Which keyboard should you buy? - The Ergonomic Journey

Summary

The video presents ergonomic keyboards as a gradual “journey”: start with a simple split design, then add programmability and thumb keys, and consider tenting or a columnar layout if you want more ergonomic options. The main recommendation is to choose features based on your needs and experience rather than jumping straight to the most complex keyboard.

Main features and options

• Split design or split layout: Separating the halves lets you position your hands more in line with your forearms, which can reduce wrist deviation. A fully split keyboard also lets you set the halves farther apart, encouraging a more open shoulder position.

  • Microsoft Sculpt and Logitech Ergo K860: Split-layout membrane keyboards with a familiar, full-size layout. They’re presented as easy to adapt to and cost around $100, with cheaper alternatives available. Their halves aren’t physically separate, so positioning is limited.
  • Kinesis Freestyle 2 and Goldtouch: Fully split membrane options, also around $100. Their halves can be positioned independently, but they lack mechanical-switch choice and, according to the video, use a 75% layout without a number pad.

• Programmability: Remapping keys, creating layers, and assigning macros or shortcuts can reduce finger and hand movement. For example, frequently used keys can be moved to easier-to-reach positions.

  • Kinesis Freestyle Pro and Mistel Barocco MD770: Programmable mechanical split keyboards, priced at nearly $200. You can choose a switch type, but they aren’t hot-swappable, so changing switches requires soldering. The video also criticizes their layer access: it can require reaching for a bottom-row key with the pinky.

• Thumb keys: Extra thumb keys make it easier to move keys such as Enter, Backspace, modifiers, or layer controls away from less comfortable positions.

  • Ultimate Hacking Keyboard (UHK) and Dygma Raise: Highlighted as accessible programmable options at around $300. Both are mechanical and hot-swappable. The Raise has eight thumb keys total—four on each side—and the presenter sees it as a way to get more from layers and remapping without immediately moving to a more demanding layout.
  • The video recommends easing into the Raise by first separating the halves, then gradually trying layers and custom mappings. It may be a suitable “end game” for someone who is already comfortable with its features.

• Tenting: Tilting the keyboard halves can put the forearms in a more natural position than typing with palms facing down. The video says this may reduce wrist discomfort, but does not provide clinical evidence or a rating.

  • Some options for the Freestyle and UHK reach about 15°.
  • The Raise’s tenting kit reaches 40°.
  • A Freestyle 2 accessory is said to reach 90°, though the presenter jokes about how extreme that can feel.
  • The Dygma Defy has built-in tenting up to 60°.

• Columnar layout: Keys are arranged in columns rather than staggered rows. The video says this can reduce finger travel and make reaching keys feel more natural, but switching from a conventional keyboard takes practice.

  • Dygma Defy, ZSA Moonlander, and Keyboardio Model 100 are compared. The Defy has built-in tenting up to 60°, while the Moonlander needs an accessory to reach that angle and the Keyboardio tilts up to 7.5°.
  • The Defy has eight thumb keys per side, compared with four on the Moonlander and five on the Keyboardio. It is also the only one in this comparison described as wireless. The presenter notes that wireless halves could help with arranging a setup, such as placing them on the sides of an armchair.
  • The Defy’s many features may make it too large a change for a beginner; the video advises starting with a simpler keyboard first.

• More specialized options:

  • Key Iris and Kyria are examples of keyboards with fewer keys and no number row; the video also mentions an extreme 16-key design.
  • The Kinesis Advantage 360 has concave key wells. The video says these can reduce finger travel and make thumb clusters easier to reach, but they are bulkier and taller, and hot-swappable sockets are difficult to implement in this design. Users may need to sit higher or use a standing desk.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Split designs allow more natural hand placement; fully split models offer greater positioning freedom.
• Programmability and thumb keys can reduce awkward reaches and make layers more practical.
• Mechanical keyboards let users choose switch feel; hot-swappable models make changing switches easier.
• Tenting and columnar layouts offer additional ways to tailor positioning and key reach.

Cons

• More ergonomic features can mean more expense, setup, and adjustment.
• Membrane models don’t offer mechanical switch choice; some also lack programmability or a number pad.
• Some programmable models make layer access awkward, and non-hot-swappable switches are harder to replace.
• Columnar layouts and keyboards with many thumb keys require an adjustment period.
• Concave key wells trade reduced finger travel for extra size and height.

Verdict

The video recommends matching the keyboard to your current comfort and experience, and progressing gradually rather than buying the most advanced model right away. A basic split keyboard is a reasonable starting point; programmability and thumb keys are useful next steps. Tenting and columnar layouts are further options for people seeking more customization and willing to adapt. No numerical product ratings or scores are given.

Speaker perspective

There is one presenter, speaking on behalf of Dygma Lab. The video compares products from several brands but is favorable toward Dygma’s Raise and Defy, so its praise of those models is the presenter’s view rather than an independent rating.