Portable split mechanical keyboard review with deep key travel, full customisation, and great value for travel and ergonomic typing.
Casting the net far and wide, I came across a portable, split ergonomic keyboard on AliExpress (current version). The great thing about AliExpress is that it connects you to Chinese manufacturers of things which you wouldn't normally find on Western-based e-commerce sites, and they ship to pretty much anywhere in the world, without slugging ridiculous shipping fees. At USD 84 (shipping included), I took the plunge and bought one with Outemu red switches. Spoiler alert: it was an excellent buy.
The keyboard took only a couple of weeks to arrive and came well packed in bubble wrap, cables, and some rubber stoppers to attach to the bottom of the keyboard, preventing it from sliding around on your table. The keyboard is split into two separate halves, connected by a USB C cable, with another USB C cable connecting it to the computer. I've used this on and off since August 2022, and it continues to function well.
The keyboard is fully wired, and does not have any Bluetooth or other wireless capabilities. Despite its strange name, the SpiderIsland keyboard has excellent build quality, and it looks and feels solid.
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- Our reviews and recommendations for the best Portable Ergonomic Split Travel Keyboards: https://www.bulsuk.com/2025/01/best-split-portable-ergonomic-keyboard.html
Pros
- Gives you the full-sized keyboard experience with good key travel
- Able to separate both sides of the keyboard and position them in the way you like
- Software customisable
- Reasonable weight (563.5g, 1.3 lbs)
- Can be shipped to anywhere in the world
Cons
- Rather thick when put together, and is bulky when travelling
- No wireless connectivity
- Minimal documentation on how to use keyboard customisation software
| Layout | 78 keys, fully split (two separate halves) |
|---|---|
| Switches | Outemu mechanical (blue, red, or brown -- choose at purchase) |
| Connectivity | Fully wired -- USB-C cable between halves, USB-C to computer |
| Weight | 563.5g total (263g right, 300g left) |
| Backlight | White backlight, adjustable brightness |
| Customisation | Bootmapper software (free) |
| Price | USD 84 (AliExpress, shipping included) |
Typing experience
For those who do not like low key travel that comes with chiclet keyboards, you're going to love this one. The key travel is deep, akin to the IBM Model M keyboards, and provides a very satisfying typing experience. Given I could place both halves of the keyboard any way I wanted, it immediately felt at home, with fast, comfortable and responsive typing.
In fact, I was able to average 83 WPM, which is the same typing speed as my daily driver, the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard (full review here). This shows just how well the keyboard is designed, especially for the price point.
It is a mechanical keyboard, and during purchase, you can choose between blue, red, or brown switches, based on your preferences.
Despite having red switches installed, which are the quietest of the bunch, the keyboard is relatively loud, especially when compared to the other options we've reviewed on this site. I suspect it's the way it is built, with space between the keyboard and table acting as a noise amplifier. It is not outside of the realm of normal office noise, and unless you're sitting in a silent zone, this should be no problem.
Design and Ergonomics
This is a 78 key keyboard, which means it contains all the standard keys, but omits the number pad. It is also not too heavy: the right side is 263g (0.6 lbs), and left weighs 300g (0.7 lbs), for a total of 563g (1.3 lbs).
Unlike the other split keyboards reviewed here, the two halves are fully separate and not fixed into a set angle or position. This is great as it means it is infinitely customisable, and can adapt to your preferences, and any workspace you have. You can push the keyboard halves as close (or far) away from you as you want, at any angle. You choose what is comfortable and ergonomic for you.
One downside is that you cannot tent the keyboard, nor negatively raise it. I find that you can solve this problem if you have a good ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests, allowing you to position your hands so that it hovers above the keyboard, avoiding the need to bend your wrists upwards and inflaming carpal tunnel problems.
The package does come with a few rubber domes which you'll need to attach to ensure the keyboard doesn't slide around when typing. I found them to be a bit too thick, and replaced them with smaller rubber dots from 3M.
It also comes with built-in white backlight, which does a good job of illuminating the keyboard in a darker room. You can adjust the brightness in software as well, or turn it off completely.
SpiderIsland does produce design variations, with different backlights and keycap colours, but with the same basic layout and features.
With the SpiderIsland looking like something from the Matrix, it is a bit of a show piece and I have found people commenting on its looks regularly.
Portability
The keyboard is not the slimmest of the bunch. When both halves are stacked together, it is rather thick coming in at 6 cm (2.36 in). Despite that, I found that it still fits into a backpack easily, although it is certainly not the most compact keyboard compared to the other options reviewed so far.
The keyboard does not come with a case, but that's easily remedied. I simply kept the bubble wrap both halves came in, and stored it in an old drawstring bag when moving around.
Customisation
The keyboard is fully configurable using the Bootmapper software. While the software is not visually appealing, it is fully functional and easy-to-use. This made it easy to remap the menu context key into the "?" key, for example to suit my typing preferences.
A problem that I've come across is sometimes if I accidentally press a key combination when I'm not paying attention, then the keyboard does weird things. I haven't come across documentation on what all the shortcuts are, so you may come across some surprises if you buy this keyboard.
Connectivity
This is a fully wired keyboard, meaning you will need to account for the time to wire up the keyboard at the start and end of your day. It isn't difficult though, and you will need to plug in two cables: one to connect the two halves, and one to connect the left half to your computer.
Typing sound
Although having chosen a relatively quiet red switch, it still is louder than laptop chiclet keys, but not loud enough to be a nuisance in an office setting. Have a listen for yourself via the video below.
Conclusion
This is an excellent travel keyboard, and it remains portable while giving you the full-sized keyboard experience, with deep key travel, and the ability to position both halves the way you want it. While I was initially wary, it has proven to be a quality keyboard and has held up to regular use, while traveling in a backpack. Given it's a fully wired keyboard, you never need to worry about running out of battery. Most importantly, it is relatively affordable and given it's sold on AliExpress, can be shipped to most countries.
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- ℹ️ This article is part of our portable split ergonomic keyboard reviews and guides collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is the SpiderIsland keyboard good for travel?
Yes, with a caveat on size. When both halves are stacked together the keyboard is 6 cm thick, which is bulkier than foldable options like the ProtoArc XK03. It fits into a backpack easily enough, but it is the least compact of the portable split keyboards reviewed on this site. The trade-off is a full-sized, deep-travel mechanical typing experience that no foldable keyboard can match.
Does the SpiderIsland keyboard work without installing any software?
Yes. It works out of the box with the default key layout. The Bootmapper software is only needed if you want to remap keys. The software is not visually appealing but is functional. One caveat: the documentation on built-in key combinations is minimal, so accidental keypresses can sometimes trigger unexpected behaviour.
How loud is the SpiderIsland keyboard?
Louder than you might expect, even with red switches installed. The build - with open space between the keyboard body and the desk - acts as a noise amplifier. It is not outside normal office noise levels and should be fine in a regular office, but it would stand out in a library or silent zone. Blue switches would be considerably louder.
Can I choose which switches the SpiderIsland keyboard comes with?
Yes. At the time of purchase on AliExpress you can choose between blue (clicky), red (linear, quietest), or brown (tactile) switches. The review unit uses red switches. Switch choice does not affect the price.
Does the SpiderIsland keyboard have wireless connectivity?
No. The SpiderIsland is a fully wired keyboard. One USB-C cable connects the two halves, and a second USB-C cable connects the left half to your computer. There is no Bluetooth or wireless option. The upside is that you never need to worry about battery life.
Updates
24 Dec 2024: originally published
29 July 2025: updated AliExpress link, the switch from micro USB to USB C cables, and decrease in price from USD 118 to 84
27 Sep 2025: Clarified that this is a mechanical keyboard, and added available switch choices. Added keyboard weight.
2 Jan 2026: Updated photography, updated narrative to refer to newest version of keyboard, which relies solely on USB C cables
19 Aug 2026: Revisited recommendation, with no changes needed.
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