If you’re hunting for the best split keyboard to level up your typing or gaming, you’ve landed in the right spot.
Split mechanical keyboards are the cool kids of the mech world. Compact, portable, and oh-so-comfortable for long sessions.
Whether you’re a coder clacking away or a gamer chasing that sweet, sweet latency, we’ve got the details on the best split keyboards you can snag on Amazon.
So, let’s not waste anymore time and get into it!
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Quick Comparison
Before we geek out over each board, here’s a quick look at how our top picks stack up. Peek at the table below to see if any catch your attention, then dive into the full reviews for all the spicy details. Click those links to grab your dream board!
| Image | Product | Details | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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| AmazonKeychron | |
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| Amazon | |
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| AmazonKBDcraft | |
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| AmazonEPOMAKER | |
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| Amazon |
Keychron Q11
- Allows you to position each side where you feel most sensible and ergonomic. You can also use it as a non-split keyboard.
- Easily program and remap each key on the keyboard. The open-source firmware means endless possibilities for keyboard layouts, shortcuts, backlight effects.
- OSA Profile Double-shot PBT Keycaps provide excellent oil resistance, enhance the type feel, and prevent the legends from fading out.
The Keychron Q11 is a 75% layout keyboard with a split design that helps you explore the angles and positions that fit you best. You can position each side of the board where you feel most sensible and ergonomic. You can also use it as a non-split keyboard by linking the two halves with a bridge cable.
The entire body is crafted with 6063 aluminum that’s processed through CNC machined, polished, anodized, sandblasted, and undergoes 24 more manufacturing stages to make it a solid metal piece of art.
Check out our guide on keyboard cases to learn about these materials.
Keychron designed every component to be easily assembled. Everything from the keycaps, switches, stabilizers, and foam can be swapped. This gives you the ability to adjust each component how you want, giving you a truly customizable experience.
It rocks a 1000 Hz polling rate and can easily switch between macOS and Windows layouts with the flick of a switch. If you need more customizing, the keyboard is compatible with QMK, which means you can program just about anything with the Keychron Launcher web app.
Customers have given the keyboard high praise on its build quality and solid feel, particularly mentioning the premium components used. They really enjoyed how easy it is to set up and how simple the configuration software is to use. The keyboards RGB also received kudos, with emphasis on it having just the right amount of brightness.
Check it out on Amazon and see why it’s a fave for typists and gamers alike!
Cloud Nine C989
- Split keyboard design helps eliminate wrist and shoulder pain while you type.
- Built-in tenting and palm support ensures your hands stay comfortable all day.
- Can be separated up to 8 inches keeping your arms & wrists ergonomically aligned.
- Kailh Linear Red switches provide low activation force with a smooth and linear feel.
- Works as a business or gaming keyboard.
The Cloud Nine C989 (ErgoFSK) is a full-sized ergonomic keyboard that’s designed to help you type naturally and avoid wrist strain, RSI, and typing discomfort. It keeps your hands typing naturally by separating them a natural width apart and the 7° of tenting offers the perfect amount of support to keep your hands at their natural angle.
Cloud Nine has partnered with Kailh to give you mechanical switches with a super satisfying key press and blissful typing experience. However, these switches aren’t hotswappable, so be sure to pick the best option for you (Kailh Box Red, Brown, or White).
Check out our guide on switches if you need help picking.
There are 115 keys on the board. Every single one of them is backlit, making them easy to read in any environment. You can customize your experience with 15 different light patterns, including solid colors, breath, wave, volcano, and other engaging light flows.
The keyboard also features 10-Key Rollover, Gaming Mode to deactivate the Windows key, and dedicated M Keys and Hotkeys.
Customers praise the ergonomics of the keyboard, particularly noting that the tenting angle lets your wrist sit at a very comfortable angle. However, some users do mention that they wished the keyboard had more lifting and tenting adjustments available. Customers also really enjoy the full-sized layout of the keyboard, particularly having ample buttons for all their macro needs. However, users do note that this keyboard is on the much larger size and takes up a lot of desk space.
KBDcraft Israfel
- Incorporates a fantastic 50% ortho layout. It optimizes input efficiency by aligning each key in a vertical and horizontal pattern that matches the natural movement of the fingers.
- The 3-pin low-profile switches, developed in collaboration with Kailh, create a thinner, more compact layout.
- Hinge-Split Design allows Israfel to adjust the angle, offering up to 7 different tilt options.
The KBDcraft Israfel is a 50% ortho keyboard that’s also low-profile. This company specializes in keyboards that use a building block design (basically LEGOs).
The keyboard features an adaptive gasket mount and a hinge-split design for multidimensional angle adjustments to achieve exceptional ergonomic mastery.
Learn what a gasket mount is all about here.
It comes in two different versions that are more than just colorways. The white kit comes with custom N2 Depth Charge (linear) switches, while the black kit comes with N2 Land Mine (tactile) switches. These switches were made in collaboration with Kailh and feature full POM construction (housing and stem) for a buttery-smooth typing experience.
The keyboard combines a 5° tilt angle with low-profile keycaps. The keycaps are from KeyTok, a company that specializes in keycap sets and also partners with Micro Center in the US.
Customers describe this keyboard as a great entry-level ortholinear keyboard at an incredible value. They emphasize the fact that the keyboard is easy to assemble, with clear instructions, and looks amazing when complete. Users also really like the sound that the keyboard produces.
EPOMAKER Split65
- Adopts a split 65% layout that enables users to detach keyboard in halves. The unique split design bestows users the flexibility to adjust each halves’ angle and distance in-between
- Enjoy the quiet and creamy acoustic profile of Split65 keyboard
- Comes with QMK/VIA support, Split65 keyboard lets you program and configure with maximum freedom in real-time display.
The EPOMAKER Split65 is unique on this list ‘cus it’s the only board that offers triple connectivity. It’s equipped with Type-C wired, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4GHz wireless modes. This also means that it includes a 3000mAh battery.
Like all the other boards on the list, it also features a split design that lets you adjust the board’s halves to your preferred angles. This offers unmatched comfort, reducing wrist strain during long typing or gaming sessions.
There are four layers of sound dampening material in the keyboard: a poron sound-absorbing cotton, IXPE switch pad, PET sound enhancement pad, and poron foam.
The board uses a top-mount structure, which gives you a stable, yet responsive typing feel with reduced vibrations. It comes with either Wisteria or Flamingo switches, but it’s also fully hotswappable for true customization.
Learn all about hotswappable keyboards here.
If you’re gaming, you’ll really appreciate it’s NKRO feature that makes sure all your keys are registered, no matter how many you press at a time. You’ll also get south-facing RGB backlights for that serious gamer glow and QMK/VIA support for all your macro needs.
So what are customers saying? They’re loving the board, especially the compact design, noting that it includes all the essential keys despite its size. Users also praise how good it feels to type on and they consider this board a good value for the money.
KinesisGaming Freestyle Edge RGB
- Versatile split design great for typing and gaming: move the right module out of the way and bring your mouse in close for improved endurance and more precise aim
- Genuine Cherry MX Silver speed mechanical switches (low-force, short travel) offer professional-grade responsiveness and unmatched durability (50M clicks).
- 16.8M color per-key RGB Backlighting with 10 customizable effects like wave, spectrum, rebound, pulse, rain and much more.
The KinesisGaming Freestyle Edge RGB is an alternative to the CloudNine C989 for gamers that don’t want a full-sized layout. This keyboard is closer to a TKL size and includes all the keys you need for gaming. It was engineered with input from serious gamers to meet the strictest standards for quality and design.
With this keyboard, you get a 20″ split that uses a hidden storage compartment for excess cable. It’s got a new premium-cushioned palm pad that’s also detachable. This thick foam supports your wrist during extended sessions. The quick-glide surface won’t slow you down and the sweat-resistant surface ensures maximum durability.
If you’re looking for even more ergonomics, Kinesis also has a Lift Kit Accessory that’s sold separately. This thing lets you tent the keyboard at three different heights (5˚, 10˚, and 15˚). The only caveat is that the palm supports are required to be on.
Kinesis decided to go with genuine Cherry switches for maximum performance. You can pick from Cherry MX Red, Brown, Blue, or Silver. These switches offer profressional-grade responsiveness and unmatched durability. Unfortunately, they’re not hotswappable.
You’ll also get NKRO, Game Mode, and the SmartSet app to program all 95 keys.
See why NKRO is a game changer here.
Customers note that this keyboard is high-quality and ergonomic, with great wrist support. However, it was also noted that the keyboard has no tilt adjustability without purchasing the Lift Kit Accessory. Most notably, users really appreciated the mechanical keys and the wrist supports. They emphasize that the combination of both really helps for long typing sessions.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. Five of the best split keyboards on Amazon, each with its own perks.
Whether you’re typing up reports, gaming into the night, or just want something sleek for your setup, there’s something here for you.
- Keychron Q11: The all-rounder that’s great for pretty much anyone.
- Cloud Nine C989: For gamers that want every key possible.
- KBDcraft Israfel: Its ortholinear and low-profile design offers a unique experience. Plus you get to build it.
- EPOMAKER Split65: The only wireless option on this list. Don’t sleep on it.
- KinesisGaming Freestyle Edge RGB: An alternative to gamers that want a smaller desk footprint.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to Amazon, snag your favorite, and get ready to type (or frag) in style!
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