Freestyle Edge [Review]
By: Mithrandiel
After over 2 years of mostly working from home, I appreciate, now more than ever, the implementation of good ergonomic equipment in my workstation. Standing desks, proper back support, monitors at eye-level...and now, thanks to the folks over at Kinesis Gaming, a split keyboard that deftly combines practical ergonomic sense with features that every gamer loves.
I ran into some folks from Kinesis Gaming recently at PAX West, and while we didn't have a ton of time to chat in depth, I dropped off a business card and continued on my way. A representative was kind enough to reach out not too long ago and offer their Freestyle Edge for review, and while I have been happily using the Omen Spacer for the better part of two years, I felt it was time to explore an ergonomic option.
The Freestyle Edge is a split keyboard, which means you can position the two halves up to 20" apart from one another for a more comfortable typing position. Alternatively, gamers can rely on the left side alone (namely for first person shooters).
You may be wondering: why is a split keyboard a good ergonomic choice? Well, you can dive into Kinesis Gaming's on explanation here - but the gist of it is this: traditional keyboards and typing techniques cause stress to certain parts of your wrists and hands, and this repeated activity for many hours a day can lead to carpal tunnel. The split and rotated options the Freestyle Edge offers helps to address this.
When I began to use the split model, I was concerned that it was going to throw off my typing rhythm terribly. And indeed, it did take a little getting used to. But even now as I'm writing up this article, my arms are more naturally placed and I'm getting back to my usual typing speed.
One of the pain-points for the previous keyboard I used was the typing was exceedingly loud right off the jump. While there was an opportunity to place o-rings beneath the keys to cushion/reduce the noise, it was still an additional task I felt needed to be done to make the keyboard properly functional for me.
The Freestyle Edge has no such issue. While not the quietest keyboard out there, the noise level of typing is on the medium to low side of things, all while delivering an exceptional level of comfort.
One key difference between the Freestyle and my former keyboard is that the Spacer was a bluetooth/wireless keyboard, while the Freestyle is wired to my machine. Personally, I don't mind a hard-wired solution, as it helps eliminate some of the (slight) lag that I've previously experienced. That being said, if a wireless solution is a must-have, that may be a deal-breaker for you.
Aside from its ergonomic benefits, the Freestyle offers a standard suite of RGB configuration software, known as "Smart Set".
Within the Smart Set software you can configure the RGB settings, whether you want it static with a monochrome viewing, or have a more "Matrix" like approach with a Rain effect and neon green background, there are plenty of options to satisfy RGB enthusiasts.
In addition, the left side of the keyboard features a selection of 8 programmable keys to further support a left-only gaming setup. The Smart Set software provides the option to program these keys accordingly. Whether you want them to play or pause media, open up the calculator or be a secondary option for mouse clicks, the SmartSet app gives you plenty of options to program these keys.
While the cost of the keyboard may seem a bit high, especially if you're used to bundled gaming sets including a keyboard and mouse for $40-60, I would encourage you to consider how many hours a week you spend on your computer, typing...or gaming. Much like investing in a good bed, or comfortable shoes, it makes sense to put some money into systems where you spend the most time.
Overall, the Freestyle Edge has been a revelation for me. A comfortable, sleek accessory that integrates excellent features with a practical ergonomic design. Our thanks again to the team from Kinesis for the opportunity to review this product.
You can find the keyboard on Freestyle Edge on Kinesis Gaming's website here.
