Dygma Raise  Keyboard Review

Reviewed Mar 24, 2020 at 10:07am
Test bench update Nov 29, 2023 at 09:32am
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1 
Dygma Raise

Track

0.0
Gaming 
0.0
Office 
0.0
Mobile/Tablet 
0.0
Programming 
0.0
Entertainment / HTPC 
0.0
Raw Performance 

Track

 2
Notice: This keyboards was replaced by Dygma Raise 2

The Dygma Raise is an incredible ergonomic gaming keyboard with a split design and hot-swappable mechanical switches. It can be purchased with your preferred type of switches, and you can even mix and match on the same keyboard. There aren't many extra features, but it's one of the most customizable keyboards we've seen. It has individually-lit RGB backlighting along with underglow LED strips, and every key can be reprogrammed. The keyboard can only be purchased directly from Dygma's website, as it isn't currently available at major retailers.

Our Verdict

0.0
Gaming 

The Dygma Raise is an impressive gaming keyboard. It has low latency, can be fitted with the mechanical switches of your choice, and has outstanding build quality. Its split keyboard design lets you position the two halves for optimal comfort, and it has individually-lit keys. You can reprogram and set macros to every key on the board.

Pros
  • Outstanding build quality.
  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • Customization software still in development.
0.0
Office 

The Dygma Raise is a fantastic office keyboard. It has excellent ergonomics, as you can position the keyboard however you like, and it comes with built-in wrist rests. Our Cherry MX Brown unit provides a fantastic typing experience, though you can get it with almost any type of mechanical switches that you want. It might take some time to get used to the keyboard's layout, but on the upside, it's compatible with all desktop operating systems.

Pros
  • Outstanding build quality.
  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • Customization software still in development.
0.0
Mobile/Tablet 

The Dygma Raise is a wired-only keyboard that can't be used with wireless mobile devices. It can be used with tablet-like devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro, as it has a USB port and runs on Windows, but the keyboard is a little too big to carry around.

0.0
Programming 

The Dygma Raise is an excellent keyboard for programming. It's highly customizable, so you can choose the type of switches that best suits you. Its ergonomics are excellent, and you can reprogram any key, with an unlimited amount of profiles. It's fully compatible with all desktop operating systems, and you can reprogram and set macros to any key on the board.

Pros
  • Outstanding build quality.
  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • Customization software still in development.
0.0
Entertainment / HTPC 

The Dygma Raise is disappointing for a home theater PC setup. You can't use it wirelessly, so you need to have a cable running from the board to the computer. Also, there's no built-in trackpad or volume control wheel; on the bright side, it does have media hotkeys and RGB backlighting.

Pros
  • Outstanding build quality.
  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • Customization software still in development.
0.0
Raw Performance 

The Dygma Raise offers impressive raw performance, with great single-key and good multi-key latency. It also has full N-Key rollover and can take full effective advantage of its 1000Hz polling rate without bottlenecking.

Pros
  • Outstanding build quality.
  • Excellent ergonomics.
  • Excellent typing experience.
Cons
  • Customization software still in development.
  • 0.0
    Gaming
  • 0.0
    Office
  • 0.0
    Mobile/Tablet
  • 0.0
    Programming
  • 0.0
    Entertainment / HTPC
  • 0.0
    Raw Performance
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
    2.  Updated Aug 30, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in TBU 1.3.
    3.  Updated Aug 30, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3, which overhauls how key input is evaluated. We've added new tests for Single Key Latency, Multi Key Latency, Data Transmission, and Chord Split. We've also introduced a new Raw Performance usage and adjusted how the Gaming and Office usage scores are calculated. You can see the full changelog here.
    4.  Updated Jun 12, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.

    Check Price

    BlackRaise
    Amazon.com
    BlackRaise
    B&H
    BlackRaise
    BestBuy.com
    BlackRaise
    Dygma
    BlackRaise
    Walmart.com

    Differences Between Sizes And Variants

    The Dygma Raise can be purchased in various configurations. When ordering, you can choose the color scheme (black or silver), the type of switches you want, and the keycaps are available in a number of languages. You can order the keyboard directly from Dygma's website.

    Popular Keyboard Comparisons

    The Dygma Raise is a great gaming keyboard for those looking for an ergonomic design. There are many keyboards with a split design, but the Dygma stands out with its hot-swappable switches and incredible customization options. Compared to a similar keyboard, like the ErgoDox EZ, the Dygma has significantly better build quality but lacks incline settings.

    For other options, check out our recommendations for the best ergonomic keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best RGB keyboards.

    Dygma Raise 2

    Track

    The Dygma Raise 2 is the successor to the original Dygma Raise. Both are visually similar ergonomic mechanical keyboards with a split design. The major difference is that the Raise 2 introduces wireless connectivity, supporting both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth via an add-on purchase. Both options also have add-on tenting kits available, but the Raise 2's kit is built-in and includes reverse incline options, whereas the original requires external components and doesn't offer reverse tilt. Lastly, both keyboards have per-key backlighting; however, the original Dygma Raise included underglow lighting in its base configuration, while on the Raise 2, underglow is only available as a separate add-on.

    Kinesis Freestyle Pro

    Track

    The Dygma Raise is much better than the Kinesis Freestyle Pro for most uses. The Dygma is better in almost every aspect, and it's a lot more customizable, but the Kinesis has better software support, and you can program macros or remap keys directly on the keyboard, which some people may prefer to using software.

    Matias Ergo Pro

    Track

    The Dygma Raise is significantly better than the Matias Ergo Pro. The Dygma has a better build quality, ergonomics, and it has RGB backlighting. It's also much more customizable and it has software support. The Matias has incline settings though, which the Dygma doesn't have.

    ErgoDox EZ

    Track

    The Dygma Raise and the ErgoDox EZ are very similar in certain aspects, but the Dygma is slightly better overall. It has a much better build quality, RGB backlighting, and doubleshot PBT keycaps, although the ErgoDox is available with backlighting, and the keycaps are easily replaceable. Comparatively, the ErgoDox has better ergonomics due to its incline settings and columnar-stagger key layout, and its customization software has more features available.

    Show more 

    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Dimensions
    Size
    LockedCompact (60%)
    Height
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Depth With Wrist Rest
    LockedLock" (Lock cm)
    Weight
    LockedLock lbs (Lock kg)

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    0.0
    Build Quality
    Keycap MaterialLockedLocked

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    0.0
    Ergonomics
    Curved/Angled
    LockedLocked
    Split Keyboard
    LockedLocked
    Key Alignment
    LockedLocked
    Minimum Incline
    LockedLock°
    Medium Incline
    LockedN/A
    Maximum Incline
    LockedN/A
    Home Row Height
    LockedLock mm (Lock")

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    0.0
    Hardware Customizability
    Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
    LockedLocked
    Stabilizer Fixation
    LockedLocked
    Spacebar Stabilizer Size
    LockedLocked
    Size Of Right Mod Keys
    LockedLocked
    Hot-Swappable Switches
    LockedYes
    Switch Stem Shape
    LockedLocked
    Switch PCB Socket
    LockedLocked
    North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
    LockedLocked
    0.0
    Backlight Features
    BacklightingLockedLocked
    RGB
    LockedLocked
    Per-Key Backlighting
    LockedLocked
    Effects
    LockedLocked
    Software Controllable
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Backlight Clarity
    Cable & Connector
    ConnectivityLockedWired
    Detachable
    LockedLocked
    LengthLockedLock ft (Lock m)
    Connector (Keyboard side)
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Versatility
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
    LockedLocked
    Proprietary Receiver
    LockedLocked
    Battery Type
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Macro Keys And Programming
    Dedicated Macro Keys CountLockedLock
    Onboard Macro Programming
    LockedLocked
    Macro Programming With Software
    LockedLocked
    Extra Features
    Media Keys
    LockedLocked
    Trackpad / TrackballLockedLocked
    Scroll Wheel
    LockedLocked
    Control Knob
    LockedLocked
    USB Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    NumpadLockedLocked
    Windows Key Lock
    LockedLocked
    Lock IndicatorLockedLocked

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    In The Box

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    Typing Experience
    0.0
    Typing Quality
    Key Spacing
    LockedLock mm (Lock")

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    0.0
    Typing Noise
    SAMPLE
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    Dygma Raise Typing Sample Sample
    Average Loudness
    LockedLock dBA
    High Pitch Clicks
    LockedLocked

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    Switches
    SAMPLE
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    for videos & test results

    Dygma Raise Wobble Video Sample
    Switch Name
    LockedLocked
    Switch Type
    LockedMechanical
    Feel
    LockedLocked
    Analog
    LockedLocked
    Keystrokes
    Operating Force
    LockedLock gf
    Actuation Force
    LockedLock gf
    Pre-Travel
    LockedLock mm
    Total Travel
    LockedLock mm

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    Performance
    0.0
    Single-Key Latency
    Best Connection
    LockedLock ms
    Best Connection Std DevLocked±Lock ms
    Wired
    LockedLock ms
    Receiver
    LockedN/A
    Bluetooth
    LockedN/A
    PCB (Estimated)
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Multi-Key Latency
    SAMPLE
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    Dygma Raise Latency Video Sample
    Connection EvaluatedLockedLocked
    Key Press
    LockedLock ms
    Key Release
    LockedLock ms

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    0.0
    Data Transmission
    Connection EvaluatedLockedLocked
    USB Polling Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    Effective Update Rate
    LockedLock Hz
    N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
    LockedYes
    Multiple Keys Per USB Report
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Chord Split
    4 Chord Split Delay
    LockedLock ms
    8 Chord Split Delay
    LockedLock ms

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    Software and Operating System
    Configuration Software
    SAMPLE
    JOIN NOW

    for videos & test results

    Dygma Raise Software Tour Sample
    Software NameLockedLocked
    Software Windows Compatible
    LockedLocked
    Software macOS Compatible
    LockedLocked
    Onboard Memory
    LockedLocked
    Profiles
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Computer Compatibility
    Windows
    LockedLocked
    macOS
    LockedLocked
    Linux (Ubuntu 22)
    LockedLocked
    Media Key Compatibility
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Wireless Mobile Compatibility
    Android
    LockedLocked
    iOS
    LockedLocked
    iPadOS
    LockedLocked
    Media Key Compatibility
    LockedLocked