Best Split Keyboards
Top split keyboards ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
ZSA Moonlander
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Hot-swappable switches for customization
- Oryx visual layout configurator
- Oryx visual layout configurator
Cons
- Expensive for a keyboard
- Steep learning curve for columnar layout
- Steep learning curve for columnar layout
Don't buy this if…
- Columnar key layout differs from standard staggered rows and requires significant retraining.
- The columnar ortholinear layout requires weeks of dedicated practice to reach previous typing speed.
- The columnar ortholinear layout requires weeks of dedicated practice to reach previous typing speed.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Concave key wells reduce finger strain
- Concave key wells reduce finger strain
- ZMK open-source firmware
Cons
- Highest price in split keyboard category
- Highest price in split keyboard category
- Extreme learning curve for contoured layout
Don't buy this if…
- The contoured concave key wells require significant muscle memory retraining and typing speed will drop initially.
- The contoured concave key wells require significant muscle memory retraining and typing speed will drop initially.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Traditional staggered layout for easy transition
- Traditional staggered layout for easy transition
- Hot-swappable mechanical switches
Cons
- Wired only no wireless option
- Wired only no wireless option
- Premium price for staggered split
Don't buy this if…
- The Dygma Raise uses a wired connection between halves and to the computer which adds cable management concerns.
- The Dygma Raise uses a wired connection between halves and to the computer which adds cable management concerns.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- QMK firmware unlimited customization
- QMK firmware unlimited customization
- Adjustable tenting and tilting
Cons
- Large footprint on desk
- Large footprint on desk
- Columnar layout steep learning curve
Don't buy this if…
- QMK firmware customization requires technical knowledge and the columnar layout demands dedicated relearning.
- QMK firmware customization requires technical knowledge and the columnar layout demands dedicated relearning.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Traditional layout for easy transition
- Traditional layout for easy transition
- Cherry MX mechanical switches
Cons
- Wired only USB connection
- Wired only USB connection
- Wired only, no wireless
Don't buy this if…
- The two halves connect via a wide cable bridge that limits the split angle adjustment range.
- The two halves connect via a wide cable bridge that limits the split angle adjustment range.
- The two halves are connected by a cable that carries data; if the interconnect cable is damaged, the right half stops working entirely.
- The two halves are connected by a cable that carries data; if the interconnect cable is damaged, the right half stops working entirely.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Affordable compact split option
- Affordable compact split option
- DIY kit or pre-built available
Cons
- DIY kit requires soldering
- DIY kit requires soldering
- Limited documentation for beginners
Don't buy this if…
- The DIY kit version requires soldering skills and electronic assembly experience that beginners may lack.
- The DIY kit version requires soldering skills and electronic assembly experience that beginners may lack.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Ultra-slim profile for portability
- Ultra-slim profile for portability
- Standard staggered layout
Cons
- Membrane switches not mechanical
- Membrane switches not mechanical
- Limited key travel for typists
Don't buy this if…
- The membrane key switches offer minimal tactile feedback and may disappoint mechanical keyboard users.
- The membrane key switches offer minimal tactile feedback and may disappoint mechanical keyboard users.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Quiet Click mechanical switches
- Quiet Click mechanical switches
- Standard layout easy transition
Cons
- Matias switches limit keycap options
- Matias switches limit keycap options
- Wired connection only
Don't buy this if…
- Matias switches use Alps-compatible stems so standard Cherry MX keycaps are not compatible.
- Matias switches use Alps-compatible stems so standard Cherry MX keycaps are not compatible.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
Change Log
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