One week with the NocFree & split ergonomic keyboard. Early thoughts on feel, accuracy, portability, and a minor out-of-box issue.
Feel
The keys feel and sound surprisingly good. I selected the linear switch, and they feel smooth and well cushioned. My previous experience with linear switches was with the Spidersland Split Keyboard, where every keystroke landed with a hollow, deadening thud against the table. These aren't silent switches, so they still make a noise, but it's nothing beyond the standard hum of typing and office noise, and is unlikely to trouble your seat neighbour.
Placement
I'm still getting used to it and have experimented with different configurations: angled like an Alice keyboard, and 90 degrees from the body. The sweet spot, for me, is angled like an Alice keyboard but with the two halves set slightly further apart. Ergonomics is personal beyond the initial key principles, so your mileage may vary.
Accuracy
Under normal conditions, I type at 80-90 WPM across keyboards including the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard and the Keychron K11 Max. On my first two attempts, I managed only 70 WPM and 75 WPM at 97-98% accuracy. Ten days in, I'm at 84 WPM at 98% accuracy. Every keyboard takes time to acclimatise to. Like a violin, the instrument rewards patience, and I expect my speed to recover fully within a month.
Portability
This keyboard is heavy compared to every other keyboard I've reviewed on this site. At 1.03 kg (2.27 lbs), it shares a weight class with the Lenovo X1 Carbon – which is to say, you'll notice it in a backpack. The Keychron K11 Max, for comparison, comes in at around 500g (1.1 lbs). I wish NocFree had used lighter materials, though the tradeoff is a keyboard that feels genuinely solid underhand: nothing flexes, nothing rattles.
Quirks
I often find myself hitting the Print Screen key by accident, which sits directly above Backspace. That will go away as muscle memory forms. I could remap the key, but I'd rather use it as-is first before reaching for software fixes.
Problems
The unit I received was missing two screws and the rubber feet that prevent it from sliding across a table. NocFree were responsive, acknowledged the issue without deflection, and dispatched the missing hardware promptly. A small stumble handled cleanly, and the kind of after-sales response that earns a second look.
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I'll continue to update this article as I continue to use the Nocfree &. A full unboxing is coming, showing exactly what NocFree includes in the box, followed by a longer-term review with a verdict on whether the NocFree & earns a place on this site's list of recommended portable split ergonomic keyboards. If you're considering one, it's worth checking back.
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- ⌨️Our full guides to split ergonomic keyboards: https://www.bulsuk.com/p/all-our-ergonomic-keyboard-reviews.html
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