The Kinesis Freestyle Edge Gaming Mechanical Keyboard Review: Split Ends For Combined Comfort

Conclusion

Kinesis made a very bold move with the Freestyle Edge. It probably is the first mechanical keyboard trying to combine ergonomics with advanced gaming. Most users, and especially gamers, do not usually react positively towards products that break away from the standard layout. Some users complain about the bottom row being different on some keyboards, and here we have Kinesis bringing a split mechanical keyboard with a completely unique layout.

The unique split layout is a huge change over a typical keyboard and it requires a learning curve but, in terms of comfort, it definitely works. The position of the arms feels much more natural, especially when using the optional lift kit. Using it for just a couple of hours is enough to realize that the strain on the arms, fingers, and tendons is greatly reduced. It is perfect for both professional use and long gaming hours. Gamers will also benefit from the ability to move the right half out of the way and get their mouse straight in front of their arm and towards their body, which is a much more natural position for the arm than extending it to the right.

The greatest advantage of the Freestyle Edge also is its greatest drawback. The layout change requires the user to essentially “reprogram” their brain and muscles. Using the keyboard for a few hours will cover most of that requirement, yet it might take weeks before the user fully adapts to the new layout. And here is the major problem - after using the Freestyle Edge for just two days, it was difficult for me to use any other keyboard. I had a hard time using my own laptop and, after using it for a few hours, I was constantly misclicking again when I got back to the Freestyle Edge. This will just not work for people who need to be using more than one keyboard during the day. Perhaps someone who is using the Freestyle Edge alongside with a typical keyboard for weeks in parallel can get used to using both of them at the same time, but that will undoubtedly take several weeks of training.

The unique implementation of the keyboard’s programming software is another double-edged sword. Making the software portable and inserting it into the flash memory of the keyboard itself was a brilliant idea, as it allows for any programmed settings to persist when changing OSes or systems. The implementation of a two-layer profile programming and allowing three macros to be programmed per key also are unique and useful features for professionals and advanced gamers. This approach however is limiting, as the keyboard’s Smartset software cannot record complex macros, such as macros that include mouse movement commands, but also cannot be programmed to launch external applications, so macros compiled with third-party software will not be of use either. Gamers who want to perform very complex in-game actions might face issues using the Freestyle Edge.

When it comes to quality, Kinesis certainly did not spare any expenses. Powder-coating the keyboard’s plates just to reduce the noise output of the switches a little and double painted keycaps to make their characters capable of better light diffusion and brighter are but two examples. There are no manufacturing flaws or mechanically weak points to be found. Even the short travel switches for the four low-profile buttons on the right half of the keyboard feel great. The only thing that one could complain of is the lack of any tilting mechanism for users that do not want to buy the optional Lift kit for tenting, or the inability to lift just the rear side of the keyboard even with the optional Lift kit attached.

The high quality and unique design of the Kinesis Freestyle Edge force a high retail price tag that, at around $200, places the keyboard amongst the most expensive that we have ever reviewed. For professionals and gamers who are using just one keyboard all the time, or at least most of the time, investing on the Freestyle Edge is most definitely worth it. Sure, it will take several hours to get used to it and even weeks to master it, but a week later your own body will let you know how well spent that money was. However, people who must use more than one keyboard during the day will have problems using the Freestyle Edge, as it is very difficult to keep switching between a typical keyboard and to the unique Freestyle Edge.