-GEAR KVM. Checking their own support, they basically say theyre not going to support KVM switches, but do list two dumb KVMs that do work, both of which are VGA based, which is a non-starter for me. Getting told Im out of luck for support with KVMs with a ergo keyboard (most often used for work applications) is pretty crappy. So, I ended up getting a generic USB switcher, which then shows a second failing on this keyboard, it takes between 7 and 9 seconds to start up, which is really annoying every time I switch devices. Second thing is that the build quality seems really cheap for how expensive this keyboard is. All plastic construction. The tabs that hold the wrist guard on dont hold it very securely; just fine if its flat on the table, but moving the keyboard a bit and it can easily pop off. The flap holding the extra cable for the tether cable pops off if I move the keyboard around even a little bit. To be clear, the keyboard feels pretty sturdy, but its just way lower quality than keyboards that cost half the price or less. Additionally there are no tilting (not tenting) flaps at all. I got the tenting kit too, and I wont fully review that here, but it isnt great either. I prefer my keyboard slightly tilted up at the back, and there is no way to achieve that with this, even with the tenting kit. So far I havent really used this keyboard much. Ill have to update my review on how it feels to actually use it, which Im hoping with make up for the shortcomings thus far. This keyboard was pretty expensive after all, and it would be a shame if I didnt like it. Though the experience of install and setup, and immediately being confronted with such serious shortcomings is really unfortunate, and doesnt really bode well. Update: On the ergo side Ive figured out that I can take the pads off the wrist wrests. They are held on with velcro that is glued down. Annoying to pull the velcro up and cleanup the goo, but its fine. Honestly now, I can use the tent kit and it doesnt feel awful, and without the pads the wrist rests actually are long enough to be useful. Before the bulge on them was too far forward making it feel like my hand was always sliding off it. So with this bonus Im a bit happier with it... But it still takes my feelings on it from really closer to a 1.5 up to about a 2.2 stars... So leaving the review unchanged for now. Will update if my feelings evolve.

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.

Ive worked in IT and software dev my whole life so Ive been gradually refining whats important to me. Up until recently, the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard has been my go-to, but the unreliable membrane keys and 2 year shelf life made me search for more. I cant use a non-split or rotated keyboard without serious strain in my wrists and arms. I also need a properly positioned wrist rest and optimally have adjustable tenting. With the tenting accessory, this checks all the need boxes. The RGB is beautiful, subtle, configurable, and easily turned off at a button press. The cable between the halves is properly cable managed and extendable for your needs (even if the very nice braided wire is a bit thicker than my preference). The sound and feel of the switches is incredible. There are macro buttons and remapping and profiles and more that I havent even scratched the surface on. The only things I wish this had (which are HUGE asks) are are rotary encoder for things like volume, thumb clusters / layers like a QMK firmware, and low profile switches. But when it comes down to it, Im obligated to build my own custom keyboard at that point (which Im working on). Just some comparisons, it sounds and feels like a DasKeyboard (which I cant use because they dont split, but I love them otherwise). Its as comfortable to type on for my weird ergo membrane keyboards. The Cloud 9 Gaming keyboard just like this that has built-in tenting and a rotary encoder sounded hollow and resonated springs and vibration if you brushed up against keys, like nails on a chalk board - this one sounds like an actual high-quality keyboard. Ive tried to type on an Ergodox EZ but without properly angled wrist rests angled with the tenting, it caused more strain than helped with ergonomics (again, building something custom to fit me better but still). In any case, I could stop my keyboard journey here and be completely happy. Thanks for making such a great keyboard I can pick up at a store like this, Kinesis!

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)

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.

I love this keyboard - I have a Kinesis Advantage keyboard at my office for general work and it has really changed my life as I can type all day without any discomfort. For home use - which includes work as well as some gaming, I needed something more flexible, though. This keyboard is perfect for the job. During the day its comfortable and flexible. I got the brown keyswitches which are tactile and great for typing. When I want to play a game that uses the mouse I can move the right half of the keyboard out of the way and I have much more real estate (and better ergonomics) than with a single, full-sized keyboard. I am using the tenting adapter (what they call the lift kit) on its lowest setting and I really like it. Im only giving four stars because the lift kit should really be included. I think its basically required to use the keyboard properly.

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.

There are not many split-staggered, TKL, tentable, RGB-backlit, mechanical keyboards, and if thats what youre looking for, this is absolutely the top of the heap. The wrist rests are really comfortable, youre getting the consistent Cherry MX quality that the switches promise, NKRO works very well (I upgraded from the Microsoft Sculpt which I also quite liked, but had *several* un-pressable key combos that actually practically limited the functionality and I have seen _zero_ of that with this board), and the remapping functionality is absolutely world class; software available but not required, lots of profiles, lots of custom keys, macros, scriptable via plain text files... really there is no better keyboard from that perspective. But the case is fairly pingy even after I installed O-rings, it seems like theres no foam or anything keeping the switch springs from reverberating mightily, the split spacebars are an incredibly weird form-factor (3.5u) so custom keycap sets are not usable, the double-shot ABS keycaps get worn and shiny after only a couple of days, the forehead is inexplicably huge, theres no wireless functionality, the tenting kit is sold separately (and it REALLY should be included, for how much this costs), and the layout places the modifier keys *way* underneath your thumbs so youll probably want to remap at least one spacebar to avoid making a cramped claw gesture on every hotkey. So if youre a mechanical keyboard enthusiast this is an intriguing model for a few reasons, but you should expect to have to *heavily* mod it to get anywhere close to enthusiast-grade typing feel regardless of switch type. Plus, you know, no hotswap. Overall Id still say 4 stars because its almost exactly what I wanted, but its a little disappointing that it is not more premium in terms of sound and feel (ahem, PBT keycaps with a softer edge next time plus some case foam and maybe a weight please Kinesis) at this price point.

I _really_ wanted to love this keyboard for there are numerous design flaws that make this keyboard 1/5: === The Ugly === * It does NOT have n-key rollover (NKRO). For gaming this makes this keyboard completely useless. * The symbols are on the bottom of the keys instead of the top?!?!?! Who the heck thought this was a good idea??? When you reach for a number your fingertips cover the bottom half of the key _completely_ obscuring the symbols!! * The palm wrists are TOO short. I always feel like my wrists want to fall off instead of properly being supported. === The Good === * Split keyboard is very, very nice for your hands. * Keys feel very comfortable. * The Brown MX keys feel good. * Extra function keys on the left side are great. * Can individually customize the color of EACH key. Want to have WASD in a different color? No problem! * Dedicated profile button to switch profiles on the fly is great. * Can program any key to turn the keyboard RGB lights completely off. * Cables are heavy braided === The Bad === * ESC key is TOO far away. If you use this for Vi/Vim get used to Ctrl-C. * Ive never seen an ergonomic keyboard that doubles up the two middle keys. Ideally, the YHN would also be doubled up on the left, and TGB would be doubled up on the right. This is yet-another-keyboard out-of-touch with a gamers actual needs in spite of calling itself a gaming keyboard. * Lacks dedicated INS key. Having to press a FN+PAUSE for insert is annoying. * Lacks classic 3x2 Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn layout. Instead the keyboard has the standard vertical line of Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn -- which may feel awkward. I never could get used to this vertical strip. * Lack of a dedicated numeric keypad. If you are paying $200 for a keyboard why do you have to spend even more money to get a numeric keypad? === Misc. === Build quality is OK. It doesnt feel cheap, nor expensive. The braided cables are positive build quality, the the short and flimsy wrist pads are negative build quality. (I have a DAS keyboard that is solid and built like a tank.) The sound is not quiet, but also not loud. This didnt bother me but if you work in an office with others this may be a consideration. Ive used this keyboard for 11 months doing hard-core programming and gaming with it because I really, really, wanted to love this keyboard. The comfort and split keyboard are why I kept using it but the numerous design flaws are the straw that broke the camels back. I ended up going with a DAS Keyboard 4 Professional after test driving it for work. === Ratings === Ergonomics: 3/5 Gaming: 0/5 Build Quality: 3.5/5 Final Scores: 1/5 If Kinesis could fix the issues and lower the price they would have a real winner on their hands but until they do look for another keyboard that has all the features you need.