Use a split keyboard to protect your wrists during work and PC gaming

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I confronted a dilemma that is perhaps acquainted to many laptop customers: My wrists had been killing me. I used to be pulling eight-hour shifts at work, then taking part in extra video games on PC than ever on the identical setup to keep linked to associates during a bleak time. I hadn’t skilled wrist ache from typing earlier than, however it was so unhealthy that I couldn’t go on with out discovering a extra snug various that had at the least a few of the bells and whistles I anticipated from a fashionable gaming keyboard.

I finally discovered a resolution that met my standards for a gaming keyboard in addition to an ergonomic one, a mixture of wants that I supposed would by no means intersect — at a affordable value, at the least. I discovered the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB, and whereas $199.99 won’t be “reasonable” to some, it’s extra inexpensive than different split keyboards which have comparable options.

The foremost function that distinguishes the Kinesis from most different keyboards is that it’s split into two components, with every chunk linked by a cable. In case you had been questioning, sure, there may be a studying curve to typing on this type of keyboard. How powerful it’ll be will depend upon what your typing is like on a conventional keyboard. If you employ the keyboard’s house rows, such as you may’ve discovered in laptop class as a child, it most likely gained’t take you lengthy to acclimate, however in case you hunt and peck for keys, the split structure could also be extra of a problem.

Since the Freestyle Edge RGB is split, you’ll be able to place every half precisely the way you need so long as the 2 sides don’t stretch past the cable’s 20-inch size. So, as a substitute of bending my wrists outward to sort on typical layouts, my arms and wrists will be extra relaxed, typing at a place and angle that feels extra pure. On my desk, the keyboard halves barely contact one another. It’s bliss. If you play video games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, you’ll be able to even transfer both half out of the best way to make room on your desk for a HOTAS controller.

Image: Kinesis

Despite its appears to be like, the Freestyle Edge RGB is analogous to different gaming keyboards. It has mechanical keys with the choice to choose Cherry MX Blue (clicky), Red (linear), Silver (quick linear), or Brown (tactile) switches in case you will have a choice, and every secret’s backlit with RGB LEDs that may be custom-made in Kinesis’ SmartSet app. This mannequin additionally contains removable palm rests that raise your wrists up for an excellent cozier typing expertise.

That’s all nice, however this keyboard is a star as a result of it has N-key rollover (NKRO), a function that enables the person to press any variety of keys without delay. I came upon the laborious means that my earlier split keyboard didn’t assist it during the heyday of Halo Infinite’s very enjoyable on-line multiplayer; I couldn’t concurrently maintain down shift to dash, hit area to leap, maintain W to transfer ahead, and toss a grenade with the G key. NKRO is a primary gaming function in lots of inexpensive gaming keyboards, however you’ve received to search a little tougher for it in ergonomic fashions. Thankfully, it’s obtainable with the Freestyle Edge RGB, which is simply as responsive and succesful as the subsequent gaming keyboard, prepared for any collection of key presses.

Photo: Cameron Faulkner/Polygon

This Kinesis keyboard helps an add-on ergonomic function that leaves different gaming keyboards within the mud. The $29.99 Lift Kit is available in two items, every snapping onto the underside of the Freestyle Edge RGB to present some raise, so your wrists will be opened (oriented extra such as you’re moving into for a handshake as a substitute of laying flat). These let the keyboard halves be tented independently of one another at a number of angles. The lowest 5- and 10-degree angle choices tilt both sides upward barely, whereas the 15-degree angle offers a steeper pitch which will look unusual, however in my expertise, shortly felt regular to sort on.

One small grievance I’ve with the Freestyle Edge RGB is that, in contrast to pricier choices just like the ErgoDox EZ and the Matias Ergo Pro, it doesn’t assist sloping, which might elevate your palms in order that they’re greater than your fingers. It would have been very best if the add-on V3 Pro Lifters package enabled this. Still, for the cash, the Freestyle Edge RGB presents simply sufficient for full- or part-time players and desk employees who need to catch a break from wrist ache.