Our recommendations for the best, affordable, and travel friendly, portable ergonomic split keyboards.
I’ve been on the lookout for a portable, travel friendly, split ergonomic keyboard which I can bring along to work without adding significant weight or bulk to my backpack.
While companies like Logitech, Microsoft, and Lenovo all have very good ergonomic split keyboards, they are all relatively large and designed to be left on a desk, rather than being packed and carried around in a backpack.
I’ve scoured the internet to try a variety of keyboards from niche brands and manufacturers, to see if any of them have affordable, light, compact and travel-friendly split keyboards, which you can use out-of-the-box, and have a good typing experience. This article documents the ongoing journey in finding and testing options, and we will continually update it with new findings, reviews, and recommendations.
The Best Portable Split Ergonomic Keyboards
Methodology & Requirements
We’ve formed the list of requirements based on a user who is regularly on the move, travelling between offices and client sites, and needs to carry around a portable, yet ergonomic set up, which will fit into a backpack. As a regular rider of public transport, we prefer lighter weight keyboards. In addition, this user persona is someone who primarily types out reports and emails, and while does the occasional spreadsheet, does not need a number pad.
Based on this, we’ve split the selection criteria into three categories:
Must-haves:
- Costs < USD 120: Affordability is a key indicator, and the USD 120 mark is a sweet spot balancing price, and performance.
- Comes pre-built and useable straight out-of-the-box: While soldering your own keyboard offers infinite customisability, we’re looking for something which just works out-of-the-box.
- Is mobile and travel friendly: It needs to be fairly slim and compact, to easily fit into a medium sized backpack, and ideally be <500g (1.1 lbs) in weight. Although we trend towards slim builds to avoid bulk, it still needs to be reasonably sized for a good typing experience
- Feels right on the fingers: We’re big fans of the Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards, the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Keyboard (our review), and the old school IBM Model M keyboard. These are all examples of great keys which provide excellent tactile feel and support on your fingers. They are shaped using the right materials to prevent your fingers from easily slipping off, resulting in comfortable, accurate and satisfying typing.
- Has enough key travel: Based on the Goldilocks principle, key travel needs to be just right. Too little, and it feels like you’re typing on a plank of wood. Too much, and it feels like you’re typing on a 1960s manual typewriter. Either extreme leads to fatigue, and pain.
- Has a standard staggered QWERTY layout: This will help to reduce the amount of retraining compared to other enthusiast keyboards (such as those with otholinear layouts). We’re not big fans of key layers, which requires users to use a combination of key presses to access basic functions. Number row keys, a dedicated escape key, and real arrow keys, are non-negotiables.
- Does not have a number pad: A traditional full sized keyboard has a number pad on the right, forcing users to reach further from the centre to use the mouse. This is poor ergonomics.
- Is a 65%-80% keyboard: This is a good balance between reducing unnecessary keys to reduce the overall keyboard size, while still allowing seamless switching from a desktop keyboard. It also means no number pad, which takes up too much space. [Read more: What's a 65%-80% keyboard?]
Nice-to-haves:
These are the requirements which would certainly be helpful, but does not push a keyboard out of consideration.
- Bluetooth: We prefer a wireless keyboard to reduce set up time when moving from site to site, and to avoid tangled wires. We'd also take Bluetooth over a wireless dongle any day. Another dongle is something to potentially lose.
- Negative tilt: This is where you can angle the keyboard forwards, so that the hands are in a more natural position. While this is comfortable, a good chair with adjustable arm rests can make up for the lack of negative tilt, by ensuring one’s fingers can hover comfortably over the keyboard. A good example is the negative riser that comes with the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard.
- Tenting: This is where you can raise the middle of the keyboard higher, which is good for preventing hand pronation, or bending your wrists up when you type. While this is nice-to-have, similar to negative tilt, good adjustable armrests can help to make up for a lack of this.
Optional:
- Mechanical switches: Both mechanical switches and scissor switches can offer excellent typing experiences, with the keyboard design being a more important factor in typing comfort.
- Backlighting: RGB and other backlights might be nice to play around with, but working in bright offices means they are not essential.
Reviews
Keychron K11 Pro/Max
Read Full Review: https://www.bulsuk.com/2024/04/keychron-k11-pro-review.html
Price: USD 99
Rating: ⬤⬤⬤⬤⬤ 5.0/5.0 Outstanding
The Keychron K11 Pro/Max is an excellent split ergonomic keyboard, utilising an Alice layout, which is small and light enough for you to throw into a backpack and not really notice it. The build quality is solid, and if you buy the RGB backlight version, it is fully customisable and you can change both the keycaps and the switches. It has Bluetooth, making it easy to just take out of your bag and use, and also supports USB-C for both wired connectivity and charging. More surprisingly, it remains affordable coming in at USD 114, and readily available directly from Keychron, or through AliExpress.
In our tests, the keyboard is responsive and the keys feel just right. I can reach around 83 WPM, which is on par with the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard which I use as my daily driver. More importantly, the keys cradle the fingers and has good travel to provide sufficient tactile feel on each keypress.
The customisation software is very user friendly, and available through a downloadable executable, or directly through a web browser. For USD 20 extra, you can also buy a matching travel pouch which fits the keyboard perfectly and looks good.
There are a few cons, mainly that the layout feels a bit cramped despite having full sized keys, with typing accuracy taking a hit at first. The Keychron K11 Pro/Max also has a positive, as opposed to a negative raiser, which reduces the ergonomic nature of the keyboard. These are minor flaws and you can easily adapt to them after a short while.
If the Keychron K11 Pro is not available, then the Keychron K11 Max has a virtually identical form factor. They key differences is that the K11 Max adds acoustic foam, supports 2 GHz wireless connectivity, but has a smaller battery.
SpiderIsland Tech Split Macro Keyboard
Read full review: https://www.bulsuk.com/2024/12/spiderisland-split-keyboard-review.html
Price: USD 82
Rating: ●●●●○ 4.0/5.0 Excellent
Weighing in at 563g (1.3 lbs), this is a fully wired device, and requires a cable to connect both sides together, and another cable from the left half into your computer. While set up time is increased by 30 seconds compared to a Bluetooth keyboard, it does mean you never need to worry about running out of battery.
While it remains portable and will easily fit into a backpack, it is naturally thicker than the other reviewed options, given the amount of key travel offered. The keys are customisable using the Bootmapper software, and it has a white backlight in case you’re ever using it in the dark.
ProtoArc XK03
Read full review: https://www.bulsuk.com/2024/04/protoarc-xk03-foldable-ergonomic.html
Price: USD 50
Rating: ●●●●○ 4.0/5.0 Excellent
For road warriors looking for a travel-friendly, super compact, split ergonomic keyboard with the smallest practical form factor, the ProtoArc XK03 is an excellent choice. The XK03 has full sized keys despite its form factor, comes with wireless connectivity via Bluetooth, and is a delight to use. It uses the standard qwerty layout and requires no retraining. The keys clearly draw inspiration from Lenovo’s ThinkPads, with concave keys which cup the fingers, good key spacing, and a surprising amount of key travel given its size, ensuring typing accuracy and speed.
It selling point is that it folds in half, making it easy to throw into a backpack (or even a folder) and forget it’s even there, and weighs only 400g (0.9 lbs).
Although it does a lot right, the form factor results in some minor gripes. The keys aren’t exactly centred, and when using it for the first week, you may end up hitting the hard sides of the keyboard. Because it’s so flat, longer typing sessions may strain your fingers as it can feel like you’re typing on wood after a while. Nevertheless, the ProtoArc XK03 remains an excellent choice if you need the smallest split keyboard possible.
Upcoming keyboards we're keeping an eye on
NocFree &
The Nocfree & is an upcoming wireless split keyboard. The keyboard is unique, in that the two halves of the keyboard will not need a cable to connect them to function, connecting to each other completely wirelessly. It uses mechanical linear switches with low profile keys, connects to your computer via Bluetooth, wireless dongle, or USB C, and is built out of aluminium. They also offer a separate number pad, wrist rests, and tenting kit with built in charging, albeit at additional costs. Nocfree funded through Kickstarter, and are looking to ship keyboards out to backers in Jan 2026. We have ordered a device, and will review it when it arrives. Priced at USD 349, it is expensive and beyond the budget set in our parameters, as well as being relatively heavy (~1 kg, 2.2 lbs), so we'll need to see if its pros outweighs its cons.
Read our initial thoughts: https://www.bulsuk.com/2025/08/nocfree-split-keyboard-our-initial.html
Keyboards we're testing
JOMAA Ergonomic Split Keyboard
The JOMAA Ergonomic Split Keyboard is a flat, foldable split keyboard, available from AliExpress for between USD 25-35. It is the cheapest keyboard we've come across in this form factor so far. We're in the process of testing it to see if it is value for money, or whether quality and typing experience suffers from the "you get what you pay for" school of thought.
Keyboards which we may review
We keep an eye out on keyboards which are already in the market, and which fit our criteria. As we're not a commercial site, we actually purchase all of the keyboards reviewed. It's not possible to try every keyboard out there, as the cost would add up considerably.
These are some of the keyboards which we know exist, and may buy to review in the future:
- Epomaker Split 65 Ergonomic Split Keyboard
Keyboards we considered, but did not review
One of the things we do is perform a paper review over the options before deciding to purchase a keyboard for review, and the following are the ones which did not pass initial screening:
NocFree Lite Wireless Split Keyboard
This keyboard looks beautiful, portable, and well designed. It even has built-in tenting, which is unique among the ones we've looked at so far. There are a few unfortunate issues with the NocFree Lite though. Firstly, the "?" key is weirdly positioned to the right of the arrow keys, inviting mistaken key presses until you retrain muscle memory. It also relies on a dongle for wireless connectivity, and does not have Bluetooth. Finally, it is higher than our budget, priced at USD 179. With its successor, the Nocfree &, under development and correcting the challenges here, we will skip this and review its newer sibling.
R-Go Split Keyboard
At first, this appeared to be a serious contender, as the form factor, size, and chiclet keys all tick the right boxes. Unfortunately, the reviews on Amazon were mixed (3.2 as of Jan 2025), with many talking about quality problems and high failure rates. It is difficult to justify spending USD 125 on a keyboard which may break in a few months.
ZSA’s Voyager
The Voyager keyboard ticks off most of the boxes, being small, thin, light, customisable and well-built for travel. The fact it uses slim keys, and can be tented won it extra points. However, the lack of certain dedicated keys, such as arrow keys, may appeal to enthusiasts who are looking for the most efficient keyboard layout possible, but we felt it would not be appreciated by an everyday user coming from standard keyboards. Although a beautifully designed and engineered piece of hardware, its price of USD 365 was also beyond our budget. With cheaper and just as functional options available, we decided to skip the Voyager.
Goldtouch Go!2 Bluetooth Wireless Mobile Keyboard
When looking at this keyboard, there were some glaring issues which quickly removed it from the review list. Firstly, the layout looked strange and incredibly cramped. The arrow keys seemed to be squished in as an afterthought, and the home, end, page up and down keys on the left looks like it invites constant accidental presses. Secondly, it also appears quite large and thick when folded. As portability and compactness is a key requirement to ensure travel friendliness, the Go!2 keyboard did not pass our initial screening.
Keyboards we reviewed, but can't recommend
Generic Foldable Split Ergonomic Keyboard
This is a keyboard manufactured by an OEM and sold by brands such as iClever, Targus, and via generic ergonomic shops. Despite its small size and apparent similarity to the ProtoArc XK03 reviewed above, it is a terrible keyboard. The keys are too small and fingers keep slipping off, negatively impacting both accuracy and feel. Worse, our review unit kept dropping keystrokes, meaning it fails one of the basic functions of a keyboard.
Looking for a desktop split ergonomic keyboard?
We highly recommend the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard. It is a time-tested design which offers supreme comfort, and a design which would look right at home on the Starship Enterprise.
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- Our full review of the Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard:
https://www.bulsuk.com/2025/09/sculpt-ergonomic-keyboard-review.html
Updates
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- 2025
- 27 Jan 2025: Originally published
- 3 Feb 2025: Added notes around the Keychron K11 Max
- 15 Feb 2025: Updated the Keychron K11 Pro/Max price
- 28 Apr 2025: Added the NocFree Lite into the list of untested keyboards
- 15 June 2025: Added reviewed keyboards which we can't recommend
- 27 July 2025: Updated price of the Spidersisland keyboard (decreased from $118 to USD 82)
- 29 July 2025: Added the Nocfree & keyboard as an upcoming contender
- 9 August 2025: Added omission of a number pad in the list of must-have requirements
- 6 September 2025: Added "Keyboards we may review" section
- 17 September 2025: Added our desktop keyboard recommendation
- 4 October 2025: Added the JOMAA Ergonomic Split keyboard to our list of keyboard we're currently testing
- 9 Oct 2025: Updated typing speeds for the Keychron K11 Pro/Max, and the SpidersIsland Split Keyboard
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